KAREN STEVENSON

Specialist Support Coordinator, Team Leader

Karen trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist early in her career, working with children and adults in physical rehabilitation, assisting with daily living skills and prescribing assistive equipment/technology. Karen commenced as a Support Coordinator in 2017 and now leads the growing Aurora team of skilled and passionate Support Coordinators.

Karen’s strengths include her understanding of physical disability, her organisational skills, her unique blend of empathy and problem-solving skills, and her unwavering determination to achieve the best possible outcomes through the NDIS. Her speciality areas as a Support Coordinator include supporting adults with complex and high physical support needs, finding individualised home and living solutions, and supporting SDA applications.

Karen also offers mentoring services to other Support Coordinators. Learn more about our mentoring services by visiting our support coordination mentoring page.

TEGAN HARRIS

Support Coordinator

Tegan holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Community Welfare and Human Services from the University of Newcastle.

With extensive experience in the field, Tegan has supported participants with psychosocial disability, high physical, and complex behaviour support needs in individual and group settings.

Passionate about helping participants and their families build capacity and create an empowering NDIS journey, Tegan is dedicated to connecting participants with the right services to help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential in life. Her approach is guided by the values of choice, control, and the belief that disability does not define a person or limit their abilities.

ANDREA JOHNSTON

Specialist Support Coordinator/ Support Coordinator/

Psychosocial Recovery Coach

Andrea is a Support Coordinator for Aurora Coordination– NDIS and Psychosocial Coordination. Andrea has a Bachelor’ degree in Social Science (Major in Community Welfare and Human Services) and has completed her studies at The University of Newcastle. She has experience in the mental health sector supporting individuals with sever and persistent mental illness, as well as experience in the community development sector working with CALD and NESB communities in the Newcastle region.
Andrea’s passion is to support and guide individuals with a psychosocial disability to understand and access their NDIS Plan. Her focus is to link individuals to appropriate services in order to achieve their desired goals while improving their health and wellbeing. Andres is fluent in Serbian/Croatian and has vast experience working with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

RUQIA CHAVLA

Support Coordinator

Ruqia is a Support Coordinator with experience as a disability advocate, refugee settlement case worker and teacher’s aide. She has a Bachelor of Social Science (Major in Community Welfare and Human Services) from the University of Newcastle. Ruqia has a background in supporting people with disabilities from the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Non-English-Speaking Background (NESB) communities in the Hunter region.

Ruqia is passionate about helping others. She believes strongly in empowering people who have disabilities, and striving for greater community inclusion, to enhance the quality of their lives. Ruqia is a caring listener who enjoys working closely with families to help them to navigate and understand the NDIS to maximise positive outcomes for participants.

SIMONE COLLINS

Support Coordinator

Simone is a Support Coordinator who comes from a varied career background beginning with legal administration roles in the Workers and Victims Compensation sectors. More recently Simone has worked as a NDIS Support Worker predominantly with people with neurological conditions and Acquired Brain Injury.  Simone gained vast knowledge and experience of the day-to-day activities and lifestyle of NDIS participants and the many obstacles and challenges they face navigating the NDIS system. Simone is also an accomplished music teacher and choral conductor and has raised 3 children to adulthood.

Simone’s strengths lie in, her great communication skills with an empathic heart, hearing and understanding people’s needs and goals, and her common sense and pragmatic approach to supporting people achieve them.

CHARMAINE FRASER

Director

Charmaine oversees the team of Support Coordinators and Specialist Support Coordinators at Aurora. With a Bachelor of Behaviour Studies (Psychology) and a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, Charmaine has a deep understanding of the NDIS and the complex needs of participants.

Having worked with participants since the NDIS launch in 2013, Charmaine is committed to continuously learning about the scheme. She has trained Support Coordinators across Australia through her role as a Subject Matter Specialist in Support Coordination with Disability Services Consulting.

Charmaine’s personal experience with the NDIS also informs her work. She is a mother of two, and her eldest is an NDIS participant and together they self-manage his supports.

MARIA BROWN

Senior Support Coordinator

Maria has over 20 years of experience in the disability sector working with families and Centrelink participants in employment pathways. She has five years of experience as a Specialist Support Coordinator, specialising in a psychosocial approach, working with individuals with complex needs, and providing support with mental health services.

Maria has a Bachelor of Social Science (Community Welfare and Social Services) from University of Newcastle.

Maria is passionate about empowering participants to navigate the NDIS, understand provider service options by seeking individualised options and collaborate with healthcare providers to improve their quality of life. Her skills are mentoring and engaging participants to research and find suitably matched support.

GRAHAM EVANS

Support Coordinator

Graham has been a Support Coordinator since 2021. He also has experience as a Disability Support Worker.

As well as being a great all-rounder, he has extensive experience assisting young people, supporting families and interacting with out-of-home care. Before this, Graham had an extensive background in banking and finance and holds a Bachelor of Commerce.

Graham is based in Melbourne and stays involved with several local community groups. His background in finance and direct support work has proven to be an excellent foundation for providing sound advice and support to assist participants in managing their NDIS plans.

BONNIE FROST

Support Coordinator

Bonnie is a dedicated Support Coordinator with extensive experience in the mental health and disability sector. She has worked with a diverse range of participants and has a strong passion for supporting individuals with psychosocial disabilities, mental health and complex behaviours.

With a background in psychology and ongoing studies in Counselling and Special and inclusive Education, Bonnie brings a well-rounded, informed, and compassionate approach to her work. She is committed to expanding her expertise to provide the highest level of support tailored to each participant.

Bonnie takes a person-centred approach, prioritising clear communication, problem-solving, and collaboration with participants and their families. She is passionate about empowering individuals to make informed choices and achieve their personal goals.