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.

Liz has been a resident at Laetare Court since 2013.  She has a lived experience of being affected by Hypoxic Brain Injury. Liz has studied and completed at Victoria University:

• Cert IV Community Services – Disability Work
• Diploma Community Services – Welfare Studies
• Bachelor Social Work

Nick graduated from UTas with a Bachelor of Accounting & Finance in 2015. He worked in Accounting firms for a couple of years while completing the Chartered Accountants ANZ program in 2018. Nick then joined TasNetworks in late 2018 where he is still employed today as Pricing Specialist.Nick hopes that he I can put his skills in finance to good use and help HOPES achieve better outcomes for their residents.Nick is also a passionate hockey player and coach having represented Tasmania in the Australian Hockey League in 2014 in which they won the gold medal for the first time in the state’s history.

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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Karen worked casual for 3 years at Coles Glenorchy, whilst studying at TAFE completing a Secretarial Course. She was transferred to Coles Northgate when it opened in 1996, but obtained full time employment for 20 years at The Salvation Army Headquarters as Receptionist. She then went on to becoming a PA for the Divisional Secretary. Later, Karen was employed with STAR for 10 years in the capacity of an Admin Officer and a Support Worker. Karen has now been employed with HOPES as a Client Services Officer for over 6 years.On a personal level, Karen enjoys being with her family (2 amazing stepsons and husband), camping, travelling and enjoying time with her friends.

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!