THE SAGE STORY
With a background in humanities and a passion for helping people achieve their NDIS goals, Sages' experience and success add up to a positive step for you when engaging their services.
KELLY
Director/Specialist Support Coordinator
BA Arts, (Hons) Politics, Diploma of Counselling, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Accredited Mental Health First Aider.
WORK HISTORY
Kelly Ryan is Sage Support Coordination’s Owner-Director and Specialist Support Coordinator, with over two-decades of experience providing specialist support to families and individuals living within the Barwon region. Kelly’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts Hons. Politics (incl. Majors in Humanities) and a Diploma of Counselling.
Kelly has participated in extensive professional development and training to develop her expertise in relation to supporting individuals and families who require complex, tailored supports. Kelly is dedicated to empowering her team by offering training and development opportunities, which enable them to provide the exceptional standard of Support Coordination, Psychosocial Recovery Coaching and Specialist Support Coordination services that Sage Support Coordination is known for.
Kelly’s professional background working within the community services industry is extensive. Prior to establishing Sage Support Coordination, Kelly delivered family reunification and parental capacity building programs for Corrections Victoria. Additional to her career within Corrections Victoria, Kelly successfully designed and implemented training and coaching programs that assisted participants to develop their capacity as well as necessary advocacy skills relevant to their needs. Kelly has established a broad professional network within the community services industry, which contributes to the organisations success in navigating complex systems and government services within the region.
Kelly will successfully implement strategies to strengthen your support network, and assist you to develop a complex service plan to address significant complexities within your life. Kelly will guide and assist you to navigate through complex systems such as Justice, Complex Families/Child Protection and Mental Health, and assist you to resolve and prevent points of crisis within your support network and life.
Kelly is deeply committed to ensuring that Sage Support Coordination’s contribution to the Scheme continues to facilitate community capacity building and linkages to mainstream services and systems within the region.
Kelly is a mum of three boys and knows firsthand how challenging it can be raising children whilst managing life’s many stressors. Kelly enjoys camping and travelling with her family, a strong coffee, and spending time with her dogs, Glory and Ziggy, who you might meet if you stop by the Sage Support Coordination Office!
NGAIRE
Specialist Support Coordinator (Adult and Mental Health)
Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Driven by a passion for helping others, Ngaire transferred to the Disability sector following a career in Finance and Corporate Coordination. Ngaire holds a Bachelor of Arts and is currently pursuing qualifications in Mental Health. Ngaire uses her strong practical skills in innovative problem solving, partnership building and communications as an asset in her role as a Specialist Support Coordinator. Ngaire has demonstrated experience coordinating responsive individualised supports to participants who present with complex behaviours, ASD, trauma, mental illness, and intellectual disability. Her tenacious and professional approach to building effective and collaborative support networks enables her to deliver positive outcomes for the participants she works with.
Within her role as a Specialist Support Coordinator, Ngaire will assist you to develop a service plan to address complexities and barriers within your support network. Ngaire will work collaboratively with your informal supports, mainstream supports and funded disability supports to establish a process to enable you to overcome barriers and assist you to achieve your personal goals, develop your resilience within your networks and increase your functional capacity and overall independence.
Ngaire will successfully implement strategies to strengthen your support network, and assist you to develop a complex service plan to address significant complexities your life. Ngaire will guide and assist you to navigate through complex systems such as Adult Mental Health Services, and assist you to resolve and prevent points of crisis within your support network and life.
Ngaire is passionate about acting within the framework of the social model of disability and takes a person-centred approach to ensure Participants are given opportunities to achieve their goals and lead full, independent, and empowered lives of their choosing. Outside of work Ngaire spends her time exploring Geelong and the Surf Coast with her three children but only after she has drunk all of the coffee.
LEIGH
Senior Support Coordinator (Children and Young People Specialist)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Leigh has worked within the disability sector for over 14 years. Leigh has a background in Psychology, and is currently completing her Masters of Social Work. Leigh is passionate about supporting individuals and families who have a child or young person with disability access the supports they deserve and participate in their local communities without barriers.
Prior to her role at Sage, Leigh worked with the NDIS Early Childhood Team at BCYF/Meli for 5.5 years. Leigh has experience working with children and young people with varying needs such as complex disabilities, medical and health related needs and behaviours of concern. Leigh also has extensive experience with assistive technology requests, and home and vehicle modifications. During her time working for Meli, Leigh has delivered face to face support with families and worked behind the scenes developing a strong understanding of NDIS policies and procedures. Leigh describes herself as a legislation nerd and feels that a solid understanding of legislation and policy is required to provide a high standard of support to individuals/children with disability and their families.
Leigh has a strong understanding of community, mainstream and specialised supports. Leigh is creative in the ways that she assist families and individuals with disabilities to implement their NDIS plans in order to support them to achieve their goals, maintain independence and dignity and reduce barriers within daily life.
MICHAELA
Senior Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Youth Work, Certificate IV in Alcohol and other Drugs
Certificate IV in Disability , Certificate IV in Mental Health, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Michaela originally studied and worked in the youth work field but found her passion within the disability industry, when she was finishing off her study placement hours working on camps with children. From that moment she was hooked and while still working within the youth work sector, she continued to volunteer at camps on her weekends off.
When her temporary job in youth work came to an end, she was approached to work at an organisation that ran group-based activities for adults with ASD. There she gained an enormous amount of experience working with people with complex support needs.
Throughout her 10 year career she has gained a range of different knowledge and experience within the industry and has worked in all areas such as: respite, recreation, working alongside the LGBTIQ+ community, camps, holiday activities, community participation, mental health, education, group based activities and has recently enjoyed her time in management within supported accommodation.
Michaela is enthusiastic and passionate about ensuring all participants that she works with have their goals and needs met by thinking outside of the box and using a holistic approach. She enjoys watching people grow, learn, gain confidence within themselves, and lead happy and successful lives (however that looks for them!).
In her down time, Michaela enjoys going on day trips, snuggling on the couch with her cats, and spending time with her close-knit family.
Maddie
Support Coordinator
Certificate IV in Youth Work, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Maddie has been working in the Community services sector for over 3 years. Feeling compelled to use her personable bubbly nature to support and empower people. Maddie first stepped into disability support work shortly after commencing her Certificate IV in Youth work. Working 1:1 with people of all ages and abilities Maddie provided individualised support and approaches for her participants to work towards identifying there strengths, implementing goals, accessing the community, developing skills and hobbies. Simultaneously completing her studies in Youth work Maddie worked in a youth refuge where she supported young people experiencing homelessness and the complexities and trauma that they were experiencing. In her most recent role Maddie worked at a Not for profit organisation that supports people with disability, NDIS, Mental health, Justice and Addiction. Working from a holistic perspective Maddie supported individuals and ran peer support workshops focusing on mental health, mindfulness, living skills, Community engagement & womens groups.
Maddie’s diverse knowledge and hands-on experience combined with her passionate and bubbly nature find her making meaningful connections with her participants helping her to best support the individual from a holistic approach to work toward there goals.
In her down time Maddie loves to cook, go hiking, snowboarding, camping and hanging out with her friends, family and her dog Lucy.
MIA
Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Paramedicine, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Mia has completed a Bachelor of Paramedicine. Mia has recently transitioned into the role of Support Coordinator at Sage, from her previous role as a Sleep Scientist and Business Development Manager. Through her extensive education and work history, Mia understands the complexities of living with and managing a health diagnosis and how this can impact all aspects of your life. Mia has extensive experience working to support people with varying disability and health related needs.
Mia recently assisted her partner to establish a home renovation business, where she supported and managed administrative operations. Within this role, Mia learned about modifications that can be made within a home to make a space more accessible and safe for the home owner or tenant. Equipped with this knowledge, Mia will support you to explore and consider options to consider in relation to home modifications, in consultation with your Occupational Therapist.
Mia is passionate about working in an industry where she can assist to contribute to making meaningful changes in a person’s life. Mia will provide you with a holistic approach to Support Coordination, by assisting you to plan, engage supports and develop long-term provider relationships which will empower you to achieve your goals.
Mia enjoys spending her free time with her husband and her dogs, Milky and Wilbur.
RUBY
Support Coordinator
Accredited Mental Health First Aider.
WORK HISTORY
Ruby has two years of experience in the disability sector as a support worker. This is where Ruby began her passion for understanding clients with disabilities, as she focused on making personal connections and discovering creative ways to support their individual needs. Ruby feels most successful when she sees genuine results in the clients she works with.
Ruby is new to the coordination industry but is looking forward to using the skills she has developed in her experience to assist more clients in finding their path to the correct supports they need in order to live a fulfilled life. Ruby’s experience has provided her with knowledge and understanding of the disability support world.
Outside of work you will find ruby hanging out with friends and family, going on weekend trips and playing with her two cats. She loves to travel and hopes to see as much of the world as she can one day.
ALEXANDRA (ALEX)
Senior Support Coordinator (Family Specialist)
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Alex has worked within the community services sector for over 5 years. For the past two years, Alex has worked in the disability field as a Support Worker and Therapy Assistant, supporting a wide range of participants. Working as a support worker, fuelled Alex’s passion for supporting others to build their capacity and flourish within their lives. It is this passion and commitment to others that underpins her work as a Support Coordinator.
Prior to commencing her professional experience, Alex completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies and has recently commenced a Masters degree in Social Work with Deakin University. These programs have provided Alex with a wide range of skills and critical perspective on the role of social institutions in the perpetuation of inequality and discrimination. As such, Alex is motivated to get to know each person within their own unique social environment and is passionate about working to promote social justice, inclusion, and equity for people with disabilities.
Outside of work, you will find Alex either, learning to surf with her partner, taking her two puppies for a walk along the beach, catching up with her close-knit family, scouring the op-shops for a bargain with her mates, or involved in some-kind-of creative hobby – the most recent being stained glass and lead lighting.
NATHAN
Support Coordinator
Certificate IV Mental Health, Certificate IV Alcohol and Other Drugs, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Nathan has worked in the disability sector for the past 5 years, when he began a new career path and found his passion, immediately connecting with so many different people. Nathan began his disability path as a support worker in various settings, Nathan then transitioned into house team leading/manager for the past 2 and half years in residential housing where he took on the management of numerous houses in Melbourne and Geelong. Nathan has worked with complex behaviours within his role as a house manager for the past 18 months.
Nathan has developed a passion for working within the sector and has loved seeing the participants he has worked with reach their goals and improve their quality of life. Nathan enjoys getting to know the participants he works with and he enjoys working with a diverse range of people.
Nathan enjoys spending time with his family, sports (Liverpool & Essendon supporter), walks, going to the beach, going to see live music (Heavy Metal), video games & movies.
JESSIE
Support Coordinator
Certificate IV in Disability, Accredited Mental First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Jessie has come to Sage with two years of professional experience in Support Coordination and has over five years of professional experience in the disability and community care sector.
Jessie began her career back in 2018, starting as a therapeutic support worker, working with high-risk adolescents in residential care. Since then, she has performed various roles within the sector, such as individual support, recreational support, SDA/SIL support worker and group support. Whilst working in this space, Jessie unleashed her passion and drive to support people through difficult times and equip them with the skills required to gain the support they need. Jessie then studied her Cert IV in disability and her Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training, where she enhanced her knowledge and approach to supporting those facing crisis.
Jessie’s passion is to empower those she supports to reach their full potential. She emphasises that no barriers are too great to overcome with guidance, support, and person-centred approaches.
In her downtime, you’ll find Jessie embracing the great outdoors. Kayaking, bike riding, rocking climbing and hiking are just a few ways Jessie likes to switch off.
NADINE
Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Infection & Immunity, Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Nadine completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Infection and Immunity, but rather than standing behind a microscope all day, felt her true passion was advocating for positive outcomes for people within the community. Nadine is in the final year of her Master of Public Health in which she has focused on Disability & Inclusion and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, giving her in-depth knowledge and practical skills for protecting and improving health for all in the community.
Following extensive experience in senior hospitality management, Nadine made a career change to better align with her studies and passion and has since worked in the disability sector. She began her professional experience in Client Services within support services before transitioning into the role of Support Coordinator at Sage.
Nadine is passionate about individualised, person-centred support and aims to help others feel supported in their decisions, with self-determination and autonomy at the forefront of her work. Nadine will work hard to troubleshoot and overcome challenges that may arise and advocate to ensure the people she supports are building their capacity and achieving their goals.
Outside work, you will find Nadine enjoying a strong coffee at her local café, spending time with her fiancé and their miniature dachshund Frankie, or down at the beach or footy!
TEAH CARROLL
Senior Support Coordinator
Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate III in Aged Care, First Aid, Accredited Mental Health First Aider
WORK HISTORY
Teah has over 5 years of experience in the community services sector, the last 2 years focusing on disability supports. Coming from a background in aged care, Teah has always had a passion for helping others in any way that she can.
Starting off as a community disability support worker, Teah came to understand how important it was for people living with a disability to have someone they can rely on to always have their best interests at heart, and this is what motivated her to move her way into support coordination. Being a safe space for participants while helping them build capacity and connect with the perfect supports is her ultimate goal.
Outside of work-life, Teah enjoys downtime with her husband, 3 young daughters, and two Labradors, getting away to their on-site caravan – enjoying the river views and campfire (and don’t forget the marshmallows!)