Our Staff

Philippa White has qualifications in Social Work and Journalism has operated agencies for survivors of institutional abuse since 2005, specialising in trauma-informed service delivery.

Philippa managed the primary support service for the Redress WA scheme between 2008 and 2011, and has been the Director of Tuart Place since its launch in 2012. She worked closely with the Late Laurie Humphreys and fellow board members of Forgotten Australians Coming Together (FACT Inc) in co-designing Tuart Place as a wrap-around support service for people who experienced abuse and neglect in out-of-home care.

Under her leadership, Tuart Place has implemented a comprehensive range of clinical and professional services, operating alongside activities organised by participants, for participants.

Susy Vaughan is the Clinical Manager, Senior Therapist and Group Facilitator at Tuart Place. Susy has qualifications and experience working in a range of client focused roles, including counselling; psychotherapy; training and development; careers and employment and service management. Since Nov 2009, Susy has facilitated a support group at 24 High Street where care leavers have developed friendships and a new sense of confidence. Susy is part of the senior management team helping the Director with service development and coordination.

Jan Newman joined Tuart Place as a Social Worker in 2015 to offer support for care leavers, which now includes assistance with applications to the National Redress Scheme. Jan had previous experience in hospitals and with migrants, refugees and overseas students, learning much about people’s resilience – a quality found in abundance in care leavers! Jan’s other work included family and local history research, leading to the creation of a “heritage garden” and to a book “Wharf Rats and other Stories: 100 years of growing up in Fremantle”. She is a Dockers tragic!

Mary-Ann Oliver is a counsellor at Tuart Place. She supports people face-to-face, and by phone if they have difficulty travelling into Fremantle or live in remote areas or interstate. Mary-Ann assists people to apply for the National Redress Scheme and supports those who are awaiting the result of their application. She also assists in obtaining childhood records. Mary-Ann has a varied work background which includes working with the Psychiatric Services as an occupational therapy assistant and volunteering with ClanWA, supporting families experiencing isolation.

Natasha Samuelraj loves being part of the Tuart Place team and really enjoys the community feeling that Tuart Place creates for its participants. As Program Coordinator, Tash plans events and gatherings that bring people together, spark new interests, and promote conversation. Tash also manages the volunteer taskforce, which is a big part of our community. She prepares the bi-monthly Events Calendar and What’s On flyers, which are posted out to more than 700 care leavers in the metropolitan area. Tash works part-time in turtle conservation and is passionate about protecting the environment. She loves being out in nature, swimming in the ocean and camping with family and friends.

Margaret Fisher has taken on the role of care finder at Tuart Place, following the success of the aged care navigation trial. She has a lot of experience working in the aged care sector as an aged care navigator and an aged care assessor with My Aged Care. She previously worked with allied health teams at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fremantle Hospital and Rockingham General Hospital. Marg looks forward to helping older people navigate the aged care system and find support services to improve their quality of life.

Rose’s background before parenthood was in the disability sector in case management and rehabilitation counselling in rural and remote parts of Australia.  After completing a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Rose worked in the community mental health support sector, then completed a Graduate Certificate and Masters of Counselling.   Rose enjoys working in the area of trauma, and is interested in the use of breathwork and how trauma is stored in the body.  She loves exploring Perth and finding great hidden food and coffee gems, walking on the beach with her dog, cooking and doing craft.

Catherine Carr is from Ireland, where she trained as a Registered Nurse. She worked for 11 years in St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, in the Acute Psychiatry facility. Catherine also has experience as a counsellor in the field of Alcohol and other Drugs. At Tuart Place, Catherine assists people with applications to the National Redress Scheme, also providing counselling, advocacy and phone outreach. Catherine loves to play Bridge, long walks by the ocean or forests, and being close to nature.

Linda’s role at Tuart Place includes reception and general administration.  Her previous work experience is in the Banking, Travel and Health sectors. She is a keen volunteer with over 25 years of volunteering experience for Education and Not-for-profit organisations. Prior to Tuart Place, Linda was with Australian Redcross Lifeblood for seven years, welcoming volunteer donors and walking them through the blood donation process. She enjoys camping with family, Pilates, being near the water and drinking good coffee.

Mal’s role in Project Support includes facilitating and encouraging people to join in activities; connect with others; and develop their confidence and life skills. Previously Mal has worked in the areas of aged care, mental health and disabilities and has developed a broad range of skills and experience. Mal says the thing he is most proud of is his ability to work with people from all sectors of the community and help them to strive towards their life goals. Outside of work, Mal enjoys painting and playing guitar and believes that everyone has some spark of creativity in them.

With more than 15 years of experience in high level executive support and project management, Jo has worked across various roles in the higher education sector. She has driven the development and delivery of strategic plans, and overseen a diverse range of projects and operational areas. She enjoys working with people, and building relationships with the stakeholders and supporters that are central to the realization of the vision and mission of an organisation.

Jo loves spending time with her two fluffy dogs, going snorkeling along our beautiful coastlines, and making music with her husband and friends.

Rosalie’s role at Tuart Place includes reception and office administration. After graduating with a Diploma in Visual Arts, Rosalie moved across to the Social Service Sector and now has over 15 years’ experience supporting and advocating for people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.

She worked as a Financial Counsellor for 12 years, and in 2018 she established the ‘Warm Winter Scheme’ – a fund for people on low incomes to get help to pay their power bills. She has served on a range of boards and is a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand.

On the weekends, she loves exploring Perth with her husband and daughter. You might also find her at the gym or camping with friends.

This year, her goal is to learn to greet you in the language of the Noongar people.