OUR TEAM
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The name, Open Place, reflects the intent of the service which is to be place-based, accessible and welcoming. We are open to new ideas and to learning from our service users about what works and what doesn’t.
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Senior Manager position under application. Please refer to our employment tab for the position description
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Tracey Anderson is the manager of administration at Open Place and she coordinates the administrative processes attached to the requests for assistance with counselling and the travel and family reunion funds. Tracey also manages the administrative processes for the building and for reception. Tracey has worked for Berry Street for over three years and previously held administrative and personal assistant positions in a number of large community and private sector organisations.
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Wendi Pickering is the Administration Officer at Open Place and provides a front desk reception service responding to the calls that come in, coordinating the mail, assisting with the newsletter among the many other tasks associated with the position.
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Sharon Clark is the team leader for the support workers who, along with her team, is responsible for building regional networks and resourcing services at a local level for Forgotten Australians. Sharon works closely with other service providers to develop helpful working relationships whereby Open Place will advocate for the needs of Forgotten Australians. Sharon has previously worked as a TAFE teacher, with Victoria Police and most recently as a case manager with Berry Street’s Bushfire Case Management Team.
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Lyndie Kite is a support worker whose role is to provide direct support, advocacy and assistance to Forgotten Australians to identify appropriate local community support services and to facilitate access to support services. As a support worker Lyndie will also visit and support Forgotten Australians at home. Support Workers are also responsible for facilitating and supporting a number of Social and Support Groups. Lyndie is a New Zealander who came to Melbourne in January 2011. She is also currently studying at Victoria University. Lyndie has previously worked for 18 years in the Horticultural Industry and as a Probation Officer in New Zealand.
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Megan Gaynor is a support Worker whose role is to provide direct support, advocacy and assistance to Forgotten Australians to identify appropriate local community support services and to facilitate access to support services. Support Workers are also responsible for facilitating and supporting a number of Social and Support Groups.Megan has come to Open Place from Hanover Welfare Services having worked in Housing and Homelessness services in recent years and in Drug and Alcohol Services.
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Lyn Langanke is the Peer Leader Coordinator. Lyn coordinates the Peer Leader Program which provides an opportunity for Forgotten Australians to build their skills and knowledge in order to contribute to the wellbeing of other Forgotten Australians. In this way, the Peer leader Program is unique. Lyn is herself a Forgotten Australian and is partner to a Forgotten Australian. Lyn has qualifications in community welfare, as well as a background in administration work for some of the largest companies in Australia. Most recently Lyn worked for Odyssey House in charge of administration.
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Caroline Carroll is the Records and Reunions Coordinator who can assist Forgotten Australians to search for their own and their known family members’ records and past history. Caroline works closely with VANISH and Pathways and with the Department of Human Services Adoption and Family Records Service. She also plays an important role in the Richmond social and support group. Caroline is the president of the Alliance for Forgotten Australians [AFA]. Caroline is herself a Forgotten Australian and comes to Open Place with a background in providing services and advocacy to Forgotten Australians through her previous role at VANISH and the Interim Service for Forgotten Australians.
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David Hartmann is a senior counsellor who provides direct counselling and group work to Forgotten Australians. David liaises with external counsellors who provide support to Forgotten Australians through Open Place funding. Part of his role is to help locate suitable counsellors for Victorian Forgotten Australians and their family members, wherever they may be around Australia. David is a professional counsellor with a background in family therapy. He has worked as a manager in a number of drug and alcohol and homelessness services and most recently worked for Odyssey House in the Family Eclipse Program.
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Sarah Wallace is a counsellor, working with David, providing direct counselling and group work for Forgotten Australians and their families. Sarah liaises with external counsellors who provide support to Forgotten Australians through Open Place funding. Part of her role is to help locate suitable counsellors for Victorian Forgotten Australians and their family members, wherever they may be around Australia. Sarah has a background in community mental health and counselling and is a recent graduate as a psychologist.
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