Committee members
Doug Maunder B Arch
President: A member of the Committee since 2005.
Doug is an architect and is an associate director of FPPV Pty Ltd, Architects. The father of a son with Down Syndrome, Doug and his family are grateful recipients of respite services through the Interchange Inner East adult recreation program. Doug has been involved in the committees of management of a number of his son’s settings; these include kindergarten, primary school, and specialist secondary school. Doug is committed to the belief that effective respite services play a vital role in assisting parents to care for their family members with disabilities at home.
Julie Mitchell
BBus (Mktg) (Monash), Masters Bus (Mktg) (SUT)
Vice-President: A member of the Committee since 2007
Julie has a background in marketing and product management and currently is a Lecturer and tutor in Marketing at Swinburne University of Technology and a mentor to IBL (Industry Based Learning) students during their work placements.
As a mother of a daughter with Autism and Epilepsy, Julie has been involved with many nonprofit organisations for over 15 years, both in a voluntary capacity and a user of Interchange’s services. In 1996 Julie involved in the establishment of the Applied Behavioural Intervention Association (ABIA) Australia, a nonprofit organisation, providing support and educational advice for professionals and parents of children with Autism. Julie has continuing research involvement in the volunteer and nonprofit sector and believes in the philosophy of providing quality disability respite services.
Kathryn Stubbings
Kathryn is a nurse and midwife. She is a single mother of a 20 year old son with a rare genetic disorder, resulting in severe intellectual disability.
She has been School Council President at Belmore School for 13 years. Has run the Friends of Belmore group; which, whilst fundraising was a large component, tried to help parents through the maze that is the disability sector; encouraging them to use respite, and keeping them informed of any services. Kathryn has worked with Rotary and the Bendigo Bank in many fundraising activities.
She is part of a committee with Yooralla, for the respite house that her son attends. She has started a teenage recreation group, sourcing the venue and funding, and being on a committee with the funding entity. Kathryn has a long-held belief that all carers should know as much as possible about what is available for help, funding and respite; the latter providing good quality care, and being frequent.
David Benwell FCCA.
Treasurer and Committee Member since 2003
David is an accountant with qualifications with both UK and Australian Accounting bodies.Since coming to Australia from the United Kingdom in 1971 David has held a number of positions including Head of Internal Auditing with JBWere Stockbroking and lately as Internal Auditor for Anglicare Victoria. In 2009 David became the City of Boroondara Joint Citizen of the Year in recognition of his volunteer work for various community groups. David is married with two daughters.
Nora Sparrow, B.A.
Nora Sparrow joined the Board of Interchange Inner East in 2008.
She is local to the area and is interested in contributing as a volunteer within her community. Nora has also served on the Board of WIRE (Women’s Information Referral Exchange). Through her environmental interests, she is a Committee member of the Apollo Bay Landcare Group.
Nora worked with the State Department of Education during which time she was involved in policy development in areas including the Integration Program and the 18+ Transfer. This work provided her with a better understanding of the needs of people with disabilities. She also held the role of Departmental Anti-Discrimination Officer for a number of years. Having retired from the Education Department Nora is currently working part-time on a Sustainable Living Project funded by Sustainability Victoria.
