Celestine Hare has been the CEO of Able Australia since 2002, and involved with Able Australia for 21 years.

Celestine has been the driving force behind Able’s expansion into Tasmania and under her leadership Able’s services have grown by over 100 per cent.

 

 

John was Chief Executive of The Deafblind Association (now Able Australia) from 1985 to 2002.

John supports the Administrative Officer of the Australian Deafblind Council (ADBC) and was a committee member of the ADBC from its inception in 1993 to 2002.

He has been a member on the Advisory Committee to the Federal Minister, the Chairman of Worknet (now SensWide), a Committee member and Treasurer of the Victorian Division of ACROD (now National Disability Services) and also the Western Vocational Association.

John has post graduate qualifications in Health Administration.

 

Carla Anderson is Able Australia’s Deafblind Services Manager and has been with Able for nine years.

Carla works closely with the deafblind community, particularly people with Usher’s Syndrome, and is also involved with the Deaf community through interpreting and teaching Cert IV Training and Assessment.

Carla’s role with the conference will be liaising with deafblind delegates to ensure that their communications needs are being met.  

Carla has a Master’s Degree in Counselling from the USA, and Cert IV in training and Assessment.

 

 

John is a services and planning consultant to the public and private health sectors, human services and Not-for-Profit sectors at both State and National levels. He is currently the Consultant for Services and Planning for Able Australia and is responsible for growth and development of services in Victoria and Tasmania.

John is an Associate Fellow at the College of the Health Service Executives and holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences. He is also a Qualified Registered Mental Health Nurse and tutors in mental health nursing at Deakin University.

He has been a member of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on mental health for over seven years, Senior Vice Chairman Board of Directors of a Disability Service Provider in Victoria for over 8 years and President, Board of Directors of The Solid Rock Foundation.

 

Stefan is Able Australia’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager having joined Able in September 2009.

He has recently worked as a Product Manager for Sensis (Yellow Pages Online), and was previously the Head of Strategy and Communications for the South Australian Film Corporation.

Prior to joining Able Stefan took several months off work to study his MBA part-time and volunteered for organisations such as Reclink and The Gertrude Association.

Stefan has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree from the University of Tasmania and is currently studying for his MBA at Deakin University.

 

Patricia has been with Able Australia since February 2009 working as the part time Events Coordinator.

She has been heavily involved in the development of the 8^th National Deafblind Conference and works closely with both the Organising and Scientific Committees.

Patricia has a Diploma of Business in Marketing and a Graduate Certificate in Marketing. Her background encompasses over 12 years experience in Marketing and Events Management, working for companies such as Aged Care Association of Victoria, the Victorian Farmers Federation and the MS Society, as well as running a home-based marketing consultancy.

She has hands-on experience coordinating and managing numerous Conferences, Trade Shows, seminars, and community events.

 

Sandra Spring is Able Australia’s Events Assistant and has been with Able for three months.

She has previously volunteered for Able Australia, assisting at events such as the Australian Charity Wine Auction and ableart 2008.

Sandra has a Diploma of Event Management.