Hi, my name is Jade, and I am currently the Acting General Manager of Child and Family Services at Royal Far West (RFW). Child and Family Services include our Paediatric Developmental Program (PDP) and our NDIS services.
PDP is a multidisciplinary assessment program for country children with developmental needs. It helps children and families from rural and remote areas who require a wraparound approach to care and assessment and is designed for those that do not have access specialist services and support in their area. Children and families can attend this program on site in Manly at our Center for Country Kids (CCK), in-community and/or via tele-health. We work with local schools and services to support families, and use telecare wherever possible to support, review and provide ongoing therapy.
Our NDIS programs support Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Participants. Clients can access these programs in their home, school and community via telehealth or onsite at CCK for our immersive therapy weeks. We work in partnership with families to develop integrated, high quality therapeutic solutions that meet the needs and goals of the child.
Our team of experienced health professionals specialise in child development, trauma-informed practice, and the holistic assessment and management of complex child health needs.
What does your role involve?
My role plays a key role in shaping how we support children and their families, now and into the future. Leading programs and supporting our teams across all Child and Family Services. This includes a large team of about 60 clinical staff including paediatricians, psychiatrists, allied health and nursing staff who specialise in working with children and their families.
My role has a strong focus on care, safety, and sustainability, helping to ensure our services meet the needs of children and families while aligning with Royal Far West’s broader goals and strategy.
A lot of the role involves working alongside many areas of the organisation – our Fundraising, Advocacy and Marketing Team, partnerships, Royal Far West School, onsite services team and operational team- raising money and awareness, supporting our families onsite and ensuring that everything runs smoothly- as well as with external partners and communities. These are always opportunities to listen, learn and continually improve- so that every child and family we support has the best possible opportunity to thrive.
How long have you been with RFW?
I have been with the organisation coming up to 15 years. I started at RFW as a social worker on the PDP before progressing into various leadership and management roles.
What led you to work at RFW?
I have always had a passion and desire to work with children and their families. RFW is in such an iconic location on Manly beach front I was familiar with the charity. After I completed my social work degree, I was interested in the work RFW was doing supporting children and families who did not have access to services in their local communities. I felt connected to the mission and the values of the charity.
I have seen the charity and programs change and grow overtime to meet growing demands, changing contexts and opportunities. I feel very privileged to have been able to work as a clinician on the program I am now leading.
Can you describe your typical day?
My day is a balance of big‑picture thinking and staying close to our teams and services. I work with the Executive Leadership Team to shape strategy, provide leadership across child and family services, and ensure our care is safe, sustainable, and impactful. I spend time supporting teams, reviewing performance and funding, strengthening partnerships, and advocating for the health and wellbeing of children and families, while always looking for ways we can improve, innovate, and grow.
What do you love about working with families from rural and remote Australia?
What I love most is the opportunity to learn from families who come from such diverse backgrounds, cultures, and communities. Every family brings their own story, strengths, and perspectives, and it’s a privilege to listen, learn, and work alongside them.
I’m continually inspired by the resilience that rural and remote families demonstrate, often while navigating significant adversity. Despite facing distance, limited services, and fewer resources, families show incredible determination in advocating for their children and supporting their wellbeing.
Families in rural and remote areas also experience distinct challenges, including reduced access to healthcare, education, and specialist supports. Working with these families creates meaningful opportunities for Royal Far West to think differently, innovate, and develop creative solutions that respond to their realities. Seeing the genuine impact this work can have on children’s development and family wellbeing is deeply motivating.
Above all, it’s the strength, generosity, and trust of the families we work with that makes this work so rewarding.
What do you think makes RFW unique?
I think what makes Royal Far West truly unique is the way we combine deep clinical expertise with a genuine belief in our mission — to improve the health and wellbeing of children living in rural and remote communities. I see a strong commitment to equity across the organisation, and a shared understanding that families’ needs, strengths, and circumstances should always come first.
I’m proud of the way we work in a kind and supportive way, taking a true wrap‑around approach with families. From our clinical teams to the RFW School, recreation program, and operations and onsite services, I see a consistent passion and commitment to working together to make a difference.
I also believe RFW’s long history of innovation sets us apart. We’re willing to think differently, adapt our models of care, and find creative solutions to overcome distance and access barriers. For me, it’s this combination of purpose, people, and innovation — along with the trust families place in us — that makes RFW so special and allows us to support children to thrive, no matter where they live.
Where’s your country? – Where do you feel most connected to?
I live on Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches in Narrabeen, which sits on Gai‑mariagal Country. This area has long been a place of deep cultural significance, particularly around Narrabeen Lagoon and the surrounding coastline.
I also spent a lot of time in the Northern Rivers when I was younger, particularly around Byron Bay, and I have family connections there. This area is on Bundjalung Country, specifically the lands of the Arakwal people, and it’s a place I continue to feel strongly connected to.
As a family, we spend a lot of time at the beach, and it’s where I feel most connected, calm, and at peace. Being near the ocean helps me feel grounded and deeply connected to place.
Can you share some career highlights from your time at RFW?
One of my greatest highlights at RFW has been the opportunity to lead and support a highly skilled, passionate, multidisciplinary team who truly believe in our mission. Working alongside people who are deeply committed to equity for children and families, particularly those living in rural and remote communities, has been both inspiring and humbling.
I’ve been proud to play a role in strengthening the lives of children and families — supporting greater understanding, building capacity, and contributing to improved wellbeing through services that are responsive, kind, and grounded in a genuine wrap‑around approach. Seeing how thoughtful, family‑centred care can create meaningful and lasting impact has been incredibly rewarding.
Another highlight for me has been helping drive innovation and continuous improvement across our services. Whether it’s adapting models of care, finding creative solutions to overcome access and distance barriers, or strengthening quality and sustainability, it’s been fulfilling to see our work evolve in response to families’ needs and changing landscapes.
Being able to visit some of the communities we work with has been especially powerful. Spending time on Country, meeting families and local partners, and seeing firsthand the resilience and strengths of rural and remote communities brings our purpose to life and continually reinforces why this work matters so deeply to me.
Above all, my time at RFW has been defined by shared purpose — collaborating with dedicated people, the privilege that comes with listening to families sharing their stories, and contributing to an organisation that genuinely puts children and families at the centre of everything it does.