Advisory Council biographies

Jane Spring AM (New South Wales)

Jane is Chair, Australian Disability Strategy Advisory Council, Chair, Disability Council New South Wales (NSW), Chair, Sydney University Sport and Fitness and Director of Royal Rehab, and Venues NSW. Jane is a Vice President of the Institute of Public Administration NSW and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Office of Sport in NSW. Jane is NSW Co Chapter Leader of the Minerva Network.

Jane has previously held non-executive roles at the University of Sydney Senate, Western Sydney Local Health District, Venues NSW, Paraplegic Benefit Fund, Wheelchair Sports Australia, and the Combat Sports Authority. Recent executive roles include Assistant Commissioner NSW Public Service Commission and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jobs for NSW.

Jane is passionate about sport and highlights of her career include six years at the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and a stint as CEO of the NSW Institute of Sport.

Jane is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration and the University of Sydney. Jane is a member of Chief Executive Women. Jane holds a Masters of Public Administration, Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney.

Jane has over 30 years’ lived experience of paraplegia following a car accident in 1990.

Cindy Liu (Victoria)

Cindy (She/Her) is a passionate young disabled person of colour, advocating and living on stolen Wurundjeri Land. 

Through Cindy’s work centring on lived experience, looking through an intersectional lens and advocating for self-determination, Cindy has worked with various organisations exploring intersectional spaces, in both advisory and co-design capacities, including Youth Disability Advocacy Service and Commonwealth Officer for Youth as a Steering committee member. While also highlighting the strengths, concerns and challenges of young people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds as the founder and Co-chair of Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network's Youth Disability CaLD Collective.

Seriako Stephen (Queensland)

Seriako (Seri) Stephen was born in the Torres Strait and is a descendant of the Ugaram Le from the Magaran Tribe. 

Seriako was born with Cerebral Palsy due to a traumatic birth. His family were unable to raise him, leading to Seriako being Island Adopted to a family in Cairns with a lot of experience raising children with various disabilities. Seriako considers his adopted family as his biggest inspiration, who always supported him, treated him no differently to anyone else and pushed him to achieve anything he put his mind to.

Seriako is a proud Indigenous person, whose motivation in life is to speak up for everyone, whether Indigenous or not, and be a voice for those who can’t speak up for themselves.

Seriako sits on the board of the First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN). He was the first Torres Strait Islander with disability to be invited to Parliament House at 18 years of age, and was a finalist in the Disability Rights Young Leadership category at the 2009 National Disability Awards. Seriako was also invited to speak at the United Nations as part of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2019 conference on the inclusion of Indigenous persons with disability in society through participation in cultural life.

Natalie Wade (South Australia)

Natalie is a prominent disability rights lawyer and advocate in Australia.

As the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Equality Lawyers, Natalie is a leader in providing premium legal advice and representation to people with disabilities and their families.

Natalie has received state and national awards in recognition of her contribution to disability rights law reform in Australia including Australian Young Lawyer of the Year and South Australian Young Lawyer of the Year in 2016.

Natalie holds several senior roles committed to advancing the rights of all Australians with disabilities, including as Expert Advisor on the Disability Royal Commission to the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations and Vice President and Disability Rights Subcommittee Chair of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. Natalie is the author of Disability Rights in Real Life, a law handbook informing people with disabilities, their families and allies of their every day legal rights.

Akii Ngo (Victoria)

Biography and photo to be published in the coming weeks.

Uncle Wilfred Prince (Queensland)

Uncle Willie Prince’s life is a testament to resilience and the power of self-discovery. He was born on the Aboriginal mission of Cherbourg in Wakka Wakka country and has a spiritual connection to the Kalkadoon peoples of Mt Isa. Uncle Willie faced the challenges of being part of the Stolen Generation - a painful period in Australian history when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families and communities. He was born with a disability in the 1960’s, a time where Indigenous people were not recognised as Australian Citizens and were considered property of the government. He was displaced at the age of two when he was removed from country and community and placed in institution care.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Uncle Willie’s determination and curiosity inspired him to seek answers about his identity and culture. As he grew older, he began asking questions, determined to reclaim his identify and connection to his roots. Raised within the systems of institutional and government care, away from his family, people and community, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he received support from various individuals who helped him navigate this challenging pathway.

One significant turning point in Uncle Willie’s life was his opportunity to learn more about his life. There, he delved into learning more about his background and where he came from. Conversations with other Indigenous people with disabilities further enriched his understanding. Uncle Willie’s story is a powerful testament of resilience, the importance of cultural identity, and the strength that comes from reclaiming one’s voice. His experience serves as a reminder of the need to listen to and honour the stories of those who have faced adversity and triumphed against all odds.

Uncle Willie was one of the inaugural members of the Disability Council of Queensland 1999-2001

Award: Centenary of Federation of Australia

Current: An Elder of the Murri Court in Queensland

Kelly Cox (New South Wales)

Kelly works with other disabled people to affect change around disability and human rights issues. That has included better provision of service within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS,) lobbying for a Royal Commission and a wide range of other local, national and international issues. As a disabled woman Kelly has first-hand understanding and lived experience of issues affecting disabled people. She has been actively involved in representing the rights of disabled people, particularly women in disability rights spaces and is a contributing member of the disability rights movement in Australia.

Kelly currently holds a range of advisory positions for state and federal Governments and regularly carries out a variety of project work for Disability Representative Organisations. She has previously worked in NDIS service Provision, Aboriginal Aged Care, for a Local Aboriginal Land Council and most recently as a Senior Policy Officer / Systemic Advocate to represent First Nations people with disability. She is a current member of the NSW Disability Council.

She grew up on Biripi Country and currently lives in the Bundjalung Nation. She has a developed understanding of the barriers disabled First Nations people encounter while trying to access services and supports. She is passionate about working to uphold the rights of all disabled people to ensure they are able to live the life they want and holds specific interest in violence prevention and intersectional issues and the way these further marginalise and disadvantage people with disability.

Sarah Skopellos (Northern Territory)

Sarah is a person with disability who is passionate about supporting disability advocacy activities in the community.

With this purpose, Sarah sits on a range of government and not-for-profit committees including Chair of Integrated Disability Action Inc (the peak disability consumer organisation for the Northern Territory), Vice-Chair of the Northern Territory (NT) Disability Advisory Committee, and member of the NDIA Participant Reference Group. Sarah also coordinates three local peer support groups including the Darwin Multiple Sclerosis Peer Support Group, the Darwin Blind and Vision Impaired Club and the Darwin Disability Community Support Facebook group.

Through her service to community, Sarah has learned to network, listen and really understand the different and complex perspectives of people in her community. As she goes about her business, Sarah often feels humbled and grateful to be in a position where she can represent these perspectives in the boardroom and contribute to improved outcomes for all people living with disability.

Sarah won a national Disability Leadership Program Scholarship in 2023 and has over 20 years’ experience providing executive support in the NT Public Service.

Sisaleo Philavong (South Australia)

Sisaleo Philavong is a dedicated disability advocate and professional currently serving as a Co-coordinator of a Social Participation Program at Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA). With a Diploma in Disability and a Bachelor's degree in Disability and Developmental Education from Flinders University, Sisaleo is a qualified Developmental Educator who brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to his roles.

As a Hemiplegic with Cerebral Palsy, Sisaleo offers unique insights into the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. He currently chairs the South Australia (SA) Ministerial Advisory Council. He is a member of the Adelaide City Council Disability Committee and Volunteering SA/NT Community of Practice. He is demonstrating his commitment to effecting change at various levels of government.

Sisaleo is particularly passionate about ensuring the rights of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with disabilities, with a focus on employment, housing, transport and education. His dedication to community service was recognised in 2004 when he was named Young Citizen of the Year for South Australia and the City of Salisbury.

In his work and advocacy, Sisaleo aims to foster better connections and cultural understanding between service navigation and delivery, bridging the gap between government and non-government partners. His appointment to the ADS advisory council further exemplifies his commitment to improving outcomes for people with disabilities across Australia.

Always striving for personal growth, Sisaleo is learning Parastanding Tennis, showcasing his determination to embrace new challenges and promote inclusive sports, and developing MCCSA's Disability Council.

Chris Varney (Victoria)

Biography and photo to be published in the coming weeks.

Dr Katherine Elliston (Tasmania)

Katherine is the Deputy Community Chair of the Premier’s Disability Advisory Council Tasmania. Katherine volunteers for a governance team running a specialist disability accommodation site and is involved in various mental health and community organisations. Katherine is passionate about ensuring people with disability have an opportunity to participate in everyday life.

Katherine holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Tasmania, her research focused on individual and environmental influences to behaviour change.

Professionally, Katherine works as a Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner and aims to foster collaboration and support among the systems people with disability encounter. Katherine works to reduce systemic barriers to participation in society and serves to empower people with disability to create meaningful lives.

In her personal life, Katherine supports her younger brother, who lives with a cognitive impairment. Growing up around disability has taught her the importance of accessible and inclusive practices and the need to foster independence and choice wherever possible. Katherine believes this is particularly relevant in rural communities where access to formal supports is lacking.

Renée Heaton (Australian Capital Territory)

Renée (she/her) is the current Chair of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Disability Reference Group, providing advice to the ACT Minister for Disability and bringing issues affecting the lives of people with disability to the attention of the ACT Government. As a person with life-long disability, Renée has a range of lived experience from therapy and supports, education, health, and employment.

Renée often says that getting a job was the hardest thing she has ever done, but also the most important and life changing. Renée understands the difference that meaningful paid employment can make to the enjoyment and quality of life, including good mental health, choice and control, and being able to have fun! As such, Renée is particularly keen to improve employment outcomes for people with disability, and to increase the level of accessibility within the community to ensure all people can access the services they need and have a fulfilling social life.

Renée is a typical Canberran in that her “money work” is in the Public Service where she works in strategic Human Resources. 

Renée is a collector of red lipsticks, a lover of native bees, and an avid knitter.

Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell (Western Australia)

Rita practices as a Supervising Solicitor in her various legal roles, specialising in Disability and Human Rights.

Rita has lived experience with disability from being a Deafblind Person and is an NDIS participant with a Guide Dog, Joel. Rita has had hearing loss since birth, and started to develop sight impairment in her early twenties. Later Rita was formally diagnosed with Usher Syndrome.

Rita is the Chair of Valued Lives Foundation, Chair of Deafblind West Australians, board member of Everability and a Committee member of the Western Australia Disability Advisory Council.

Rita won a Scholarship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where she hopes to gain further skills to enhance her Board roles to make a difference for people with disabilities and for their families who would otherwise be disadvantaged without her advocacy support.

Nigel Webb (Queensland)

Nigel has been a social justice advocate in his community for the past 35 years. Nigel is a trusted voice, advisor and leader across the community services sector, business and government.

Nigel’s extensive knowledge and experience have guided state and national advisory and representative groups, boards and community organisations.
Nigel’s strength is his strategic advice and direction on the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities, and a range of issues of importance to the disability and carer sectors around National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and reforms to employment.

From 2018-2019, Nigel was Co-Chair of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council for the Department of Social Services.

On a part-time basis, Nigel works as a Client Liaison Officer at CPL – Choice, Passion, Life (formerly the Cerebral Palsy League) and Peer Mentor with Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).

Nigel has Diplomas in Community Services, Justice Administration, Certificate SAI Global – Lead Auditor Quality Management Systems and is a Qualified Justice of the Peace (QLD.)

Kathy Hough (Western Australia)

Kathy is the CEO of Far North Community Services and has worked in rural and remote parts of Western Australia with, and for, people with disability for 35 years, with experience in a variety of civic, voluntary and paid roles including 13 years as a host family in an Individualised Living Operations (ILO) arrangement.

Championing rights, inclusion and equity have been a driver for Kathy to take on roles such as a Board member (2010-2014) and then Deputy Chairperson of the Disability Services Commission (2014-2017). Kathy currently chairs the Council for Regional Disability Services in WA.

Passionate about learning, equity of access and quality of life for people who live in rural Australia, Kathy has a Masters in Regional Development and post graduate Certificate in Australia Rural Leadership. Kathy believes the voices of people who live in rural and remote Australia are full of rich and valuable insights that should be heard.

Helen McDevitt, Public Service Medal (PSM), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company (GAICD)

Helen is Chair of the ACT Disability, Aged and Carers Advocacy Service and is on the Board of the Older Person’s Advocacy Network. Before this, Helen was a senior Australian Public Servant and has extensive experience in social policy and Commonwealth and State relations.

Helen played a key role in the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, led social policy in the department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and supported the Government’s Social Inclusion Not-For-Profit sector agendas. Helen brings leadership, management and negotiation skills, and extensive experience in policy reform and delivery.

Helen’s earlier career was in the community sector working in regional development, education and youth services. She has a particular passion for supporting and improving the lives of people with disability and young people through promoting their social inclusion, education and workforce participation.

Helen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2020.