Leadership team Tanya Stevenson CEO Currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Tanya has over 10 years of management experience in working in the NFP sector. Tanya has an undergraduate in Psychology and a Masters in Education. Tanya was named Young Business Person of the year in 2012 on the Fraser Coast and Young Alumni of the year for USQ in 2013. Tanya has led the strategic expansion of the HBNC to include the implementation of the Fraser Coast Community Social Plan and the development of the Neighbourhood Hive and Urangan Wellness Centre as well as their first social enterprise The Wandering Teapot. Tanya is a long-term community member of the Fraser Coast and has worked in the community sector for over 20 years. Tanya is committed to partnerships across our region and improving the social outcomes for everyone through social innovation and development. Elizabeth Sturgess Deputy CEO Elizabeth has lived in Hervey Bay for the past 13 years and brings a diverse global and professional background, having previously lived and worked across China, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United States. Holding a Bachelor of Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health, and an MBA, Elizabeth began her career in China managing an English department before moving into business development for an ITO company. After returning to Australia, she held several roles within Corrections before transitioning into family and relationships services, followed by work in the youth mental health sector. With a strong focus on supporting and strengthening existing programs, Elizabeth is also committed to innovation and the development of new initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of the Fraser Coast community. Passionate about collaboration and community engagement, she hopes to see increased participation from both volunteers and community members, alongside a shared commitment to improving outcomes for the region’s most vulnerable people. Maureen Hall Aged & Inclusion Manager A seasoned community professional, Maureen heads the Aged and Inclusion Service of HBNC. Throughout her career spanning over 28 years, she has invested a substantial amount of time working on local community projects. Before joining HBNC in 2014, Maureen worked as the Community Relations Specialist with Rio Tinto Coal Australia on its Kestrel Coal Mine in Emerald in Central Queensland. There, she delivered sustainable outcomes through investing in their communities of interest. A Rio Tinto trained auditor for Health, Safety & Environment and Community, Maureen was also responsible for spearheading the first Social Risk Analysis on behalf of the mining giant for the Bowen Basin Coal Mine - Australia’s biggest coal mine by recoverable reserves. An active social worker, Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts with Majors in Welfare and Sociology with Electives in Human Resource Management from Central Queensland University and an Advanced Diploma in Community Management. Sheenah Heinonen Family, Children & Youth Manager Sheenah has over 25 years of broad experience working in the human services industry, particularly in the areas of child protection, disability services, community care and aged care. Prior to joining HBNC, she worked as the Child Safety Officer with the Department of Child, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs for close to four years. She has worked extensively in the human services industry in multiple capacities throughout Queensland and New South Wales. She holds a Bachelor of Human Services (Child & Family) from the University of Southern Queensland. She has also completed an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management through the Stark Institute, as well as a Diploma of Community Coordination and of Management, both from Aged Care Queensland Education Institute. She lives in Hervey Bay with her family. Raymond Hill Legal and Professional Services Manager Ray manages our Legal and Professional Services, bringing over two decades of knowledge from a broad variety of private and community legal practice. Ray holds a Bachelor of Laws as well as a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Practice. He has substantial experience delivering easily digested legal advice as well as providing culturally safe legal services to Aboriginal clients and sensitive, trauma-informed assistance to survivors of family violence and sexual assault, having been for eight years principal solicitor for a specialist Community Legal Centre serving the needs of those demographics in the northwest and far western regions of New South Wales. He takes great satisfaction from assisting people marginalised from access to the justice and support our legal system should be providing to everyone. In his spare time, he indulges an interest in computers, technology, gaming and the “internet of things”. Occasionally he turns all the things off and goes camping. Robyn Patience Finance Manager Robyn's family has been in Hervey Bay for over 30 years and in June 2022 she and her husband made the decision to move to Hervey Bay. Robyn is an avid swimmer and most weekdays begin with a 5.30am 2km swim. Robyn's finance career started in Perth working for a major bank while studying for her Bachelor of Business. She moved to Sydney to work for a major insurance company as a systems accountant. This then led to Financial Management roles with a global DVD & CD Manufacturing company, and a global construction company. Robyn then moved to Darwin and spent 13 years enjoying the tropics along with quarterly Bali holidays. She has worked on some exciting projects including Australian Defence’s Armidale Class Patrol boats project and for a Canadian Gold mining company which also came with a lot of travel. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Business, CPA qualification and a Masters in Applied Finance. Farzina William Enterprise & Multicultural Manager Farzina William has over 15 years of experience in management and business, and six years in the multicultural sector. Starting her career as a school teacher and managing a business, Farzina transitioned into child safety and later into the multicultural services sector, where she found her true calling. She holds a Bachelor of Human Services (Major: Child & Family) from the University of Southern Queensland. Farzina is a passionate advocate for harmony, diversity, and inclusive environments and has dedicated her career to fostering cultural understanding and empowering communities. In recognition of her efforts, Farzina received the Highly Commended Award for Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever – Individual Award in 2024. She resides in Hervey Bay with her family, where she also co-manages a business with her husband. Narelle Duroux Tenancy & Development Manager Narelle Duroux proudly belongs to the Bundjalung and Noonuccal peoples and grew up in the western suburbs of Brisbane before making Hervey Bay home 17 years ago. A proud mum of two sons, Narelle’s passion for social justice was sparked after becoming a parent and has guided her work ever since. With qualifications in criminology, community services, mental health peer work, and as a Justice of the Peace, she brings lived experience, professional insight, and compassion to her role. Narelle began volunteering at HBNC in 2018 and became a staff member in 2019. She is deeply committed to advocating for fairness and inclusivity, having navigated her own challenges with inequity. Outside of work, she enjoys music concerts and Sunday drives exploring the Fraser Coast with her boys. Narelle loves the Hervey Bay lifestyle and is honoured to work in a role that helps others and strengthens community connections.