Meet our Team

CENTRE MANAGER

Susan has been our much-loved Centre Manager since 2022. A seasoned community leader, Darebin City Councillor and former Mayor of Darebin, Susan is more than a manager – she's a dedicated community builder. Susan was drawn to Jika by the chance to change lives and deliver the perfect mix of practical and strategic work. She loves seeing the friendships growing within Jika Jika and being our local melting pot that welcomes everyone. Outside of work, Susan’s a busy parent to three teenagers, a skilled home renovator and a compassionate foster carer.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Jenny has dedicated 16 rewarding years as Jika Jika's Community Development Worker, drawn by the chance to support her local community and break down barriers to inclusion. With a varied background in retail, hospitality, local government and public housing advocacy, Jenny helps build stronger connections and knowledge about the local community. She loves that every day at Jika Jika brings something new and exciting. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time with her precious granddaughter and family, renovating, sewing and gardening.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Kathy's passion for community shines through her eight years as a Jika Jika team member. Living just down the road, her connection to Jika Jika started long before joining our team, as a student, volunteer and program leader. As our Community Development Assistant, Kathy explores new programs supporting the local community—something she adores. Kathy says Jika Jika's community spirit makes it a joy to come to work each day. Outside of work, Kathy enjoys reading a good book, catching up with friends and walking in nature.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSEKEEPER

A long-time Northcote local, Yvette jumped at the chance to join our team as Neighbourhood Housekeeper in late 2023. With 32 years of experience in Front of House work, including events and gallery management, she knows a thing or two about creating welcoming spaces – precisely what she does at Jika Jika. Yvette is excited by the chance to connect with the community, lend a hand to the team and be a part of our new direction. In her free time, Yvette loves photography, drawing, cooking, making cocktails, hunting for vintage treasures, spinning records and gardening.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Kate joined as our first Communications Officer in 2023. With a longtime love of Northcote and a knack for communications, Kate brings over 15 years of experience from not-for-profit, education and corporate sectors to Jika Jika. She keeps our community in the loop through social media, newsletters and the website. Kate's favourite part of the job? Meeting the amazing people from all walks of life who visit our centre, and sharing their inspiring stories with our community. Outside of work, Kate loves family time, travel, nature, walks, good food and wine and podcasts.

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR AND DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

Harry has provided digital skills training in the Darebin community for almost a decade, starting his journey at Jika. With qualifications and experience in media production, Harry loves sharing his tech skills with locals and building their confidence in creatively expressing themselves. From graphic design and video production to web design and game coding (and everything in-between - phew!), Harry empowers our diverse community to harness a range of digital tools and achieve their goals. Recently, he’s been helping document Jika’s events through photos and videos. If you see him with a camera and microphone, be sure to smile!

FINANCE OFFICER

Peter, our Finance Officer for a decade, brings extensive accounting and computer science expertise to Jika Jika. From tax accountant to software developer, he's navigated global projects, including software for aerospace, mining, and manufacturing. Drawn to Jika's inclusive ethos, Peter took a break from corporate life to support Neighbourhood Houses. Peter appreciates Jika Jika’s welcoming environment, where everyone can feel a sense of belonging. Beyond the numbers, he enjoys outdoor pursuits—walking, camping and quality time with friends and his loyal dog.

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

Tiffany, our fantastic Community Educator, runs our Dance Club, pop-up art events and the community room at High St Social Housing for those over 55. She also guides women's circles, combining art, dance and sound meditation. With 30 years in creative arts, Tiffany is an experienced artist, educator, sound healer and workshop facilitator. She adores the welcoming community and her colleagues at Jika Jika. Outside of work, Tiffany finds joy in dancing, swimming, singing and creating art.

BIKES TO WORK PROJECT WORKER

Rich has been working as our Bikes to Work Projects Worker since 2023. Driven by a passion for cycling, he loves using his industry knowledge to make riding affordable, safe and enjoyable for everyone in our community. The most rewarding part for him is passing on skills to the next generation. Beyond Jika Jika, Rich has been a mechanic at Richie's Bikelane since 2013. In his free time, Rich loves cycling, music, the arts and cooking and entertaining.

PROJECT OFFICER
Carmen runs the Community Talks Sex Project, funded by the wonderful people at the North East Public Health Unit (NEPHU). The project exposes parents of school-aged children to sex education. Carmen also runs the Climate Justice Project around heatwaves for the Darebin Neighbourhood House Network. Carmen loves Neighbourhood houses because they are radical places owned and led by the community, and the only places left able to make real systems change. Carmen lives in Darebin, is a cyclist, a beekeeper, a poet, and a very keen gardener. She regularly sings under bridges on a Wednesday night with community choir ‘The Trolls’.  

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Polly joined our team in 2023 after her placement as a community services student. Polly organises events like our community dinners, games nights, movie nights and Tuesday morning tea – always with a warm smile and a freshly baked cake! Polly finds joy in the shared laughter and smiles of Jika Jika’s community and the sense of belonging people feel here. Beyond Jika Jika, she has diverse experience in teaching English, childcare and hospitality. In her spare time, Polly is finishing her Diploma in Community Services and enjoys arts, ceramics, exercise, baking (for her sweet tooth) and socialising.