About Us

Meet the Team

Meet the team at Greystanes Disability Services—a group of caring, skilled, and passionate people who are dedicated to making a difference every day. From our support workers to our management team, each person plays a vital role in helping the people we support live with dignity, independence, and joy. We’re proud to work alongside individuals, families, and the community to create positive outcomes for the people we support.

Management Team

Amanda Coleman-Watson

Chief Executive Officer

Amanda has been dedicated to community services since 2001, supporting people with disabilities and young people for over 24 years. She has held various roles, from Support Worker to the position of CEO, and is passionate about social development and creating a fair and equal society. Amanda holds a Bachelor's in Community Services and diplomas in Youth Work, Counselling, and Disability Studies. Amanda has contributed to research projects improving advocacy and led person-centred practices for people with disability. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys gardening with her family, time in nature, and walking her pack of rescue dogs.

Vanessa Balfour

Executive Assistant / Company Secretary

Vanessa's role is to support the CEO of GDS and coordinate GDS Community Engagement. This includes communication, grants, fundraising and events. Vanessa's background is in marketing and administration. Vanessa has worked in multi-national medical device manufacturers and software development organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom. Vanessa has worked at GDS for over 10 years starting as a support worker when she moved to the Blue Mountains. Vanessa will happily tell you that GDS is the best place she has ever worked due to its human rights-based approach and culture that aligns with her ethos.

Anita Ferrari

Business Manager

Anita Ferrari is Greystanes Disability Services Business Manager. Anita’s previous working experience business administration in corporate sectors. With a Bachelor of Social Welfare Specialised in Law for Human Services Disability and Community Analysis, Anita is an active member of Voices of Lived Experience (VOLE) as a woman with lived experience of disability.

Tory McPhee

Operations Manager

Tory McPhee oversees the NDIS Operations and Home Support Services within GDS. Tory has 20 years of experience in the disability services sector and no plans of ever changing. Roles within the sector have included Support Worker, Team Leader, Operations Manager, Accommodation Manager, Manager of the DHASI Initiative and YPLC and finally Specialist Support Coordinator. Tory’s 5-year focus within GDS work is to continue to deliver, person-centred supports, develop and expand into housing for those with a disability, ensure equality and lead confided, knowledgeable and goal-driven teams.

Courtney Litchfield

Operations Manager

Courtney Litchfield is the Operations Manager ensuring compliance across our community living services and day programs. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality care, she supports our Team Leaders in the smooth, day to day operation of their locations helping to create safe, supportive and empowering environments for the people we support. Courtney has an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management, which strengthens her leadership skills and sector knowledge. Courtney is a proud and busy mum to four young children.

Elizabeth Bass

Training Manager

Elizabeth is a dedicated and compassionate leader with a strong focus on person-centred care. Elizabeth holds formal qualifications in Training and Assessment, Counselling, Mental Health, and an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management, which she uses to help guide and mentor the staff here at Greystanes. Elizabeth is passionate about continuous learning and empowering staff with training that has a strong focus on person centred active support while modelling best practice to make a real difference in the lives of the people we support. Elizabeth's family has proudly worked within Greystanes for the past 30 years and Elizabeth is proud to be apart of that legacy starting as a lifestyle educator/support worker, moving up as a Team Leader successfully running two homes and finally as Training Manager empowering those around her with education to be the best they can be.

Organisational Support

Sofia Nicholls

Clerical Officer

Wilma Nederhof

General Services Officer

Thomas Francis

Maintenance Officer

Kimberley Tickner

Reception

Disability Support Services

Bettina Schulz

Community Program Coordinator

Bettina has worked at Greystanes for 12 years, starting as a support worker in Home and Living and then moved on to working in the Day Program. Over the years, she has supported most people who have attended the Day Program. Everyone at Greystanes plays an important role in providing support and Bettina aims to facilitate the smooth running of the Community Program.

Team Leaders

Team Leaders at GDS are essential for embedding person-centred active support into frontline practice through effective practice leadership, modelling active support principles, and working alongside support staff to actively support people with disability. Their hands-on guidance and experience help maintain consistent, person-focused support and drive better outcomes for people with disabilities.