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Management Team
Brian Yee
Brian is the CEO for the DRC & our sister organisation the Yes Ability Achievement Centre. Brian will be covering for Sarah Travaglia, who is taking a period of maternity leave before she returns later in 2008.
Brian has been associated with the DRC for some 4 years, having served on the Board & more recently as Chairperson. Brian's career has largely been in the Banking sector and he has also previously held senior management roles for Housing Corporation of NZ.
Phone (DDI): (09) 625 0310
Email: brian@disabilityresource.org.nz
Sharon Ridden
Sharon joined DRC in July 2007 as the Centre Manager. She has over 10 years experience in the health / rehabilitation sector.
Like most people, Sharon has friends and relatives with impairments, ranging from cerebral palsy to spinal injuries, heart problems, kidney problems, stroke, diabetes and mental health issues, this has fuelled her passion for making information and services accessible to all. Sharon has a tertiary qualification in Case Management; enjoys meeting people and is an avid sports fan. Sharon and her husband have spent the last 10 years living in Auckland, after relocating from Alexandra, and prior to that Invercargill.
Phone (DDI): (09) 625 0319
Email: sharon@disabilityresource.org.nz
Jackie Brunt
Hello from the Finance Office
Having worked at DRC for almost five years I can now call myself an Aucklander in many ways. I enjoy going to a good cafe and also doing lots of retail therapy. I have learnt to drive with purpose and know that no matter how much you plan it can take between twenty minutes to one and a quarter hours to drive to work.
When I left school, many years ago, girls either chose working in a shop or in an office. Not being too fond of exercise I chose accounting and some forty plus years later I still enjoy the challenge of making the figures balance… “Sad” some may say!!
With a career starting in a privately owned business, moving onto commercial retail, then local government and even having a try at being self employed, I thought it was time that I put my past experience to work and give something back to the community, hence my move to a ‘not for profit’ organization, DRC.
My interests:
- Rugby, watching not playing!! I still firmly support Waikato who won the NPC Air NZ Cup last year and this has led to many of an interesting debate with my Auckland work colleagues. I lay fame to winning the DRC virtual rugby challenge once, mind you only three of us took part.
- Family, I am married to John and we have three grown up children and six grandchildren.
- Computer games I used to challenge my children but now find the grandchildren easier to compete against.
And of course: food, wine and shopping.
Regards from the Finance Cubby Hole.
Jackie Brunt
Phone (DDI): (09) 625 0313
Email: jackie@disabilityresource.org.nz
Administration
Russ Hayes
Having worked at the DRC since February 1999, Russ is now one of the older faces of the DRC and THINKS he should now be provided for, and quite substantially, or at least get the same pay and be able to have four day weekends. Sadly DRC Management DOES NOT agree.
Russ is a country boy who hails from a large family farming property in the Far North community of Kaeo, and the very beautiful Whangaroa Harbour, where the fish are real and Kaimoana is plentiful. The fishing and diving are missed dearly but he still manages to get out in the boat now and again on visits back to the home land.
He was introduced to the big city very suddenly in 1991 as a result of a motor vehicle accident, sustaining a high level spinal injury which resulted in him becoming a tetraplegic wheelchair user. However he is lucky enough that the lesion and impact of the injury allows him to function as a paraplegic making life a little easier. With this drastic change in life style he decided to stay in Auckland taking advantage of the more accessible readily available rehabilitation and vocational services the metropolis had to offer. Therefore claims to only be a part time JAFA.
After doing hard out Physio every day for five years he decided to venture into small business but found it quite a struggle. He then realized he needed to find other income and through Job Connections started volunteer work at the DRC three mornings a week which resulted in a full time receptionist’s job a year later. Russ moved into the administration side of things working along side the ‘Admin Manager/Financial Controller’. He is the showroom stock controller, keeping creditors happy, re-ordering new stock and nurturing good supplier relations. His official title is now ‘Admin Support’. He also covers as Information Consultant’ when there is a shortage of staff.
Russ also has a role with NZFDIC (New Zealand Federation of Disability Resource Centres) as Executive Support which takes him away to Executive meetings once a month.
Phone: (09) 625 8069
Email: russell@disabilityresource.org.nz
Information Consultants
Tony Howe
Tony has fifteen years experience in providing information services to the greater Auckland community. He has a wide knowledge of networks within the disability sector, having had a physical impairment throughout his life, and he can advise people on products and services that will enhance their independence in day to day activity.
Tony is also a qualified ‘Barrier Free’ assessor advising on ‘access’ requirements in public buildings, and has a history in disability sports on both a National and International standing.
Phone: (09) 625 8069
E-mail: tony@disabilityresource.org.nz
Peter Rawlings
Peter joined the DRC in 2005 as an Information Consultant following nearly five years experience as a full-time family care giver. This has provided him with a very good understanding of disability products and equipment and the needs of persons with a disability and their family/carers.
Peter originates from the UK, where he gained extensive experience in agricultural research and development working for several agricultural research institutes and as a Research Consultant with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food before moving into the University environment developing bilingual educational software.
Peter emigrated to New Zealand in 1998 and prior to becoming a full-time care giver, worked for an international corporate supporting and developing their intranet and online documentation.
Peter enjoys tramping and the beautiful New Zealand scenery.
Phone: (09) 625 8069
Email: peter@disabilityresource.org.nz
Shirley Carson
Shirley came to the DRC in 2003 from a working life in the secretarial field. She has three daughters and four grandchildren with whom she is in close contact with on a regular basis.
Shirley’s hobbies are tramping, photography, gardening and of course family. Shirley’s tramping hobby has involved lots of trips to the South Island over the last 14 years and she has developed a love of the beautiful mountain scenery, alpine plants and the rivers and mountain vistas, plus the interesting people that she meets along the way.
Shirley works for DRC three days a week as an Information Consultant.
Phone: (09) 625 8069
Email: shirley@disabilityresource.org.nz
Occupational Therapist
Haylee Jaques
Haylee came to the DRC in January 2006, fresh out of university after completing a Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy at AUT. She made it through her first professional year relatively unscathed and is now fully emerged in her role as the Occupational Therapist at the DRC. Haylee’s job brings lots of variety - being able to get out into the community for Social Rehabilitation Assessments, conducting mobility scooter assessments and seeing the joy on people’s faces when they race around outside for the first time.
Haylee also does many different types of private OT assessments and markets the OT assessments services through community presentations to different groups. As well as this, Haylee is also a qualified Barrier Free Auditor, and proud that she can add this achievement to her name. Lastly, Haylee loves the supportive staff spirit at the DRC and can always count on her colleagues to make her laugh.
In her free time, you'll find Haylee at the gym, out at dinner, watching movies or reading novels, hanging out with friends and family, or getting away up to the family’s bach at Whangarei Heads on the weekends.
Phone (DDI): (09) 625 0312
Email: haylee@disabilityresource.org.nz
Project and Business Development
Julianne McEldowney
Julianne’s introduction to the disability sector began in 2000 when she joined the DRC team. Her role has varied including information provision, customer service and project support. Julianne now supports the Business Development side of DRC.
Julianne enjoys variety in her life from people to experiences. She has worked in the automotive industry, played the trombone, has a degree in theology, values exploring ideas of faith/spirituality and lifestyle choices. More recently her goals have included training for endurance events…just for fun.
Phone (DDI): (09) 625 0311
Email: julianne@disabilityresource.org.nz