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Gindaja Team

Our Team

The CEO, Operations, Treatment Services and Finance Managers make up the senior management team. The Residential and Learning and Wellbeing Centres are primarily staffed by experienced Indigenous workers, most of who come from or have historical/traditional connections to the Yarrabah community.

All Gindaja client contact staff are required to complete Certificate 1 in Family Wellbeing Training (FWB), including the Certificate in FWB Facilitation.

The Learning and Wellbeing Centre Coordinator is responsible for line supervision and management of all the centre’s staff and the Residential Coordinator is responsible for line supervision and management of residential treatment staff. A Weekend Coordinator manages the residential facility over the weekends and on public holidays.

Ailsa Lively

Ailsa Lively

Chief Executive Officer

Alisa Lively is a widely respected Gunggandji woman with strong cultural connections to both the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas. Ailsa is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Gindaja Treatment & Healing Indigenous Corporation in Yarrabah and has held this position since January 2008. Ailsa has extensive experience in Indigenous Community issues, executive level management, leadership and governance.. Ms Lively has been involved in significant community development and leadership work with the Yarrabah community and is a skilled advocate for health and social outcomes. Serving currently as a Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority (Government Board), Gurriny Yealamucka Aboriginal Medical Service Board, Gunggandji Mandingalby Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate and through her employment is currently the Treasurer of the Northern Aboriginal and Islander Health Alliance, a Board member on the Queensland Indigenous Substance Misuse Council and a Board member of the Qld Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies.

Ailsa is responsible for the day to day management of Gindaja and working closely with the Board of Directors on strategic matters.Her focus is to build a nationally recognised organisation in the Indigenous AOD sector that provides a safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to heal. She is passionate about assisting her community in becoming self-sufficient and self-sustainable.

Avril Yeatman

Avril Yeatman

Business Services Manager

Avril was born and raised on the lands of the Gunggandji people of Yarrabah and has spent her entire career working with and for her people, predominantly in customer service, administration and in recent years senior management positions.

Avril has lived experience and have faced issues by first nations people. She is passionate about helping her people and aims to provide a better world for them. Focusing on the Gindaja’s strategic intent and its business plans. Avril’s work history includes, customer services, project management, training and development, human resources and Native Title negotiations.

Avril is currently completing her Masters in Business Administration (Leadership).

Outside of work, Avril enjoys spending time with her family, boating, camping, fishing, going walkabout on country, watching footy, and getting involved with community activities.

Kathy Desmond

Kathy Desmond

Treatment Services Manager

Kathy is originally from Victoria with more than 30 years’ experience working in the community sector. She is passionate about working with marginalised populations and her experience spans the homeless, refugee and health care sector. Since being at Gindaja ashe has secured significant funding, co-designed our Model of Care and performs an imperative role as manager of the Treatment Services which includes our Residential Recovery Centre, Learning and Wellbeing Centre and Justice Services.