2006-2007 Annual Report - Disability Services Commission

1.2 Operational Structure
DIRECTOR, COUNTRY SERVICES COORDINATION
Ms Robyn Massey (acting Director, Country Services Coordination, from
November 2006) joined the Commission as a Regional Manager in the Lower Great
Southern in 1994. Prior to this, she was an administrator with the Department of
Training. Ms Massey has a strong connection with regional WA and an
understanding of issues, having spent 20 years living and working in a range of
locations around the State. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree.
DIRECTOR, METROPOLITAN SERVICES COORDINATION
Dr Angus Buchanan (acting Director, Metropolitan Services Coordination) has
worked in both health and disability services in Australia, New Zealand and England.
After initially working in community-based occupational therapy, for the past 14
years he has worked at the Commission in the areas of professional standards, policy
and program development, rural and remote service development, Local Area
Coordination and Disability Professional Services. He holds a Doctorate of Business
Administration which investigated empowerment for families of people with
disabilities.
DIRECTOR, POLICY, PLANNING AND INFORMATION
Ms Jenni Perkins has had broad experience in social policy and community
development across non-government, local government and State Government
sectors. She joined the organisation in 1992 just prior to the formation of the
Disability Services Commission. Ms Perkins has direct care experience in the
disability sector and holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy. She has extensive
experience in cross-jurisdictional negotiations on disability policy and funding.
DIRECTOR, SERVICE PURCHASING AND DEVELOPMENT
Ms Penny Bird has a background in occupational therapy, won a Churchill
Fellowship to study seating systems overseas, and has 14 years experience at The
Centre for Cerebral Palsy (formerly Cerebral Palsy Association of WA). She was
Manager of Children’s Services at TCCP for nine years and was responsible for
implementing the transition from centre-based therapy support to family-centred,
community-based approaches and centre-based respite to community-based
responses. Ms Bird is the former President of the national and local branches of
Early Childhood Intervention Australia. Since 2000, she has contributed to work at a
national level of resource allocation and government procurement of human services.
Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2006–2007 13