Rural Lifestyle Options Australia
We enrich the lives of people with a disability.
Our People
These are just some of our exceptional, well trained staff, whose dedication truly make the difference in enabling our participants to live a life of their choice.
Meet Leo
DipCommServ
Leo joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in September 2020 and is a Service Manager. Leo is responsible for liaising with our participants and our overseeing a direct support team to ensure the delivery of quality care. Leo notes that his favourite part about his role is “I enjoy being able to go home every day knowing that I have contributed to making someone else’s life better”. Outside of work, Leo enjoys high adrenaline and thrill seeking activities with his friends noting that the last activity they did involved jumping out of a plane together! Leo also possesses a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability).
Meet Tamara
CertIVWHS, BCom(HRM)
MAHRI
Tamara joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in July 2022 and is the People and Culture Manager. Tamara is responsible for Workplace Culture, Human Resources, Recruitment, Quality and Compliance, Learning and Development, Policies and Procedures, Workplace Health and Safety and Employee Wellbeing and Assistance. Prior to joining the organisation, Tamara has 25 years of experience across a range of different roles and sectors specialising in areas such as Leadership, Workplace Health and Safety, Administration, Risk and Compliance. Tamara notes that her favourite aspect about working for the organisation is “working with so many passionate people who are willing to go the extra distance and who are committed to better their own skills in order to improve the lives of the people who they support”. Further stating that “it is a pleasure to work with a team who are so passionate and focused on achieving a common goal.”
Meet Melissa
DipNg, EN, AdvDipComSecMgt
Melissa joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in April 2021 as the Team Leader Support Coordination. In Melissa’s current role Melissa provides leadership to a large team of highly skilled Support Coordinators who are highly skilled at sourcing the right supports and services for people based on the goals outlined in their NDIS plans. Their focus is to ensure that people are supported to make the decisions they want to make while completing the background work required to bring the persons NDIS goals to fruition. Prior to joining the organisation, Melissa worked for over 10 years in the Aged Care, Hospital ward on Medical unit and Disability Sectors in a variety of positions including Enrolled Nurse, Team Leader and Support Coordinator. Melissa notes that her favourite aspect about working for the organisation is the amazing support from management. "With RLOA I am respected and feel appreciated in all aspect of my work. The staff from RLOA always have a smile and love what they do. I feel this is a rare commodity in a company of this size. I feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing organisation." Melissa is passionate about supporting participants in achieving their goals and live their best life stating "I love what I do and the people I work with." Outside of work, Melissa enjoys travelling, exploring, and spending time with her family. Melissa also possesses a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
Meet Gemma
CertIVDis
Gemma joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in December 2021 and is the Regional Business Development Officer (QLD). Gemma is responsible for building relationships through networking, strengthening community supports and engagement, and providing all new participants with a seamless intake experience within the Queensland region. Gemma notes that she was drawn to her current role by the opportunity of joining “a values driven organisation which is focused on strengthening community supports within rural and regional communities”. Outside of work, Gemma enjoys spending time with her daughter, dining out and listening to podcasts. Gemma also possesses a Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical).
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Meet Sarah
DipECh, BBus(Comm)
Sarah joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in July 2020 and is a Plan Manager. Sarah is responsible for supporting participants to manage their NDIS funding by processing invoices on their behalf for supports and services delivered to them. Sarah’s favourite aspect about working for the organisation is “knowing that the work that I undertake in my role is part of a team effort that together makes a positive difference to the lives of the participants and their families”. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys going to the beach, spending time her family, eating good food and watching reality TV shows, documentaries and comedy and feel good movies. Sarah is currently completing her Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Meet Robert
CertIVDis
Robert joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in November 2020 and is a Lifestyle Support Worker. Robert notes that his favourite part about working for the organisation is “the beautiful people we support and the colleagues who you can rely on". Further noting that he enjoys “making people smile and feel good about themselves no matter what adversities they are facing in their day to day lives.” Outside of work, Robert enjoys hiking, bushwalking and reading a good fiction novel. Robert also possesses a Certificate III in Individual Support.
Meet Sheryl
Sheryl joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in March 2003, Sheryl is one of our talented Senior Support Workers. Her favourite aspect about working for the organisation is the knowledge she has gained advocating for participants while supporting them to achieve their goals. Sheryl notes that she loves "how the organisation supports participants to engage in activities within the community". Outside of work, Sheryl enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, bush walking and painting. Sheryl possesses a Certificate III in Disability and Certificate III in Aged Care and is currently completing her Certificate IV in Disability.
Meet Raven
CertBA, AdvDipBus
CIMA
Raven joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in May 2019 and is the Assistant Accountant. Raven joined the organisation with over 20 years experience in finance related roles across Australia, England and Ireland. Her favourite aspect about working for Rural Lifestyle Options Australia is “knowing that together the team is making a difference within communities” further stating that she is “passionate about being of service to Participants and Lifestyle Support Workers within this finance role”. Raven is a member of the Australian Bookkeepers Association. Outside of work, Raven loves connecting with her medicine drums, meditation, working with Mother Earth and expanding her life to the way of the Shaman.
Meet Monil
BAppPH, MSocWk
MAASW
Monil joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in August 2018 as a Lifestyle Support Worker and is now a Social Worker. Monil is passionate about "providing informed quality services to our participants while maintaining social equality and equity." He further notes that he is "grateful to be part of a team that delivers positive change and that brings a smile in other people's lives." Outside of work, Monil enjoys playing basketball, spending time in nature, hanging out with friends, going on adventures, exploring new places and meeting new people.
Meet Cara
CertIVDis, AdvDipComSecMgt
Cara joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in October 2016 as a Lifestyle Support Worker and is currently Service Manager. Cara is passionate about supporting others and truly believes that “we have the most amazing participants” further noting that she feels “blessed to be a part of their lives”. She notes that she loves “being able to help participants achieve their dreams” and enjoys being part of the process of “assisting in helping them set their goals – whether they are short term or long term”. Outside of work, Cara enjoys spending quality time with her son, going out for lunch or having a BBQ with her family, trying new restaurants with her friends, going to the beach and camping. Cara also possesses a Certificate III in Business Administration and a Certificate II in Community Services.
Meet Tom
Tom joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in February 2019 and is a Lifestyle Support Worker. Tom notes that he “loves helping people and working within the disability industry”. Outside of work, Tom enjoys playing guitar, working on cars, video games and spending time with friends and family. Tom also possesses a Certificate III in Hospitality and a Certificate III in Business.
Meet John
CertIVFIMn, DipCommServ
John joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in March 2019 and is a Lifestyle Support Worker. John notes that he is passionate about “empowering participants to experience things they didn't realise they could do”. He acknowledges that his “strengths are in connecting with the participants to listen and to give them space to grow” further noting that he sets out every day to "try and support the participants he supports to be the best version of themselves". Outside of work, John enjoys Indian food, being among nature, camping, kayaking and fishing.
Meet Celena
CertIVMH, DipHRM, AdvDipComSecMgt
Celena joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in November 2018 as a Lifestyle Support Worker and is now a Service Manager. Prior to joining the organisation, Celena held roles in Aged Care, Events and Hospitality and Creative Special Effects Make Up. Celena notes that her favourite aspect about working for the organisation is “the participants” further noting that it is an “absolute highlight watching them achieving their goals”. Celena is passionate about “working for a purpose” stating that “making the change from working in events for people to working with people, is a huge plus for me”. Outside of work, Celena enjoys water sports, nature, fitness, yoga, spending time with her family and her dogs Milo and Maple. Celena also possesses a Certificate III in Disability and Certificate III in Aged Care.
Meet Helena
DipFit
Helena joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in November 2015 and is currently a Lifestyle Support Worker for the organisation. Helena’s favourite aspect about working for the organisation is the variety of participants and the things she learns from them. Helena notes that she also enjoys making a difference in improving the quality of life of our participants. Outside of work, Helena enjoys animals, rescuing wildlife and motorcycle riding.
Meet Sally
Sally joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in March 2018 and is a Finance Officer. Prior to joining the organisation, Sally accumulated over 15 years experience in a variety of roles across both the administration and retail industries. Sally notes that her favourite aspect about working for the organisation is the people, both participants and staff alike. Outside of work, Sally enjoys watching movies, spending time with her family and camping. Sally possesses a Certificate I in Business and a Certificate III in Business Administration. Sally is currently completing her Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.