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About Us

WCIG is a community based not-for-profit organisation committed to improving lives through practical responses to unemployment and disadvantage.

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Improving lives across Melbourne and Geelong

 

About Us

Our programs focus on assisting people make positive changes in their lives. We deliver employment, disability, youth and training programs.

We have an established network of community organisations, allied health services, employers, community groups and other businesses. Our network enables us to provide the most holistic approach possible to assist people to reach their goals.

A young couple wearing dress shirts in an embrace posing for a photo. The man is holding a WCIG award in his free hand.
Young woman sitting at a wooden table on her laptop. She is holding an orange credit card in one hand and typing on her laptop with the other.

Our Vision

Improving lives through dignity and choice.

Our Mission

Empowering people to achieve a meaningful role in society.

Our Strategic Directions

Innovation and Service Excellence
We consistently deliver high quality, effective services
– Customer focused organisation
– Embrace Innovation
– Create employment opportunities

Strategic Partnering
We maximise skills and resources when organisations or people work together
– Opening Pathways & Strong relationships
– Maximise Influence

People
We value our people and invest in a dedicated and highly trained workforce
– Engaged Staff
– Invest in Staff

Organisational Sustainability
We need a sustainable organisation to deliver on our mission
– Robust financial position
– Strong Governance
– Reduce environmental footprint

Our Values

Relationships that embrace dignity, community and mutual respect

Optimism that is lived out in positive attitudes about people and expectations of success and growth

Innovation including creativity, responsiveness, risk taking and flexibility

Diversity that acknowledges differences and appreciates the diverse needs and skills of each person

Advocacy that makes us socially pro-active for the disadvantaged

Staff who are committed to the goals of the organisation and their own development

Our Reconciliation Plan

 

Community

Our Vision for Reconciliation

It is through reconciliation that WCIG will work towards our mission of empowering people to achieve a meaningful role in society, especially for those who experience disadvantage, through the provision of employment assistance, training services and community development programs. The purpose of the WCIG Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is to increase our organisations’ cultural awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In doing so we will be able to develop stronger relationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and local community. It is also through the organisation’s values of relationships, optimism, innovation, diversity, advocacy and staff that it will be able to further deepen individual and community awareness. 

WCIG launches 'revamped' Reconciliation Action Plan, which reinforces the organisation's core values.

Why we have a Reconciliation Action Plan?

WCIG is committed to continuing to improve its relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community and to the various organisations who provide support. WCIG is are committed to building positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

In establishing a RAP, it is our intention to put into place specific activities and practices that will ensure the ongoing recognition of the cultural sensitivities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to support the ongoing development of relationships.

Our Timeline

 

History

Since 1986, WCIG has a long and proud history as a not-for-profit community organisation.

Delivering innovative and community-centred programs to assist thousands of local people make positive changes in their lives. WCIG has constantly evolved throughout its lifetime to respond to the changing needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups.

WCIG is linked with international research efforts to strengthen the way services are delivered to communities, including a long-standing partnership with Melbourne University’s employment services policy research project since 1998. WCIG is committed to continual contribution to innovation in service delivery and community.

Our services include Employment, Disability, Youth, Training and Social Enterprises. We are a registered NDIS provider.

Meet Our Board Members

 

Team

Michael Noonan

Board Chair

Michael is an education researcher who has led numerous national research and evaluation projects spanning the Schools, Vocational Education and Training and University sectors. He has significant experience providing strategic leadership and delivering on strategic change across diverse functions, including research, digital transformation, data and analytics and information technology.

Megan Sanders

Deputy Chair

Megan is a member of the Board’s Governance, Remuneration & Organisation Development Committee.

Megan is a practising solicitor with over a decade’s experience in commercial, corporate and property law. She acts as a trusted advisor to a diverse array of business clients and frequently works with financial advisors and stakeholders to achieve practical solutions to complex matters. Through her professional experience, she brings to the Board a sharp eye for detail, strong commercial acumen and a firm appreciation of legal, governance and compliance issues.

Renee Hancock

Board Member

Pam is a Senior Financial Counsellor with over 20 years direct casework experience in both Welfare and Community Health, currently specialising in the gambling arena and has extended into Private Supervision Practice.

Pam also serves on the Financial and Consumer Rights Council, ASIC Consumer Advisory Panel, ACCC Consumer Representative Panel, and a member of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA).

Frank Carlus

Board Member

Frank provides WCIG’s board with his extensive experience in not for profit Board Director roles, and is currently serving on the boards of WCIG and Hepatitis Victoria. Frank is a former state public servant with over 32 years’ experience in the Department of Human Services/Department of Health in direct care, policy and senior management positions across a range of services and programs.

Shane Nelson

Board Member

Shane is the current Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at WCIG.

Shane is a Certified Practicing Accountant and MBA. He has over 20 years’ experience as a CPA, CFO and General Manager leading Finance, IT and Major Projects within various industries including Automotive, Not for Profit, Recruitment and IT Services.

Maria Govers

Board Member

Maria Govers joined the WCIG Board in early 2019 with previous experience on the Board of Interchange Western disability services for over 5 years, with 4 years as Chair leading the search to find a merger partner, completing due diligence and integration with Gateways, Geelong.

Maria’s previous governance experience was ideal for chairing our Governance, Remuneration and Organisational Development Committee as well as a member of our Nomination Committee recruiting future directors.

After a long career in senior manager leadership roles in the insurance industry, Maria has transitioned her career to NFPs as Director Business Operations Women’s Health West, a local specialist provider of services to victim survivors of family violence and health promotion, including advocacy and gender equality.

Pier De Carlo

Board Member

Pier joined the WCIG Board in 2020 and has over 20 years’ experience in senior executive positions across the Health and Human Services sector for the State Government and the Not for Profit sector. Pier has also spent a number of years in operational management of public housing in the northern and western regions of Melbourne, policy and strategy in the alcohol and drug and mental health programs, and in more recent years public health and human services regulation.

Pier holds a Bachelor of Economics, with a particular focus on labour economics and industrial relations and Post Graduate Diplomas in Human Resource and Health Management.

Laura Barker

Board Member

David Clements

Board Member

Shane is the current Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at WCIG.

Shane is a Certified Practicing Accountant and MBA. He has over 20 years’ experience as a CPA, CFO and General Manager leading Finance, IT and Major Projects within various industries including Automotive, Not for Profit, Recruitment and IT Services.

Maria Govers

Board Member

Maria Govers joined the WCIG Board in early 2019 with previous experience on the Board of Interchange Western disability services for over 5 years, with 4 years as Chair leading the search to find a merger partner, completing due diligence and integration with Gateways, Geelong.

Maria’s previous governance experience was ideal for chairing our Governance, Remuneration and Organisational Development Committee as well as a member of our Nomination Committee recruiting future directors.

After a long career in senior manager leadership roles in the insurance industry, Maria has transitioned her career to NFPs as Director Business Operations Women’s Health West, a local specialist provider of services to victim survivors of family violence and health promotion, including advocacy and gender equality.

Pier De Carlo

Board Member

Pier joined the WCIG Board in 2020 and has over 20 years’ experience in senior executive positions across the Health and Human Services sector for the State Government and the Not for Profit sector. Pier has also spent a number of years in operational management of public housing in the northern and western regions of Melbourne, policy and strategy in the alcohol and drug and mental health programs, and in more recent years public health and human services regulation.

Pier holds a Bachelor of Economics, with a particular focus on labour economics and industrial relations and Post Graduate Diplomas in Human Resource and Health Management.

Laura Barker

Board Member

Meet Our Senior Leadership Team

 

Team

Ron
Miers

CEO

Ron has served as CEO of WCIG for more than 19 years. He holds a Bachelor in Theology and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Psychology.

Ron is particularly interested in community organisations: how they form and develop, and their management and governance. He has worked in and with community organisations in Melbourne’s western suburbs since 1983, in housing, youth, health, counselling, community development, employment, training and vocational education.

Mary Jankulovski (née Stojanovska)

Deputy CEO

Mary Jankulovski (née Stojanovska) offers WCIG 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector and her skill in strategic planning, collaboration and her knowledge of community needs sees her sit on a number of local boards, committees and networks, including the Maribyrnong Moonee Valley LLEN Executive Committee and the DHHS Statewide Leaving Care Reform Reference Group.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Bachelor of Arts Community Development, a Diploma of Frontline Management, and AICD Company Directors Course.

George
Dimopoulos

Employment Group Manager

George joined WCIG in 2018 and has over 25 years’ experience in the employment services industry, the last 10 in national and executive management roles.

Over the last 25 years George has been responsible for operations in urban, rural and remote areas.

Andrew
Hills

WCN Group Manager

Andrew has worked in Employment Services for more than 25 years, across open employment services and Disability Employment services. Andrew has also spent a number of years consulting to providers and showing them how to improve performance in their service contracts. His experience also includes 5 years as a Senior Policy advisor for NESA and 7 years serving as a Director on the NESA board.

Peter
Collins

Social Enterprise Manager

Peter has been involved in business development and creation for 20 years with the last 10 in social enterprise. Peter is passionate about job creation and community development that social enterprise creates within a commercial landscape. He has started social enterprises in areas as diverse as hospitality, the arts, events and tourism.

Tristan
Ellery

Human Resources Manager

With over 12 years’ experience in HR and Industrial Relations, Tristan has helped WCIG organisation further improve their HR processes and implement a large number of new and exciting initiatives. Tristan is also experienced in commercial recruitment as well as working within Disability Employment Services.

George Dimopoulos

Employment Group Manager

George joined WCIG in 2018 and has over 25 years’ experience in the employment services industry, the last 10 in national and executive management roles.

Over the last 25 years George has been responsible for operations in urban, rural and remote areas.

Andrew Hills

WCN Group Manager

Andrew has worked in Employment Services for more than 25 years, across open employment services and Disability Employment services. Andrew has also spent a number of years consulting to providers and showing them how to improve performance in their service contracts. His experience also includes 5 years as a Senior Policy advisor for NESA and 7 years serving as a Director on the NESA board.

Careers with WCIG

 

Vacancies

Join our team and work with those most affected by unemployment.

Working with disadvantaged members of the community and empowering them through the channels available to them, our staff find their roles in our organisation very rewarding.

Male and female coworker looking at a page of notes. The woman is holding a pen while the man flicks through the pages. They are both wearing business attire and smiling.
Working at WCIG can open doors to a fulfilling career positively impacting the lives of people in your community every day. We have a diverse range of programs and are always looking for new ways to respond to the needs of our community. Positions vary from Head Office operations to client-facing and case management roles with plenty of room to grow. Other benefits include:
  • Industry leading salary with our own generous Enterprise Agreement
  • Salary packaging options
  • Flexible working hours
  • Purchased leave – up to 6 weeks annual leave per year
  • Study leave
  • Paid maternity/paternity leave
  • Above-award personal and annual leave entitlements
The opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life, and knowing you have learnt more about yourself and the world creates it’s own satisfaction. For general Human Resources enquiries, please email humanresources@wcig.org.au WCIG is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people with disability to apply. If you are interested in a career at WCIG, check out our current vacancies HERE.
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