YSAS Executive
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Chief Executive OfficerPaul Bird is Chartered Accountant with a Masters in Community Development, Paul has 26 years with not-for-profits and businesses, working with young people, families and communities in UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Over the last 16 years in Australia, Paul has managed finance/operations (Brotherhood of St Laurence, The Body Shop, Australian Red Cross Blood Service), CEO/Director (Very Special Kids, Mission Australia-Victoria), Program Resourcing Manager (World Vision). A Williamson fellow, married with three children, Paul served on Hanover’s Board for 10 years. Alongside experience working with vulnerable young people, Paul has expertise in governance, risk, strategy, policy, corporate partnerships, government and fundraising. |
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Director, Business OperationsPhil Hodgson (B.Bus Accounting, B. Computing) joined YSAS in 2000, bringing over ten years’ management experience in finance, information technology, project management and business administration. Phil began his corporate accounting career in the manufacturing and sales sectors. After working in an accounting role for a UK retail chain, Phil returned to Australia and moved to the not-for-profit sector. He worked with a funding agency that sponsored work placements for young people not undertaking tertiary study, followed by a financial management role within the Commonwealth Government. |
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Director, ServicesAndrew Bruun (ADCW, BSW, Dip AOD Work, Hon Fellow, Dept Psychiatry, Uni of Melb) has been working with high-risk adolescents for over 20 years and was a founding member of the YSAS implementation team. Andrew’s early work was with the Federal Government Community Rehabilitation Services Youth Independence Unit in Brisbane where he implemented and conducted rehabilitation programs for young people with mental health and developmental issues. Prior to working with YSAS he spent six years (two of them as Co-Director) developing and managing the Youth Program at Task Force Community Agency in Melbourne’s inner-south. The Youth Program was one of only three Victorian alcohol and other drug services catering specifically for adolescents. Andrew is recognised as a pioneer in this highly specialised and emerging field.Over time, Andrew has had a key role in several workforce development and research initiatives in the adolescent alcohol and other drug and complex needs areas. He has been instrumental in developing high quality resources and publications for those providing direct services in this field. He is credited with developing the original blueprint for what is now YSAS in a position paper that was submitted to the Victorian Premier’s Drug Advisory Council. |
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Director, ServicesPeter Wearne has over 30 years’ experience in dealing with problems affecting young people, particularly those who are marginalised. In 1981, Peter founded and managed St Kilda Youth Services and he has been with YSAS since its inception in 1997. Peter has a particular interest in working with police to improve their response to young people who have alcohol, drug and criminal issues.Peter has been an advisor to various state governments. He was a member of the Victorian Police Youth Advisory Committee from 1998 to 2004 and a member of the Victorian Premier’s Drug Prevention Council from 2001 to 2007. He has been Chair of the Yarra Drug and Health Forum since 2004 and Vice-President of the Trust for Young Australians since 1998. |
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Director, ServicesIpsita Wright (MSW, BSW, Diploma of Facilitatory Management, Diploma AOD, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training, Cert IV) has been working with vulnerable young people for over 13 years and has particular interest in working with CALD communities and the criminal justice system. Ipsita joined YSAS in 1999 after working in local government for three years and has worked in a management/leadership and direct service capacity. Ipsita has developed and implemented many programs and projects at YSAS including the Southern Region Day Program, Centralised Database System and the Connection for ‘At Risk’ Young People Assertive Outreach Program. Ipsita has a history of developing strong collaborative working relationships with others including Youth Justice, Vic Police, Local Government and other AOD and welfare service providers. Ipsita is member of many youth advisory groups and has a strong commitment to workforce development and staff supervision. |
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Director, Health SystemsLynn Exton (RN, RM, MRCNA, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training, BHSc, MPHC) is a registered nurse and midwife with over 30 years nursing experience - 15 years midwifery, including 8 years neonatal intensive care and 2 years adolescent psychiatry. Lynn also holds qualifications in Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Counselling, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Critical Incident Debriefing; and has worked in private practice as a Natural Therapist for 20 years. Lynn specialises in private practice in Psychonutrition, and has extensive lecturing experience in this subject. |
