Meet Our Team

Lisa Joye

Director
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
& Nationally Accredited Mediator

PhD in Psychology (in progress)
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

ACCSA Board Member

Lisa is passionate about families and keeping them connected
in times of change. Lisa is a strong advocate for children
and works to assist families maintain relationships following
break down. As a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS), Lisa
helps parents to reach agreement regarding the future care and living arrangements for their children whilst avoiding the stress and expense of Court proceedings.

Lisa also works as a casual academic at the University of Newcastle where she teaches psychology subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Lisa's varied work experience spans from child care, statutory Child Protection
with DCJ, youth homelessness, women's shelters and other domestic violence services.

Hope Family Cottage was born from Lisa's vision that children continue to spend meaningful time with both parent(s) and other family members following family breakdown in a place that is
just as inviting and comfortable as home.

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 & family support settings.

Maree's vast experience includes her work as a Learning Support Officer within schools assisting children with diverse needs engage in their education, & also her work 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 working as a Supervised Contact Worker within a government funded Supervised Contact Service, Maree brings a wealth of knowledge to the team at Hope Family Cottage, ensuring best practice in everything we do as we continue to learn from her past experience.

With a trauma-informed lens, Maree's practice prioritises the emotional, psychological & developmental needs of children. Her dedication shines through in everything she does & her warm, empathetic approach ensures children feel safe, valued & heard, while parent's feel understood & supported.

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 and children. Intertwined with her acute understanding of families as whole systems is her DCJ training in 'Healing from Trauma', 'Positive Behaviour Support' & 'Addressing Problematic and 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.

From her own personal experience, she also actively works
to raise awareness, reduce stigma, provide support and bring hope to those living with, and caring for, people with Autism and 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 and truth. It is here that she strives to help people live lives of purpose, passion and peace.

Michele brings a rich tapestry of experience to the Team at
Hope Family Cottage.

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 and Out of Home Care for the past 7 years.

Donna also has experience working in refuges with young people at risk of being homeless and with young offenders in the Juvenile Justice system via the 'Shine for Kids' program. Her training includes counseling and 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 and support at HeadSpace locally.

Donna has first hand experience of the difficulties and rewards of being a foster parent, having been one herself for the past 16 years.

Her combined experience working with vulnerable children, young people, adults and families, knowledge of child protection laws and mental health, makes her an invaluable member of the team at
Hope Family Cottage.

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 developmental growth.

Mel has a broad range of experiences, including leading and motivating a team of staff, building strong working relationships with parents, as well as planning, implementing and evaluating stimulating, high quality education and extra-curricular programs.

Mel brings highly creative early childhood educational skills, exceptional leadership and a strong family focus to the Team at Hope Family Cottage.