Staff members
Marie Lugg
Executive Officer
Marie joined the Interchange team early in 2011. She has a rich and diverse background gained in special education, social work, counselling, Health Promotion and management over a range of settings in the education, health (community and acute) and disability sectors.
Marie is passionate about “making a positive difference” in the lives of Interchange’s clients and their families. Marie takes a “person centred” approach to working with clients ,families, staff and volunteers striving always to encourage individual people to work to their greatest strengths despite whatever challenges they may encounter along the way. She believes that Interchange Inner East has enormous potential to continue to grow and develop high quality and responsive respite and recreational services to children and young adults to improve the quality of their lives and those of their families.
Anne Bate (Photo with-held at Anne's request)
Office Administrator
Anne started at Interchange in 1992 with the idea of working for 5-6 years until she paid for her two children’s private secondary education. At that time there were four staff, coordinating and administering the Host Program and one Recreation group. Nineteen years later and Anne remains at Interchange, seeing a huge growth during that time.
With the assistance of additional administration staff, Anne’s role has expanded to report on the higher financial turnover of the Agency, including the processing of salaries for our 100+ staff. Anne works alongside Gabby Staffa and collectively they ensure that all the essential administration elements of the Agency are dealt with.
Gabby Staffa
Reception/ Administration
I have been with Interchange for 6 years I commenced in July 2005.
I come with more than 20 years administration/finance experience. I have worked in the banking sector, local government and federal government in an administration capacity.
I enjoy working at interchange because of the large variety of work I am involved with and most importantly meeting our clients and their families.
I look forward to many more years with Interchange as it keeps growing and changing shape.
Sarah Martin 
Finance/Administration Support
Sarah joined Interchange Inner East in August 2011. She has worked in bookkeeping and office administration for almost 10 years in a variety of industries and is about to complete her Bachelor of Business Studies (Monash).
Sarah grew up in North East Victoria and enjoys travelling, outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking, and also enjoys Melbourne’s art and music scenes.
She takes pleasure in being involved with Interchange and contributing to the accomplishments and wellbeing of the Interchange team.
Clare O’Sullivan
Program Manager (Maternity Leave Position)
Clare has recently joined the Interchange Inner East Team as Program Manager. She has been living overseas in South America for the past year and a half, teaching English which was a great experience. Before this Clare worked at Yooralla in the Recreation Department for over 5 years, coordinating recreation programs for adults and children with a range of disabilities. Clare has a background in Recreation and has been involved with Scope and Hobson’s Bay Council, developing programs that allow people with disabilities to access the community.
Over different periods of time Clare has worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Port Phillip Special School as well as overseas in England. During her time in England she worked as an in-home carer and gained many “ hands on” skills. As you can see Clare likes to travel and is always keen to be involved in supporting people with disabilities to access a range of services.
Stephanie Johnson
Co-Ordinator Respite Services
Stephanie began working at Interchange Inner East in 1998. After thoroughly enjoying her role as a Youth Worker in the recreation program for 10 years, she began working in the office in 2008 as the Flexible Family Support Program (FFSP) Coordinator and the Host Program Coordinator. With the rapid growth of the Individual Care Program (ICP), the need for a full time Respite Coordinator was evident so Stephanie has been overseeing both ICP and FFSP since 2010.
Stephanie has qualifications in disability, education and social research. Her previous work has also encompassed the fields of education and childcare, providing a range of roles and experiences to compliment her role as Respite Programs Coordinator. Working with a team of passionate colleagues, Stephanie and the respite coordination team are committed to providing truly family-centered, responsive and individualised respite support for families.
Bronwyn Copping
Individual Care Program Co-Ordinator (20 hours per week)
BAppSci (Dis.Stud); BOccThy
Bronwyn has worked in the disability field since 1993, in a variety of roles encompassing recreation, residential and respite care. Having had a long association with Interchange Inner East since 2000, working in the recreation and respite programs and running manual handling training for the organisation, Bronwyn joined the Individual Care Program (part time) in August, 2011. As an Occupational Therapist, Bronwyn enjoys working with children, families, adults and carers, to enhance the daily living skills of clients, through the use of meaningful occupation. The ultimate goal is to try and make life that little bit easier, despite the hurdles clients and their families may face in their everyday lives. She believes that her role at Interchange Inner East blends well with her commitment to do this.
Danielle McDonald
Individual Care Program Coordinator
Ad. Dip Disability Work (RMIT), Cert. II Bus Admin (Holmesglen)
Danielle has been employed in the disability sector since 1993. With experience in a range of Adult Training Support Services including Kew Residential Services and Burke and Beyond ATSS, she provided educational and recreational activities for adults with disabilities; holding both instructor and supervisory roles. Growing up with a sister with Tuberous Sclerosis and Autism, she brings a personal and professional commitment and understanding to facilitating person centred respite services for families in her current capacity as an Individual Care Program Coordinator.
Geri Baker
Quality and Development Officer
Geri Baker currently holds the position of Quality and Development Officer with Interchange Inner East. Geri has worked in the Residential and Day Services disability sectors for over 30 years, mostly in the provision/management of Day Services. Geri’s role includes the development of policies and procedures for effective service management, the meeting of disability service standards and supporting the organisations development and ongoing improvement.
Geri’s role enables her to use her experience and knowledge of the disability sector to develop new opportunities for Interchange through seeking increased funding from philanthropic and government sources and by increasing our participation in community projects. Geri has a strong interest in supporting people with disabilities and their families and is keen to receive input from families regarding the quality of the services they receive from Interchange and their hopes for future service development and improvement.
Amy Hurren 
Recreation Program Coordinator
Amy has been a part of the team here at Interchange Inner East since October 2010, working as a Respite Support Worker. In July 2011, Amy took on the role as Recreation Program Coordinator (maternity leave position).
Amy is a qualified teacher, completing her Bachelor of Sport & Outdoor Recreation/ Education in 2005 at Monash University. She has experience working on a variety of camps, both school camps and with youth at risk, as well as having classroom teaching experience. She is passionate about supporting people with disabilities in a wide range of recreation pursuits, within a safe and supportive group environment.
Kim Nguyen
Recreation Co-ordinator
Hi, my name is Kim Nguyen. I started working at Interchange Inner East in July this year and am looking forward to getting to know all the clients, families and staff! I’m working in the office 16 hours a week as a part-time Rec and Respite Coordinator. When I’m not here I’m studying to complete my double Masters in Journalism and Sustainable Development. I have a Bachelor of Social Work and have worked mainly in Child Protection but also in the Youth and Disability Sectors. I’m passionate about sustainability so have spent the last couple of years working on community projects trying to make our planet a little bit healthier. I am now hoping to combine all of my interests, to help make Interchange Inner East a sustainable organisation and get some nice videos of our activities up on the website so you can all see them!
Kathy Hewitt
Host Program Coordinator
B. Social Studies (now Social Work), Sydney Uni. Certificate IV in training and assessment (SUT)
Kathy has been working in the field of social work for over 25 years. She has had extensive experience in the area of short and long term counselling, and worked with families experiencing trauma and transition. She joined the Interchange Inner East team in 2005 and currently enjoys coordinating the Host Program, meeting volunteers from the community and matching them with a child who has a disability. She is passionate about providing quality respite for families who have a child with a disability.
Tanya Vassos
Project Officer Early Childhood Support Project
Vivienne Quinlivan (on maternity leave)
Program Manager
Vivienne has worked with Interchange Inner East since 2006 and has been working in the disability field for 15 years. She has a Degree in Family and Consumer Studies, Certificate IV in Community Services and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Vivienne has been in a caring role for a family member so understands the important need in providing respite to families.
Vivienne has worked in both Coordinating and Management roles at Interchange Inner East and particularly enjoys regular contact with families, staff, volunteers and participants of all programs. She has been instrumental in the growth of providing respite services through the Individual Care Program with a vested interest in recruiting passionate and skilled staff to provide quality respite support to all families accessing programs at Interchange Inner East.
Vivienne was married in 2010 and is due to have her first child in August 2011 so will be on maternity leave for 12 months until mid 2012.
Hayley Cassar (on maternity leave)
Recreation Program Co-ordinator
Hayley has 11 years’ experience in Disability Services after completing her degree Bachelor of Applied Science in 2000. Hayley has been working at Interchange Inner East for just over since 2009. During this time Hayley has been coordinating the Recreation program and providing quality respite through activities and camps to families with children/young people with Disabilities.
Hayley is currently pregnant with her first child due in September 2011 and will take up her maternity leave in August.
