Carers SA is the state’s peak body for Carer advocacy. We advocate on behalf of all Carers to influence policies and improve support services.
We work to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of Carers. We aim to ensure that caring is a responsibility that’s shared by family, community and government. We also aim to raise greater awareness of Carers and their needs.
If you provide personal care, support and/or assistance to family or friends who live with
- A disability
- A mental illness
- Dementia
- A chronic health condition
- An illness that is terminal
- An alcohol or drug related dependence or
- Someone who is frail due to age
Then you are a Carer and you can access the support services that Carers SA offers.
People become Carers in different ways. Sometimes they start helping someone out bit by bit. Sometimes it happens suddenly, because of an accident or illness. Carers can be any age. Parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, children, friends and neighbours may all take on a caring role at some point in their life.
Carers SA is a state-wide organisation, with skilled and professional staff working across country and metropolitan South Australia. Carers SA also provides a number of services to young people (aged 5-25) in a caring role.
Carers SA delivers the federally funded Carer Gateway in South Australia. Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative which provides services and support to unpaid Carers across Australia. Services include Carer Support Planning, Peer Support, Counselling, Tailored Support Packages, Coaching, Young Carer Services and Emergency Respite.
Carers SA is the lead Carer Gateway provider in South Australia and also provides a range of supports for Carers including Carer Breaks and one on one support, as well as continues to play a strong advocacy role on behalf of Carers to ensure the Carer voice is heard and represented.
Carers SA also provides a range of supports for Carers including Carer Breaks and personalised services funded by the State Government – Department of Human Services.
These services support Carers from all backgrounds and cultures.
These services are delivered at no cost to you.
Carers SA’s Helping Carers Care
Our Purpose: Addressing the challenges for current and future Carers so they can care for others.
Vision: To be recognised as the key ‘Carer organisation’ in South Australia.
Our Values
Our values, listed below, represent how we will engage with Carers, each other and the broader community.
Inclusivity
All Carers are treated with respect, dignity and as a person in their own right.
Empathy
We are open, approachable and are always willing to provide assistance to Carers, the community and each other.
Integrity
We always act with honesty, accountability and transparency when engaging with Carers, the community and each other.
Professional Excellence
We strive to provide services of a high quality to Carers and other customers. We are progressive in our thoughts and actions, and aim to be leaders in the sector.
Collaboration
We work with Carers as partners, focusing on individual strengths with the aim to enhance positive outcomes. All external partnership opportunities are investigated and pursued to best serve the communities we work in and with.
Meet The Team
Our dedicated board, experienced management team, knowledgeable staff and essential volunteers work on behalf of more than 250,000 Carers across the state.
Executive Team
Julia Overton
With 30 years of experience in public health and community services, Julia has a strong track record of delivering successful programs and initiatives that align with the strategic objectives and priorities of the organisation and the stakeholders. Julia has a passion for engaging with consumers, communities, and partners to co-design and implement solutions that improve health outcomes and wellbeing
Sharon Tentye
Sharon is an experienced Executive Manager with over 10 years’ experience working at Senior and Executive level, managing services in metropolitan, regional and remote locations across Australia. Sharon re-joined Carers SA in June 2018. Sharon believes leadership starts with relationships – excellent relationships with stakeholders, consumers, clients and staff. Change is a constant in our evolving society and Sharon is committed to being involved, guiding teams and being an active change agent.
Helen Brown
Helen is the Executive Manager, Strategic Engagement at Carers SA with oversight of the community and Carer engagement; and marketing and communications portfolios at Carers SA.
With a background in Psychology and over 20 years experience spanning across a range of leadership, consulting and project management roles throughout Government, non-government, and private business sector, Helen brings vast knowledge, skills and experience in strategic planning, policy development, change management, stakeholder engagement and community development.
Helen has led diverse and large teams including experience with volunteer and membership based organisations. Her experience is vast and has included management, including teams and program areas with a focus on children, youth and family services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, migration support, emergency services, social inclusion initiatives for vulnerable adults, and the design and implementation of Australian and international wide child safeguarding policy frameworks.
Joanne Cottle
Jo is a Chartered Accountant and joined Carers SA in 2015. She previously worked as an auditor in Big 4 firms and as a Financial Controller for a large corporate company. She has a strong passion for the not for profit sector and brings a wealth of finance, risk, Human Resources, IT, operational and administration knowledge to the organisation.
Shaun Monis
Shaun is an influential leader with over 20 years’ experience in operational, human resources and leadership development roles in the commercial, community services and hospitality sectors. He is passionate and committed to applying his expertise in leadership, coaching, continuous improvement, and facilitation to deploy solutions to drive strong people and business performance. Shaun is a certified Human Resources Practitioner and holds a Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Human Resource Management, and a Cert IV in Training & Assessment
Carers SA Board
Tony Simmons
Tony has substantial experience in providing financial advice to individuals and small – medium sized business owners and regularly advises on financial planning matters ranging from personal risk insurance advice to next generation succession.
His private wealth experience is complemented by over 30 years’ experience in the provision of taxation, accounting, business and strategic planning advice to a range of business and professional clients.
Tony also provides expert comments for articles that appear in the media including the Advertiser, the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, AFR and Courier Mail.
Tony’s expertise includes:
- Transactional support services
- Financial planning and superannuation advice
- Strategic financial services advice
- Self-Managed Superannuation Fund establishment and compliance
- Personal risk insurance advice
- Financial advisory services to small to medium family businesses and professional practices.
Tony was appointed to the Board to fill a casual vacancy in August 2022.
Adrian Hinton
Adrian retired in July 2018 after over 43 years with Deloitte where he undertook a range of roles including being a Principal in their Audit & Assurance group. Adrian’s qualifications include, a Bachelor of Economics, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in Australia and New Zealand. Appointed to the Board May 2019.
Sharon Wachtel
With extensive and diverse executive leadership experience in Government, community service and project management, Sharon has achieved success in leading people and organisations. As well as identifying the issues of importance in complex situations and implement adaptive future looking responses.
Building strategic relationships both external and internal based on trust and respect and develop networks to drive business outcomes and development of organisational culture.
Sharon’s approach to leadership is bring out the best in others, identifying common interests and shared goals and creating an environment where diverse people thrive.
Sharon was appointed to the Board to fill a casual vacancy in February 2023.
Sonya Weiser
Sonya Weiser is the Director and Principal Consultant of Wiser Technology Advice, a division of the family business Weiser Australia Pty. Ltd. Sonya has a wealth of experience in board and committee roles, with significant background in the information technology industry and management consulting.
Her extensive involvement in volunteering demonstrates Sonya’s belief in giving back to the community, through membership of not-for-profit boards, volunteer roles in Rotary and other organisations, and professional services provided to not-for-profit organisations. Sonya’s is an active member of the Rotary Club of Adelaide, contributing to numerous committees, and is a mentor in the Rotary Club of Adelaide’s mentoring program.
Sonya was appointed to the Board in November 2021.
Paul Kitsi
During the past 40 years, Paul has gained extensive knowledge and experience in accounting, audit, investigation, research, team management, achieving budgets, interpreting legislation and brief preparation while working in the private sector, and for the state and federal governments. He has completed studies in finance, business, management, statutory compliance, and investigations.
As a Carer continuously for over 25 years, he has cared for 4 family members, 3 at the same time for several years and during the last 7 years fulltime and part time, for 1 member. During this time Paul has experienced many obstacles and challenges that Carers face daily, advocating with numerous agencies especially in the medical system and is keen to offer his assistance to improve the lives of Carers and the person they care for.
Paul was elected to the Board at the AGM in 2023.
Stuart Watt
Stuart has over 30 years experience working in Technology organisations predominantly in the private sector, having moved into the government sector in the past 5 years.
Stuart has a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Stuart was appointed to the Board to fill a casual vacancy in June 2024.
Angela Allison
Angela Allison is an experienced senior executive and non-executive board member with key skills in the areas of governance, strategy, risk, financial management and business transformation.
Angela is driven to boost productivity by upskilling people, building relationships and streamlining organisational governance, policy and practice.
Prior to moving to the role of General Manager City Services with the City of Marion, Angela held a number of strategic executive roles in corporate services, strategy, performance measurement, marketing, social housing, screen industry and state migration services in addition to Board and Finance Committee expertise across the information technology, migration, housing, health, education, arts, ageing, disability and waste management sectors.
Angela is a Certified Practicing Accountant and holds qualifications in accountancy, project management and company directors.
Lauren Bradley
Lauren Bradley is an accomplished not-for-profit leader with extensive experience in senior management, governance, and advocacy. She combines strategic insight with operational excellence to deliver impactful outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and currently manages an international public health donor-funded program in Southeast Asia.
Lauren’s governance expertise includes non-executive director roles with member-based national and state organisations including the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (now Health Equity Matters), Hepatitis Australia, Hepatitis ACT and Women in Aid & Development. She is committed to strengthening governance frameworks focusing on risk, compliance and sustainability. Additionally, she a strong advocate for policy reform for highly stigmatised and vulnerable community members, and has influenced changes in public health, human rights, and community development through her leadership in government submissions, stakeholder engagement, and consensus-building efforts.
GOVERNANCE
Carers SA is a not-for-profit incorporated association with a mixed income base including funding by the South Australian and Australian Governments.
We are part of a national network of Carers Associations and a member of Carers Australia, the recognised national peak body representing and advocating on behalf of family and friend Carers throughout Australia,
Service Excellence
Media Contact
Journalists or media professionals wanting further information, a comment or an interview should speak with our CEO, Julia Overton.
Please contact Alida Parente, Marketing and Communications Officer.
Email: alida.parente@carerssa.com.au
Phone: (08) 8291 5600