Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Simon - Director
Simon is the co-founder and Director of NDIThrive, bringing over 30 years of experience in helping others.
Owner of The Living Earth Co. Hippie retail shops previously trading in Bayside Shopping Centre and Karingal Hub
He is 52 years earthside but feels 80 most days. Married to Tracy with 6 Children, 6 Grandchildren
Qualifications: Pranayama and Reiki Master, Sound Healer, and Shaman trained in Nordic and Japanese studies, Simon is the “Soul” component of the Mind, Body and Soul Experience for participants. Horticulture and Landscaping background plus Cert 3 in Health Services.
Interests: With a deep love for gardening, landscaping, the outdoors, and art, Simon brings grounded wisdom and creativity into every program.
Dislikes: Computers, Technology, Greed and SNAKES!.
Tracy - Director
Tracy is the founder and Co-Director of NDIThrive.
Married to Simon of 30 years.
6 children and 6 grandchildren, and a Homeschooling background of more than 30 years,
Qualifications: A Pranayama and Reiki Master and Shaman trained in Nordic and Japanese traditions, Tracy holds a Diploma of Business and Advanced Diploma of Shamanism, combining practical business skills with deep spiritual insight. She is also a published Author.
Likes: Reading, writing, technology, log fires, deep conversations, philosophy, and plenty of popcorn with a good book on a rainy night,
Dislikes: No time for injustice, sports, early mornings, extreme heat, or forced exercise! Hates bullies and being told NO!
Lou - 2IC
I came from managing accommodation for 12 years for people living with high complex needs. I’ve worked in Disability Support for 30 years.
I have twins at university, I have a German shepherd, a Bengal cat and lots of fish
Qualifications: I have far too many qualifications to mention here. My favorites within the disability sector have been Positive complex behavior management and Auslan. I also hold TAE - meaning that I can teach and write courses I have studied. (I have many interests). Among other interests I am a Diving Instructor that has spent many years taking groups to Vanuatu.
Likes: Experiencing new things, foods, smells, places, cultures, I love gardening and getting away to quiet spots in the Winter. Birds!!
Dislikes: Cruelty to animals , Sultanas (eww gross) -If they surprise me in food, that food may be lost to me forever. Oh, and I absolutely hate earwigs.
Samara - 3IC
Executive Assistant and Support Worker
Qualifications:
Cert 3/4 in Disability
Reiki 1, 2, 3
A holistic and Spiritual Philosophy that is generational and deeply ingrained.
Likes: Crystals, Music, Animals, kindness and Helping Others, Singing and Playing Guitar
Dislikes: Injustice, Early Mornings, Cockroaches and being hungry!
Mel - Therapist
Married to my beautiful Wife Settie and love our 13-year-old Puglier Ferris
Qualifications:
Registered VIT Early Childhood Teacher
Diploma of Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy
Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
Qualified Yoga and Yin Teacher
Grade 6 AMEB Classical Piano
ANZCA Drum Kit - Grade 8
Certificate 3 in Fitness Training
Certificate 4 in Personal Training
Likes: Connecting with like-minded souls, neuroscience, nervous system, neuromuscular systems, Movies, Nature, especially trees. Creating on all levels, painting, drawing, dancing, singing, chanting, meditation and mindful practices. Understanding others potentially and seeing others shine in their own wisdom. Myths and legends.
Dislikes: People without awareness of social justice, integrity or respect.
Andrea - Nurse
Senior Nurse, Senior Support Staff
Qualifications:
Diploma of Nursing
Cert 3 in Independent Support
Associate Diploma Health Science and Beauty therapy
Level 3 Support Coordinator
Married with 2 Adult Children
Likes: Positive Energy, Meditation and Sound Baths, Nature and Helping Others through Herbology and Naturopathy
Dislikes: Negativity, cold weather and Brussel Sprouts!
Zoe - Counsellor
Counsellor/ Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Support Worker
Very passionate in psychosocial and counselling field with 6 years experience in aged care, disability and youth mental health and support work.
Completed certificate 2 in community services as well as completed Diploma in counselling and certificates in Psychosocial Recovery Coaching at Swinburne University. Have a very big European family and can cook up a storm.
Likes: Adventure, Movie nights in and cooking.
Dislikes: Cold rainy days
I love spending quality family times and up for intellectual conversation. Always have a smile on and love a good chat
Simone
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
Cert 4 in Disability Services
I am focused on putting my knowledge to help support people to live their best life possible. I am
passionate about best practice and achieving great outcomes for the individuals I work with. My career
objective is to gain as much experience as I can while enjoying the challenges each new position brings.
Likes: Crafts, Photography and Animals.
Dislikes: Spiders, Heights, Bullying
Ellie
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Cert 4 Disability
Qualified Chef
I have worked in disability for 10 years. Before that, I was a Head Chef. My interests include gardening, cooking & baking, nutrition, sewing & needlecraft, upcycling and recycling fabrics, live local music, meditation and yoga.
I have a British bulldog, named Dolly & a cat, named Milo. I have 4 chooks and I also have a 6 year-old goldfish, who's name is Lucky (to be alive ha-ha!).
I am a mum to an awesome 13 year-old son. I lived in the UK for ten years between 2006-2016, mostly Wales & Edinburgh. I grew up in Fremantle.
LIKES ⦁ Nature walks ⦁ 70’s soul & funk music ⦁ Op shops and vintage clothing ⦁ All vegetables ⦁ Growing herbs and vegetables ⦁ My house plants ⦁ Cooking in my kitchen at home ⦁ Sewing and Needle craft
DISLIKEs ⦁ My alarm clock ⦁ Mobile phones when they ring too loud ⦁ Doing laundry ⦁ Processed meat
Evelyn
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Cert 4 in Youth Work
Continuing study in Diploma of Youth Work
Cert 3 in Aging and Disability.
Former Veterinary Nurse with a special interest in Rabbits, Reptiles and trauma wound management. I have 15 years experience in the community service sector, working with people of all ages with mental health challenges, relationship disruption, neuro divergence and disability. I am passionate about working with family systems to release stored trauma through creative expression and engagement with animals, nature and the environment.
I view the world through a philosophical and poetic lense, understanding that all positive emotions have their negative counterpart. This understanding enables me to hold space for all emotions to be experienced safely and therapeutically.
Likes: crochet, fishing, rollerblading, boating, snorkelling, reading, writing, nature journaling, adventures, meeting new people and doing cool things together.
Dislikes: chlorinated water and space travel that isn't accessible to the greater community....yet.
Mara
Support Worker
Mother of 3 children & 6 cats
Qualifications: Cert 4 Disability
Self taught Artist
Support worker for 8 years
Likes: cats & all animals. Creative projects, art, craft. Decorating, fashion, gardening, cooking, op shopping. Helping others.
Dislikes: Chihuahuas & celery.
Tasma
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Cert 4 in Disability
Cert 2 in Animals Studies
Loves working and integrating regulating techniques through working with Animals.
Likes: Good Conversations, Kindness and Helping Others and listening to Music.
Dislikes: Unfairness, Cruelty to Animals and hot days!
Mel
Support Worker
Worked in Disability Support for 10 years
Mother of 3 teenagers
Mel has extensive experience in the disability sector supporting both family and Clients alike.
Likes: Music, Deep conversations about Spirituality, Animals and Nice Weather
Dislikes: Inequality,
Andie
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Diploma in Shamanism
I am super fun and compassionate, with an immense passion for supporting people to live empowered lives. I have a love for all things music, and can be found deep in concentration playing the bass guitar or at a gig. Apart from my partner, the love of my lives are our two adorable kittens.
Likes
Spirituality, my kittens, animals in general, seeing bands, making and listening to music, cooking and meditation,
Dislikes
Spiders and Elevators!
Julie
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Certificate in Fitness Instruction
Married to the world’s best husband, we have two beautiful kind hearted daughters together ! I have 10 years experience in community aged care and truly do love helping others..
I love the simple things in life & my favourite thing to do is walk along the beach with a takeaway coffee ! I hope to continue my working days in a rewarding role that helps others and makes my heart feel good ! 😊
Likes: Cozy hometime with beautiful family, sunny morning walks with a good coffee in hand, watching thunderstorms at night, scrolling Pinterest and watching home reno shows.
Dislikes:Coriander, busy traffic and impolite people!
Meri
Support Worker
Qualifications:
Corporate Management
Animal lover with a soft spot for anything that swims, waddles, or needs rescuing. Proud parent of two adult children, one delightfully destructive staffy, and an elderly ragdoll cat who rules the house with quiet authority.
Most at home near the ocean—preferably with a snorkel in hand and some unsuspecting marine life to admire (from a respectful distance, of course). When not pretending to be a part-time mermaid, you’ll find me in the garden or the kitchen, usually cooking something delicious or at least edible.
Mature… at least in age, if not always in behaviour. Known for a solid sense of humour and the ability to laugh at life—except when it comes to spiders, dentists, or Brussels sprouts. Then all bets are off.
Nisal - Grounds
Farm Estate Head Groundskeeper
Nisal adores all animals, being outside, helping others and takes enormous pride in his work.
Nisal has a strong work ethic and has to be told to take a break and go home!
He loves giving anything a go, and if he doesn't know how to do something, he is enthusiastic in learning it immediately!
Coming from Sri Lanka, he was studying Biology.
Likes: Helping others, all animals, kindness and his family. Importer and Breeder of Betta fish!
Dislikes: Inequality, cruelty to animals
Our Team
At NDIThrive, our team is the heart of everything we do. We are a group of dedicated, compassionate, and skilled professionals who are passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment for all participants. Each team member brings unique strengths and experiences, working together to provide personalised care, engaging activities, and a welcoming community. We’d love for you to get to know us better – come and meet the faces behind NDIThrive.