During the COVID-19 health pandemic, Carers SA is fully committed to supporting South Australian carers (click here to learn more). If you need assistance during this time, please call us on 1800 422 737

Who is
Carers SA?

Carers SA provides support to unpaid family carers across South Australia.

Carers SA provides support to unpaid carers across South Australia.

From April 2020, under the Government’s new carer support model, Carers SA will be the main provider of services for South Australia’s 250,000 unpaid carers.

With 30 years of experience, Carers SA provides unpaid carers with a range of support services including carer support planning, emergency respite, peer support and coaching, in-person counselling and tailored financial packages.

Carers are at the heart of everything we do. We want your contribution to be valued and your voice to be heard.

 
 

Caring families are at the heart of everything we do.

Carers SA’s vision is for an Australia that values and supports carers.

Our mission is to work to improve the health, wellbeing, resilience and financial security of carers and to ensure that caring is a shared responsibility of family, community and the government.

We are the voice of carers, so that their contribution to the South Australian community and economy is recognised.

Carers SA encourages partnership with government and the health and community sectors to enhance service provision and improve the conditions for unpaid carers through policy development, research and advocacy.

Our values, listed below, represent how we will engage with carers, each other and the broader community.

  1. Inclusivity All carers are treated with respect, dignity and as a person in their own right.

  2. Empathy We are open, approachable and are always willing to provide assistance to carers, the community and each other.

  3. Integrity We always act with honesty, accountability and transparency when engaging with carers, the community and each other.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

Our History

From a small grassroots movement of carers and service providers in 1989, Carers SA has evolved into a respected organisation, advocating for the health, wellbeing, resilience and financial security of our state’s carers over the last 30 years.

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Meet the Team

Our dedicated board, experienced management team, knowledgeable staff and essential volunteers work on behalf of more than 250,000 unpaid carers across the state.

Executive Managers

  •

    David Militz

    CEO

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    David Militz

    CEO

    David’s experience in the not-for-profit sector spans senior management positions across homelessness, aged care, families and youth, in both regional and metropolitan regions. David joined Carers SA in March 2014 as Executive Manager Community Services and was appointed as CEO in April 2017. David has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Recreation, Planning and Management and a Master in Business Administration.

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    Jo Cottle

    Executive Manager Finance & Corporate Services

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    Jo Cottle

    Executive Manager Finance & Corporate Services

    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.

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    Sharon Tentye

    Executive Manager Service Delivery

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    Sharon Tentye

    Executive Manager Service Delivery

    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.

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    Shaun Monis

    Executive Manager People & Change

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    Shaun Monis

    Executive Manager People & Change

    Shaun has 20 years’ experience in operational, human resources and development leadership roles within the commercial sector. 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 holds a Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Human Resource Management and a Cert IV in Training & Assessment.

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    Helen Brown

    Executive Manager Strategic Engagement

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    Helen Brown

    Executive Manager Strategic Engagement

    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 and project management roles throughout Government, non-government, and private business sector, Helen brings vast knowledge, skills and experience in strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement and community development, with a passion and interest in community services and social justice. Helen has led diverse and large teams including experience with volunteer and membership based organisations both within South Australia and Australia wide. Her experience is vast and has included management of diverse portfolios throughout her career history to date, 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.

Program Managers

  • Sarah Hylton

    Program Manager Carer Support Planning

  • Michael Scordo

    Program Manager Local Service Delivery

  • Linda Deer

    Program Manager Coaching and Carer Connect

Our Board

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    Phil Martin

    President

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    Phil Martin

    President

    Phil has over 30 years experience in disability service provision and management having worked in Government and non-Government organisations aiming to enhance the lives of people living with a disability and their families. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Graduate Diploma Public Sector Management and is a FACID (Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors). He was appointed to the Board in February 2014.

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    Adrian Hinton

    Treasurer

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    Adrian Hinton

    Treasurer

    Adrian retired in July 2018 after over 43 years with Deloitte where he undertook a range of roles including being a Principle 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.

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    Susan Antoun

    Board Director

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    Susan Antoun

    Board Director

    Susan is a Certified Practicing Accountant, member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and Governance Risk and Compliance Institute and is a qualified stockbroker. She is currently Head of Compliance and Operations at Taylor Collison having previously worked as an Audit Director at a second tier accounting firm and began her career at the Auditors Generals. Susan has served on a number of not for profit boards and was appointed to the Carers SA board in June 2017.

  • Kerrie Akkermans

    Board Director

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    Kerrie Akkermans

    Board Director

    Kerrie has been a carer for a family member for the past fifteen years. Kerrie is the CEO of Girl Guides SA and has worked in high level management positions for other not-for-profit organisations. Kerrie's qualifications include, a Certificate of Professional Legal Studies, Diploma of Property, Diploma of Management, Bachelor of Communications and a Bachelor of Arts. Appointed to the Board November 2017.

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    Lynne Carter

    Board Director

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    Lynne Carter

    Board Director

    Lynne is a senior professional with a background in Financial Services and over 20 years experience in strategic and operational leadership roles. Specifically Lynne has strong General Management skills in Operations and Business administration and will be calling upon her experiences and expertise to aid and assist in her position on the Carers SA Board. Lynne holds a Diploma in Business Management; Certificate in Counselling; AICD Graduate (GAICD). Appointed to the Board Nov 2019.

  • Sonya Weiser

    Board Director

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    Sonya Weiser

    Board Director

    SONYA WEISER: Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Sciences), Master of Business Administration (MBA), AICD Graduate.
    Board Director
    Experience
    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 is the founder of Weiser Australia Pty. Ltd., trading as Wiser Technology Advice. As the Principal Consultant, Sonya provides technology advisory services that draw on her industry experience and extensive formal knowledge of corporate governance and business needs. Wiser Technology Advice has clients in the not-for-profit, small-to-medium enterprise and South Australian government sectors.
    Sonya was appointed to the Board in November 2021

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    Kerstin Holata

    Board Director

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    Kerstin Holata

    Board Director

    DR. KERSTIN HOLATA: AICD Graduate, Masters of Business Administration, Ph.D. in Biophysics, Honours, (1st class and top grade for year level),B.Sc. Science, Viticulture I.
    Vice President
    Experience
    Dr Kerstin Holata is a professional with a proven record in technology commercialisation. With a PhD in Biophysics, an MBA from Melbourne Business School and as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has a uniquely developed skill-set reaching across research, strategic partnerships and commercialization.
    Kerstin previously held industry-based positions at Pfizer in the US, management positions in a number of start -up companies including her own. Currently she enjoys her role as Commercial Facilitator for the federal governments Entrepreneur's Programme, providing commercialisation support and expertise to Australian start-up and SME companies.
    Kerstin was appointed to the Board in November 2021

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.

Download our most recent Annual Report and Strategic Plan to find out more.

Service Excellence

Carers SA has achieved Certificate level accreditation of Australian Service Excellence Standards, which is an internationally accredited quality improvement program initiated by the Department of Human Services. This demonstrates our commitment to quality service delivery.

Media Contact

Journalists or media professionals wanting further information, a comment or an interview should speak with our CEO, David Militz.

Please contact Tania Starr, Executive Assistant.
Email: Tania@carers-sa.asn.au
Phone: (08) 8291 5626

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