Executive Team

RALPH SOUTHALL
Chairperson

  As the newly elected Chairperson of Carewest, I bring four decades of dedication to Western Australia’s community-based early childhood education and care sector. I am the Director of Moolanda Care and Learning Centre Inc., a stand-alone, not-for-profit early childhood hub, and have spent my entire career championing this unique and vital model of service. Beginning my journey in OSHC at age 15 and later moving into long day care, I completed an Associate Diploma of 

SARA HINCHLEY
Vice Chairperson

Sara works for Gowrie WA as the Executive Lead – People, Places and Partnerships 

Sara holds extensive experience working across various roles and jurisdictions (WA & NT) within the Early Childhood sector including international experience. Serving on the Carewest Committee for the past 3 years Sara brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the membership.

Shelli Richards

Secretary

Shelli is the Secretary of the Carewest Executive Committee. She completed a Bachelor of Education (Teaching Birth–8 Years) in New Zealand in 2010 and has dedicated her career to delivering high-quality education and care. Her experience spans Kindergarten teaching, Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) coordination, operational leadership and governance within the community-managed sector. Passionate about strengthening community-managed, not-for-profit education and care serv

GABRIELLE CROSSE

Treasurer

Gabrielle has spent the past 20 years working with children and young people supporting their learning through one on one and small group sessions.  She has also coached and mentored families of children with ADHD and on the autism spectrum along with developing and facilitating support groups.  In both the private and not for profit sectors, Gabrielle has worked in centre based care, family day care and outside of school hours care.

Leah Bie - Regional Portfolio

Operations Manager- REED

I have worked in early childhood education and care since 2001, including 17 years as a Centre Director.
Driven by a passion for inclusion, I believe every child deserves the best start in life. I am committed to creating quality programs and environments that support children’s development during their critical early years, setting them up for success at school and beyond.
I stive to empower , upskill and provide tools for my team to be able 

Doreen Blyth
General Executive Member

Doreen has an extensive history in professional practice leadership, quality assessment and guidance, sector-wide and centre policy development. A former Centre Director of large and small, early and middle childhood services, Doreen has also led networks and communities of practice for Educational Leaders and fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals. Doreen worked as Principal Policy Officer – Children’s Services for the WA Government