Gymea Community Aid & Information Service Inc (GCAIS) was established in 1975 by a passionate group of local residents. We are now an incorporated not-for-profit association based in Gymea which provides services across the Sutherland Shire and into St George.
We have a small paid staff and dedicated volunteer team, overseen by a volunteer Board elected from among our members.
GCAIS receives funding from a range of local, state and commonwealth government agencies and relies heavily on community support to fund and run our services.
Board
Gymea Community Aid & Information Service (GCAIS) is overseen by a volunteer Board, elected from our membership base in line with our constitution.
Chair Person
Kaye Herald
Kaye has held various not for profit board memberships and is currently a Director of LGK Management Pty Ltd which trades as Flexi Display Systems. She brings a keen focus on building businesses having worked from 2005 – 2014 as Managing Director for RICS, responsible for Oceania and Asia Pacific. She has worked as a CEO in the Professional Services Industry since 1999 prior to which she held various General Management roles in the Logistics industry sector.
Vice – Chair Person
David Moorcroft
An experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry, David resides in Sutherland Shire with networks spanning across Sydney, including local councils. Skilled in negotiation, budgeting, business planning, operations management, and change management, David brings practical and hands on experiences to GCAIS. A strong business development professional with a Bachelor’s Degree focused in International Hospitality Management, an Advanced Diploma in Business Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Secretary
Wendy Ducasse
Throughout her career, Wendy has held a number of roles as Personal Assistant to executives of large public companies with duties including preparation and distribution of material to Board members and assisting Directors where required.
For the 10 years prior to her retirement, Wendy was secretary to the General Manager of a travel industry company during which time she undertook TAFE study in travel and tourism and, training and development.
Wendy has volunteered for the Australian Red Cross and the Wollongong Branch of the Cancer Council where her duties included updating the computerised contact lists. Currently, Wendy is also secretary to her local Probus Club.
Treasurer
Stephen Licciardello
With over fifteen years of experience in adult education in the vocational education sector, Stephen is particularly skilled at establishing start-up operations and leading them through the tumult of conception to a self-sustaining enterprise.
Stephen is the Registered Training Organisation Manager at St George and Sutherland Community College. He leads a team of trainers and staff members who provide quality education to over 1000 students annually.
Stephen’s skills are leadership, management, and leading teams to reach organisational goals and objectives.
Board Members
Carol McKirdy
Carol is an educator and an oral historian and, in both fields, she is a published author in Australia and overseas. She currently works in adult education at TAFE NSW and is Head Teacher of Literacy and English Language at Sutherland TAFE. She is passionate about giving adult ‘second chance’ learners opportunities to meet their potential in fundamental literacy and language skills, further vocational training, at work and for their personal life in the community.
Carol is an award-winning oral historian and has recorded oral histories for businesses, organisations, museums and libraries. She brings knowledge of adults striving to improve their education and work opportunities and background knowledge of the diverse communities of Sutherland Shire.
Peter Meintanis
Peter is the Dean at St Spyridon College and has spent 33 years in education and 30 years in educational leadership. Peter’s qualifications include Masters of Physical Education at the University of New England and Bachelor of Applied Science at UNSW.
Living locally, Peter is positioned to empathise with the needs of the local community and contribute to the growing projects GCAIS undertakes in the areas of Youth Leadership and Forums. Through personal experiences, Peter has had first hand exposure to supporting parents through the Home Care Packages-an initiative in the updated GCAIS strategic plan.
Renee Hall
Renee brings to the board a talent in developing compelling strategy. Her qualifications include a Masters of Management, Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and Hospitality Management. She works with senior leaders and their teams to deliver creative solutions to important business development strategies.
Renee has a demonstrated history of working in B2B and is also skilled in business planning, customer relationship management (CRM), marketing, mentoring, management and account management.
Our Team
General
Manager
Joanne Cracknell
Community
Connections Manager
Rita Napolitano
Settlement & Multicultural
Services Manager
Jenny Grey
Corporate
Services
Katrina Vavdinos
Reception
Leanne Muir
Mission & Objectives
Our Vision
To be a dynamic community force in bringing self-reliance, dignity and well-being to people’s lives.
Our Mission
At Gymea Community Aid and Information Service (GCAIS), we are uniquely positioned to build the aspirations of individuals and families to achieve inclusiveness, independence and participation in the community while recognising diversity and desire for well-being.
Our long standing presence in Sutherland Shire draws on both staff and volunteers to provide information and associated support services to the general community, our ageing members and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Through social groups, planned programs and activities, we strengthen and promote individual’s self-determination, enriching the broader community.
Strategic Plan
2020–2023
People
& Culture
Maximise and leverage the skills and capabilities of GCAIS to provide valued services and programs to our community
Funding
& Growth
Developing business programs across all GCAIS services to capitalise on new opportunities for sponsorship, funding, grants and donations. Identifying potential partnerships to grow our services. Leveraging GCAIS’s brand to increase range, quality and service delivery areas and allow GCAIS to compete in a rapidly changing environment.
Client Focus
Actively engage with our current and potential client base to gain feedback that results in the design of solutions, growing the support we provide to the community.
New Programs and Services
Create and align programs and services to the GCAIS Vision, Mission and Purpose statements and produce a relevant, well-researched and structurally sound offering to our clients.
Infrastructure
Create a “Fit for Purpose” organisation including office functions, reporting technology and governance requirements.