Our Team
Meet our team who are working with Australia’s First Peoples by inspiring and promoting self-determination through education, health and employment.
Brett Fragiacomo - Executive Officer
Brett original from Victoria and now lives on the Sunshine Coast.
Brett comes to Seed Foundation Australia with over 18 years experience in community services and development, in the areas of Sport and Recreation, Health and Fitness, Youth and Primary Health with in Local Government, not for profit and private sector organisations across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Brett's most recent role was Acting General Manager with North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health on the Sunshine Coast. Prior to that, Brett spent four years with East Arnhem Regional Council in the Northern Territory and nine years with the Australian Football League.
Brett is passionate about seeing people achieve their full potential and "close the gap," particularly in the areas of health and education.
Rick Phineasa - Operational Manager North Queensland
Rick Phineasa is of Torres Strait Islander heritage. His mother is from Murray Island in the eastern Torres Straits and my father is from Mabuiag (Jervis) Island in the western Torres Straits. Rick was raised in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait community of Bamaga in the Northern Peninsula Area in Cape York.
Rick has worked in the area of empowering Indigenous youths and families for the past 26 years. He is passionate about “closing the gap” of Cultural understanding in our society and assisting individuals and families to get the best of what they can out of life. Rick has worked for the Federal Government, State Government, private and Non for Profit, Education and Training sector, in various capacities.
Rick enjoys doing voluntary work in his community, especially with empowering and motivating indigenous people and preserving language and culture. Rick has joined the Seed team as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager in 2018t o open opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait ISlander students to pursue a career in health and social services.
Alicia Grantham - Operational Manager South Queensland
Alicia is honored to join this incredible team as the new Regional Operational Manager for South Queensland. As a proud Bidjara woman, I bring a deep connection to our cultural heritage and a commitment to uour community's growth and prosperity. Professionally, I come from a background of significant roles in South Australia.
I am particularly focused on the concept of "growing our own." I believe in the immense potential within our regional areas and am dedicated to nurturing and developing this talent. Working with students is one of my greatest joys. I am committed to giving them opportunities to strengthen their skills, inspire them to see their potential, and improve their future employment outcomes.
I am thrilled to be part of this team and look forward to collaborating with each of you to continue making a positive impact in our community.
Ian Gibbs - Business Development Employment Pathway's Apprentice & Trainees
Based in our Mooloolaba office. Ian is a Sunshine Coast local, born in Nambour and lives in Coolum Beach. A husband, a father of five and a grandfather of seven.
Ian has previous experience working in Group Training and 30+ years within the construction industries. He has also run his own businesses and developed his own (world first) garden tool, that he manufactures out of Kunda Park here on the Sunny Coast.
Ian has found his way back to Group Training and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
De'arne French - Administration Manager
De’arne French is from a little town south of Townsville called Ayr I am Aboriginal and South Sea Islander descent and a Traditional Owner of ‘Birri’ Country in north Queensland (between Townsville and Mackay).
De’arne has worked within education in North Queensland for over 20 years. De’arne is passionate about working with Indigenous students and families in achieving a positive or educational outcome.
De’arne joined the Seed team as an Engagement Manager in 2018 for the Townsville and Mackay region but is now the Administration Manager for Seed Foundation Australia and Seed Employment.
Chloe Hookey - Administration Coordinator
Chloe Hookey the Administration Coordinator at Seed Foundation Australia and Seed Employment. I am Townsville born and raised with connections to the land of the Waanyi and Ngadjon people.
My employment background is in administration working primarily across areas such as human resources (people services and recruitment) and learning and development (short-course/accredited training and apprenticeships/traineeships). I am thrilled to join Seed Foundation Australia, where I can play a role in fostering and witnessing the success of our First Nations youth in their employment and career pathways.
Kara O'Brien - Administration Officer
I am proud to be both Waanyi and Jingili. Born and raised in Mount Isa, I later moved to Townsville to complete my high school years. During this time, I completed multiple certificates, including Community Services, Health Services Assistance, and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care through Seed Foundation. This experience has fueled my passion to contribute to the education-to-employment journey of the next generation.
I find it incredibly rewarding to see our youth succeed in all areas, knowing they are gaining skills that can be applied not only in their home communities but also in others. This creates a lifetime of opportunities for them and their peers.
While my role in administration may be behind the scenes, I believe strong administrative support is the backbone of any thriving organisation.
Dolly Tardent - Pathways Support Officer (Far North Queensland - FNQ)
Dolly is a descendant of the Pau family lineage of Erub (Darnley Island) in the Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation in the Torres Strait Islands. Dolly has an extensive and impressive career working and advocating for Indigenous people of Far North Queensland.
Dolly started with Seed Foundation Australia on the 27th June and is based in Cairns.
Dolly brings a wealth of knowledge (notably building the capacity of workers in the health sector) and is excited to be working with the Seed Foundation Australia Team to further increase the capacity of Indigenous workers in the health sector.
Irene Kebisu - Pathways Support Officer (Far North Queensland- FNQ)
Introducing soon.
Sharon Phineasa - Pathways Support Officer (North Queensland - NQ)
Sharon Phineasa, is the Pathway Support Officer for Townsville. I am proud descendant of the Ait-Koedal (Crocodile) and Dhoeybaw (Wild Yam) clans of Dauan and Saibai Islands from the top Western Torres Strait.
Sharon is also passionate about empowering our youth to fulfil their potential by connecting them with pathways for personal, leadership and professional development. Whether it’s through education, training and employment opportunities, Sharon’s hopes are that our youth experience positive growth and gain the necessary skills & confidence they need to explore what life has to offer.
Working within education support for over a decade across Primary, Secondary and Tertiary areas, Sharon has provided wrap-around support to Indigenous students, walking alongside them to ensure their goals and aspirations are realised.
Jacinta Jones - Pathway Support Officer (North Queensland - NQ)
Jacinta Jones, is a Pathways Support Officer based in Townville and covers Palm Island, Ingham, Mt Isa & Ayr. I am a proud Aboriginal woman local to Townsville with ties to the Kalkadoon people in Cloncurry/Mount Isa in North West Queensland.
Although I come from a predominantly Employment background, helping our youth in the community is where my passion is.
As a parent, watching my children work towards their goals, and the barriers they overcame by finding the support they needed, and supporting them to succeed has motivated me to help and support our Indigenous youth, our next generation by empowering them to become Proud, Strong and Successful.
I am looking forward to my new position and using my skills and experience to help further educate the next generation as they transition into education, employment and succeeding in life.
Corrie Thompson - Pathways Support Officer (North Queensland - NQ)
Corrie Thompson is the Pathway Support Officer for the Mackay Region from Clermont to Bowen. I am a proud Indigenous man my mother's side is Garigal (Bungaree), Murro-ore-dial clan (Gooseberry) and his fathers side is Gamilaroi (Purcell) from New South Wales.
I was born in Coledale a Indigenous Community in Tamworth New South Wales and then raised in a small village outside Tamworth called Kootingal in Gamilaroi country. Mackay has been my home for the past 10 years.
I have come to Seed Foundation Australia with a long experience in Group Training, Unemployment agencies, Government tenders and programs, and also Service Australia (Centrelink). I am passionate about seeing people achieve their full potential and "closing the gap" in all areas.
Deb Turner - Pathways Support Officer (Central Queensland - CQ)
Introducing soon.
Brooke Jarvis - Pathway Support Officer (South East Queensland - SEQ)
Born and Raised in Western Sydney, NSW, Brooke now resides on the Sunshine Coast. Brooke identifies as Aboriginal from both the Darkinyung and Dharug Tribes that reside within the Region of the Blue Mountains, NSW.
Graduating Year 12, Brooke then went onto completing a Business Administration Certificate whilst in Full Time Employment for 3 years within the Recruitment and Labour Hire Industry as a Employment Consultant in the Blue Collar Sector. Brookes' current experience has been working as a Employment Consultant for the last 12+ Months in government and Indigenous Sectors.
Brooke really enjoys going to the beach, reading books, watching/listening to murder documentaries/podcasts, starting new hobbies before she finishes the last ones, shopping and cooking. Brooke joined the Seed Team Early December 2021. She is passionate about working with and assisting young Indigenous students in achieving a pathway plan for their future and setting them on the best path to a fulfilling future. Brooke is also passionate about utilising further education to assist them in achieving a clear indication of Future Employment within the Education and Health Industries.
Brooke goes by the fewing quotes:
"Learn from your mistakes"
"Treat People how you would like to be treated"
"Stay Positive, Work Hard and make it happen".
Leona Collins - Pathway Support Officer (South East Queensland - SEQ)
Introducing soon.
Jordyn McAlister - Pathway Support Officer (South East Queensland - SEQ)
Jordyn McAlister, is a Pathways Support Officer based in the South East QLD, West Moreton, and Darling Downs regions. I am a proud Australian woman with connections to various regions across Australia, including ties to indigenous communities in Darwin.
With a background in education and support work, I am deeply motivated and passionate about mentoring and advocating for the next generation and enabling them to be their best selves and making a difference in their lives, whether big or small.
I am excited about my new position and look forward to using my skills and experience to further educate in the areas of employment, education and life skills. Helping them to reach their full potential of being Successful, Proud Independent Individuals
Seed Foundation Australia. Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become health professionals.
ABN 29 606 459 947
VISIT
Townsville Office (NQ):
Suite 2A, Ground Floor, 313 – 315 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale, QLD, 4814
Sunshine Coast Office (SEQ):
Seapearl, 20 First Avenue, Office 10, Level 1, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557