Northern Region
The Northern Region covers Darwin, Palmerston, Rural Top End, Katherine Region, Victoria Daly Region, West Arnhem Region, East Arnhem Region and Tiwi Islands.
Janet Williams-Smith | General Manager, Inclusion & Early Intervention - ECA
Janet is responsible for leading ECA’s national inclusion and early intervention strategy including managing the ECANT’s NDIS and IA programs.
Janet has extensive experience in working with young children and families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. Her background and training has been in general and psychiatric nursing, social work and family therapy working in both the UK and Australia.
Janet has held several executive leadership and management roles in large not for profit health and education organisations including the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Early Childhood Management Services, the Children’s Protection Society and Karitane.
Deanne Hunt | Administration Manager
Deanne commenced with ECA NT in December 2019. She comes with over 25 years’ of experience in business administration and office management. As a former business owner Deanne is a very multi-skilled all-rounder in many areas of business operations from customer service, grant submissions, finance, human resources, payroll and budgeting.
Deanne is a person who is proactive with knowledge of industry advancements and enjoys the challenge of implementing new systems and procedures that provide a positive outcome for all.
Harmony Plues | Administration Officer/HR
Harmony has worked for ECA NT since 2018 and has developed and matured into a highly valued member of the ECA NT Administration Team. Initially Harmony was employed as a trainee and has successfully completed her Certificate III & IV in Business whilst working at ECA NT.
She will be working towards achieving her Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.
We can proudly say, Harmony was a 2020 finalist for the 2020 GTNT Awards for the Indigenous Trainee of the Year.
Claire Bredhauer | Media, Events & Program Coordinator
Claire has helped develop and facilitate the Gym for Growth and Development (g4gd®) program from its inception in 2015. She comes to the role with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning and two years experience in the childcare industry as Director. She grew up in Darwin and has 3 young children.
Claire loves working as an education and care professional and connecting with families in the community.
Filomena Lay | Northern Region NT-IA Manager
Filomena joined the ECA NT - Inclusion Support team in July 2019. Originally from Timor, Filomena has called the Territory home for the past 35 years. She has worked in the education and care industry for 5 years.
Prior to this, she worked with the Northern Territory Government as a Project Support Officer, and with Charles Darwin University as a Research Associate.
Filomena’s qualification include Bachelors in Psychology, Behavioural Science (Honours) and more recently Education. Filomena has a special interest in understanding brain development, and how to optimise children’s experiences and environment to support healthy brain development.
Lucy Stephens | Inclusion Professional Team Leader
Lucy joined the ECA NT team in September 2021 and has previously worked in a long day care service for the last seven years.
Lucy is originally from England but has called Darwin “home” for the past 9 years.
Lucy has a Diploma in Children’s Inter-professional Studies which was attained at the University of Hull where she studied for 3 years and engaged in a variety of placements to further her knowledge.
Lucy is passionate about children and specifically her role as an Inclusion Professional.
Jacinta McInnerney | Inclusion Professional Training Coordinator
Jacinta joined the ECA NT - Inclusion Support team in October 2021.
Jacinta has many years’ experience in Centre-Based Day Care as an educator, Educational Leader and Assistant Director and as the Coordinator of a Mobile Children’s Service.
Jacinta’s passion lies in inspiring and mentoring educators to provide rich and diverse learning environments that support all children’s growth and development, builds resilience and fosters positive relationships. I believe that meaningful partnerships with families and the wider community are vital for children to thrive and reach their full potential.
Jacinta has been a member of ECA NT for many years and was very excited to join the Inclusion Professional team. Jacinta looks forward to supporting educators to build their confidence and capabilities in recognising and valuing children’s experiences and unique identities and providing inclusive care environments.
Alex Kastellorizios | Inclusion Professional Special Equipment Officer
Alex joined the ECA NT - Inclusion Support team in August 2022.
Alex was born and bred in Darwin and enjoys everything it has to offer. Alex loves fishing, dirt bike riding and being with her family, Alex is from Greek descent.
Alex has completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and has a Bachelor in Sociology and Indigenous Studies. Alex has said it has been a life mission of hers to make education environments more inclusive and understanding of children that come from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and neurodivergent backgrounds, as this is part of her background and she has felt the amazing benefits of inclusive environments.
Erin Murphy | Inclusion Professional
Erin has worked in the Early Years Sector in mostly remote services throughout the NT since 2013 as a Team Leader, Lead Educator and a Director with a short break after having her son in 2021.
Erin is passionate about inclusive environments, learning through play and nature play.
Erin holds a Diploma of Early childhood Education and Care and believes all children have the right to quality education and care and equal opportunities.
Maggie Maguire | Inclusion Professional
Maggie Joined the ECA NT Inclusion Support Team in June 2023. Maggie is originally from New Zealand but had lived in Western Australia for the past year and a half.
Maggie has her Bachelors in teaching (ECE) and has taught in this industry for 7 years. She has just relocated to Darwin from Karratha where she worked as an Educational Leader in a remote community.
Maggie enjoys working with children and sparking the magic within them, She’s excited to join the Inclusion Professional teacher for ECA and working with services to create inclusive environments for children around the NT
Kirby Mcintsoh | Inclusion Professional
Maria Baron | Inclusion Professional
Hola! Maria, is originally from Colombia. She moved to Australia almost 10 years ago. Maria is amazed by the opportunities this country offers to connect and interact with people from diverse multicultural backgrounds. Maria’s professional journey has been shaped by the knowledge and experience gained in various roles in the sector, such as an Educational Leader and Practice Partner. Maria has successfully completed her Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and am currently pursuing a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Teaching (0 to 12 years).
Maria is genuinely interested in understanding brain development, and she firmly believe’’s in the significance of nurturing relationships as the foundation of healthy child development and growth. I view inclusive education as a fundamental right that contributes to creating a supportive learning environment. I consider it a privilege to connect with leaders and educators in the Territory, allowing me to continually learn from the uniqueness of each service. I look forward to meeting you and working collaboratively with you and your teams to foster an environment where we can learn from each other's experiences and expertise.
Southern Region
The Southern Region covers Alice Springs, MacDonnell Region, Barkly Region, Central Desert Region.
Catherine Clucas | Southern Region NT-IA Manager
Catherine has worked in the early childhood sector for over twenty years, the last four and half of those have been here in the Northern Territory including working in Central Australian remote indigenous communities.
Catherine qualifications include a Diploma of Children’s Services as well as qualifications in Rudolf Steiner Early Childhood Education. Catherine is currently studying her Batchelor of Education (0-12). Catherine also has an interest in the Marte Meo method of strength-based approach to learning and living.
Catherine brings with her range of experience working across variety of services. Catherine believes all children deserve the opportunity/have the right to thrive and sees both the environment and support given in the early years as integral to children’s development and growth.
She is enthusiastic about supporting services to ensure all children have access to quality programs and experiences which celebrate their abilities and enable them to be active participants in their learning
Tracey Murphy | Inclusion Professional
Tracey started with ECA March 2022 and Born in the UK and moved to Australia in 1970. Lived in SA for most of my childhood before moving to the NT in 1979. I left the NT in 1988 moving to NSW to start my career in Early Childhood.
Tracey has been in Early Childhood for 34 years. Tracey has a Diploma in Early Childhood and Community Services. Working mostly in leadership roles as 2IC, Lead Educator , Director, Managing Director and as an Atelier Artist working in services and schools across Canberra and NSW.
Tracey also holds an Advanced Diploma in Visual arts (CDU), Cert 1V in Front line Management and Cert 1V Training and Assessment.
Tracey moved back to Alice Springs to take the role as a Director in a new service in January 2021, Tracey has a strong passion for the Arts in Early Childhood and delivering quality programs that foster children’s development
Sarah Went | Inclusion Professional
Sarah is an advocate for Early Years Education and Care, having worked in the Sector since 2015. Inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach and committed to fostering play-based learning, Sarah believes in the power of creating child-led environments. These philosophies have been fundamental in her previous role as a Service Manager before starting with ECA NT as an Inclusion Professional in May 2023.
Sarah believes that the cornerstone of early years education and care rests in the establishment and nurturing of relationships. Her approach is centered around cultivating strong connections with both children and their families and hopes to impart this upon educators. In doing so, fostering an environment where children can not only grow but truly flourish.
Sarah relocated from the ACT to Alice Springs in May 2023. This move has allowed her to continue her exploration of Early Childhood Education and explore the NT.
She is currently completing her Bachelor in Early Childhood Education, and looks forward to bringing even more knowledge and fresh perspectives to her role in the near future.