Meet our Early Childhood North Sydney Transition Managers

Our North Sydney office is officially opening this week and to celebrate we would like to introduce you to Northcott’s Early Childhood Services North Sydney Transition Manager Gabie and Assistant Transition Manager Jessica!

They will lead the implementation of the “Transition In” activities in the newly acquired North Sydney Early Childhood Service region. Learn more about them below.

Gabie

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

When I am not working, I am generally spending time with my family especially my niece and nephews. They are little pocket rockets who know that Saturdays are generally their day to boss me around, this normally involves monster trucks or building blocks.

Tell us a little bit about your career journey, experiences and what led you to work at Northcott’s early childhood team?

I have always enjoyed working with families and their children and in 2018 I was looking for a new direction and saw that Northcott was hiring for the new NDIS Partner in the Community program and thought that was the perfect opportunity. I did leave Northcott for a little while but returned in 2022 as many people do. It is special when you can find an organisation that truly aligns with your own core values, it makes going to work every day so much more fulfilling.

What is your new role and what does it look like?

As the Transition Manager for Northern Sydney, my role has been to help establish a new office and team. This has included everything from ordering the coffee to helping recruit the team of 28 staff that will support the families in the Northern Sydney region.

What excites you about the Northern Sydney expansion?

Having the opportunity to support more families is always exciting. Northcott has had a limited presence in Northern Sydney in the past, but this provides a platform for people to get to know Northcott as an organisation that has such a rich history.

How do you think you help support people with disability?

I would like to think that the way I support people is by making sure they are aware and have access to all the resources and supports that are available to them.

Empowering people to make informed decisions about what is best for them is something that is at the forefront of everything I do.

Gabie

Tell us about one of your memorable customer moments or memorable Northcott team moments?

There have been so many memories over the past five years, but I think the ones I value the most are the ones centred around children and families achieving their goals. At times families are so focused on what they need to do next that they often overlook all the little achievements along the way, and being there when they reflect and see how far their child has progressed, these are the moments that make this role so rewarding.

Jessica

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and in the last ten years I have loved travelling to Canada to visit my mum as she moved to Canada 12 years ago. Last year I travelled to Fiji after 13 years with my mum and this was the most memorable trip we have shared together.

Tell us a little bit about your career journey, experiences and what led you to work at Northcott’s early childhood team?

I’ve always been inspired by female role models and envisioned someday to be in a leadership role working in a child centred and family focused organisation. In 2018 I joined the Northcott team as an ECA coordinator and after just over a year of supporting children and families I applied for the position of Team Leader and was successful. As a Team Leader at Northcott, I have learnt so much about what it takes to be a leader – inspiring the team by living the Northcott values in everyday interactions; supporting the team with achieving service targets and going the extra mile when required; actively listening and supporting the wellbeing of my team and providing leadership and guidance to the team.

What is your new role and what does it look like?

The Assistant Transitional Manager for Northern Sydney will support the Transitional Manager to implement the transitional in plan including establishing the new office in Chatswood, recruiting new staff and support the service provision in Northern Sydney.

What excites you about the Northern Sydney expansion?

To continue to do the high performing work that Northcott already does in a new region and to continue to support children in a strength based and family centred approach.

Jessica

How do you think you help support people with disability?

I support people with a disability by making sure I am using Northcott values. Respect because everyone’s voice is unique and that they have the right to be heard. Brave to courage to stand up for people with all abilities even in the face of adversity. Innovative to develop new ideas and solutions with creativity in anticipation of changing needs in all my interactions with customers and participants I work with.

Tell us about one of your memorable customer moments or memorable Northcott team moments?

During COVID Team Jess had to think outside of the box and the team organised online games on Friday nights after work and when we could travel outside our LGA’s we enjoyed monthly dinners to make sure we bonded as a Northcott ECA (Early Childhood Approach) team to continue to strength our connections.