Staff

Executive Manager, Deborah Banks took over the day to day management of this women’s refuge in June 2009. Over the past twenty years, Deborah has developed a wealth of experience in management and project implementation through her general management and operations management roles in a variety of industries including law, entertainment and fashion. Deborah is a Justice of the Peace of NSW and is completing a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling).

Kathryn Clark has been a Generalist Case Worker at Lou’s Place since January 2009. Kathryn completed a Bachelor of Community Welfare (International Social Development) in 2007 and has worked in social research, youth work and most recently as a Community Development Officer for a Cambodian NGO in Phnom Penh. Kathryn is dedicated to continually undertake professional courses relevant to her clientele including ‘Working with Adult Survivors of Child Abuse’.

Michelle Chambers joined the Lou’s Place team as a generalist case worker in July 2010. She previously worked as a case manager for Mission Australia in the Youth Futures program, supporting clients through court procedures, providing counselling and gaining valuable life skills. Michelle has assisted children in the commission flats in inner city Carlton where she coordinated camps, organised activities and gave family support. Michelle was a part of Young Life which is a youth program with a focus on relationship-building, counselling and mentoring of secondary school students. She lived in Kenya, Africa where she worked in a orphanage, engaging  young children in fun activities including songs and games as well as team-oriented community based projects.

Lorraine Fraser-Walsh has been a team member of Lou’s Place since 2005 and she currently co-facilitates our women’s group each Wednesday afternoon with Kathryn Clark. She has been working in the community welfare sector for twenty five years in a range of services working with children, adolescents and adults in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Lorraine holds certificates in counselling, group work counselling, effective group leadership and has completed a graduate diploma in counselling. She is currently exploring art therapy as a creative medium for group work.