Home Care with Dovida – Newcastle

Ebony is passionate about creating efficient systems, strong team collaboration, and streamlined processes that support exceptional in-home care outcomes. Her journey in aged care began straight after high school as an AIN before progressing to become an RN, experiences that gave her firsthand insight into the impact that well-designed operations can have on both clients and care teams. Motivated to improve the way services are delivered, she completed a Master of Business Administration to further develop her expertise in business operations, service delivery, and organisational efficiency. Ebony is particularly passionate about community care because it enables people to remain connected to the homes, routines, and personal comforts that are central to their identity and wellbeing. Outside of her professional life, she is a proud Newcastle local and stepmum to primary school twins who continually inspire her creativity and curiosity. In her spare time, Ebony enjoys painting, reading, good coffee, and exploring with her adventurous Japanese Spitz, Pom-Pom. 

Since joining Dovida as a Financial Officer in 2023, Steph has been continually amazed by the quality of caring and compassionate people around her. Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending time with her husband and their free-spirited Labrador, Lilly. Family is of utmost importance to Steph, and she takes great pride in watching her son and daughter grow into inspirational adults and start families of their own. She also treasures every moment spent with her grandson and granddaughter. Central Coast and Newcastle
With a love of travel, Steph turns every destination into an adventure. Despite her adventurous spirit, she finds contentment in simple pleasures, such as reading a good book and enjoying a glass of wine.

With over 15 years of experience in aged care, Stuart is passionate about improving the lives of seniors and their families. His Newcastle
dedication to this cause led to his appointment as Client Care Manager Team Lead – Newcastle. Stuart’s background includes roles in residential care, coordinating Dementia Day respite services, facilitating falls prevention programs, and supporting carer groups and Alzheimer’s Australia memory programs. His strong commitment to dementia care is further reflected in his completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Dementia Care. Outside of work, Stuart is a proud father of three and an enthusiastic camper. He enjoys working with motorized equipment, woodworking, pen-making, and exploring the ancient crafts of blade smithing and blacksmithing.

Alan joined Dovida in 2017 after 10 years of working in a variety of customer service roles in Sydney. As a Scheduler , Alan is passionate about helping and assisting the community every day and most of all, talking and connecting with our clients and Caregivers to deliver quality care in our local area. Central Coast and Newcastle
“I think I’m very lucky to be able to speak with and help our amazing clients and their families each day.” In his spare time, Alan enjoys attending yoga classes, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family, He is an avid movie and TV buff!

Aleesha is an experienced HR professional with a background across the Disability Employment, Business Development, and Property Management sectors. Since joining Dovida in 2022, she has been dedicated to fostering a positive, supportive culture that empowers Caregivers and staff to deliver exceptional care. Newcastle and Central Coast
“I love seeing our Caregivers grow and develop their skills with our support, allowing them to continue providing high-quality care to our clients.” Known for her approachable leadership and passion for people, Aleesha leads initiatives that strengthen training, compliance, and staff recognition across Dovida. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her partner and son, cheering on basketball and soccer games, relaxing at the beach, fishing, and playing with their two dogs, Milo and Jordan.

Chai See joined the Finance Team in 2021. She has a professional accounting background with experience in various service industries. Within her role as a Finance Assistant, she supports the Finance Team Lead in the day-to-day accounting functions. She is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for all stakeholders. Outside of work, she volunteers at a meditation centre and enjoys quiet time with a nice cup of tea.

Connie joined Dovida in 2020 as a Caregiver and, through her dedication to supporting others, has grown into her current role as Client Care Coordinator at our Newcastle office. With firsthand experience in providing care, Connie understands just how vital the right support is for seniors. She’s passionate about helping local clients access our services and information they need to remain happy, healthy, and independent in their own homes. Her warm, approachable nature makes her a trusted guide for clients and their families as they navigate the aged care system. Newcastle
Connie also helps organise social events across Newcastle and the North Central Coast, bringing clients together through regular community lunches. “Seeing the friendships that have grown brings me a real sense of reward”. Outside of work, Connie enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, spending weekends at the park or the lake Kayaking with her two children and tackling home renovation projects. She’s also a fan of Sailor Moon, music and musicals, and all things Disney.

Erika joined our Finance team in 2023 after relocating with her husband, daughter, and son to the Central Coast from Sydney. With extensive experience in the finance industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. “I like working with numbers and solving problems and I have become very passionate about the aged care industry while witnessing the difficulties that come with ageing with my parents and in-laws.” If Erika is not at work, you will find her walking her adored black and tan spoodle Billie on the beach, catching up with friends and family, working out at the gym, or enjoying a bush walk around the beautiful Brisbane Waters.

Jo has a background in Aged Care, Disability services and working as a trainer and assessor, with over 17 years’ experience across these sectors. She has worked in a variety of roles during her time in aged care including AIN, Massage therapist, Trainer and assessor, WHS / infection control officer, quality roles, and return to work manager. Jo loves a good audit and all things relating to stats. Outside of work you will find Jo at the gym, running, hiking or on the water in a Dragon boat, sup, Kayak (or any other craft that floats). Jo is a regional, state and national representative in the sport of Dragon boating having represented Australian on the international stage in the inaugural Para Dragons team for Australia, Jo has also completed the Portuguese Camino in 2025. Down time is spent with some of her favourite being’s, – her two daughters, son, her two beautiful grandsons, friends and fur child, baby kitty.

Kiah joined our Newcastle team as Client Care Manager in early 2024 after two years of working as a Caregiver since 2022. She initially started with Dovida in the Hornsby and Hills area, then moved to Lake Macquarie, bringing with her a diverse background in psychology, accounts management, primary school teaching, and tutoring. Her passion for caregiving shines through her favorite part of the role – hearing her clients’ stories and building meaningful connections through person-centered care. Outside of work, Kiah spends time with her elderly mother and daughter. She also sings with a local choir. Kiah also enjoys walking by the lake, crafting, and making wire-woven jewellery, winning awards at the Sydney Easter Show and Newcastle Show.

Kim joined Dovida in 2015, finding fulfillment in supporting clients with their care needs. With over two decades of experience, she spent 16 years at a major bank as an assistant to General Managers, including in the Office of the CEO. Kim holds a Certificate IV in Financial Services and has extensive experience in high-level administrative support. Her career also includes roles at the District Court of NSW and the NSW Compensation Court, where she often travelled to remote areas. Passionate about creating efficient support systems, Kim helps high-performing teams thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys beachside adventures with her family and volunteers as a dance coach, including the Central Coast Cancer Council’s Stars of the Central Coast program, earning multiple awards.

With over 30 years of experience in foster care, aged care, and recruitment, Naomi has a deep passion for supporting vulnerable individuals and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Her career began as a foster carer, followed by 25 years in aged care, where she also specialized in recruiting Registered Nurses for hospitals and aged care facilities. Throughout Naomi’s career, she has consistently sought opportunities to improve the lives of others, both personally and professionally. Outside of work, she finds joy in spending time with her son and two grandsons, as well as nurturing her love for gardening and travel.

Samantha has a diverse professional background, including over ten years in corporate management and experience running her own importing business. Before stepping into her current role as Client Care Manager, she spent 12 months working as a caregiver, which deepened her understanding of hands-on client support and further fuelled her passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She brings a practical, people-centered approach to her work, driven by a commitment to helping clients maintain their independence, achieve personal goals, and feel truly heard. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her three children and family, as well as a beloved Rottweiler.

Selina McCloskey is the People Coordinator and has completed a Bachelor of Business/ Innovation and Entrepreneurship, majoring in Human Resources and Leadership & Management. Passionate about community service, she has volunteered with numerous organisations such as Dress for Success, the McGrath Foundation and Mark Hughes Foundation (walking over 650km in support), and Variety the Children’s Charity. Selina is driven by a desire to help others and create positive experiences, both within the workplace and beyond. In 2024, Selina represented Australia at Miss International in Japan, one of the world’s largest pageants. She leads an active lifestyle, participating in basketball, soccer, and marathon training. In her free time, she loves relaxing at the beach with family and friends.

Sharne brings over a decade of experience in Aged Care, underpinned by a lifelong commitment to community service, education, and rural advocacy. Starting her career in Western NSW, Sharne engaged youth through equestrian training and later led pioneering early childhood initiatives like The Bogan Bush Mobile. Since 2014, Sharne has empowered older Australians with dignity and independence, drawing on specialised training in dementia and palliative care. Now a Key Player and Caregiver Coach, she is known for her deep knowledge, empathy, and leadership. Outside of work, Sharne enjoys ocean walks, watching TV, and spending time with her beloved Rottweiler, Georgie

Stacey has been with Dovida since 2017 and joined us with over 10 years’ experience in administration in the Accounting sector and loves the change to an industry based on caring for people! In her role as Services Co-Ordinator, she assists in all areas of administration and accounts. Stacey is kept very busy with her two young boys and loves the beach, paddle boarding, bush walking and being surrounded by nature

Kirstie is the Operations Team Lead and holds over 30 years of experience across multiple industries including Functions Coordinator, Property Manager, Allocations Manager, and Customer Service in the banking industry.   
Within two years of being in the Operations role, Kirstie quickly transitioned into Team Lead within two years, highlighting her ability to lead and enhance team performance.  
Outside of work, Kirstie is a proud grandmother to a beautiful grandson and a “grandpawrent” to four French Bulldogs, affectionately known as her “grand fluffers.” 

Barbara began her journey with Dovida in 2012 as a Caregiver in Pymble and soon transitioned to the after-hours support team. In 2019, she moved to the Dovida Central Coast as part of the Client Service Team – After Hours. 
Barbara takes great satisfaction in assisting both clients and Caregivers with any queries after business hours and on weekends. Known for her friendly and approachable nature, she’s always there as a reassuring voice when extra support is needed. 

Kristen joined Dovida in 2020, driven by her passion for caregiving and supporting clients within their families. With over 20 years of experience as a nanny, educator, chef, and Head of Staff for select families, Kristen has lived and worked in the UK, Qatar, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore, and Australia. Her diverse background has honed her interpersonal skills, making her a calm and thoughtful professional who excels in critical situations. 
Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, sailing, skiing, and spending time with her pets, family, and friends. If she’s not in the garden, you’ll likely find her walking along the beach, out on the ocean, or at the gym. 

Connie joined Dovida in 2020 as a Caregiver and, through her dedication to supporting others, has grown into her current role as Client Care Coordinator at our Newcastle office. 
With firsthand experience in providing care, Connie understands just how vital the right support is for seniors. She’s passionate about helping local clients access our services and information they need to remain happy, healthy, and independent in their own homes.  
Connie also helps organise social events across Newcastle and the North Central Coast, bringing clients together through regular community lunches.  
Outside of work, Connie enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, spending weekends at the park or the lake Kayaking with her two children and tackling home renovation projects. She’s also a fan of Sailor Moon, music and musicals, and all things Disney. 

Kisani Hayes is a Care Manager at Dovida with over two decades of experience in the aged care and disability sector. Since 2003, she has worked across aged care and NDIS services, including roles as a Team Leader and Lead Support Worker. 
Kisani holds Certificates III and IV in Nursing, a Diploma of Practice Management, an Associate Degree in Dementia Care, and is currently completing a Diploma of Community and Welfare. 
Her strengths include clear communication, problem-solving, leadership, critical thinking, mentoring, and building strong, collaborative teams. 
Outside of work, Kisani enjoys beach days, travel, gardening trips to Bunnings, trying new cuisines, and unwinding with movies, dinners out, and diamond dot crafts. 

Fiona Duffus is a Care Manager based in the Belmont office, bringing extensive experience across Aged Care, Disability Support, and customer service-focused roles. With a strong passion for supporting people and building meaningful connections, Fiona is dedicated to delivering compassionate, person-centred care and positive outcomes for clients and their families. 
Outside of work, Fiona is a proud mother of three daughters and excited grandmother-to-be of four grandchildren. She enjoys spending her free time crafting, including knitting, crocheting, and creating handmade felt birthday crowns for her grandchildren. Fiona values creativity, family time, and opportunities to unwind at the beach.