Our staff lead the way in holistic therapy.

Our staff are leading the way in holistic therapy and are committed to seeing your child, and your family thrive on the journey. 

Kate Smith

Kate Smith

CEO

Kate brings with her more than 20 years’ senior experience in the NFP sector. Kate has led Biala since November 2024 and is passionate about connecting with communities to deliver services that meet the needs of children and families.

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Fun Facts
Ellen Banks

Ellen Banks

Clinical Services Manager

As the leader of a multidisciplinary team of therapists and practitioners, Ellen ensures the delivery of high-quality care and support to children and adults with disabilities in the community, empowering them to live independently and with dignity.

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Fun Facts
Stacey Arianie

Stacey Arianie

Team Leader & Occupational Therapist

Stacey enjoys working with children and their families to reach their goals. She loves supporting them to develop the skills and confidence they need to participate in activities that are important to them.

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Ardrie Davin

Ardrie Davin

Senior Team Leader

Ardrie is an Occupational Therapist who has a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma and has a strong interest in working with young children and their families who have experienced trauma.

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Rachael Brockwell

Rachael Brockwell

Senior Team Leader

Rachael is passionate about supporting children and their families to reach their full potential. She enjoys working with children and families to identify what's most important to them, setting goals together and having fun along the way!

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Fun Facts
James Efremidis

James Efremidis

Occupational Therapist

James is a paediatric Occupational Therapist who enjoys working with children and families to promote their independence and set them up for the future. James is passionate about aquatic OT and loves to see children develop in an aquatic environment.

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Fun Facts
Tesharnie Gruar

Tesharnie Gruar

Occupational Therapist

Tesharnie enjoys working with children of all ages to help them reach their goals while having fun along the way! She has special interest areas of toilet training and fine motor skills.

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Fun Facts
Poppy Griffin

Poppy Griffin

Occupational Therapist

Poppy is new graduate with several years’ experience working with children as a disability support worker and swimming instructor. She is passionate about bringing fun and play into therapy and values the importance of developing meaningful relationships with children and their families.

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Fun Facts
Jessica Tulla

Jessica Tulla

Occupational Therapist

Jess was born and raised in Adelaide where she completed her Masters of Occupational Therapy. She is passionate about working with children and families at Biala to help support them to achieve their goals and live the life they want to live.

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Fun Facts
Susan Everard

Susan Everard

Speech Pathologist

Susan has worked in settings such as schools, early intervention & public health. She specialises in eating/feeding skill development, early language & speech and aims to work collaboratively with caregivers to set achievable goals supporting children to confidently apply new skills in everyday life

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Fun Facts
Louise Kelly

Louise Kelly

Speech Pathologist

I am passionate about seeing children develop their own independence and communicate with the people around them. I love working with children to see the excitement when the realise that they can do something new.

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Nicola Yates

Nicola Yates

Speech Pathologist

Nicola has had over 10 years' experience working with children and their families to identify and achieve their goals. She is passionate about using a child’s strengths and interests to develop communication and maximise participation in everyday activities.

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Fun Facts
Sophie Gimel

Sophie Gimel

Speech Pathologist

Sophie holds a Masters of Speech Pathology. She is passionate about ensuring all children have opportunities to develop their communication skills so they can participate more meaningfully with their families and communities.

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Fun Facts
Emma Jankovic

Emma Jankovic

Speech Pathologist

Emma is a Speech Pathologist who is passionate about assisting children achieve their goals. Working collaboratively with families, Emma utilises a child's strengths and interests to build on skills to increase participation.

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Fun Facts
Kylie Ramsay

Kylie Ramsay

Therapy Assistant (Speech)

Kylie has for many years been a dedicated, family orientated speech pathologist who has returned to Biala as a Therapy Assistant after extended maternity leave. Kylie is committed to making therapy enjoyable and motivating, incorporating holistic approaches to meet the varied needs of her clients.

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Fun Facts
Danica Gay

Danica Gay

Therapy Assistant (Speech)

Danica is currently studying Speech Pathology at Victoria University. She is passionate about being able to help children and families reach their goals. Danica has experience working with children as a tutor.

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Fun Facts
Julie Dare

Julie Dare

Early Childhood Teacher

Julie has worked in Early Childhood for over 20 years, specialising in inclusion and disability for over 10 years.  She holds a strong philosophy for nurturing play-based learning, where children are seen as active participants to develop to their full potential.

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Fun Facts
Karyn Jones

Karyn Jones

Early Childhood Teacher

Karyn’s passion is helping families understand how best to support their child to achieve their full potential. She has a special interest in Autism and believes that all children learn best through child-led, interest-based play.

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Fun Facts
Donna Rogers

Donna Rogers

Team Leader

Donna is an Early Childhood Teacher and has been teaching for over 30 years. She has worked in junior primary school and kindergarten during this time. She is passionate about providing children the opportunity to succeed and learn through developing on their strengths and abilities.

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Fun Facts
Susan Nixon

Susan Nixon

Early Childhood Teacher

Sue is an Early Childhood Teacher with extensive experience in the early years sector across a variety of sectors. Sue is passionate about supporting young children to achieve their full potential and to this end she strives to engage with children and their families in a warm and respectful manner.

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Anna Fasolo

Anna Fasolo

Psychotherapist

Anna is an experienced psychotherapist with is a particular interest in childhood trauma and is passionate about exploring ways to creatively engage with children.

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Melinda Braithwaite

Melinda Braithwaite

Dietician

Melinda has a passion to help families overcome feeding difficulties, to enjoy stress-free mealtimes, nurture positive eating behaviours and feel confident their child is getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. She also has a special interest in food allergies and gut health.

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Fun Facts
Philo Yakopo

Philo Yakopo

Program Assistant

Philo has been with Biala eight years, helping out with therapy groups, 3 year old kinder and holiday programs and where ever is needed.

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Cathie Beach

Cathie Beach

Office Manager

Cathie is an experienced Finance Officer with over 8 years in the Health/Community Services sector. She has an interest in progressive & forward thinking ideas to support the organisation & families.

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Rachel Reid

Rachel Reid

Administration Assistant/Intake Coordinator

Rachel has extensive experience with administration tasks, including client managing, communication and organisation. She enjoys working at Biala with the friendly staff and alongside our Biala families.

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Fun Facts
Kaye Davey

Kaye Davey

Administration Assistant

Kaye is one of our team of Administrators who provide front office support and support to families.

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Meet the dedicated Biala Board Members

Annie Doyle

Board Director

A management professional with more than 20 years’ experience, including the last 12 years in disability services. Annie has a long history leading purpose-driven organisations both in Executive and Board positions and is committed to supporting all people to achieve their potential.

Les Roelandts

Chair of the Board

Les is highly skilled in the creation, development, communication and implementation of business strategies and initiatives, which provide future growth opportunities, improved business performance/practices and contribute to on-going business success.

Sue Colclough

Board Director

Sue brings over 30 years of management experience across Customer Experience programs, Customer Service and Commercial leadership predominantly in the healthcare industry. Sue currently works as Customer Experience Systems Solution & Deployment Lead Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson.

We have staff trained in the following.
  • Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk
  • Hanen – Learning Language & Loving It
  • Hanen – More Than Words
  • PECS
  • Feeding Therapy – SOS ( Basic & Advanced)
  • Lidcome Program – for Stuttering
  • Talkabout Kids – Social Skills
  • Key Word Sign
  • DIRFloortime – Level 1 & 2
  • Play Therapy
  • Children’s Counselling
  • Family Counselling
  • Yoga for Kids
  • The Teaching Pyramid
  • Trauma & Attachment
  • Circle of Security
  • Sensory Interventions
  • Wilburger Brushing Protocol
  • Aquatic OT
  • Hydrotherapy