Patrons, Board and Staff

The role of Director is to develop the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement in accordance with the Strategic Plan, to meet the Centre's stated mission, goals, objectives and strategies and to continue the enhancement of the Centre's reputation and professional standing

For the past 13 years Christopher Hall has held the position of Director of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, a government funded specialist bereavement service, which is based in Melbourne, Victoria. He is a psychologist who has developed a specialisation in the field of grief and bereavement over the past 20 years.

Chris has trained many health and education professionals in grief theory and interventions both in Australia and internationally. He has a strong interest in child and adolescent grief, traumatic and complex bereavement experiences and the organisational impact of grief and loss.

In 1999 he was elected to the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement (IWG) and currently is chair of the board of the organisation. He is a member of the US Association for Death Education and Counseling, a member of the UK Bereavement Research Forum and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Chris is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and a lecturer in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the university. He is the Editor of the peer-reviwed journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement and was the scientific and organizing committee chair for the 8th International Conference of Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society, which was held in Melbourne in July 2008. Chris is a member of the Victorian Bushfire Psychosocial Recovery Advisory Committee, the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network and the Child and Adolescent Working Group (National Mental Health Disaster Response Taskforce). In 2010 Christopher was appointed to the Coronial Council of Victoria.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2100

Anne's role as the Manager of the Bereavement Counselling & Support Service is to oversee the service's numerous activities which include the Victorian Bushfire Bereavement Support program, the Regional Specialist Bereavement Service, the metropolitan counselling and outreach service, intern counsellor practicuum and telephone services.

Anne has had a long association with the Australian Centre For Grief and Bereavement having worked for a number of years as an educator in Centre's courses, community education and customised training programs.

She has extensive experience as a social worker in bereavement, health and family settings, including ten years as a counsellor/educator and manager at SIDS & Kids Victoria. She has a particular interest in the diversity of supports that assist bereaved people, including support groups, self help programs, creative activities, natural social networks, and specialised bereavement counselling. Anne is a NALAG (Vic) accredited bereavement counsellor, counselling supervisor and educator.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2158

Danielle Ricato, in her role as Manager  -  Health Promotion and Education, is responsible for managing the education and training activities of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. This involves managing the delivery of the Centre's metropolitan, regional, interstate and international educator programs and customized training and consultancy services.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2170

In her role as Manager - Business Operations, Julie is responsible for the financial, administrative and business development functions of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

 

 

Phone: +61 3 9265 2157

In his role as Manager - Special Projects, Jim is responsible for a range of senior project management functions of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2157

Janelle is responsible for the administration and reception duties at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. She is also responsible for maintaining a wide variety of books and resources to be available to professionals and the public, as well as looking after memberships and subscriptions.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2100

The Education Programs Administrator, ensures that all training registrations are processed and appropriate material is sent out to training participants. This member of staff also undertakes a range of administrative functions such as reception, information dissemination and maintaining an extensive database.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2170

The Courses Coordinator, coordinates extended courses for students wishing to specialise in bereavement counselling or bereavement support. Most students have a community service or health profession background as well as expertise in generalist counselling.

Courses offered in 2010:

• Foundations in Bereavement Support
• Vocational Graduate Certificate in Bereavement Counselling and Intervention
• Intensive Certificate in Bereavement Counselling and Intervention

 

Phone: +61 3 9265 2172

Natalie coordinates the production of the journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement. Natalie manages each edition from the initial planning stage, commissioning articles, sourcing relevant books for review and articles to abstract, liaising with contributors through the editing and proofing processes, liaising with the designers and printers, all the way to the finished journal. Natalie reports to the Editor, Christopher Hall.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2156

Claire job shares with Rae Silverstein. They are responsible for the administration and coordination of services at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement - Bereavement Counselling and Support Service. They conduct telephone assessments, initiate referrals, matches clients to counsellors and oversees client satisfaction reviews. Rae and Claire implement and maintains client database systems, and assists in the marketing and operational maintenance of the service, in liaison with the Manager of the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service.
Phone: +61 3 9265 2111

Rae is responsible for the organisation of the Community Outreach Service which provides counselling in the home for those who are unable to access an office-based service. This may be due to a number of factors including old age, disability, trauma or illness. She undertakes an initial assessment and, where possible, assigns an experienced counsellor to make home visits to the client. Rae also takes on some of the administrative coordinator roles together with Claire Ewart.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2161

Colin is a senior bereavement counsellor at the Australian Centre For Grief and Bereavement. He coordinates the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service's support groups together with Simon Djurdjevic. He is also heading the 18 month Bushfire Bereavement Groups project. Colin has worked for 20 years in the child protection field, working in various roles including, child protection, case management and youth and family counselling. Colin's special areas of interest include child, adolescent and men's bereavement. Phone: +61 3 9265 2160

Simon is responsible for the smooth running of the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service's support groups. He assists Colin with the administrative details and runs the KG2 and Step By Step groups.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2174

One of Wendy's roles at the Bereavement Counselling and Support Services is to provide supervision to interns on placement and Practitioner Associates who have completed their placements and continue to provide bereavement counselling in a voluntary capacity. She also organises professional development and case presentation evenings for interns and Practitioner Associates.
In her role as a Regional Coordinator, which she shares with Maria Smart, she provides supervision and support for the Regional Specialist Bereavement Counsellors across Victoria.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2162

Maria has a number of roles within the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service. She provides supervision to interns on placement and to Practitioner Associates who have completed their placements and continue to provide bereavement counselling in a voluntary capacity. She also edits the regular Bereavement Practice Notes e-newsletter for practitioners in the bereavement field. In her role as a Regional Coordinator, which she shares with Wendy Thurling, she provides supervision and support for the Regional Specialist Bereavement Counsellors across Victoria.
Maria is also responsible for two toll free telephone services - the Bereavement Information and Referral Service and the Practitioner Consultancy Service. The first one provides callers with information on support options including counselling, bereavement support groups and other bereavement information. The second links senior bereavement counsellors with practitioners working with bereaved clients by providing advice and support.
Maria's last role is as Volunteer Coordinator. She keeps in close touch with the Centre's volunteers through a regular e-newsletter and organising training.
Maria worked for a number of years as a team leader and case manager in foster care. In this role she pursued her passion for and increased her knowledge in grief and trauma.

Phone: +61 3 9265 2159

The Bushfire Counselling Team was assembled by the Australian Centre For Grief and Bereavement as a response to the horrific bushfires of Saturday 7th February 2009. Annie leads the team of four counsellors who are based in Nillumbik, Kyneton, Broadford and Traralgon. Annie provides supervision and support for the team as well as seeing bushfire counselling clients as well.

Annie Norrish is a Registered Nurse, Family Therapist, NALAG Accredited Bereavement Counsellor and Supervisor and has over 20 years experience in the health field, working with trauma and grief. Annie’s own experience has taught her that people will be helped with their grieving process with the support of family, friends and community and she is committed to helping this happen.

 

 

Phone: +61 3 9265 2161

Gilliam is providing face to face counselling to those affected by the bushfires of Saturday 7th February and is based at Nillumbik.

Gilliam has worked with individuals, families and groups assisting them during the many challenges of living through grief and loss over twenty years. She has particular experience in working with those affected by trauma. She has a strong commitment to working with people identifying their strengths and encouraging them as they rebuild and reconnect with life again.

Phone: +61 3 9430 9192

Marg is providing face to face counselling to those affected by the bushfires of Saturday 7th February and is based at Traralgon.

Marg has work for many years in the field of grief and bereavement. She enjoys working with volunteers and has a special interest in support groups. She values working with families, individuals, children and adolescents.

Mobile: 0415 060563

Nerida is providing counselling in the bushfire-affected areas of the Loddon Mallee region to those impacted by the bushfires of Saturday 7th February 2009. She is based at Cobaw Community Health at Kyneton.

Nerida has experience in grief and loss counselling in hospitals and community settings. She has been involved in bushfire recovery since 1983.

Phone: +61 3 5421 1666

Greg is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. He provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Phone: +61 3 5226 7745

Sally is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. She provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Sally has worked in community mental health settings since 1987. She brings general and specialised bereavement counselling experience to this role. When training at the ACGB, Sally found a way to meld Gestalt Psychotherapy with other approaches and with contemporary grief, loss and bereavement counselling. She feels passionate, excited and committed about working for the Centre and it's clients.
Sally is a Clinical Member of PACFA and a Professional Member of NALAG.

Phone: +61 3 5127 9138

Evelyn is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. She provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Evelyn has worked in the community sector since 1984. Over the last six years she has been working in community health as a counsellor and health professional with small isolated communities.

Evelyn realised through her work and personal experineces that many of the issues people face arise around grief, loss and bereavement. She has developed her counselling skills through the ACGB to become a Specialist Bereavement Counsellor.
Phone: +61 3 5440 9044

Jennifer is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. She provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Jennifer has a broad range of knowledge and skills in counselling, group work, crisis intervention, advocacy and community liaison. She has worked as a social worker for 14 years in various agencies dealing with children, young people, adults and families. Jennifer has extensive expereince in working with people dealing with a range of grief and bereavement issues, particularly loss related to trauma, ill health and sudden death.

Phone: +61 3 5336 4285