Greg Warren was born and raised in Dubbo and has Yuin indigenous heritage through his paternal grandmother. Along with his two brothers, he attended St Johns Catholic College and enjoyed playing cricket, soccer and rugby union.

After enlisting in the Australian Regular Army and leaving home at age 17, Greg spent a decade as a soldier serving in both the Royal Australian Infantry Corp (RAINF) and the Royal Australian Corp of Transport (RACT) as a rifleman, paratrooper, marksman and driver with numerous postings both domestically and abroad. Following his military service, Greg moved to the Macarthur region to start his family, with both sons born in Campbelltown Hospital, and begin his civilian working life as a truck driver and logistics professional.

Before being elected to Parliament in 2015, Greg had a successful corporate career on various boards and held numerous leadership positions including as a General Manager, State Operations Manager and NSW Network Supply and Procurement Manager of both international and domestic logistics firms. He is a former local Councillor, Mayor and Deputy Mayor and holds a Bachelor of Business (BBus) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), majoring in Economics & Globalisation.

Greg has completed the Kokoda Track twice with fellow veterans and local charities supporting disadvantaged youth and veterans support. He has a long-standing personal passion supporting numerous charities including Soldier On, St Vincent de Paul, Mater-Dei and others. Greg is also a volunteer with the NSW SES and has dedicated his entire adult life to community service, in various capacities. He remains a member of his local RSL Sub-Branch and is honoured to be Patron of Macarthur Vietnam Veterans along with a number of other local sporting groups.

Greg cares deeply about Campbelltown and the Macarthur region, which he has called home for more than 20 years. As the Member for Campbelltown, he has fought for services and infrastructure which the local community needs, both now and into the future. Looking ahead, Greg will continue his fight for these improvements in health and education services, infrastructure and public transport, in additional to his personal focus on supporting homelessness, domestic violence services and veterans support organisations.

We’re delighted to welcome Dr Ben Bailey, Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, to the Community of Practice event at NSW Parliament House.

A certified practicing Speech Pathologist and researcher, Dr Bailey’s work centres on supporting children’s communication development — from oral language, reading and writing, to play and participation in the community. His research takes an innovative, co-designed, interdisciplinary approach, with a strong focus on identifying supports that make a meaningful impact on children’s lives.

At the event, Dr Bailey will share what the current research tells us about effective literacy instruction, highlight some of the key gaps that remain, and explore the next steps for turning these insights into real classroom impact in partnership with Autistic students and their supporters.

With over two decades of experience across both mainstream and specialist settings, Stephanie Hopkins is a passionate educational leader committed to inclusive practice and collaborative leadership. Currently Principal of Arranounbai School for Specific Purposes (SSP) in Frenchs Forest, Steph leads a dynamic team supporting students with autism, intellectual disabilities, complex trauma, behavioural and emotional challenges, physical disabilities, and high medical needs.

Steph's leadership journey spans more than 30 years and includes diverse roles within the NSW Department of Education, including at Hebersham, Lane Cove, and Oxley Park Public Schools, as well as a leadership position at Penrith Anglican College. With specialised expertise in behaviour support, autism, and intellectual disability, she champions inclusive, student-centred, team-based approaches that foster independence for all learners.

Steph's international experience as a SENCO and Gifted & Talented teacher in London adds a global perspective to her work. She strongly believes that inclusion thrives through collaboration—reflecting the true spirit of a Community of Practice.

Rowena Perritt is a dedicated educational leader with over 20 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher, specialising in autism. Her career reflects a deep commitment to inclusive education and evidence-informed practice. Rowena has held several senior leadership roles, including Principal at Sylvanvale School, Principal at Aspect South East Sydney School, and Deputy Director of Education at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). She is currently Principal at Aspect South Coast School, where she leads a team focused on creating supportive, person-centred learning environments for students on the autism spectrum. Rowena is known for her strategic leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering advocacy for neurodiverse learners. Her work continues to shape inclusive education across the South Coast region and beyond.

Haty Fiorani is a passionate educator and accomplished leader with a wealth of experience in supporting students on the autism spectrum. As Leader of Learning & Wellbeing at Aspect South Coast School, Haty champions inclusive education through strong partnerships with host schools, fostering environments where neurodiverse learners thrive.

She is passionate about Positive Behaviour Support and plays a key role in mentoring both staff and students to deepen their understanding of autism and diversity. Haty regularly facilitates staff training at host schools and leads staff meetings, ensuring that inclusive practices are embedded across all learning environments.

A strong advocate for student voice, Haty actively co-presents with autistic students, empowering their perspectives and promoting authentic inclusion. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building respectful, informed communities that celebrate difference and support every learner’s potential.

We’re proud to welcome Eliza Tait, Deputy Premier of the NSW Youth Parliament, to the Community of Practice event at NSW Parliament House.

At just 18, Eliza is already a student, advocate, and researcher dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people with disability in Australia. Diagnosed with autism at 14, her lived experience across private, public, and specialised schools fuels her commitment to genuine education reform.

In her role with the NSW Youth Parliament, Eliza co-authored the Needs Based Transition Program Bill, advocating for structural change to better support students with disability. She has also contributed to the Parliamentary Inquiry into foundational support for children and young people with disability, ensuring that the voices of students are represented in shaping future policy.

Her thesis, Reimagining Inclusion: Education reform for twice-exceptional students in post-Royal Commission Australia, critiques the current education system and calls for universal design, stronger anti-discrimination policy, and safe, inclusive environments for all learners.

Eliza is helping to shape the future of inclusive education and working to ensure that inclusion is not just an aspiration — but a lived reality.

Melinda Dinale is an accomplished education leader with over 30 years of experience specialising in diverse and additional learning needs. Her career has spanned both mainstream and specialised settings, and through her various roles with Sydney Catholic Schools has cultivated deep expertise in educating students with disabilities. Her academic credentials include a Diploma of Education, a Bachelor of Special Education, a Master of Inclusive Education, a Graduate Certificate in Autism, and a Completion Certificate in the Neurobiological Bases of Autism. These qualifications have further honed her knowledge for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and students with complex needs. As the current Specialist for Diverse Learning Infrastructure at SCS, Melinda is committed to expanding specialised educational opportunities. A significant part of Melinda's role is building the capacity of school leaders and teaching teams in evidence-based best practice for teaching students with complex educational needs. Melinda's dedication ensures that students with diverse learning needs receive the best possible educational opportunities, fostering environments where all learners can thrive.

Joanne Tisdell, B.Ed (Primary), M.Ed (Spec. Ed.& Incl.), joined Aspect in 2005. Prior to joining Aspect as class teacher Joanne taught in specialist and mainstream primary settings. She completed a Bachelor of Education (with distinction certificate in Special Education) before completing a Masters of Special Education at Sydney University. Passionate about social skills and communication Joanne trained as a facilitator in several evidence informed programs and participated in research programs, embedding these within her classroom delivery of curriculum. Joanne has lectured at Sydney University and is dedicated to educate teachers in inclusive practices. Joanne is proud to lead a multi campus Special School, Aspect South East Sydney School, one of the largest Special Education Schools in NSW and work closely with Sydney Catholic Schools to provide the best opportunities for autistic students.

Together, Chris and Craig will give an overview of the Positive Partnerships program and explore how technology and AI can be harnessed to create more inclusive classrooms and empower diverse learners.

Craig Smith is Manager of Technology and Innovation for Positive Partnerships, with over 20 years of experience in autism and neurodivergent education. An international speaker and author, Craig has delivered keynotes around the world — including at the United Nations in China, and conferences in Dubai, Singapore, New Zealand, and South Africa. He is an accessibility consultant to Apple, has delivered a TED talk on AI and neurodiversity, and created The Universal Sandpit, an inclusive AI education platform used by over 10,000 people each month.

Chris Champion has worked in the education sector for more than 30 years, beginning as a teacher in South Australia and later serving as Principal in metro, rural, and remote schools. Since 2019, he has been Director of Positive Partnerships, after leading the rollout of the national KidsMatter Primary initiative. Chris has always been passionate about creating school environments that embrace and celebrate diversity.

Dr Chris Edwards is an Autistic Autism Researcher with Aspect and Adjunct Research Fellow with Griffith University as part of the Inclusive Futures beacon. Chris serves on the Executive Committee for the Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) and as a Non-Executive Director of Empower Autism. Chris has been supporting the Autistic community for over 11 years across various roles, and is most passionate about research in adulthood.

Working in the Autism field for over 20 years and as winner of the inaugural APS Psychology Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021, Kathleen Davey has seen the changing face of psychological services over two decades and the rise of the neurodiversity movement in different pockets of the world. Kathleen is a Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Social Science Translated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the not-for-profit AutismCRC. With years of experience growing the international distribution of the evidence-based Secret Agent Society program, Kathleen enjoys working with educational and clinical teams to help them establish sustainable innovation in their organisations.

Jasmine Gough is a PhD candidate and autistic researcher at Social Science Translated (SST). Drawing on her lived experience, she leads co-design initiatives that centre the voices of autistic young people and families. Jasmine’s work includes the recent self-discovery and advocacy camp for autistic students, which highlighted the power of cross-sector partnerships in creating inclusive education pathways.

Anna Brady is a dedicated and experienced education leader, with international and national experience across a range of school settings. Her career in leadership positions, and as National Leader of Education in London reinforced her experience in early intervention, inclusive pedagogies and strategic team development and collaboration. She is focused on ensuring every student thrives through a student-centered approach, to champion high quality, equitable education and transformative leadership.

Anna currently is a Principal of an Aspect School in North Sydney.

Jennifer Winstone is a speech therapist with a background at Giant Steps and Macquarie University, where she worked in transdisciplinary teams supporting autistic children with intersecting mental health and intellectual disability. Her practice spans education, health and community, with a strong focus on communication partner adjustments. Jennifer is a guest lecturer for medical students and regularly presents at national and international conferences. Alongside teacher and behaviour support practitioner Jessica Shahbazi, she co-founded MyComms – a clinician-built visual supports platform co-designed with families to ensure access and ownership of personalised communication. She values collaboration, intersectionality and innovation in building equitable communication futures.

Jenny Zagas, Principal of Lucas Gardens School, brings over 37 years of dedicated service in special education to the Community of Practice event at NSW Parliament House. She has worked across mainstream schools, support units, and specialist schools (SSPs) in both teaching and leadership roles — always guided by the belief that every child deserves a rich, comprehensive education that builds skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive.

As an educational leader within the NSW public education system, Jenny has led schools supporting students with disability, mental health challenges, and those accessing education within juvenile justice centres. At Lucas Gardens, she leads a specialist setting supporting students aged 4 to 18 with intellectual disability, alongside additional needs such as autism, physical disability, complex medical needs, and sensory impairments.

At the event, Jenny will share her insights as part of a panel discussion on working with allied health professionals – exploring how collaboration can deliver better outcomes for students and families.

Pat Seto is a parent of three boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. With her children transitioning from Aspect to mainstream schooling, Pat has worked closely with speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and teachers to support their development. Drawing on firsthand experience, she has seen how different strategies can shape learning, communication, and parent-teacher collaboration in mainstream settings.

Pat is a strong advocate for building meaningful partnerships between educators and families, believing that shared understanding and teamwork are key to achieving better outcomes for students with diverse needs.

Melanie Meers is currently the Principal of Anson Street School in Orange, the largest regional and rural K-12 public school for children and young people with disabilities in NSW. Leading a staff of more than 100, Melanie is a passionate and dedicated educational leader.

Across a career spanning over 30 years, Melanie has worked in a number of educational positions including teacher; behaviour, literacy and disability consultant; NESA Liaison Officer; Director; and for the last 10 years as Principal.

Melanie has worked predominantly in the public sector, but she has also worked with the NSW Education Authority and Catholic Education.

Melanie’s particular areas of interest focus on inclusive practice; mindfulness and wellbeing; adult professional learning and educational leadership; improving life outcomes for students with mental health disorders, trauma and challenging behaviours; and policy development.

Jill Hellemans is a distinguished Behaviour Analyst with over 25 years of experience supporting children with diverse needs, their families, and educators across homes, schools, and preschools. Holding a Master’s in Special Education and a Post Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Counselling, Jill blends clinical expertise with strategic leadership to drive inclusive, evidence-based practice across sectors.

She co-developed Sydney’s pioneering not-for-profit early intervention service, embedding the science of behaviour and learning within a family-centred, key worker model.

In 2024, Jill piloted an innovative early intervention program within a mainstream preschool, integrating Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) into the Early Years Framework. She currently works alongside teachers to implement functional curriculum such as Essentials for Living, and has introduced Skill-Based Therapy across Sydney schools transforming how educators play, engage, and adapt learning environments to support student interests.

Renowned for her strength-based, compassionate approach, Jill excels in assessment, intervention, and system-wide change ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and foundational supports.

Jess Rowlings is a qualified speech and language pathologist and co-founder/CEO of Next Level Collaboration, a social enterprise that runs strength-based programs to support neurodivergent children in developing collaborative skills and social connection through cooperative video games. She is proudly the first openly neurodivergent (AuDHD) CEO from a University of Melbourne spinout, and led the application for the first successful Genesis Pre-Seed Fund investment in a social enterprise (University of Melbourne/Breakthrough Victoria). As the leader of Next Level Collaboration, she leads a team of 15 neurodivergent staff across a growing portfolio of programs. Jess also serves as an Honorary Enterprise Fellow and researcher at the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education.

She specialises in the design and analysis of video game-based intervention to build social capacity in neurodivergent children. This includes contracts with industry, government and non-government organisations in harnessing the affordances of digital games-based learning to promote inclusion and a sense of belonging. Her work has included developing and running a dedicated Minecraft server to support neurodivergent girls and women. Informed by her lived experience of receiving autism and ADHD diagnoses as an adult as well as her lifelong love of games, Jess is also completing her PhD investigating the experiences of neurodivergent women in gaming communities.

Kathryn Stuart - Principal

Amanda Yates - Head of Learning & Wellbeing

Jacinta Yates - Leader of Learning & Wellbeing

Sarah Arnold - Leader of Learning & Wellbeing

Joshua Eli – Classroom Teacher/Board Game Creator

Angus Hamill is an alumnus of Aspect Central Coast School and a passionate advocate for diverse voices in media. In 2023, he was one of 15 Autistic journalism students featured on ABC’s The Assembly, a groundbreaking documentary exploring storytelling through the lens of neurodiversity.

Since 2021, Angus has been the host of Roar! Youth Disability Radio on Coast FM, where he creates space for young people with disabilities to share their stories and perspectives and he has now expanded onto the national stage, joining triple j as a Late Nights presenter. His commitment to inclusion and authentic representation has made him a recognisable voice in youth media and he continues to champion creativity, community, and the power of being heard.

Michael Theo is proudly Autistic and committed to authentic representation in media. Many first came to know him from Love on the Spectrum, where his honest humour and warmth quickly made him a fan favourite.

He now serves as an Autism Consultant at Aspect, and wears many creative hats as a podcaster, actor, writer, and speaker. In 2025, Michael earned a Silver Logie nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy for his performance in Austin, marking a significant milestone in his acting journey.

Through every role and platform, Michael continues to use his voice to spread kindness and encourage people to embrace who they are.

Avalon Nixon is an experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, specialising in paediatric practice. Over the past 19 years, Avalon has worked extensively across private practice and school settings throughout Sydney, supporting children, families, and educators to enhance participation and learning outcomes.

In addition to her clinical work, Avalon has made significant contributions to occupational therapy education at The University of Sydney. She served as Unit of Study Coordinator and subject creator for the Masters of Occupational Therapy program’s School and Collaborating with Teachers unit, which placed over 80 students in schools for 10-week fieldwork experiences, fostering collaboration between pre-service occupational therapists, teachers, and students.

Avalon is the Co-Director of Qualia Occupational Therapy for Children, a leading private practice dedicated to supporting children’s functional, social, and emotional development through evidence-based approaches.

A passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, Avalon brings a wealth of experience in working alongside allied health professionals, educators, and families to create inclusive, supportive school environments.

Outside of her professional life, Avalon is a proud mother of three primary school-aged children, which continues to inform her deep understanding of child development and the realities of modern school life.

Toby Martin is the Head of Special Education and Inclusion at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview, where he leads the College’s provision for students with a diverse range of neurodivergent needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this role, Toby oversees the academic coordination and administration of personalised learning programs that address both the academic and social-emotional development of students. He also plays a key role in designing and implementing whole-school initiatives that promote inclusive practice and strengthen staff capacity to support students with additional learning needs.

Toby holds a Master’s in Inclusive Education (Leadership) and has spent the past nine years contributing to the growth of Riverview’s inclusive culture. Before joining the College, he served on the leadership team of a specialist school in England for students with significant behavioural, emotional, and social challenges, where his focus was on re-engaging young people in education and community life.

Outside of education, Toby can often be found swimming or surfing at his beloved Northern Beaches, cheering from the sidelines at one of his kids sports events, or participating in the occasional Ultra Marathon for some ‘Type 2 Fun’.