Port Macquarie Hastings Team
A dedicated team of professionals committed to
delivering excellence in Early Childhood Intervention.
Early Connections offers education, therapy and support for children and their families.
We believe all children and families can learn, play and connect with the community.
Our team can meet with your child at school or child care to support your child’s inclusion.
Allison White
Manager Port Macquarie-Hastings
Allison joined Early Connections as Manager in 2023. She has a long term affiliation with the organisation having served on the Management Committee and being a parent of a child who attended the service.
With both personal and professional experience with disability, Allison brings a unique lens to the organisation.
A background in health informatics within NSW Health exposed Allison to an ever-changing landscape of IT, health and management. Allison became a parent expert in the NDIS world navigating the early scheme with her third child. This experience led to a career in disability and management.
Having grown up in Port Macquarie Allison looks forward to supporting local families through education, therapy and supports.
Allison works alongside the Port Macquarie Management Committee who volunteer their time to contribute to the Alliance with knowledge, expertise, advice and leadership.
Anne Tutt
Teacher
Diploma of Primary Education
Tiare Lanser
Senior Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Tiare has a particular interest in feeding therapy and helping children with Autism. She returned to Port Macquarie in 2020 after working in Queensland, for disability services and in private practice. Tiare loves helping children have a voice and achieve their goals.
Shannon Frost
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Shannon has worked as an Allied Health Assistant at a paediatric disability service. She sees communication both verbal and non–verbal as a big part of our everyday life and our identity. Shannon has trained with Sue Larkey in positive behaviour management.
Jessica Ramsay
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Jessica enjoys forming strong connections with each child and working collaboratively with families to help each child reach their communication goals and enhance their confidence.
Bianca Stroh
Occupational Therapist
Master of Occupational Therapy
Bianca joins the team from Melbourne where she worked in the aged care sector as well as in community health and home visiting. She loves helping children participate in play, social engagement, self care and their community.
Tenille Jordan
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Tenille has worked in private practice and UK schools developing a literacy program. She loves helping others and finds it incredibly rewarding to support children and make a difference in their speech, language, literacy and overall communication.
Paige Leishman
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Student
Paige is studying Occupational Therapy at CSU Port Macquarie. A qualified swim teacher at Port Macquarie Olympic pool, Paige brings her skills from swim teaching, as well as experience working with children to ensure that they find joy and meaning within their daily lives.
Tenneal Calcutt
Senior Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Occupational Therapy
Tenneal has worked across not for profit, government and private practice in the pediatric and disability sector. She has additional training in DIR Floortime, Traffic Jam in my Brain, SPARKS Communication, So Safe, Key Worker and Brian Hoare CP Training.
Diana Smith
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Occupational Therapy
Diana enjoys working with families to achieve their unique and personal goals in activities that are meaningful to them.
Sue Campbell
Senior Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Sue has 22 years experience as a paediatric physiotherapist. Sue enjoys helping children achieve motor milestones and devising user friendly programs for families to slip into their daily routines. She is creative with everyday routines that can be used as developmental opportunities.
Elise Jenkins
Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Bio coming soon!
Jessica Hart
Therapy Assistant
Certificate 4 Allied Health Assistant
With previous experience as a registered nurse and midwife Jessica will work closely with our Senior Physiotherapist and is looking forward to meeting lots of great kids and their families, making physio fun and supporting families in a variety of locations.
Bronwyn Woods
Administrator
Finance & Accounting
Joanne Middlebrook
Early Childhood Intervention Teacher
Diploma in Teaching
With 30 years experience in early childhood Joanne enjoys her work as a key worker supporting families and building the skills of children in their home, education and community settings. Jo helps local educators develop inclusive practices and skills and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice.
Meg Moss
Early Childhood Intervention Teacher
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Meg joins us with 30 years experience as an Early Childhood teacher in Preschool, Long Day Care, Early Intervention and Playgroups. Meg enjoys the diverse challenges that arise and the collaboration to solve problems with the child, family and work colleagues. She also loves to see the smile on a child’s face when they achieve their goals.
