Our Staff
Paula Callaghan
Hello, my name is Paula Callaghan and I have been working as one of the job-share Community Development Coordinators at Benarrawa since April 2012. I have an undergraduate degree in Social Work and Social Policy and graduated in the year 2000 from University of Queensland and have over 20 years of working experience in a range of different organisational settings, with a love for using community development methodology to connect and build relationships. As soon as I graduated, I left Brisbane for solo travels though South-East Asia and then lived and worked overseas, predominantly in London, UK from 2001-2006. During my time overseas, I primarily worked in statutory social work settings – child protection, fostering and then adoption services. It was good albeit intense work experience as a newly graduated social worker, however it was clear to me early on that this area of social work was not for me due to it not being in line with my values and practice framework. Through this formational time, I was privileged enough to learn many things about myself, the world and the people who live in it, via travelling as much as I could through parts of South-East Asia, UK, Europe, USA and Africa.
Since returning to Australia in early 2007, I have been fortunate enough to land myself back into the community sector where my heart belongs - implementing intentional community development initiatives here in Brisbane at various organisations – Community Living Association (Youth Support Coordinator), Albert Park Flexible Learning Centre (Community Development Officer with BCC) and Benarrawa CDA. Over these years at Benarrawa, I have seen the attendance at the Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity groups’ annual events increase as community awareness of the many issues affecting First Nations peoples has grown. To be a part of organising these events and closely involved in project work alongside First Nations’ cultural workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders is a great privilege. Currently, our auspice groups are thriving with the community and reconciliation gardens being a wonderful asset and beautiful to work in amongst. My passions include creating safe spaces for people and groups to work alongside each other, in solidarity.
An important aspect of my work-life balance is the flexible nature of Benarrawa, where I can bring my strengths to the table and also be present to my small family’s (my partner Andrei and our two children) ever changing needs. Working part-time also enables me to explore other interests and passions - writing, reading, dancing (I’m a member of the winning Southside Rock Eistedford Team where we perform each year as part of the Brisbane festival), bike riding, bushwalking, ocean swimming and spending time out in community and nature with friends and family. I’m keen to see how I can contribute to other organisations in the years to come and to share the love of and my own experiences of community development.
I look forward to welcoming you to Benarrawa whenever you are able to drop in, or maybe see you with a cuppa at one of our annual events or in some of the project work we do. This work cannot happen without your support. Thank you for letting me and others who work here be a part of your life and I hope we can, together, continue to do the important, intentional community development work here at Benarrawa.
John Maume
Hello, I’m John Maume and I have had the privilege of working in the communities sector for over 20 years both in Australia and overseas. This has included work in the disabilities, aged care, community development, and foreign aid sectors as well as periods as a TESOL teacher and for the last 15 years as a part-time Spanish translator.
I grew up and did all my formal education here in the western suburbs of Brisbane. After high school I chose to study Business Communications at QUT which I enjoyed immensely but never really fitted into my future plans. After a short period working in Public Relations, I travelled to Europe for a year and it was there that I discovered by passion for community work after volunteering with a homeless organization in Dublin, Ireland. Upon returning to Brisbane I launched into TAFE studies in Disabilities as a launching point for my new career. I eventually ended up leaving Australia again for a number of years to live, volunteer and work with various organizations and projects in western Europe and Central America.
Upon returning in 2012, I was offered the opportunity to undertake some flood recovery project work with Benarrawa through Kerry Woodrow – a long time Benarrawa worker and university friend of mine. And so, over the last decade, I have been fortunate to be part of the Benarrawa Community Development Association team, continuing the local community development tradition that has been a part of the the Chelmer-Oxley area and surrounds for over 35 years.
This work brings opportunities to be involved in many diverse areas from individual support with people facing day-to-day challenges in their lives to sitting alongside traditional custodians as they work to preserve and promote their language and culture for the benefit of all Australians. I am grateful for all the opportunities, knowledge and relationships that my work with Benarrawa has brought me and I always look forward to new adventures and projects.
When I am not working , I am kept occupied by my 4 children and Spanish wife doing such things as bush walking, canoeing and bike riding.
Sandiellen Black
Hello my name is Sandiellen Black and I have been the Community Development Project Worker at Benarrawa since November 2016. I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the Benarrawa community on a wide variety of projects including community engagement, quality management, youth leadership and strengthening neighbourly connections through reaching out to residents in their homes.
I have a Bachelor of Social Work from University of NSW and began work as a sole community development worker in a Neighbourhood Centre in western Sydney, where I grew up. This inspired my passion for supporting individuals, families and communities to make choices and implement change at a personal, community and systemic level by building on their strengths and resources. I have over 30 years’ experience working across a range of community sectors including mental health, family support, childbirth education and maternity reform, community development and disability.
Each Tuesday and sometimes Thursday’s, I really look forward to coming to Benarrawa to work alongside John and Paula, to develop and maintaining relationships with local community members around areas of interest/projects, and to be inspired to implement the strategic directions and practice framework of Benarrawa.
On other days you can find me at St Andrews Private Hospital in Ipswich, or offering facilitated planning and group supervision to NDIS participants and their families or human service workers.
Outside of work I really enjoy spending time with my partner, Doug and our 4 teenage and young adult children, particularly bushwalking and camping! There’s also nothing like a good audible book!
I look forward to meeting you soon!