Meet Our Friendly Team of Support Coordinators
Our dedicated team of professionals is here to ensure that the people we support can live the best life possible.
OUR DIRECTORS
Meet Our Founders, Donna & Ray
Donna & Ray started up Geelong Disability Services after Donna, who has MS became so frustrated at either having a different worker each week or no worker at all that she decided to start their own business with workers who are constant, reliable and provide a quality service.
Who We Are
Using her background in Quality Assurance within the Aged Care sector, Donna began the registration process to become a provider under the NDIA.
Whilst doing this she also undertook a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Disability. Ray who had 20 years as a Police Officer, was already working as a Support Worker for St Laurence at the time Donna was getting the business started.
Ray and Donna have 4 daughters and have just recently become grandparents. Outside of work Ray enjoys gardening and listening to music, Donna enjoys spending time with family and friends and also loves live music.
Meet Our Team
Our team is dedicated to promoting independence, well-being, and inclusivity. We continuously update our skills and knowledge to stay at the forefront of disability support practices, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible assistance.
Support Coordinator
Meet Donna
Donna has a vast knowledge of NDIS and everything that is related to it. Coming with experience as a participant rather than a Support Worker background, Donna realized that if she were to start a business in the field, she needed to be qualified so she went at did a dual certificate IV in Disability and Mental Health.
Donna loves spending time with her family, visiting local wineries and hotels to listen to live music, watching teary movies and making a positive change in peoples lives.
Support Coordinator
Meet Ray
Ray has spent his life in community service. He started his career in the Police Force where he stayed for 15 years located in Melbourne.
Since his move to Geelong in 2012, he has been a carer for his Father-In-Law who was unlucky enough to get Motor Neuron Disease (MND) then upon his passing, decided he wanted to continue in the ‘Carer’ role so went and did a Cert III in HACC before working with St Laurence and from there starting his own Provider business, Geelong Disability Services with his wife, Donna in 2015.
Ray is a real home body who loves nothing better than spending time in the garden, being with family, listening to music and reminiscing about his VFL career at Box Hill back in the day.
Support Coordinator
Meet Fay
Fay has many years supporting and caring for clients, she comes with a nursing background and has extensive mental health knowledge and experience. Fay enjoys working with clients’ individual plans, placing supports around the client’s plan and goals. Fay is passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities, helping them to build independence and skills.
Fay describes herself as bright, bubbly and chatty always respectful of client’s needs. Outside of work Fay loves making cement pots and gardening.
Registered Nurse
Meet Jessica
Jessica is new to the coordination role but very keen to support you in your journey! Some backstory on Jess- She has worked in the health sector for over 15 years.
Jobs have ranged from working as a support worker with Karingal whilst she completed her Registered Nurse training, to experience in acute, psych and aged care settings.
On a personal note, Jess is a mother of two girls, two pugs, big fan of the ocean, the Red-Hot Chilli Peppers, documentaries, and loves a chat!
Support Coordinator
Meet Alana
Alana comes to us as a fully qualified Registered Nurse specialising in Neo-Natal Intensive Care nursing, also known as a NICU nurse. Having this experience brings both empathy and knowledge to the Support Coordination she provides her participants covering both the Melbourne and Geelong regions.
Outside of work, Alana loves spending time with her Cavoodle Furbaby, Peanut & her partner, visiting waterfalls and loves hiking out in nature.
Support Coordinator
Meet Tessa
Tessa joined GDS in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science. Tessa took some time off to travel in 2022, before returning with GDS in 2023. She is passionate about empowering her participants to achieve their goals and to reach independence.
Tessa enjoys helping others and enjoys taking a creative approach to developing new skills. She is an approachable, honest and compassionate person who looks forward to building strong connections with participants and their families.
Tessa enjoys the beach, camping, cooking and her dog, Pip, and she describes herself as reliable, adventurous and energetic.
HR & ROSTERING
Wendy
I moved back to my hometown Geelong some years ago as a single mum of four to give my children study and employment options. I spent my teen years in Portland. I have been employed in the community sector for over 25 years. I started my career in residential disability, which then moved to working with children out of home, managing staff and the houses. During those years I have been fortunate to put all my knowledge and experience into my community roles spending the majority of my years working with vulnerable clients. I then went into the aged care sector and have since returned to disability. Working closely with clients and support workers. I enjoy spending time with family, traveling especially overseas and the garden and have been known to take boot loads home instead of groceries. Oh, and love chocolate.
Accountant
Ben
I have worked for over 25 years in accounting roles with companies in a range of industries such as the dairy, salt, and beauty industries. My current role at GDS allows me to use my skills and experience in a business that is having such a positive impact on their clients and the community. My daughter has cerebral palsy so also have experienced the NDIS from a user perspective. Outside of work I like to spend time in the garden, reading and I recently took up beekeeping. Playing cricket has developed into a family affair with my wife now a keen player alongside myself and our 2 boys.
SUPPORT COORDINATION
Jacob
One of the things I like to do in my free time is play guitar. I have done this for 8 years now and have used this skill to busk in Geelong locally for 6 years. When I am not thinking about music, I also like to have a go at playing chess. I currently play through chess.com, against people online. The theoretical side of chess, including end game ideas and openings are intriguing to me. I do enjoy a good TV series to binge, this is inclusive of many, many things rangins from adult animation, crime, sitcom, drama, even a couple animes here and there (dragon ball saga, Pokemon, kakegurui). Much like many people born in the 2000s era, gaming has been a big part of my lige, unfortunately I don’t get to play as much anymore, however I still try and 100% every game I try. These games range from single and multiplayer, any Tom Clancy game, God of War, Overwatch, Diablo, even the old ATARI remakes are good. Overall, I think that if you are trying to find who is able to connect with you and converse about an array of different things, promoting a steady and growing rapport, building and maintaining a space to connect, question and most importantly, achieve goals. I am happy to be considered within your many amazing choices of support work through GDS.
SUPPORT COORDINATION
Kerry
I started in Community Care and the more I learned about people and the impact on families and the individual, the more I wanted to develop ways to encourage and empower a clients self belief and interest in life, it never becomes boring and I am still here! During my time at GDS, I have had the privilege of working closely with incredible individuals, learning from their unique experiences, and having the opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate community. Beyond work hours, my interests span a wide canvas. I love painting – there’s something magical about watching the painting unfold. Photography allows me to capture fleeting moments and freeze them in time. When I am feeling adventurous, you’ll find me kayaking or embarking on new escapades. Recently, I restored an antique dresser I stumbled upon (a hidden gem, really!), and I have dabbled in gold foil glasswork. Oh, and riding the rapids? Absolutely exhilarating, it’s like daring nature!
SUPPORT COORDINATION
Jodie
Hi, my name is Jodie Bamford and I began working with GDS in March 2025. I have a background in retail, working at Woolworths in various roles for nearly 27 years and then at Macpac as part of the Management team. I have been working as a Mental Health Support worker for over 4 years and enjoy getting to know clients from all walks of life. I am passionate about everyone having a chance to live their best life with support from their care team. I am grateful to the clients I have worked with for entrusting me to be their support worker. I have 2 adult children and a beautiful but needy dog named Freddie. I like watching most sports and listening to music. I also enjoy being outside, whether that is going for a walk or doing some gardening. I have started to travel to SE Asia in recent years and the experiences I have encountered have left a lasting impression and I think there is nothing better than a coffee to start the day!
REGISTERED NDIS PROVIDER
Setup Your Free Meeting with
Geelong Disability Services
With thoughtful planning and individualised supports we help the people we support to live the best life possible.
