Our Team

Christine is a highly dedicated and seasoned professional in the community welfare sector, with over 25 years of service across both government and non-government organisations.

Since 2017, Christine has served as the Executive Director of Guthrie House, where she has demonstrated exceptional skills in NGO management, policy development, strategic and ethical leadership, strategic partnerships, and clinical supervision. Her academic background includes Bachelor qualifications in Community Welfare as well as tertiary qualification in Leadership and Management.

Christine’s extensive experience encompasses critical roles in Child Protection with the Department of Communities and Justice, community engagement, and support in mental health for rural and remote communities in NSW, and over 16 years of dedicated work assisting children and young people experiencing primary and secondary homelessness. She excels in navigating complex systems and advocating effectively for at-risk individuals and families.

Axel commenced with Guthrie House in 2010 and brings significant experience to their role of program, team and intake coordination. Prior to this Axel worked as a Health Education Officer and then Administrator at the Resource and Education Program for Injecting Drug Users at Redfern. Axel holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Major Criminology), Diploma in Community Service and Welfare and a Diploma in NGO Leadership and Management. 

Axel provides leadership, mentoring and supervision to the case management team and support workers. They coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the residential program. This includes, coordinating therapeutic groups, reviewing feedback and monitoring consumer outcomes. Axel’s role also involves managing referrals, intake, and client information systems.

Axel leads the Consumer Reference Group (CRG) which was implemented at the start of 2024 and provides invaluable feedback on policy, procedure and systems within Guthrie House from people with lived experience as a consumer of the service.

Lara commenced with Guthrie House in 2021, moving from work across the NGO sector in gender-based services.

Lara is a Case Manager at Guthrie House, supporting residents to maximise rehabilitative opportunities, co-facilitating groups and engaging in intense case management. Lara is passionate about fighting alongside people who are experiencing systemic disadvantage and has a history of engaging in community work towards making change.

Lara holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of community Services, and a Master of Human rights.

Margaret has over 30 years’ experience working in various roles including Office Manager, Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant and Coordinator.

Margaret’s administrative background includes Insurance and Financial planning, Out-of-Home Care, Real Estate and Youth Homelessness.Margaret has an Advanced Diploma of Event management, a Diploma of Management and a Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

Christine M is an experienced and compassionate practitioner with over 15 years of dedicated work supporting children and families across early intervention, parenting support and out-of-home care settings. 

Christine M is committed to fostering string attachment relationships between mothers and their children, recognising the profound and lasting benefits this connection brings to the wellbeing of the entire family unit.  Her practice is grounded in a trauma-informed and strengths based approach.  Christine M is passionate about advocating for all women in their role as mothers through respectful, relationship-focused support. 

She holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Masters in Child and Adolescent Welfare.  Christine M has completed extensive training in evidence-based programs including Circle of Security, My Kids and Me, Tuning into Kids and Therapeutic Life Story Work.

I am a Yankunytjatjara woman from Adelaide. My family come from Pukatja (Ernabella). I have lived and worked on the lands of the EORA nations for over 30 years and I would like to pay my respects to the Gadigal people and all First Nations people who have strong continuous connections to this country.

I have worked in a variety of community organisations including criminal justice, disability, AOD, HIV/AIDS, Film, TV & Radio. Most of my work I have been working alongside First Nations communities/individuals. I have had the privilege to work with a range of communities in both metropolitan and rural settings. I have worked with amazing individuals whose primary goal is to support First Nation communities.

Chloe is a registered psychologist and after completing her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), spent time working in drug and alcohol research at the University of Sydney. Chloe also enjoys her current work supporting people in private practice through one-on-one therapeutic work.

At Guthrie House, Chloe values working as part of a team and believes in the importance of learning from those around her, including the residents themselves. She aims to work collaboratively and responsively, both in completing resident wellbeing plans and facilitating group sessions to reflect the strengths of each resident. Chloe is committed to walking alongside people in their healing journey, especially those who have experienced trauma, and supporting them as they work toward their goals.

Wanda is the longest-serving staff member at Guthrie House commencing her employment in 1998, which reflects her passion and commitment in relation to working with the client group. Wanda holds a number of tertiary qualifications including an Associate Diploma in Social Science and an Advanced Certificate in Community Welfare. Wanda brings to her role extensive experience in the non-government sector, in particular community-based agencies; and her knowledge, skills and experience are assets to the team.

Wendy commenced her employment at Guthrie House in 2013 in the capacity of Residential Support Worker (RSW). Wendy holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Criminology and a Diploma of Drug and Alcohol. Wendy brings extensive experience to Guthrie House through having worked at Juvenile Justice NSW.

Giselle commenced her employment with Guthrie House in 2014 as a Residential Support Worker. Giselle holds a Diploma in Community Welfare.

Giselle has worked in various NGOs and has extensive experience within the community services sector. Her previous experience includes: AOD Case Work and support work in specialist homelessness services. She has also supported women and children involved in domestic and family violence.