Committee of Management
Melinda Lawley Chair
Melinda has worked with young people throughout her career, initially as a secondary teacher before moving into community and health fields. This trajectory underpins her commitment to working across sectors to enhance outcomes for young people. She is currently the CEO of the Bridge Youth Service, a youth welfare organisation in Shepparton. Melinda is committed to supporting and advocating for young people who have been disadvantaged through no fault of their own, often missing out on educational and career opportunities that other young people have had. Melinda joined the Board in 2018.
Anita McCurdy Co-Chair
Anita McCurdy has had over 20 years experience for the non-for-profit community services field with various roles from ground youth work through to management. Her initial employment was with Berry Street supporting young people in statutory care which has advanced to leadership roles in 1-1 care support, onto leaving care and management work at the local crisis refuge. From there, Anita transitioned into the social housing space with Beyond Housing as the Client Services manager until the opportunity arose in 2016 to become the first manager of one of the three Education First Youth Foyers in Victoria.
Mary-Ann Linehan
Mary-Ann Linehan is currently employed as Partnerships Leader for Greater Shepparton Secondary College. Previous to this role at the College she was the Career Practitioner and Beacon Program Coordinator at Shepparton High School. Mary-Ann entered the education space after 25 years in Retail and the Building Industry. Mary-Ann completed a Cert II in Auslan at Gotafe, volunteering at Shepparton High School, where she then gained employment as an Interpreter for the deaf while completing a Graduate Diploma of Language Auslan. Continuing to upskill, Mary-Ann completed the Certificate IV Career Development and a Vocational Graduate Certificate in Career Practice.
Mary-Ann is a mother of 2 adult children, who actively volunteers for organisations such as Hospice Baking from the Heart, Food Share and the Kyabram Football Netball Club. Mary-Ann's community minded approach was cemented in 2010 when she completed the Fairley Leadership Program.
Sally Bate
Sally is currently the Manager of Cobram Community House, a registered training organisation, Learn Local, and provider of community services and activities for the town of Cobram. Sally has worked in the vocational education and training sector for over 20 years in the areas of human resource management, training and assessment, grants and funding as well as general management. Prior to this she worked in human resource management in the finance and banking, mining and manufacturing sectors. Sally completed an undergraduate degree in Arts and has undertaken further qualifications in Training and Assessment, Community Business Management and Career Development. She is also involved in the management of a family business, is a mentee with the Kilfinan organisation and held positions on a number of local committees currently including the GMLLEN.
Jess Widdop
Jess is the Team Leader of Community Services with the Moira Shire Council. Jess has worked in public health, community development and partnership development throughout her career in a number of settings.
Having worked and volunteered with young people and youth organisations for over 10 years, Jess enjoys being part of the GMLLEN Committee as a way of improving outcomes for young people across the catchment.
Michael Carrafa
Michael is currently employed at Greater Shepparton City Council as Team Leader Business & Industry Development which is within the Economic Development department. Michael is fortunate to have an effective and supporting team that enables them to work together in developing the local economy in industries/sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, retail, hospitality, transport, health and education. Council works towards attracting new investment to the municipality and which Michael says is an enjoyable component of his role as he’s able to witness first hand the creation of jobs and opportunities for locals.
Michael says “the creation of employment opportunities through the attraction of investment can often be the first job for a young person and therefore the start of their career. I find this motivating which has led to me taking up the exciting opportunity to have a position on the GMLLEN Board”.
