About Us
Community Gateway are a group of people who genuinely care. We provide services such as respite, in-home care, transport assistance, cleaning services, outings for aged people and disability support, just to name a few!
We place great importance on providing services and supports that promote wellness and are developed based on the premise that, even with age, chronic illness or disability, people generally have the desire and ability to make gains in their physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Community Gateway staff take the time to truly know and understand our clients and what is most important to them, enabling us to form meaningful connections, based on a solid foundation of support, trust and openness.
Our Commitment to you
We will be flexible and creative in our approach and have a
‘CAN DO’ attitude
Actively listen with empathy and an open mind
We will speak and act with honesty and transparency
In all our communication we will be timely, open and respectful
We will actively work together to create a collaborative environment
We will take ownership of what we do to deliver quality service outcomes
Our Board Members
Chairperson
Jan Wetherall
Jan Wetherall is a Registered Nurse/Case Manager with over 30 years experience working in the community sector specialising in aged and disability care. Jan is passionate about high quality person centred support for people with disability and the aged which is why she joined the Community Gateway Board. Jan has served on the Community Gateway Board for nine years and is the current Chairperson
Board Member
Jennifer Gregory
Jennifer Gregory (GAICD) is currently an Executive Manager in Organisational Development for a public sector water utility and former General Manager Human Resources of the John Holland Group. Jenny brings over 30 years’ experience in management, senior management and executive positions in public sector not for profit and ASX listed companies across a range of industries, including water, rail, construction, engineering and infrastructure, heavy manufacturing, FMCG, power and telecommunications in Australia and overseas. In so doing, Jenny has driven change; implemented major project turnarounds; developed and improved organisational capability used to significant advantage across China, parts of Asia and the Pacific. Jenny has extensive experience in workplace reform, sustainable change management and people and culture organisational transformation. She is a Rotarian and holds tertiary qualifications in human resources and agriculture.
Board Member
Felix Aasa
Felix Aasa is a retired accountant and real estate agent. He has held a number of financial and accounting roles in employment including Financial Controller for a family owned business. He served on the board of a prominent aged care facility in Southern Sydney for 15 years and as a mentor and director of a youth outreach centre for Project Youth, Miranda Police, PCYC Sutherland and Caringbah Baptist Church.
Board Member
George Lymbers
George Lymbers is a senior leader in Technology and Business Operations with a Degree in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. He is passionate about leading and driving organisational change to create significant business impact and believes that we can inspire exceptional care and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies in the administration and delivery within Health and Aged Care Services.
Board Member
Narelle Hawken
Narelle Hawken is a Chief Operating Officer in the legal industry and has over fifteen years of experience managing all business functions from a strategic, operational, financial, HRM and commercial perspective. Narelle is passionate about creating a cultural, ethical and equally diverse environment that is collaborative and safe. Working as the conduit between all stakeholders she ensures productive, cooperative, and mutually respectful relationships flourish and grow. She is near completion of her MBA and is a FIML, MAICD, MAHRI, enabling her to bring her knowledge and strengths to the board.
Our Leadership Team
Director Operations
Tegan Bezzina
Tegan Bezzina has a Bachelor Degree in Population Health and is a Case Manager with over nine years experience working in social and community services. Tegan specialises in aged and disabilities care, however; also has experience in the child protection and out of home care sector. Tegan joined Community Options in 2010 and has since spent time as a Team Leader prior to progression into her current position as Director Operations for Community Gateway. Tegan is passionate about making a difference to the lives of people with a disability and those who are ageing and is committed to the future of Community Gateway.
Director Health Services
Josephine Naughton
Jo Naughton is a Registered Nurse, with over twenty year experience as a nurse manager in public, private and not for profit organisations within Australia and Asia. She was a senior manager in a community-controlled organisation for thirteen years. Jo was involved in designing and commissioning operating room services whilst working in the private sector. She was a member of the Agency for Clinical Innovation, Rural Health Executive Committee for three years and the chairperson of GP Synergy’s (GP Registrar training organisation) practice manager’s advisory group. Jo’s qualifications include Certificate in General Nursing, Certificate in Perioperative Nursing, Bachelor of Health (Management) and Bachelor of Health Management (Informatics). Jo is very excited to be involved in the commencement of health services at Community Gateway.
General Manager Gateway Life
Nathan Hall
Nathan has a background in Exercise Physiology and has over 19 years’ experience in aged care programs such as CHSP, HCP, STRC and Residential Aged which has led to successful growth of gyms specifically designed for older adults and allied health programs across NSW and the ACT. Nathan has also successfully completed his MBA to assist with enhancing his understanding of business operations.
Nathan understands the impact of purposeful physical activity on wellbeing and independence that not only improves overall quality of life but greats an aspirational approach of what is possible in achieving your best life.
Chief Executive Officer
Craig Thomson
Craig Thomson is a specialist change management leader, having led major transformation projects within the Government, private and not-for-profit sectors, both domestically and internationally. This includes the transformation of two leading disability NFPs into customer-centric businesses ready for the NDIS-created disability marketplace. A proven business builder, Craig has achieved significant revenue and profitability increases in the leadership positions he has held. His qualifications include Bachelor of Business (Accounting, Economics, Business Law) and he is a Certified Practicing Accountant.
Director Business Excellence
Jodie Hopkins
Jodie has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 16 years with extensive experience in Aged and Disability services across both the community and residential care settings.
Jodie’s experience includes managing respite services, aged care packages, children’s early intervention therapy programs and seniors living facilities. Jodie has achieved significant success in service re-design, increasing program occupancy levels and building high performing teams. Jodie holds a Graduate Certificate in Management, Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Chaplaincy and is a qualified Trainer and Assessor. Jodie commenced with Community Gateway in May 2019.
Director Corporate Services
Sean Cleary
Sean is a finance specialist with over 30 years’ experience managing finances for commercial and Not-for-Profit organisations.
He has significant experience within the Community Services sector including successful financial transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Sean’s experience extends to Social Housing and primary producer businesses with a wide range of corporate services responsibilities, especially Finance & IT. Enhancing business efficiencies is a strength of Sean’s, achieving improvements through system implementation, coaching and developing finance teams as well as educating and training staff about finance, IT and business processes.
Sean believes a strong and efficient ‘back of house’ service compliments and supports frontline workers enabling them to provide excellent service to our Clients.
He holds a degree in Bachelor of Business-Accounting.