Distinctive Options Participants
From Sunbury to Bendigo, from Brimbank to Bairnsdale, the participants we support drive our organisation.
Participants are at the heart of our team.
Our staff, management and board exist to support participants to live their best possible life.
Here are four of our many participants across Victoria.
Rights and Responsibilities Network
Rights and Responsibilities is a participant-driven advocacy network. First launched in 1998, the groups give participants the opportunity to express their views and ideas, as well as raise and problem-solve any issues they have. We advocate for ourselves and other participants at DO by bringing up issues that may be of concern. As participants, we like the meetings as it's a way of sharing information and we can have a voice to coordinators and management. We also organise fundraising events and invite guest speakers from agencies such as Public Transport Victoria, Victoria Police, The Australian Electoral Commission, emergency services, various charities as well as individuals with stories of interest to share.
Zac
Rights and Responsibilities Bendigo
Stephanie
Rights and Rights and Responsibilities Sunbury
Residential Team Leader Bairnsdale
Liane joined Noweyng in 2015 and calls herself a 'country girl.' She loves animals, nature and people, as well as her role in leading the supported accommodation team at Bairnsdale.
As Residential Team Leader at DO Noweyung Liane is responsible for coordinating DO Noweyung’s three Supported Independent Living Residential Accommodation sites – Slim Dusty House, Peters Court and Grant St.
Elena joined Distinctive Options as a support worker in 2009. She developed new activities with a focus on sports, health and nutrition to build participants' skills, resilience and well being.
As Coordinator Group Supports Sunbury, Elena continues to develop a great variety of opportunities to support participants to meet their goals.
Hannah joined the D.O. team in 2011 as a 19 year old who was keen to learn about the world of providing quality support for people with disabilities. Several years later, she was offered the additional role of Communication Coordinator before becoming an Assistant Coordinator in 2019.
Tara joined Distinctive Options in 2018 and quickly demonstrated her disability support abilities. In 2020, Tara took up the Bendigo Coordinator’s role, overseeing participant group supports as well as 1-on-1 individualised supports in the home or in the community. For Tara, this means ensuring participants receive the best possible supports by finding support workers who are best matched to their needs, by mentoring support workers, and by liaising with other services.
Beau started his career in the health field by first completing his Cert III in Individualized Support, starting work at Bendigo Health. He joined Distinctive Options in August 2021 as a support worker to assist people to live life to their fullest.
Beau was appointed IS Supervisor in January 2022. Beau was an integral part of the Bendigo restructure and was a major support to the Bendigo Coordinator, staff and participants with transitioning into the new building in King Street, Bendigo.
Aaron spent several years as a respected Support Worker with Sunbury Group Supports before becoming the Brimbank Service Coordinator in September 2024. The Brimbank support service provides group supports as well as 1-on-1 individualised supports sought by participants, families or carers.
Jan Loescher
Process and Accountability Officer Bendigo
Jan joined Distinctive Options in 2016 as Assistant IS Coordinator then IS Coordinator.
In 2022 she stepped back from this role and took on the position of Process and accountability officer.
This role involves ensuring all participant information is up to date so we can provide each person with the most appropriate support for them.
Deborah Ford
Coordinator Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Independent Living Supports Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Independent Living Supports
Deborah joined Distinctive options in November 2021 in ILS, as the Relationship and Communication Officer, before recently moving in to the ILS Coordinator role.
role of Communication Coordinator before becoming an Assistant Coordinator in 2019.
Catherine joined Distinctive Options in 2011 as a support worker and was the DO Bendigo Coordinator at its inception in late 2016 until 2019. In 2023 Catherine became the Content Creation Coordinator where she supports service areas to share their stories through print, social media, photography and videography.
Colleen Moffat
NDIS Billing and Claims Officer
Colleen brings a wealth of experience to the role which demands great attention to detail and strong communication skills.
From late 2023, Colleen took on responsibility for overseeing our Financial Plan Management service for participants.
Executive Management Team
Natalie is an independent Director who has consistently delivered challenging agendas and improved results through leading businesses in financial services and professional services. She has more than 20 years’ experience in general management, operations, risks, sales, marketing, acquisitions and business transformation across financial services, professional services, and IT sectors.
Tanya is an independent Director with extensive legal and leadership experience in private, public, and for-purpose organisations with domestic and international operations. She has strong expertise in governance, strategy, business management and operations, law, board reporting and liaison, stakeholder relationship development, program/service design and deliver, advocacy, compliance, and risk management. Tanya brings proven Director experience from holding positions on other Boards.
Areeb is an independent Director with lived experience of a physical disability. He is a chartered accountant who has extensive expertise in financial services, plus developed skills in diversity and inclusion. Areeb is passionate about integrating people into the workforce and to participate fully in society. He also brings other experience gained from being a Treasurer for a national not-for-profit charity.
Rebecca is an independent Director who brings a wealth of experience and skills as a strategic senior finance leader with a passion for transformation. She has over 20 years in rewarding and challenging senior roles, including driving best practice financial oversight and governance across organisations.