Our Staff
- Mary Ellen O’Donoghue rsj – CEO Good Grief Ltd.
- Kerry Stirling - General Manager
- Nicole Romain - Finance Officer
- Helen Jardine – Marketing & Administration
- Jeanette Foxe rsj – State Coordinator – NSW & QLD
- Patricia Williams rsj – State Coordinator – VIC & SA
- Benita Tait – Coordinator Hunter Region
- Melinda Phillips B Com, Grad Dip Ed (VET), M Ed (Ed Psych), COGE.
Mary Ellen O’Donoghue rsj Dip Teach, B Th, M Ed (Lead) (Chief Executive officer)
Mary Ellen is a Sister of St Joseph who has a rich background in education, including twelve years as Principal of a large secondary school and a two year period in the Pilbarra region of Western Australia working in faith formation and education in an isolated mining community. Passionate about justice and supporting children and young people’s growth into the fullness of life, Mary Ellen’s association with the Seasons for Growth program began at the program’s inception attending training and supporting the implementation of the pilot program in a secondary school during 1995-6. From that time she has been a great believer in and proponent of the program’s ability to support children and young people’s growth into strong and resilient adults and the creation of networks of support and connectedness within communities.
Her interests include people, the environment, reading and music,especially jazz.
Contact – 02 8912 2700 Email – maryellen.odonoghue@goodgrief.org.au
Kerry Stirling - (General Manager)
Kerry has been with Good Grief since July 2009. He has been a teacher all his working life including Principal of three schools. He holds a BA Dip Ed and did his MA Hons thesis in literacy teaching. His chief interests are his family, vegetable gardening, horse racing, good food, cooking, wine, fishing, camping, music, drama, films and anything else that makes life great fun!
Contact - 02 8912 2704 Email kerry.stirling@goodgrief.org.au
Melinda Phillips B Com, Grad Dip Ed (VET), M Ed (Ed Psych), COGE. (Project Officer)
Melinda is the newest member of the Good Grief team, joining in April 2011. Melinda is a passionate educator who has worked with children, young people and adults, and was most recently a Teaching Educator with the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta. Melinda believes in education that is empowering and supports people to explore and reach their potential in all dimensions of life.
She has two school-age daughters and is committed to working in ways that affirm, inspire and challenge children and young people to be all that they can be. Melinda loves the beach, cooking for extended family and friends, reading, and spending time with her family.
Contact - 02 8912 2703 or Email melinda.phillips@goodgrief.org.au
Helen Jardine BA (English/Dramatic Art UNSW) (Marketing & Administration)
Helen has been with Good Grief since April 2008. With over 15 years marketing experience in the corporate sector ranging from global telecommunications to boutique incentive marketing operations, she was ready to embrace a role where she could make a difference and give something back to the community. Having school aged children herself, she appreciates the value of the Seasons for Growth program and its ability to build resilience and strength in those troubled by grief and loss. She enjoys time with her family and friends, camping, cycling and anything to do with water!
Contact – 02 8912 2706 Email – helen.jardine@goodgrief.org.au
Nicole Romain - (Finance Officer)
Nicole has been with Good Grief since August 2009. Nicole's background experience is in office administration and she has previously worked with corporates and small businesses. Nicole is currently studying Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting). She has had direct experience with the Seasons for Growth® program and is passionate about the access of the program for the wider community to assist people faced with grief, loss and change in their lives. She believes in the importance of accessibility to all. Nicole enjoys travel, walking, movies and seeing friends.
Contact - 02 8912 2705 Email - nicole.romain@goodgrief.org.au
Jeanette Foxe rsj B Ed. Dip Teach. MA (Theol Studies). A Mus A (State Coordinator NSW)
Jeanette is a Sister of St Joseph with a background in education spanning primary, secondary and adult learning. She has also worked as a Pastoral Associate and has extensive experience as a spirituality and education facilitator. She had the privilege of ministering in the Kimberley, W.A. with the Mirrima Aboriginal people of the Kununurra region. Her life’s journey has taken her through many changes and experiences of loss and these have helped develop in her a broad view of life and a compassionate heart for those who also know of grief. The vision and mission of Good Grief “to relieve suffering and bring hope” is what underpins all that she does in her role.
She has a passionate interest in music, plays piano, flute, guitar and sings and loves the dramatic and performing arts. She is an avid reader and loves to share good food with good company – and a good glass of red...or white!!
Contact – 02 8741 2345 Email – nswcoord@goodgrief.org.au
Patricia Williams rsj, Cert. Prim. ED., B.Ed., Dip. Counselling, B. Theol., Master of Ministry. (State Coordinator VIC)
Patricia Williams is a Sister of St. Joseph and a native Victorian who has been a Seasons for Growth Companion since 1996 and the State Coordinator for Good Grief programs since 2002. Previously, Patricia was a primary school teacher and principal in various Catholic schools in Victoria and then worked as a Pastoral Associate in some Melbourne Catholic Parishes. Currently, Patricia works with local trainers and coordinates training for Seasons for Growth in Victoria and South Australia and supports Companions through the Seasons for Growth network as they help young people and adults find out that they are “not the only one” experiencing loss and change.
Patricia’s other interests include a love of travel, AFL (Go, Roos…!) cryptic crosswords, reading, walking and cycling.
Contact – 03 9926 9316 Email – viccoord@goodgrief.org.au
Benita Tait Dip Teach, B Ed. (Regional Coordinator NSW)
Benita has been working with Good Grief since July 2007. She coordinates the Seasons for Growth program in the Hunter region, NSW. Benita has been involved with the Seasons for Growth program since 1998 when she began running groups in a high school in Newcastle. After leaving teaching to look after her four children she volunteered at her sons Primary School and continued to Companion Young People and Adults. Benita is passionate about the Seasons for Growth program and the work Good Grief is doing to support people affected by change, loss and grief. Benita likes to watch her sons play rugby league, have BBQ’s with family and friends, watch a movie with her husband and family and spend holidays with her extended family. She also likes to spend time alone reading a good book and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Contact – 02 4961 0579 Email – benita.tait@mn.catholic.org.au