Our Team
Meet the SBH Disability Service Team & Board of Directors
Our commitment to giving our clients total, holistic support means we have a team of specialists on-hand. We work together to ensure our care is the best it can be.
Management Team
- Tony O’Connell - CEO
- Angela Tincknell - Service Manager
- Christopher Hayer - Business Support Manager
- Blair Johnston - Business Development Manager
Social Workers
Senior Social Workers
- Jodie Kennedy
- Sonya Dennis
Social Workers
- Laurel English
- Christine Weddell
Education Program Coordinator & Senior Education Advisor
- Sarah Rerrie
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists
- Nathan Wilson
- William Padman
Occupational Therapists
Senior Occupational Therapist
- Rachel O’Reilly
Occupational Therapists
- Amanda Manso
- Chelsea Luu
- Sharelle Kamp
Peer Mentor Resource Officer
- George Kambouris
- Brendan Somerville
Admin/NDIS/Business Development Team
Human Resources Officer
- Hannah Dodson
Client Liason Officers
- Christopher Hayer & Hannah Dodson
Administration Support Officer
- Raissa Rodriguez-Soares
Receptionist
- Jaydon Cowan
Occupational Therapists
Angela Tincknell
Angela is one of our Senior Occupational Therapists and has been working with SBH Disability Services for almost a decade. Angela has recently stepped into SBH Disability Services’ Service Manager role but is continuing to provide mentorship and support to the OT team. Angela’s particular areas of specialty are OT driving assessment and complex home modifications. Angela is also passionate about supporting our clients in their employment, housing and social engagement goals.
Rachel O'Reilly
Rachel is one of our Senior Occupational Therapists with over 25 years of experience in providing OT supports to children of all ages, particularly those with complex needs. Rachel can assist children and families with activities of daily living, such as toileting and education, with developmental play and emotional regulation/behavioural supports. Rachel provides supports to assist children to manage anxiety, particularly in relation to hospital procedures. Rachel recommends and prescribes optimal equipment and assistive technology to promote skill development and independence for children. In addition, she has also worked collaboratively with Speech Pathologists over many years to provide feeding interventions for a range of children.
Amanda Manso
Amanda is our driver assessor Occupational Therapist. She has been with SBHDS since 2018 and during this time has supported our clients in a variety of ways. Her main interests are:
Transition into adulthood, including planning for independent living, higher education support, work and employment;
Driving assessment and rehabilitation ;
Community access training and support;
Transition into adulthood, including planning for independent living, higher education support, work and employment
Amanda also works in the education team at SBH Disability Services, providing education, resources and support so that every student is included in learning opportunities at school.
Chelsea Luu
The essence of being an Occupational Therapist is therapy for what ‘occupies’ your time. As an Occupational Therapist, Chelsea loves connecting with different people and getting to know them as individuals, learning their stories, and supporting them to work toward their goals to achieve what is meaningful to them – whether this is self-care, daily activities, life skills or leisure.
Everyone’s goals are different, so every day is different.
Social Workers
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie is one of our Senior Social workers and has been working with SBH Disability Services for over 25 years. Jodie believes that it is a privilege and joy to walk alongside adults & families, supporting them to understand and build their own strengths as they journey through life’s phases. Jodie’s main focus areas include:
Mental health & wellbeing
Anxiety & Depression
Grief & loss
Supporting Decision making & choices
Jodie believes there is no greater reward than supporting people to face & overcome obstacles, achieve in their life goals & find genuine purpose & happiness.
Sonya Dennis
Sonya is one of our Senior Social Workers and has been working at SBH Disability Services for 20 years (as of July 2022!).
Sonya has a disability (Spina Bifida) herself so is very passionate about supporting people of all ages to work toward their goals and lead active and engaging lives. She believes with the right supports nothing is impossible. Sonya loves working both individually and in groups.
Advocacy, grief and loss, and mental health and well being are particular interests.
Laurel English
Laurel joined the Social Work team at SBH Disability Services in February 2021 after completing a Master’s in Social Work Studies at UQ in 2020. Laurel also completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at QUT in 2015. Laurel has a particular interest in healthcare and justice systems and working with young people around the transition to adulthood.
Christine Weddell
Christine’s key areas of expertise are in supporting young people and adults with their wellbeing and mental health, including substance use concerns. She is comfortable using creative ways to help people explore their needs and desires, and has a wealth of experience in assisting with independence building, social inclusion, service navigation and carer support. Christine feels privileged to be able to journey with, and learn from, the people she supports every day.
Our Board of Directors
Maree has been a director of SBH Disability Services for a couple of years before taking care of an aging parent and is now excited to be back on the Board. She is an IT Professional and Strategic Sourcing agent and is currently working on the nation building Inland Rail project. Maree is eager to use her change management and governance experience to help SBH achieve their strategic vision. Maree has 2 children, 2 dogs and a 19 year old cat.
John has been a director of SBH Disability Services since 1987. He is employed as Information Officer in the Department of Education, Training and Employment. John has been a strong influence in board of management meetings, strategic planning, governance management and partnership generation. John has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Joe has served as a Board member on a number of organisations including the Hunter Volunteer Centre and SAFE Group as well as serving as Chair of the National Zero Harm Leadership Team for BIS Industries. He is the Executive General Manager Products, Mining and Services at SRG. Joe’s son has spina bifida and is passionate to support the SBH Disability Services community.
Jemima is a senior lawyer, executive and company director with extensive experience in legal and commercial roles and as a consultant to organisations globally. She has a keen interest in corporate governance and the not-for-profit sector and is recognised for her pragmatic approach, commercial acumen, innovative thinking and enthusiasm for helping others. An expert in continuous improvement, Jemima loves helping organisations streamline systems and processes and execute strategy. Jemima is currently Legal & Strategic Projects Director at Megaport, a global technology business, and runs a business and legal operations consultancy.
Karen has enjoyed 27 years of experience working at SBH Disability Services as an Education Advisor in the Children’s Team with a special interest in ‘Play & Music Therapy’, retiring in 2018. Karen has a degree in ’Early Childhood Education’ and has since 1977 been working with children with disabilities in a wide variety of settings in both Australia and Denmark.
Karen has been involved in ECTA (Early Childhood Teachers Association) holding a position as Board Director for a number of years.
Stephen joined the SBH Disability Services board in late 2021 and also serves as a director of the SBH Foundation. Stephen is an investment strategist with Macquarie Wealth and has worked as a portfolio manager with firms such as Colonial First State. Stephen brings a high level of investment experience to the SBH board with a career spent managing investments for large superannuation funds, and advising high net worth individuals and not-for-profits. Stephen also manages to find some time to look after his four children.