I live on a farm in Norong Vic, outskirts of Wangaratta. I love living on a farm with all the animals. We have sheep, cows, chickens and dogs. I’m currently learning to sheer sheep. I would describe myself as someone with a heart of gold. I am kind, caring, respectful, patient, supportive and compassionate. I always put others first and I have a great sense of humour.

I love spending time with my family and friends, taking my dog for a walk down the river, cooking, travelling, photography and digital design. I enjoy volunteer work and helping my community. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a disability support worker. I wanted to do something that helps people, especially those living with disabilities. Growing up with cousins with disabilities I have grown an understanding and have lots of experience.

Hi, I’m Benjamin Allen (Ben). I’m a Team Leader at NECS. This allows me to work with our wonderful and dedicated office staff. I also provide 1:1 supports with our lovely participants in the community.

A little about me… I’m a full-time single parent and have been privileged to watch my 16-year-old boy grow into the beautiful young man he is today. We are both members of the Wangaratta Archers Club, where my son has seen much success. I was proud to watch him come 3’d in an international competition called Oceania. This is a competition between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. I’m also an accredited coach at the club and enjoy the pleasure of training our new and aspiring World Cup Archers.

My attention was first drawn to support services when my son and I began engaging with the Wellbeing team at school. My son has ADHD and struggled with emotional regulation and anxiety when he was younger. I was very impressed with the work the Wellbeing team did and various other professionals that engaged with him. The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is true if you have the right team and even 1 trusted person can make a huge difference in someone’s life. I am proud to say that I work at NECS and can confidently state that if you want a high level of quality care, NECS is the right provider for you

I grew up in rural Melbourne and decided to move to Wangaratta 3 years ago to be close to my family and friends. There are so many beautiful areas to explore on my bike, I especially love the mountains and wide-open spaces. I love going on long motorbike trips exploring the country on my Harley but also enjoy my down time and spending time with my kids.

Through Ne Core Supports I have the privilege to see both sides of the business as a support worker and now as the administration officer. I enjoy both aspects as I love connecting with people, bringing fun to their day (even though most of the time they bring fun to mine) and helping people work towards their goals.

I grew up in the area and then moved to Melbourne to complete high school as well as a trade in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing. I moved back here as this is where I love living. I’ve always had a passion for helping people as I have a sister who has Autism and seeing the struggles she had to go through at a young age, I wanted to help any way I could. I was nervous leaving the trade sector to pursue a career in support work, but my partner helped me make the jump, so I gave it a crack, it has been the best decision I have ever made.

My favourite thing about this sector is that I get to meet so many different people and hear their stories. Mental health is very important to me, I’ll always offer a listening ear and shoulder to lean on. I am a very happy person always with a smile on my face. I’m always up for a chat and love a good dad joke. I enjoy camping, fishing, sports, 4×4 driving and being outdoors, gaming when I get a chance and spending time with my family playing cards and exploring with them.

I moved up to the Northeast about 10 years ago. I am a man of many hats (chef, sommelier, travel agent, tour guide, peer support worker). I have just completed my Diploma in Community Services Mental Health. I have also completed studies in Youth Mental Health First Aid training. I am a certified Trauma Informed Care Coach and LGBTQIA+ Coach.

I spend a lot of time out in nature by the river, taking in the wildlife. I am a novice in role playing games such as D&D, magic & Hero Quest. I also spent quite a bit of time volunteering within the community. I would describe myself as a Mental Health advocate, I’m empathetic, caring, compassionate, non-judgemental. I love using my capacity building skills to assist participants in achieving their goals.

I have worked with NECS for over 2 years and I love it. Being a peer support worker is rewarding. If I can make a positive impact in just one person’s life, then that makes me happy. Educating people about mental health and disability related issues is very important to me. It is essential to get rid of the ‘stigma’ from society.

Hey I’m Lacey! I’m 21 years old and have lived in Wangaratta my whole life. I live out on a farm with over 60 horses, as my family are in the racing industry. I have always loved living on a farm from a young age.

I have a 3-year-old Dachshund named Arlo who I absolutely adore. In my spare time I love to go horse riding, camping, fishing and spending time with my partner and family. I am very excited and grateful to change career paths and get into disability support work. I’m very caring and a down-to-earth person who connects easily with others. I’m patient, supportive and always willing to listen.

I enjoy helping people in any way I can as I have a grandmother who is completely blind and seeing her struggle in her day-to-day life, I knew I had to get out there and help all other people living with disabilities, to try and make a difference in someone else’s life.

Hi, I’m Lauren Powell, a Disability Support Worker who was born and bred in Wangaratta. Being part of this community means a lot to me, and I love supporting people to live full, meaningful lives right here at home. I’m also a qualified photographer, a mum of two and a proud animal lover. When I get a bit of downtime, you’ll usually find me at the gym or unwinding with a good video game.

My journey into the NDIS space began when I started helping my partner’s bookkeeping and admin as an NDIS Physiotherapy practice. What started as admin quickly turned into a genuine passion for the NDIS and the incredible impact the right support can have on people’s lives. That experience inspired me to take the next step and study Disability Support Work, turning my interest into a career truly care about. I’m passionate, approachable, and dedicated to providing supportive, respectful, and person-centred care – helping individuals build confidence, independence, and enjoy the things that matter most to them.

Hi I’m Mary, a dedicated and compassionate support worker with a genuine passion for empowering others. With a warm smile and a keen eye for detail, I bring both professionalism and a personal touch to every individual I support. My approach is all about fostering independence, confidence and wellbeing, while always keeping things approachable and engaging.

I thrive on building meaningful connections, understanding that every person’s needs and goals are unique. Whether it’s providing practical support, advocating for my clients, or simply being a trusted companion, I approach every task with patience, creativity and a sense of humour that makes even challenging days brighter.

Outside of my professional role, l am constantly learning and growing, staying up to date with best practices and adapting to innovate approaches in disability support. My ultimate goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of those I support, helping them live life to the fullest – one meaningful moment at a time.

I have lived in Wangaratta all of my life. I enjoy being outdoors, diamond art, reading and watching movies. I am very close with my family and love spending as much time as possible with them. Growing up with a family member who had a disability and was wheelchair bound for most of his life, he was still able to do most things for himself and maintained his independence. From this I learnt that even if you have a disability, with the right support, you can still do things for yourself.

This why I love doing my job as I help participants to continue to live independently and reach their goals. I am privileged to watch them grow. I am a very good listener, am caring and loyal to my family and friends. I have worked with NECS since 2022, during this time I have completed my Diploma in Community Services. I enjoy my role here and have made some great friends along the way.