Meet Our Team

Dr Nicky Howe

DBA (UWA), GCertPubSecMgt (Flinders), BA (Murd) GAICD, FLWA

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), my role is to provide the overarching leadership and direction for Southcare. I am focused on creating a culture that is aligned to the vision, mission and values of Southcare and communicating, inspiring and motivating this culture to staff, volunteers and the community.

I am passionate about building productive working relationships and I use a coaching approach to help staff at Southcare increase their effectiveness. My motivation comes from wanting to develop people and build the capacity within Southcare so that staff can successfully achieve their personal and organisational objectives.

I am very proud that Southcare is gaining a reputation as an innovative and collaborative organisation that is leading the sector by advocating for and investing in the capacity of young leaders and improved Board governance. This will result in better services for our clients

I am a member of 100 Women and we work to collectively improve the lives of women and girls. I use my leadership to activate and implement projects that will have an impact to address issues affecting girls, women and families in an effort to strengthen our community.

Enda Fahy

BBS, CA
As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), my responsibility is to assist in all financial and fiscal management aspects of the organisation and provide strategic financial advice and corporate performance reporting. The fundamental principle is to ensure the financial independence and viability of Southcare and hence its ability to continue to provide a range of much-needed services to vulnerable members of our local community into the future.

Having commenced with Southcare in November 2015, I bring extensive experience in the areas of auditing, consulting, operational and financial analysis. I have previously worked both internationally and in Australia within the public practice environment and have gained significant exposure to, and knowledge of clients operating in the corporate, government, and not-for-profit sector.

I am committed to the mission of Southcare and get a great deal of satisfaction through working with the executive management team to assist in directing Southcare towards a more successful and sustainable future. As the leader of the finance team, I aim to achieve steady business improvements to obtain the best outcomes for all our customers.

Duncan Edgar

My role at Southcare is to manage and deliver community services which includes financial counselling, Aboriginal family support, emergency relief and our Op-Shop. I have been involved in delivering community services in the non-government sector for over 30 years. My inspiration to work in the community sector came from a lecturer who once told me my passion for helping people and “anti-establishment” attitude would be wasted otherwise.

Outside of work my other passions in life are music and jamming a tune on the drums, barracking for my beloved Geelong Cats, enjoying good food and wine and a day at the races. I also enjoy hanging out with family which includes my wife, son, daughter and big black Labrador.

Shelley Halton

I joined the finance team at Southcare in 2017. My role includes Accounts Payable and Purchasing, Cash Management and General Accounting. I enjoy being part of Southcare as there is a great team culture where everyone contributes to making a difference to members of the local community.

Arif Muzafar

I began volunteering at Southcare in March 2019 as an Admin Volunteer in Community Home Support, before working in the Scheduling team in April 2019. I enjoyed the scheduling role very much because I was able to further understand the values Southcare stood for, communicate with our diverse clients by understanding their service needs and how we as an organisation can satisfy those needs to ensure that our clients are able to independently live in their own homes.

I was then transferred to Human Resource in October 2019. This role requires me to ensure our staff compliance is up to date, facilitate any trainings and find ways to ways streamline the volunteer recruiting process.

Throughout my working journey in Southcare, I was able to experience and learn about different departments and how they integrate with each other. Moreover, I was able to learn about Southcare’s values and help the organisation reach its defined mission and vision. I am passionate about ensuring our clients get the help and services they deserve so they can live in their homes happily and independently. My motivation lies in giving back to the community and making the community a better place for all generations.

Vera Dedijer

I have been working at Southcare since 2018. I first started as a casual worker and then after a week I decided that this would be a great place to work at, so I applied for a job. The culture at Southcare is fabulous, with everyone being friendly, supportive and very passionate about their work. My job is a lot of fun. I get to have some involvement with all aspects of the Southcare business and I get to meet and assist all our clients and visitors over the phone and in person.

Garry Gower

I joined Southcare in 1999 as the Aboriginal Family Support Worker and in 2000 coordinated the Aboriginal Elder Care program for a year. I returned to my previous employment with coastal surveillance in 2001 for seven months but then rejoined Southcare in 2002 and have been the Aboriginal Family Support Coordinator since. I am a qualified aerial surveillance radar and infrared camera operator and have a Diploma in Christian Ministry from Riverview Bible College.

I have extensive experience in music, theatre, documentary and film making as well as being an integral part of the musical Bran Nue Dae. I run a men’s group whose primary focus is health, fitness and rebuilding the well being and spirit of men through community activities and support. I love returning to my home town of tropical Broome to write, fish, go mud crabbing, bush walking for native fruits, play music with old mates and spend time with family and friends.

Kathleen Sutherland

I started working at Southcare in 2012 as a Customer Service Officer. I then became a Home Care Coordinator before landing my current role as the Community Home Support Manager. This role is very rewarding as it allows me to interact with our wonderful customers and help support them in the community.

I enjoy working at Southcare because every day is different and the work I do varies so much. I also work within a great team who consistently dedicates their time to support others. In my spare time, I like travelling, gardening and spending time outdoors.

Rebecca Ducler des Rauches

I have a background in enrolled nursing and have worked in a variety of clinical nursing, general administration and community services work during my career.

I am passionate about wellness and assisting my customers to be living the best life they can. I have excellent management and communication skills which I bring to my role at Southcare through my interactions and support of clients and customers.

Louise Fry

As Special Projects Manager, I provide the capacity for projects to be undertaken at Southcare without taking key stakeholders away from their day to day running of the business.

The Project Manager plans and executes projects that have been identified and prioritized by the business.

The projects typically involve process and system reviews to enhance operational efficiency and to improve customer service.

I am committed to the mission of Southcare and enjoy working in the sector with so many dedicated and talented professionals.

The team at Southcare is always inspiring as we find solutions to continually improve our business and customer satisfaction.

Mary Cullen-Pike

I joined Southcare in 2018. I have worked as a HR Professional in the UK and Australia and I am passionate about people, hence I find my role very gratifying.  I interact closely with staff and volunteers who ultimately look after our customers. My role is very varied and encompasses recruitment, onboarding of new staff, supporting managers and staff, training and development and management/compliance. No two days are the same!

I am very pro-active and motivated both professionally and personally and I therefore infinitely appreciate our team at Southcare because we are all striving for excellence and hence endeavoring to make a difference within our work and our local community.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my three children. I enjoy running with friends, swimming and generally keeping fit.  I also enjoy entertaining and basically having my family and friends around me, blessed.

Shila Shimkhada

I started at Southcare in 2013 as a Client Services Officer and since then I have taken on various roles such as HACC Co-ordinator, CHSP Co-ordinator,  Home Care Package Co-ordinator and now acting as Manager Community Home Support. Part of my responsibilities are to onboard  new customers and manage Home Care Package customers’ cases. I am also responsible for staff management. I work closely with Southcare’s Leadership team to offer the best aged care services for our customers. Southcare has been a great team and a lovely family to work with, helping me tremendously with my personal and professional growth.

I am passionate in helping people and bringing positive impacts to their lives. I am currently studying Bachelor of Social Science and have been working in not-for-profit sector for the last 10 years. Working in this industry has been extremely rewarding to me.

Suzie Malone

I joined Southcare in 2020. As Marketing Manager, I build awareness and execute on marketing and communication strategies that meet the customer needs and support the business strategic direction, while bringing the brand to life.

I’m an experienced marketer working across physical products and software as a service previously with Wesfarmers Chemical, Energy and Fertiliser division, specialising in strategic planning, brand management and product experience. I have a passion for creating and managing brands, and executing marketing strategies that solve business and customer challenges driving the best outcome for all.

It is wonderful working at Southcare, a business that continues to evolve with customers at its heart and to be surrounded by dedicated professionals coming together to make a difference in our community, everyday.

Sandy De Vetre

Laura Turner

My background in residential aged care, hospitality and management is what helps me succeed in my role at Southcare.

I understand and enjoy working with people, building relationships with them and having a positive impact on their lives.

My key responsibilities as a Home Care Package Co-ordinator are to onboard new customers, manage customers’ cases and manage staff. I am passionate about this role as I can assist my clients to live the best life they can at home with their loved ones in a safe and comfortable environment.

Working in this industry provides me with life skills, insights, and positive outlooks that you can only learn in aged care.

In my spare time I love travelling and enjoying the outdoors with my family and my dog.

Sajana Ghochhu

I bring more than 7 years’ experience in residential aged care and am excited to extend the delivery of that in my role at Southcare.

I have always been passionate about helping people to enhance their capacity to enrich their lives. Working with elderly people is extremely rewarding because you become part of their life and help make a difference in their quality of life.

My passion for people and excellent customer service stems from my background working as a Public Relations Officer for a marketing company in Nepal for three years and continues today using the same people-focused principles.

I am currently completing my Diploma of Leadership & Human Resource Management and have a Bachelor of Business Studies.