Meet Our Team

We have 20+ staff on our team, all with a passion to help others have a life worth living. Meet a few...

Heather Thompson
Director
Heather is the founder and director of Life is Worth Living, bringing 30+ years of diverse work experience. With an academic background in health sciences specializing in aging and post-grad recreation, she applies health principles within a community development context. Since 2013, her drive, passion, and creative thinking have flourished through various roles in the disability sector. Her lived experiences add practical understanding to her work.

The business was born from Heather's core values and her recognition of life's preciousness. Witnessing the benefits of individual community-based activities and first-time experiences, she was inspired to help others build a life worth living. Embracing a culture of inclusion and respect, Heather is motivated to grow the business, reaching more people who can benefit from the personalized support her team offers.

Driven to make a positive difference, Heather strongly believes in mutual worthiness and inclusion. She aspires to foster a sense of equality within her team and for those they support, creating a community where everyone feels valued.

Heather's competency and dedication have earned her respect over the years. Her long-term goal is to create societal change through conscious contributions and responsibility, both personally and professionally. Her dedication to the community sector has enabled her to fulfill her dream of running an inclusive service. By encouraging those connected to Life is Worth Living and nurturing a team of like-minded staff, Heather supports people in leading fulfilling lives and following their dreams.

BAppSc (Physical Education)

PostGrad (Ageing & Recreation)

Deb
Administration Officer / Support Worker
I have worked in the Disability field for just under 5 years with a previous organization 
 as a Disability Support Worker, Admin & acting team leader.

Max
Peer Mentor

I work in parks and gardens and love being outdoors. I have a passion for restoring classic cars. Health and fitness is a keen interest of mine and I enjoy encouraging others to improve their overall wellbeing. Spending time with my family is important to me and going on long drives with some good music playing. I have a passion for helping people and believing in them to achieve and overcome whatever hurdles are in their way.

Ellie
Youth Mental Health

I'm passionate about youth mental health and people exploring their interests. I love assisting with study support and doing exciting outings such as Piano Bar, horse riding and musicals. I have great empathy and understanding as I have lived experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Peter
Peer Mentor

A retired professor and librarian. Peter has a BA in librarianship; a MAppSc in information studies; and a PhD in education. While his qualifications may be academic, he is empathetic in nature and committed to enriching lifestyle experiences and choices. Peter is an avid bike rider and uses his tandem to provide people with visual impairment the freedom to ride. He is acutely aware of how life challenges us, and he has a focus on lowering anxiety. Peter can also assist with writing and study-related tasks.

Jesse
Peer Mentor

I’m a kind and thoughtful individual who is passionate about assisting people to be their best and grow along the way, I am currently finishing a Diploma of Community Services Case Management and having been working in the field for over a year. In my free time I love anything to do with sports, music and creating different types of art. Being able to help individuals find their own passion while trying new things and exploring different opportunities within the community in my favourite part of the job.

Dot
Support Worker

I enjoy supporting individuals and helping them where they are at, to live their life as they want, and to achieve their goals. I am from a large sibling family of 11, in the past I have been a Sewing machinist, Printer by trade, and an inhouse foster carer for 10 years. My experience as a Foster carer involved supporting a child with Autism, and children with emotional needs and other disabilities. I am Qualified with a Certificate III in Age Care worked as an Age Carer with clients in their homes for 14 years. I have managed a soup kitchen for 3 years and continue to support a sister with disabilities and ongoing experience as a Disability support worker in my present role with Life Is Worth Living. In the last 5 years have enjoyed fishing, camping and boating Since I was young I have enjoyed all Sci-fi, from movies and tv series to collecting memorabilia.

Sharee
Support Worker/Assistance Dog Trainer

Animals, especially assistance dogs have always had a positive impact on helping me through life's challenges. I love nothing more than supporting others to achieve new goals and extend any of their perceived limitations. I have a strong love for all animals and am passionate about assistance animals increasing a person's independence. I am a qualified disability support worker and an assistance dog trainer sometimes combining the two in my sessions. I am caring and empathetic and bring with me genuine understanding due to my own lived experience.

Keith
Peer Mentor

I’m a support worker with many interests and talents including Photography,Cooking, Cycling and Walking by the water, l have an interest in providing photos of willing and approved participants in and around our great landscape in our local area and provide them with great memories for both them and their families. I am a Peer Mentor and have been working in the field for over 3 years. A previous employer was Public Transport Victoria where I was able to include, in my role as a senior member, emphasis on Disability assistance and Disability requirements on pubic transport around Victoria. I live in the Geelong local area and l pride myself on community engagement experiences throughout the region with participants.

Geoffrey
Expert Paper Shredder & PR Representative

Geoffrey was introduced to the Life Is Worth Living team a couple of years ago and is now also a part of our team where his role has extended into doing some promotional and office work. He assists us by providing valuable feedback from having lived experience and fits in well with the culture of our organistaion welcoming others into our support network to share the experiences with our team at The Nest.

Matt
Support Worker

I have been working in the disability support sector for over 12 months and have enjoyed assisting people to move towards their goals. This aligns with my work as a Bowen therapist, NLP coach and football trainer, helping people live out happier lives. I like being able to help others achieve their goals. I think it is very rewarding to help people grow and see them thrive doing what they love. I especially like assisting participants in accessing their passions, whether it be football, fishing, food, small business enterprises, shopping or being more social. I enjoy watching my kids play sports, taking photos, getting down to the beach each day, camping and great coffee.

Joanna
Support Worker

I am an enthusiastic, energetic and committed Mental Health and Community Service professional with 10+ years’ experience working under pressure in challenging disability, mental health and aged care environments. I hold a Diploma of Community Service, a Certificate IV in Mental Health and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Venezuela. I’m a proactive professional with proven experience delivering high quality, best practice assessment and treatment to individuals and children experiencing complex behavioural needs and overseeing behaviour supports according to the PBS Capability Framework. I have knowledge in art therapy, colour therapy, circle of personal fulfillment with the objective of planning and developing the different aspects or/or areas that life offers for our personal growth. Hardworking, physically fit and healthy professional with a positive attitude and the ability to build strong respectful relationships with all members of the community.

gracie_LIWLsite.jpg

Gracie
Peer Mentor

My name is Belinda Grace. I am a bubbly, outgoing person with loads of energy, empathy and patience. Working with clients with special attributes is my forte, and helping them to achieve their best selves is where I excel. Hardworking, honest, respectful, loyal and always ready to jump in to ensure that everything is as it should be. Excellent communication skills, time management and work equally as well in a team or independently. My jobs have ranged from working as an Integration Aide to a Communication Assistant for Deaf in both ASL and Auslan, to a SCUBA diving instructor, where I set up my own deaf diving business to ensure deaf were able to access the incredible underwater world also. After traveling the world and working in different countries: England, Honduras, Israel and America, I have now returned home. Currently, I am looking for a way to use all my skills to enrich people's lives and therefore enriching mine.

Adam
Peer Mentor

Being a peer mentor allows me to make a positive impact in people's lives. I love having the opportunity to do something I'm passionate about, which is to connect with individuals, understand their unique needs, and provide the support they require. Studying Cert IV in disability is an exciting step towards furthering my knowledge and skills in this field. It's all about making a difference and creating a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone!