Our Team

  • Kerri Murada

    Kerri Murada - General Manager

    We are pleased to introduce Kerri, the General Manager at Necessity Kids. With her vast experience and knowledge, Kerri ensures the smooth operation of our services and the provision of high-quality care to our clients. She is a detail-oriented and organised individual who oversees day-to-day activities such as scheduling, staff management, and financial management.

    Kerri works closely with the team to ensure that we offer exceptional care and support to our clients. She continuously seeks to enhance the clients' experience by streamlining processes, developing new programs, and providing ongoing training and support to the staff. Kerri's dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset to our team.

  • Ellie Johnston

    Ellie Johnston - Speech Pathologist

    Ellie is a passionate Paediatric Speech Pathologist who brings energy, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning to her work with children and families. Inspired by her travels and the diverse people she meets along the way, Ellie values connection, communication, and creating meaningful moments.

    She is dedicated to helping children find their voice, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential through supportive and engaging therapy.

  • Jillian Chambers

    Jillian Chambers - Early Intervention Key Worker

    Jillian is an experienced Early Intervention Key Worker who brings deep knowledge, compassion, and a genuine commitment to supporting families. With many years of working alongside children and caregivers, she is dedicated to empowering families with the tools, confidence, and guidance they need to help their children thrive.

    A lifelong learner, Jillian is always expanding her skills to provide the best support possible. Outside of work, she loves going on cruises and travelling with her family, cherishing the memories they make together.

  • Kylie Esterich

    Kylie Esterich – Early Intervention Key Worker

    Kylie brings a unique blend of expertise to our team, with a strong background in teaching and extensive experience within the medical field. She is deeply passionate about supporting families as they navigate the emotional load of hospital stays, specialist appointments, dental visits, and other healthcare experiences.

    Kylie has a calm, compassionate approach and is dedicated to helping families feel informed, prepared, and supported. Kylie is currently enjoying precious time with her family during maternity leave, and we look forward to welcoming her back in late 2026.

  • Lisa Carrick

    Lisa Carrick – Early Intervention Key Worker

    Lisa is a recently graduated Early Intervention Key Worker who brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and heart to her role. She is deeply committed to supporting families throughout their journey, offering guidance, connection, and genuine care every step of the way.

    Lisa also plays a key role in sharing the incredible work happening at Necessity Kids — often found behind the camera, she captures meaningful moments for social media to raise awareness and celebrate the dedication of all our practitioners. Her enthusiasm, insight, and advocacy make her a valued part of our team.

  • Kim Darby

    Kim Darby – Allied Health Assistant Speech Pathology

    Kim joins our team as a New Graduate Speech Pathologist, bringing a wealth of knowledge from her extensive background in teaching. She is passionate about supporting children and families through meaningful one-on-one sessions and engaging group learning experiences.

    Kim has a warm, collaborative approach and loves creating environments where children feel confident, supported, and excited to learn. Outside of work, Kim treasures spending time with her family.

  • Mary Dijkmans Hadley

    Mary Dijkmans Hadley – Team Leader Speech Pathology

    Mary is the Speech Pathology Team Leader and a passionate advocate for empowering children through communication. She has a special interest in teaching children to use AAC devices, helping them find their voice and connect with the world around them.

    Mary is equally dedicated to supporting the next generation of professionals — giving students and Allied Health Assistants the skills, confidence, and belief they need to grow into exceptional speech pathologists. On the weekends, Mary can be found cheering on her beloved Broncos or scaling new heights at the rock-climbing gym. Her leadership, energy, and commitment make her an invaluable part of our team.

  • Nadia Verwey

    Nadia Verwey – Early Intervention Key Worker

    Nadia is an Early Intervention Key Worker who brings creativity, colour, and compassion to every session. She loves using imaginative and playful learning to support children’s development and is passionate about inclusivity, working with families from all areas of the community to ensure everyone feels supported and valued.

    Nadia thrives on creating engaging, colourful experiences for children — often incorporating all the colours of the rainbow into her work.

  • Tegan Mitchell

    Tegan Mitchell – Early Intervention Key Worker

    Tegan is a recently graduated Early Intervention Key Worker who brings warmth, dedication, and a genuine passion for supporting families. She is committed to creating positive experiences for every family she works with, guiding them through their early intervention journey and helping them navigate new or unfamiliar paths with confidence and care.

    Tegan is also a strong team player who loves supporting her colleagues at Necessity Kids. On the weekends, she enjoys spending quality time with her family. Tegan’s compassion, encouragement, and commitment to her families make her a valued member of our team.

  • Tiarna Whitehouse

    Tiarna Whitehouse – Allied Health Assistant

    Tiarna is a Speech Pathology Allied Health Assistant who brings organisation, creativity, and enthusiasm to every family she supports. She loves developing engaging resources and ensuring everything is prepared to help sessions run smoothly and meaningfully.

    Currently studying to become a full-time Speech Pathologist, Tiarna is embracing every step of the journey and is passionate about growing her skills in the field. On the weekends, Tiarna can be found practising dance routines or teaching and mentoring younger dancers. Her dedication, creativity, and commitment make her a vibrant part of our team.

  • Tugba Birgin

    Tugba Birgin – Speech Patholgist

    Tugba is a dedicated Speech Pathologist who has been with Necessity Kids since the very beginning. Her commitment, passion, and deep knowledge make her an integral part of our team. Tugba loves supporting our Allied Health Assistants, helping them grow, learn, and develop into confident future speech pathologists.

    She is driven by the joy of seeing children reach their milestones and celebrating their progress alongside their families. Outside of work, Tugba cherishes time with her family and enjoys relaxing holidays that bring rest and connection.

  • Mikayla Mennelli

    Mikayla Mennelli – Speech Pathologist

    Mikayla is a dedicated Speech Pathologist who brings compassion, creativity, and a strong commitment to helping children communicate with confidence. She is passionate about building meaningful connections with families and creating engaging, supportive sessions that celebrate each child’s unique strengths.

    Mikayla values collaboration and works closely with caregivers to ensure therapy feels positive, purposeful, and empowering. Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys spending time with her loved ones and embracing the moments that bring balance and joy. Her calm approach, passion for her profession, and genuine care make her a valued part of the Necessity Kids team.

  • Merryn Cahill

    Merryn Cahill – Team Leader Early Intervention Key Worker

    Merryn is the Team Leader and an Early Intervention Key Worker who brings extensive experience and a strong foundation in early childhood education. With many years spent in preschool settings, including as a director, Merryn has a deep understanding of child development and family support. She is passionate about fostering a positive team culture, empowering those around her, and creating an environment where both staff and families feel supported and valued.

    Outside of work, Merryn enjoys spending quality time with her family and taking her dogs for long, peaceful walks. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication make her a cornerstone of the Necessity Kids team.

  • Tiffany Sackett

    Tiffany Sackett – Early Intervention Key worker

    Tiffany is an Early Intervention Key Worker who brings warmth, insight, and a genuine passion for supporting families on their developmental journey. With a strong commitment to creating positive, engaging learning experiences, Tiffany works closely with children and their caregivers to build confidence, celebrate progress, and navigate new challenges together. She values connection, collaboration, and empowering families with the tools they need to help their children thrive.

    Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and embracing the things that bring joy and balance to her life. Her dedication, compassion, and supportive nature make her a valued member of the Necessity Kids team.

  • Chloe Van Ommen

    Chloe Van Ommen – OT student

    Chloe is an Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant who brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a thoughtful approach to supporting children and families. She loves designing engaging resources and helping to create meaningful, well-prepared sessions that encourage children to learn, explore, and grow.

    Chloe has a special passion for creativity beyond the clinic too — she enjoys designing bandanas for Camp Quality, using her talents to bring colour, joy, and support to children in the wider community. Her warm nature, attention to detail, and commitment to making a positive difference make Chloe a valued part of the Necessity Kids team.

  • Jo Collier

    Jo Collier — Clinical Mentor, Speech Pathology

    Jo Collier is a warm, dedicated, and highly experienced speech pathologist who brings kindness, clinical excellence, and a deep love of service to her role as Clinical Mentor at Necessity Kids.

    With years of hands-on experience working with children and families, Jo is passionate about supporting the next generation of therapists to grow in confidence, capability, and compassion. Her approach to supervision is grounded in genuine care, clear communication, and a collaborative spirit. She helps our team reflect, refine, and expand their skills, ensuring that the children and families we serve receive the highest quality care.

    Within our team, Jo is affectionately known as “The Oracle”—a trusted source of wisdom, insight, and calm guidance. Her mentorship style combines evidence-informed feedback with practical support, and she is deeply respected for her integrity, generosity, and unwavering commitment to both clients and colleagues.

    At Necessity Kids, we are incredibly fortunate to partner with Jo and the team benefit from her sharing her wisdom, warmth, and expertise guiding our team's clinical growth.