Meet Our Team

Lisa Joye

Director
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
& Nationally Accredited Mediator

M. Professional Psychology (in progress)

B. Psych. Sc. (Hons. 1A)
B. Psych. Sc.
Grad. Cert. in Family Studies
Grad. Dip. Family Dispute Resolution (Law)
Cert. in Family Group Conferencing
Justice of the Peace

Lisa is a strong advocate for children's rights & is passionate about children's safety. She works tirelessly to protect children
by keeping them safely connected to family in times of change
and helping separated parents to get on the same page so they can put their children's needs ahead of their own.

As a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) &
Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS/AMDRAS), Lisa provides Family Law Mediation to separated parents, helping them reach agreement on future care & living arrangements for their
children while avoiding the stress & expense of going to Court.

Lisa's varied work experience spans from working in childcare, working as a casual university academic teaching psychology subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students, working
at DCJ as a Child Protection Caseworker to working in youth hostels and women's & children's shelters providing
domestic violence support services.

Maree May

Service Manager

Dip. Child, Youth & Family Intervention

Cert III Education Support
Teachers Aide (Special)
Lifeline Training Certificate
Recognise & Respond to Domestic
& Family Violence Certificate

Identify & Respond to Young People & Children at Risk Certificate

Maree is an experienced Family Contact Worker who is passionate about ensuring every child has a happy, healthy childhood.
Her extensive experience spans working with children from
birth through to 18 years of age, in both educational
and family support settings.

Maree's experience includes her work as a Learning Support Officer within schools assisting children with diverse needs engage in their education, and working as an Out of School Hours (OOSH) Coordinator, creating safe & enriching programs
for children to learn & grow through play. Additionally, Maree has worked in Out of Home Care (OOHC) settings, providing stability, emotional support & advocacy for children navigating the complexities of the child protection system.

With experience also working as a Supervised Contact Worker within a government funded Supervised Contact Service,
Maree brings a wealth of knowledge to the team at Sydney Supervised Contact, ensuring best practice in everything we
do as we continue to learn from her past experience.

Michele Gower

Children's Contact Supervisor,
Counselor & Parenting Coach

Dip. Youth & Community Services

Dip. Counseling

Certificate in Coaching

Michele has extensive experience in working with families, young adults, youth & children. Intertwined with her acute understanding of family systems is her DCJ training in 'Healing from Trauma', 'Positive Behaviour Support' & 'Addressing Problematic & Harmful Sexual Behaviour'. She supports adults, youth and children to make good choices every day through the consideration of 'out of the box' solutions to life's problems.

Michele also actively works to raise awareness, reduce stigma, provide support & bring hope to those living with, & caring for, people with Autism & mental health issues.

Alongside Michele's work at Hope Family Cottage, she is the Founder and CEO of 'Choose Thrive' - a local Charity where her practice stems from values of faith, family & truth.

Michele brings a rich tapestry of experience to the Team at
Sydney Supervised Contact..

Donna Matthews

Child Inclusive Consultant

B. Social Science (Community Welfare)
M. Social Work (in progress)

Donna is an experienced Child Welfare Practitioner, having worked in Child Protection & Out of Home Care for the past 10 years.

Donna also has experience working in refuges with young people at risk of being homeless & with young offenders in the Juvenile Justice system via the 'Shine for Kids' program. Her training includes counseling & suicide first aid training with Lifeline. In her other current role, Donna provides mental health support support for people at risk of suicide, as well as counseling & support at 'HeadSpace'.

Donna has first hand experience of the difficulties & rewards of being a foster parent, having been one herself for the past 17 years.

Her combined experience working with vulnerable children, young people, adults & families, knowledge of child protection laws & mental health, makes her an invaluable member of the team at Sydney Supervised Contact.

Melinda Doran

Children's Contact Supervisor

Assoc. Dip in Social Science (Child Studies)

Cert. in Family Management
Cert. in Child Studies (Understanding Children 0-6yrs)

Mel is a caring and enthusiastic Childcare Educator with over 25 years experience working with school aged children, supporting them with their learning and development.

Mel has a broad range of experiences, including leading and motivating a team of staff in Out of School Hours (OOSH) settings, building strong working relationships with parents, as well as planning, implementing and evaluating stimulating, high quality education and extra-curricular programs for children.

Mel brings highly creative early childhood educational skills, exceptional leadership and a strong family focus to the Team at Sydney Supervised Contact.