Special Needs Consulting in WA | Toy Library Perth | Our Staff

    

Helen Doran - Wu  

Executive Officer

Helen has worked extensively within the community development sector. She has experience working across a broad sector of the community ensuring that programs and places are inclusive for all people regardless of age or ability.

Helen has complemented her working life with a Masters in Business Administration and eight years as an elected member of local government. Her experience has allowed her to develop a well rounded insight into the needs of the community sector and the people it serves. 

 

Shirley McInnes

Occupational Therapist

Shirley’s career as an occupational therapist began in 1966. She has worked for organisations such as the Centre for Cerebral Palsy, Rocky Bay, Lady Lawley, the South Australian Centre for Cerebral Palsy and the Curtin University Sensory Integration Clinic.

Since 1992, Shirley has worked with Child Australia (formerly RUCSN), initially as an inclusion support facilitator and then as the manager of the resource centre, with particular responsibility for the provision of specialist equipment for children with disabilities in childcare.

Shirley has been a committee member of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (WA Chapter) for many years and contributes to the National Investment for the Early Years (NIFTeY) WA committee. She also participates in the activities of the WA Developmental Occupational Therapists Group.

Shirley previously worked for Noah’s Ark toy library in 1980 and was a Board member for 10 years, first as secretary and then chairperson.

Shirley’s particular interests are in the area of advocacy for adequate early intervention services for young children at risk of, or diagnosed with, a developmental delay or disability. She is also committed to increasing the opportunities for children with disabilities to participate with other children in all community activities. Shirley works hard to communicate to parents and the community the importance of the valuable role of play in supporting all children’s learning and development.

Shirley sees her involvement with Noah’s Ark toy library in WA as an opportunity to further these interests and believes she can contribute to the organisation’s commitment to similar objectives.

Tania Di Costa

Library Facilitator 

Tania joined Noah’s Ark in early 2010 as Librarian. She provides support to members who use the central library , as well as the organization and running of the postal, mobile delivery and professional Services.

Her favourite part of her job is welcoming new members  to the Library and showing them around the premises for the first time and seeing their delight and excitement in the Ark and the services it provides.

She feels inspired daily by the families, her colleagues and the people she meets that are part of this sector. 

 

 

Jenny Gartner

Library Facilitator

Jenny has been working with Noah’s Ark toy library in WA since 1992 and over this time has developed a wealth of information about the history of the organisation and the children and families it helps.

As well as working in the toy library, Jenny delivers Noah’s Ark’s toys, special needs resources and support to families in regional Western Australia.

Her travels take her on a variety of metropolitan, regional and country routes every month. Her longest trip is from Perth to Bunbury, Capel, Busselton, Margaret River, Forrest Grove, Manjimup and Bridgetown as well as outlying areas.

Other trips for Noah's Ark take in many regional and rural towns and the outlying areas of metropolitan Perth.

Jenny was previously a primary school teacher and also taught children with special needs.

The need for this service in the communities of WA, and being able to help people in isolated areas, gives Jenny a great sense of satisfaction.