Our People

Dirk has worked in the building and construction industry for over 30 years and has more than 12 years’ experience in management, successfully completing Diplomas in Business, Business Management and Human Resources. Dirk has developed and implemented key business policies and procedures to align with the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Workplace Health and Safety Act and Anti-Discrimination Act. Dirk has been actively involved in a number of community organisations, including:Secretary | The Tasmanian Jet Sport Boating Club Inc. (Jetskitas) | Tasmania’s only PWC (Jet Ski) Club | 2018 - 2019Secretary | Meadowbank Water Ski Club | 2017 – 2018Board Member | St Pauls School - Bridgewater | 2007-2008Director | Soccer Tasmania | 1996 – 1997. In Dirk's spare time, he has a passion for coaching football (soccer). He has coached at various levels including Senior Men, Senior Women, Youth Boys and Youth Girls, culminating in 5 National Talent Identification Championships and 2 Interstate Development Tours.

Bruce was born with Spina Bifida which means he uses a wheelchair. He has just finished a 37 year career working in an Australian Disability Enterprise, starting as receptionist and leaving as manager. Bruce also served on many committees working with other with disabilities to ensure the rights and obligations of the organisation was met. He has a huge passion being and working with/for people with disabilities.

David’s career of over 40 plus years has been in Banking & Finance. The initial 20 plus years in a Tasmanian Bank, living and working in each of Tasmania’s three regions which included management roles - Branch Manager, Manger Sales & Development/Marketing & Manager Card Payment Systems. The last 20 years plus he was employed in a Consultant/Project Manager/Business Analysis role with an Australian information technology company that provides Retail Banking Software. During this time, he worked with a variety of people at all levels of financial institutions throughout Australia, New Zealand and the broader Asia Pacific, delivering significant projects for the implementation of banking software. David has Accounting & Banking qualifications with an Associate Diploma in Banking & Finance and has been an honorary Auditor to community organisations. He is also involved with Swimming Tasmania, currently as a Technical Official & Board Member. Previously undertaking administration roles within a swimming club environment, including President & Treasurer. Now retired, he sees the opportunity to bring skills developed over a professional career to work within the framework of the HOPES board. On a personal level he is enjoying re-discovering sailing, as well as scuba diving, swimming roles and travel.

Harun worked in the community sector for 11 years assisting men with issues concerning homelessness and drug and alcohol. Harun has been employed in the Australian Public Service for 27 years and currently works for the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) in a face to face customer service role. Harun has been actively involved in Muslim community organisations for over 30 years and is currently Trustee of Hobart Mosque  and a Board Member of the Islamic College of Melbourne. He has a B.A (Hons) from University of Tasmania with majors in History and Political Science. Harun has personal experience of Acquired Brain Injury and the challenges faced in making a successful return to employment.
Harun is an enthusiastic supporter of Hobart Hurricanes in the T20 Big Bash.

Mark graduated and worked in Hobart as a vocational psychologist before moving to Melbourne with his family in the late 1980s to undertake a Masters degree in clinical neuropsychology. He continued to work in acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation, including roles as Senior Neuropsychologist with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service in Albury NSW and Team Leader with the Brain Injury Service at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Melbourne. Since returning to Tasmania in 2010 he continued in private practice providing ABI training for service providers throughout Tasmania, regional Victoria and regional NSW. He is a Life Member of the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania. Now retired, Mark enjoys camping, bush walking and travelling, as well as being a volunteer tutor with the Adult Migrant English Program through TAFE.

I am a resident at HOPES Inc, Laetare Court.

I have lived here for 10 years. I sustained an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and other injuries as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident in 1978. So have been on a continual rehabilitation journey since.

I have volunteered and worked within the disability field for several years. This started at Headway Support, that our amazing patron Sue Hodgson started. I learnt so much about myself and found a great group of other people with an ABI.

I am a mother, mum in law and grandmother of 2. These people bring so much joy and support to my life.

Tanya has over 25 years of experience as an Office Manager, simultaneously managing sites in Hobart, Cambridge, and Brighton.

 After working for one company for over 25 years, Tanya was actively recruited by Dave Powell - Powell's Motor Group (PMG) to manage the next phase of the company's growth.

 Tanya has a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management and a Bookkeeping Xero Advanced Certificate.

Away from the rigours of work life, Tanya enjoys spending time with two rottweilers at home and abroad.

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Renee has worked in the community and education sector for over 15 years, assisting vulnerable people with challengers concerning homelessness, mental health and drug and alcohol addiction. In her previous role as a Coordinator at Caroline House, a program supporting mature women with mental health, dementia, acquired brain injury and disability challenges, the role provided opportunity to develop a diverse range of skills required for the role of Business Officer at HOPES Inc, Laetare Court.

Renee has had roles in the early learning sector, customer service, property management and finance. Renee has certification in mental health, dementia, epilepsy, domestic and family violence, workplace conflict, infection control, NDIS Audit, indigenous studies and an Adult & Tertiary Teaching degree.

On a personal level Renee is actively involved in the Pacific and Indigenous communities within Hobart. Renee is an active volunteer, assisting at a governance, administrative, organisational and cultural performance level, within the communities and for a few of the major events in Hobart.

Sue has had over 30 years experience living and working with people with acquired brain injury, having co-founded Headway Tasmania in 1986, and then becoming a founding member of HOPES Inc. in 1993. Sue has a Bachelor of Education Degree, and a Masters Degree in Social Science (social research). She is a past chair of the Ministers Disability Advisory Committee and is passionate about people living with a disability having the right to productive lives in the community. Sue was awarded a life membership in November 2022 at the HOPES AGM, as she stepped down from her board duties. Sue is still volunteering and will always be a big part of HOPES Inc. with her varying roles here within the community. Sue’s time, effort, knowledge and skills put into HOPES Inc. is greatly appreciated. We can’t thank her enough!