Treasurer (Committee Member since 2023) 

Phil joined the Association’s Committee of Management in 2023, after his approach to offer assistance.  

Phil operates a consultancy called Sage-ist Consulting. Sage-ist is a boutique consultancy providing business performance coaching, executive mentoring and program and project management services. Phil is an active member of the mentoring community in Australia in his roles as a volunteer mentor with the Rare Birds organisation and The Hive Collective. Phil is a Certified Project Director and Certified Project Trainer with the Center for Project Innovation.  

Phil’s philosophy is to ask “What are we doing well” that can be improved, understood and built upon, as opposed to “What’s going wrong”.  

Phil has an accounting background, and a post graduate diploma in project management.  He is currently engaged by Solstice Energy (formerly TasGas) on a strategic retail project, in addition to being a partner in a start-up, Sirona Health, focussed in the health and wellness space.  

He has worked extensively in the corporate world, and has used his wealth of experience to mentor start-up businesses. 

Prior to starting Sage-ist in 2017, and after a varied 20+ year career in Pulp & Paper, Phil spent almost a decade in the startup space, playing a key role at both LiveTiles, and then The Yield, as a founding employee.

A committed family man who enjoys time with his grandchildren, Phil is a valued member of our Committee of Management.

Founder and Architect, and Managing Director (Ex-Officio Committee Member)

Aurora was established in 1988 by Founder and Managing Director of Services Joy Cairns OAM to meet a need not being met at that time in provision of services for people with disabilities.  Joy has two severely intellectually disabled adult children, and in the early 1980s, was also the Founder of COSMOS Inc (now Mosaic), the first ever Commonwealth funded recreation service in Australia providing services for over 650 people.

Joy is recognised as a national pioneer in disability services with over 50 years’ service to the Tasmanian community.  Joy’s personal passion and drive ensures Aurora Disability Services is acknowledged as a valued and highly regarded organisation, that supports over 300 participants and their families.   Ensuring inclusion and community involvement, Aurora provides empowerment to people disadvantaged by disability, and our quality programs provide the means necessary for gaining knowledge and skill development for life.  

Joy loves to walk in the bush, enjoys music, loves working in her garden, searching the markets for bargains, researching family history and reading.

Executive Officer (Ex-Officio Committee Member)

Angelique can help you with anything and everything to do with Aurora Disability Services!

Since 1988 Angelique has helped Aurora Disability Services provide support and care to many hundreds of people with disabilities of all ages and their families and carers within Hobart and its suburbs,  and around Tasmania.

Angelique has established strong community links to a wide range of excellent services and resources for people of all ages with disabilities, and their support networks. She is highly regarded by other service providers,  government agencies both state and federal and business and professional bodies.

When she is not working or spending time with family, Angelique loves time with her horses, trips to Bruny Island, a good book, catch-up dinners with friends, or some peace pottering in her garden.  

Committee Member (Volunteer since 1988)

Val has been involved with Aurora since its establishment in 1988. She is an amazing support, having previously worked as a full time volunteer for many years at COSMOS (now Mosaic), a recreation and sporting service for people with disabilities, and also assisted in the coordination and management of the Stroke Club of Tasmania. She was a devoted aunty and occasional carer to two of her sister-in-law’s children with developmental disability. She is also grandmother to a grandchild with Down Syndrome who has also battled Leukemia. Val has a sporting and fitness background and was a qualified Fitness Instructor.

Val’s previous employment was as an Office Assistant for a large Hobart company, and she has extensive experience on Committees.

Val volunteered for many years as a Supervisor at The Old Chapel Tea Rooms, where she assisted trainees to undertake their Hospitality Certificate 1 training, allowing a focus on abilities as they showcased their skills to the public.

Val was awarded Life Membership of the Association in recognition of her wonderful dedication and commitment to Aurora, and its services.  She was nominated by Aurora and has been recognised by Glenorchy Council for her valuable volunteer work in the City of Glenorchy.  Val has served as both Treasurer, and as a Committee Member.

Qualifications: Experience with disability. Volunteering with Aurora in varied roles including as a respected Executive Member of the Committee of Management.

Committee of Management  (Volunteer since 2000, retiring 2023)

Brenda is an amazing volunteer who has contributed over 23 years volunteering time to Aurora Disability Services, and has fulfilled all her roles with commitment and a sense of purpose.

In 2023, Brenda retired as a Supervisor of the Monday Tea Rooms Crew at The Old Chapel Tea Rooms.  In this role Brenda supported Trainees undertaking Certificate 1 Hospitality Training, assisting them to showcase their learned abilities in a public setting.  Brenda has also assisted at many fundraising events, and is famous for her egg and bacon pies at Thursday night Club Teas where she also regularly volunteered to provide meals over many years.

Brenda contributes advice and wisdom as a respected member of the Committee of Management, serving as both Secretary and Committee member.   She was awarded Life Membership in 2011 in recognition of her amazing contribution to Aurora, and was nominated by Aurora and recognised by Glenorchy City Council for her valuable volunteer work in the City of Glenorchy.

Qualifications: Experience with disability. Volunteering with Aurora in varied roles including as a valued Member of the Committee of Management.

Committee member (since 2023; Volunteer since 2019)

Richard offered his services as a volunteer to Aurora in 2019, and has provided wonderful support to Trainees within our Community Access programs, assisting their skill development in a range of activities.  

Richard also assists with general upkeep and maintenance duties around Mill Lane, which is extremely helpful. 

In more recent times, Richard has embraced the organisation’s new partnership with Guilford Young College, in our adoption of their vegetable gardens.  The area, in need of much care and revitalisation, is gradually being transformed into a produce garden, and Richard supports Trainees in tending to the vegetable beds, pruning fruit trees, watering, weeding and general work within the garden area.  

Richard is a solicitor, and prior to his retirement owned his own legal practice.  A keen sportsman, Richard is also part of the local German Choir and volunteers with Landcare.

Richard was elected to the Committee of Management in 2023, and we are very grateful for his valuable assistance. 

Committee Member (since 2022; Participant since 2006)

Chris is a valued member of the Aurora family, having enjoyed a long association. He lives with his wife Judy in Moonah.  

Chris attends a range of activities, and very much enjoys being part of the Aurora TenPin Bowling League every Sunday, also competing at a Club and State level. Attending our community access and day support programs, Chris undertakes Certificate 1 Hospitality Training, and in 2022 was proudly promoted as a crew member to The Old Chapel Tea Rooms. The independent living skills training that Chris undertakes, greatly assists his independence on the home-front.

Chris is very generous with his time, and is always one to offer help – be it for a fundraising event, or washing up after morning tea.  His assistance is always very much appreciated.  

Qualifications: He lives with disability daily and also supports his wife with disability. He enjoys many Aurora activities. Chris is a DSOA Participant.  

Committee Member (since 2003; Participant since 1998)

Matthew has a long history with Aurora, and prior to his commencement knew many Aurora Participants from his school years.   

Matthew attends a range of programs, and very much enjoys the variety of activities provided. In previous years Matthew has actively undertaken hospitality training and was a valued crew member at the Old Chapel Tea Rooms. In more recent years Matthew has enjoyed programs at Mill Lane.  

He is a great ambassador for the Organisation, often undertaking the role of spokesman at in-house events. Matthew has often supported our fundraising efforts, offering assistance where he can.  

Qualifications: He lives with disability daily. He enjoys many Aurora programs and activities. He is an NDIS Participant.  

Committee Member (since 2010; Participant since 2010)

Until a few years ago David resided in his own unit in Glenorchy but when his health and wellbeing deteriorated he moved into a supported residential with Li-ve Tasmania. He attended Snug Special School then worked at Tahune enterprises in the Huon run by Oakdale Services.

David has been attending Aurora for a number of years, and undertakes a range of activities within the Cottage Craft Industry and hospitality training. He also enjoys Club Tea nights, the Aurora Karaoke Dance, and is a respected member of the Committee of Management, serving as both Junior Vice President and as a Committee of Management member.  

Qualifications: He lives with disability daily. He attends many Aurora activities, travelling from Kingston to attend. He is an NDIS participant.