We're currently seeking volunteers to join us for our annual olive picking tradition in Wembley.
Today’s Presenters
Thank you for joining us at the 2023 Staff & Volunteer Day. Learn more about our presenters below or join the conversation here.
Master of Ceremonies
Casey Beros
To guide us through our jam-packed program, our MC for the day will be Casey Beros! A local home-grown talent, Casey is an incredibly captivating health presenter in Australia, a medical facilitator, journalist, MC, and an acclaimed author of “The ‘Bad’ Girl’s Guide To Better.”
Her unique talents include exceptional parallel parking skills, mastering ‘the worm’ dance moves, and using humour to effectively communicate her experiences, allowing others to learn from her mistakes.
Welcome to Country
Kandice Hansen, supported by the Moorditj Middar Koolangka dancers and Isaiah Walley-Stack on Didgeridoo
Kandice Hansen is a Noongar woman with Bloodlines connecting her to the Wojuk/Ballardong/Wilmun people of the Bibbulmun Nation. She is a proud mother of five, with ten grandchildren and has been an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer for 12 years. Kandice is passionate about working for and with her community.
Kandice will deliver today’s Welcome to Country with support from the talented Moorditj Middar Koolangka dance group and Isaiah Walley-Stack on Didgeridoo.
Executive Director, Mission & Ethos
Vicki Gonzalez Burrows
Executive Director, Mission and Ethos for MercyCare, Vicki has a range of experience in areas of social justice, education, pastoral care, youth work, outreach and spirituality. She has a Diploma in Youth Work, a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political and International Studies and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies.
Vicky came to MercyCare from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and a commitment to relationships and reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples has been a common thread throughout much of her career. She’s always had a passion for justice, spirituality and seeing people and organisations connect to, live by and embody their mission and purpose.
MercyCare CEO
Anthony Smith
Chief Executive Officer Anthony Smith joined MercyCare in 2018, having more than 25 years’ experience delivering business success and societal impact across a range of organisations and sectors.
Anthony previously worked at St John Ambulance WA for 11 years, six of which he was Deputy Chief Executive Officer holding responsibility for organisational strategy, state-wide operations, and being instrumental in the management of significant organisation reform programs.
Prior to the Deputy CEO role at St John Ambulance Anthony held senior finance and executive roles within the organisation. He has previously also led the Western Australian division of The Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Happiness Co
Julian Pace
Australia’s emerging voice in happiness, emotional wellbeing, and lived-experience mental health. As the founder of Happiness Co, Julian has the goal to positively impact 10 million lives in 10 years.
Julian has keynoted at the three largest mental health conferences in the country, he is an Australian of the Year finalist, Mentor of the Year award winner, and a National Small Business Champion. He is dedicated to using his powerful story to inspire others to overcome everyday challenges, so they can create and sustain their own happiness.
Keynote Speaker
Brooke Blurton
Fresh from the success of her inspiring memoir Big Love, Brooke Blurton will be bringing her extraordinary story of courage, resilience, and the transformative power of love to this year’s event. A proud Noongar-Yamatji woman, Brooke is regarded as one of Western Australia’s most prominent young Aboriginal people and broke records as the first Indigenous and bisexual Bachelorette for Network Ten’s reality television franchise. Brooke is a passionate mental health advocate and champion of young people, especially First Nations and queer youth, and all people of colour. From surviving an extremely challenging childhood and youth, Brooke has overcome the shocking legacy of intergenerational trauma, abuse and homelessness and is now an Aboriginal Youth Worker, helping vulnerable youth exposed to severe abuse. Brooke is an ‘Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid’ facilitator and has supported Government Initiatives, such as an Alternative Learning Setting and a Full-Service School model. She is an RUOK Ambassador, supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart via the Uluru Youth Network, and is a champion for LGBTIQA+ groups.
Mishka Lifestyle
Mishka Qlintang
Mishka is a Business Support Lead, Family and Community Services for MercyCare. In her spare time, she is also a yoga practitioner.
For over 10 years, Mishka has practiced bikram, power yoga, hot yoga, yin, meditation and ashtanga. This practice has blessed and changed Mishka’s life and she loves designing her classes to be accessible for beginners, all the way to experienced Yoga students.
Volunteering Panel
Tanya Filevski, Jacqui Whelan, Kerry Brown and Lynne Roberts
We are privileged to learn more about volunteering at MercyCare thanks to our panellists Tania, Jacqui, Kerry and Lynne.
Tania Filevski – Volunteer Lead Tania started her career with MercyCare as a volunteer, assisting the No Interest Loans Scheme at Mirrabooka. Seeing her potential, MercyCare progressed Tania to a Volunteer Administrator position, and two years later Tania was offered the role of Volunteer Lead. Tania will tell us what volunteering looks like and MercyCare and how we can engage volunteers for service delivery and enhancement.
Jacqui Whelan – Previous to working in Multicultural Support Services, Jacqui was a Volunteer Coordinator at MercyCare, so she understands the challenges and rewards of the space. Jacqui holds a Masters in International Development and is currently the Manager Multicultural Support Services. Jacqui will be talking about the value of providing her clients with volunteer opportunities within MercyCare, as a pathway to employment.
Thank you to Kerry Brown and Lynne Roberts who both volunteer their time at Kelmscott Residential Aged Care home. The ladies provide a social service to the residents which can include engaging them in activities, going for walks, or simply chatting and keeping them company.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Chadden Hunter
We are thrilled to welcome wildlife filmmaker, Dr Chadden Hunter to our spectacular Staff and Volunteer Day.
Chadden has produced some of the world’s most famous wildlife series, including the breathtaking nature documentaries Planet Earth I and II, Frozen Planet, Wild Arabia and Seven Worlds One Planet. His remarkable work has earned him more than 20 Emmy and BAFTA Awards.
For over 20 years, Chadden has worked alongside Sir David Attenborough. Together they have captured captivating footage of everything from snow leopards in Pakistan to scuba diving under the Antarctic ice sheet.
Using a stunning multi-media presentation, Dr Hunter shares stories about achieving goals through perseverance, communicating with wider audiences, and the importance of team building and creative leadership. Not to mention what to do if you find yourself face to face with a grizzly bear!
Few people have more stories from the wild corners of the world than Dr Chadden Hunter, and we can’t wait for you to hear them. Supported by incredible imagery, his anecdotes inspire as much as they entertain, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us.
Stories
MercyCare Maddington Celebrates Official Opening & Resident Move
All hands were on deck as MercyCare Maddington celebrated its recent official opening and the momentous move of our beloved residents
Digital Sisters program raises skills and confidence in migrant and refugee women
As we acknowledge International Women’s Day today, the global theme of ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’ resonates profoundly.
