Gina Dougall

Gina Dougall is the Manager at Banksia Gardens Community Centre and has been for the past 9 years. Gina is a mother of three children and lives in Pascoe Vale. She enjoys exercise, playing tennis, watching her beloved Saints (AFL), reading books and travelling. Gina enjoys organising new programs and working in partnership with other community organisations. She loves her position and loves the staff at Banksia Gardens.

Samantha Donaldson

Samantha Donaldson is the Administration Manager and has been part of the Banksia Gardens team for the past 9 years. She commenced at Banksia Gardens as a work for the dole participant, expanding her skills through completion of Certificates III and IV in Business Administration and now coordinates everything in the office. Outside of Banksia Gardens, Samantha has been an Associate Teacher of Dance for over 12 years and has performed throughout Australia and in Los Angeles in the US. Samantha and her husband live in Glenroy and are the new parents of a baby boy.

Natasha Harby

Natasha Harby came to Banksia Gardens originally as a Work for the Dole participant 7 years ago. The staff at Banksia Gardens were so impressed, that she was given part-time employment as the Administration Assistant. Natasha continues to work part-time at Banksia Gardens. She has recently completed her Certificate III in Business Administration. Her daughter Kiara Lily was born in February 2006. Natasha lives in Meadow Heights with her family.

Sitki Esenyel

Sitki Esenyel is 30 and has been a teacher for four years, including the past 1.5 years at Banksia Gardens. Sitki enjoys bushwalking, boogie boarding and reading, particularly books about religion and philosophy. He describes his teaching style as dynamic and flexible. He is currently teaching eight young people at Banksia Gardens. Sitki was married this year and lives in Maribyrnong. He would love to see the VCAL program at Banksia Gardens grow even bigger.

Fusun Gumus

Fusun Gumus has been involved in playgroups for over 11 years. She was the president of a playgroup in Meadow Heights where she was a volunteer committee member. She then went on to facilitate the Hume Parent Advisory group for nearly 3 years. Fusun has been employed in the role of Hume Playgroup Development Officer and works closely with Linda Franco. Fusun lives in Hume and has three school aged children. She has a passion for travelling, and does so often with her family. 

Miriam Johnson

Miriam Johnson has been training students in computers for almost 10 years, with the past 5 years at Banksia Gardens Community Centre. She started her working life as a nurse and has extensive experience in the community sector. As a nurse Miriam had little knowledge of computers. She trained as a programmer and was opened to the amazing potential of computers through working in the community on a number of projects. Miriam strongly believes her two fields are not so disparate as good health is about connectedness and computers are a way for people to connect. She looks forward to meeting many more new people and introducing them to computers and easing their transition into the cyber world.

Nick Mac Hale

Nick Mac Hale is the Community Connections Project Manager and joined the Banksia Gardens team in February 2010. He has worked in the community sector for the past 3 years after moving to Australia from Ireland. Nick enjoys participating in a range of sports including soccer, rugby and running. His favourite part of working at Banksia is the great people he meets and works with everyday.

Bridget Kelly

Bridget started at Banksia in April 2009 as the coordinator of the PRSIM10 project (YADI) and in 2010 has begun a new era at Banksia, working 3 days a week on the Our City Our Voice Project as well as running PRISM10. “Our City Our Voice” involves; Hume Youth Action Group, Human Rights and Youth Forums, Sports Programs, Social Events and Education and Employment Pathways. Bridget is currently completing a Masters in Social Work. She has a strong interest and belief in social justice, human rights and grass roots community development. She has so far found Banksia to be a great environment in which to both work and learn and is inspired by the diverse and inspiring community she gets to work and form relationships with. Bridget has various interests, including literature, film, soccer, travel, music and writing.

Jaime de Loma-Osorio

Jaime's first association with Banksia was as a volunteer tutor while he was working for Hume City Council. Since his first day as a volunteer, he thoroughly enjoyed the centre's atmosphere. Jaime currently works full time as Banksia's Community Development Coordinator / Banksia Eco Warriors Coordinator. As part of his job, he is also responsible for the Banksia Gardens Study Group and for other exciting projects such as the Stand Up and Be Counted funded by Amnesty International Australia. Jaime's interests are quite diverse and include social and environmental issues, science and languages. He is also a dedicated runner and most importantly, the proud father of a baby boy born in late September 2007.