BUDDIES CAN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Quality and Compliance Consultant
- Quality and Compliance Officer
- Retired Hospital Manager
David Lenehan works for Buddies in a part-time capacity in the role of Compliance Support Officer.
David, who is a retired hospital manager, works with the management team to ensure Buddies meets all of its legal and ethical requirements as well as complying with the NDIS Quality and Safety Standards.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Director
Being part of the Buddies family is something Emily takes very seriously, being the founding Director's eldest daughter and all… but don't let this fool you!
Emily holds a Bachelor of Business degree and has worked in and around family businesses her whole life. Over the past 10 years, Emily has worked in a variety of customer service roles, in the aged care and disability industry and has also worked as a Local Area Coordinator with the NDIS, which has given her valuable insight into the world of the NDIS from the other side.
Emily is passionate about the people that Buddies C.A.N support and isn't afraid to speak up when needed.
With both lived and working experience in customer service, the aged care and disability industry and with the NDIS, working at Buddies C.A.N is something she feels she was born to do!
Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating out at local cafes and restaurants and being at home with her husband and two pugs.
Job Titles:
- Intake and Engagement Officer
Georgie has always had an interest in helping people and previously worked as Support worker for Buddies C.A.N. From there she stepped into the Intake and Engagement Role, Georgie is thoroughly enjoying learning about the industry and the challenge of her new role.
In her spare time Georgie enjoys spending time with her family and friends and the great outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Reception and Allocations Officer
Job Titles:
- Administration Officer
- Finance
- Operations Manager
Jessica has been with Buddies C.A.N since Buddies was founded in 2017 and has enjoyed growing alongside the business.
Starting her career as a support worker, Jessica is now managing all finances of Buddies C.A.N. Jessica's energetic and bubbly personality makes her an asset to the Buddies community.
As our Director Kim's youngest daughter, Jessica is deeply passionate about making everybody feel a part of the Buddies family.
Away from work, Jessica loves to socialise with her friends and spend time with her family (as if she does not do this enough at work).
Job Titles:
- Director
- Founder
- Our Founding Director
Kim founded Buddies C.A.N in 2017. As the NDIS was rolling out in Ballarat, she saw that there were huge gaps in the areas of supports that would make real difference in the lives of people with disability.
Kim's three decades of experience working in the mental health and disability sectors, together with her insistence on progression has shaped Buddies C.A.N to be the local provider of choice it is today.
She is known for finding solutions and providing insights into supports that can make a real difference in the lives of participants.
If anyone has a "CAN do" attitude for getting the job done, it's Kim!!
has over 30 years of experience, working in the mental health and disability field. In 2016, as the NDIS rolled out in Victoria, Kim felt that she could utilise this experience and skill to fill gaps in areas of support within the local community.
My family has lived in Ballarat for 5 generations and has made an imprint on the history of Ballarat with Quayles cycles and the botanical gardens (Tom Beaumont aka Mr Begonia, Curator for 54 years).I have two teenage children that attend Ballarat high School. Prior to starting my career within the disability sector, I previously worked in aged care for 3 years and am also a qualified hairdresser.
Job Titles:
- Senior Allocations and Reception Officer
When you call Buddies C.A.N to book in for our awesome programs or outings or ask for one of our friendly support staff to come and help you or you simply just want a chat, Laura will be at the reception desk most days to help you out.
The girls on front desk are a great team and are always here for you! When Laura isn't at Buddies she loves to just hang out with her family and 2 dogs, cruising in the hot Rod and riding dirt bikes.
Oh, and she loves to knit...
Job Titles:
- Reception and Allocations Officer
Originally from Melbourne, Lauren moved to Ballarat in 2017 with her daughter and began working with Buddies in 2020.
She is no stranger to a fast-paced environment and has over 5 years of experience in reception and customer service.
In her spare time, she spends her time making memories with her daughter and enjoys binge watching TV.
Job Titles:
- Senior Intake and Allocations Officer
Marlee is a coastal local, spending most of her life enjoying the sea-breeze in Warrnambool. After high school, Marlee worked in Administration and Aged Care for 12 months before heading to Ballarat for study.
After spending a few years studying a Bachelor of Arts and volunteering as a student advocate and residential advisor, Marlee moved into childcare for 12 months, before joining the Buddies Intake team.
In Marlee's spare time, she can be found reading, watching movies, crocheting and spending time with her cats.
Job Titles:
- Intake and Engagement Officer
Olivia joined the Buddies Intake and Engagement team after first commencing with Buddies in 2022 as a support worker. Previously, Olivia worked in Arboriculture and horticulture wielding chainsaws and climbing trees, and prior to that had spent 20 years in the dental industry.
Olivia is thoroughly enjoying the intake role, learning more about the industry and developing relationships with participants and the Buddies team.
In her spare time (What spare time?) Olivia is a busy mother and stepmother to five teenagers and enjoys long distance running.
Robert's extensive people management experience and passion for being the best have earned him a reputation as driven and outspoken.
He expects the best from those around him and is known for his ability to shape and manage diverse teams. Robert has held leadership and training positions with well-known and respected companies in Australia primarily in the health and finance sectors. He is an advocate for social change.
Robert's focus is on spreading the word and building relationships to promote participant engagement. His aim is to help position Buddies as the front of mind innovative and progressive disability services provider in regional Victoria.
Outside of work, Robert enjoys exploring his local food scene with friends and spending time with his two west highland terriers.
Job Titles:
- Intake & Engagement Officer
Sonia has worked in the disability sector over the last 10 years. Throughout Sonia's career in the sector, Sonia has undertaken many roles supporting and advocating for people with a disability and their families in Ballarat region.
Sonia has completed an Advanced diploma in disability and an Advanced diploma in Management. Sonia is also currently studying a bachelor's in business management.
Outside of Buddies, Sonia enjoys spending time with her family.
After eight years of popping popcorn at the local Ballarat Cinema, Tyler made a big change and began working in reception at Buddies C.A.N.
From there she stepped into the Intake & Engagement role, and is now one of the Service Delivery Managers.
Tyler has loved all of her roles so far and really enjoys learning all about the industry, developing relationships with participants, and growing alongside the business.
In Tyler's spare time, she enjoys cooking, travelling, and re-watching the same three TV shows