Meet Our Lead Assistant Goal Facilitators
Daniel Pascoe-Thomas
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
After finishing school, I completed a Bachelor of Social Science at Western Sydney University. My family have been involved in the Mater Dei community for a number of years now and in 2019, I signed up for the Trek for Opportunity in Central Australia to raise funds for the NextPath program. Shortly after the Trek, I heard NextPath were looking for new Assistant Goal Facilitators, so I began working at NextPath mid-2019, during my last semester of University. I have been working with many of the program’s Young Adults and have loved working here the whole time.
Fun Fact: I can play five instruments and want to start learning my sixth soon!
- Favourite food? Sushi
- Dream holiday destination? Next on my list is Singapore!
- Which animal would you be? A fox. No reason why, I just love them.
- Childhood nickname? Didn’t have one!
- Favourite TV Show? Twin Peaks
- If you won the lottery? Travel the world!
- Rate your Karaoke skills, go-to song? I like to think I can hold a tune, so maybe 7/10? I don’t know if it’s my ‘go-to’ but when I was in Japan with my sister, we had a blast singing 'Truth Hurts' by Lizzo at a Karaoke bar!
Daniel Pascoe-Thomas
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
Chloe Sydenham
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
Hi, I'm Chloe. I started my career in the disability sector in 2019, starting at a respite Centre for children with high behaviors, which I continued to do for 2 years. I then started at Next Path Continuous Learning, mostly working over Zoom calls during lockdown in 2021, and have continued to love working with the Young Adults ever since.
Fun Fact: I like to play A LOT of sport!
- Favorite Food? Pizza
- Dream Holiday destination? Italy, Greece.
- If you could be any animal, which animal would you be? Monkey
- Childhood nickname? Bella
- Favourite TV show? The Vampire Diaries
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Go on a holiday around the world and take my family with me.
Chloe Sydenham
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
Karlyha Armstrong
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator (Acting)
I started working here at Nextpath in 2021, I’m definitely grateful for this opportunity. This job is so different to anything I’ve ever done before and I absolutely love it!
Fun Fact: I can say the alphabet backwards very quickly!
- Favourite Food? Anything pasta!
- Dream Holiday destination? Japan
- If you could be any animal, which animal would you be? Chameleon
- Childhood nickname? Didn’t have one!
- Favourite TV show? Merlin
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Buy a house!
- Rate your Karaoke skills 1-10. What is your go-to song? 1/10 - 'Make you feel my love' by Adele or 'Creep' by Radiohead
Karlyha Armstrong
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator (Acting)
Leanne Murray
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
I have worked in the Community Service industry for over 30 years in many different roles. I am passionate about the rights of all people, I’m committed to providing people with a Disability, and all members of the community, the opportunity to get the most out of their life and achieve their goals and dreams. I joined NextPath at the beginning of 2022 and have enjoy assisting the NextPath Young Adults who access the program to transition from school into the next part of their journey.
Fun Fact: When I was 8 I met Queen Elizabeth
- Favourite Food? Pizza
- Dream Holiday destination? I have been very lucky to do a lot of travelling and have already had the opportunity to visit a lot of my dream destinations. Next place I would like to go is the Maldives
- If you could be any animal, which animal would you be? Brown Bear
- Childhood nickname? Lea
- Favourite TV show: I love all science fiction but Star Trek is my favourite and the 80’s sitcom Family Ties
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I would probably scream and run around the house, then help my family.
- Rate your Karaoke skills, and what is your go-to song? I believe everyone can sing, some just sing better than others. I would rate my Karaoke skills a 5/10 depending on the song. I Love to sing I still call Australia Home
Leanne Murray
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
Mick Hampton
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
I’ve been involved with Mater Dei for nearly 13 years, which was initiated with my partner Samantha commencing her role in the School, straight after our youngest child Jackson was born. As a stay at home dad at the time, I used to bring Jackson (who has Downs Syndrome) to his weekly Early Intervention at Mater Dei.
Once Jackson started school at Mater Dei, I went back into the workforce part-time and was lucky enough to support senior students at Mater Dei in their Workplace Learning program once a week where I worked. As a result of this experience, I joined the NextPath program, as I loved working/helping the students from Mater Dei and thought I had a lot to offer as an older male role model with loads of life experiences.
What do I love about my job?
• Seeing the progression/growth that’s being made by the NextPath participants in relation to their goals and more importantly to themselves.
• The rapport amongst the staff and participants is great! It’s wonderful to come to work each day to see this, and furthermore, the environment created by everyone at NextPath is fun, light and very supportive.
Fun Fact: I have a bronze medallion in Latin ballroom dancing.
- Favourite food? Anything with curry.
- Dream Holiday destination? I was lucky enough to travel to Ireland years ago. Whilst there, I fell in love with the people and the beautiful scenery. Hope one day I can return.
- Favourite TV show? Flight of the Conchords. I love the characters and the music that the band plays.
Mick Hampton
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator
Rhonda Bandal
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator (Acting)
When I was a little girl I always said I wanted to work with children with disabilities. So in High School I did work experience at a special needs school but I found it hard and I didn’t cope. I decided to go in a different direction until I choose to look after my mother who suffered from Dementia, which was a long 18 years struggle while she was still with us. It was looking after Mum that I realised this is what I would like to do - help others. I was told that I would really suit the role as an Assistant Goal Facilitator at NextPath. I took Mick Hampton’s advice, applied and here I am now. I am loving the challenges each day as it is very rewarding, especially when you get a compliment, hug or laugh from the young adults. I guess I wasn’t ready when I was 17 but I came back to my dream job at the end.
Fun Fact: While travelling Europe, 2 days after arriving in Lebanon, war broke out. As the airports were closed, they had boats helping tourists leave however the maximum luggage allowance was 10kg. I said to my family ‘I am staying’, and ended staying 6 weeks and arriving home with over 100kgs of luggage!
- Favourite Food? I love stuffed vegetarian vine leaves (Lebanese style)
- Dream Holiday destination? Turkey
- If you could be any animal, which animal would you be? I would be a dolphin because I love communicating with others and working as a team
- Childhood nickname? Did not have one at childhood.
- Favourite TV show: Chicago fire
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Buy a holiday house overseas take family and friends there.
- Rate your Karaoke skills, and what is your go-to song? 4-10 skills at karaoke. Favourite pick me up song is by Whitney Houston How will I know
Rhonda Bandal
Lead Assistant Goal Facilitator (Acting)