Trisha Wachtel | Area Manager
Trish joined ECA NT in May 2018 as the Area Manager for the Early Childhood Early Intervention partnership with the NDIS. Previous to this role, Trish worked for Autism SA for seven years as the Senior Autism Advisor in the NT.
Trish is originally from Adelaide where she obtained a Degree in Developmental Disabilities at Flinders University. She has lived with her family in Darwin for 27 years and loves the Darwin lifestyle.
Felicia Hansen | Team Leader
Felicia joined the ECEI Team in July 2018 as a ECEI Coordinator and has recently taken on the role as Team Leader 2021. She grew up in the NT and continues to enjoy the climate and lifestyle.
She has a Bachelor of Social Work and is a trained facilitator of ‘Tuning into Kids’. Before joining Early Childhood Australia, Felicia enjoyed working with families and all their complexities.
Felicia is passionate about hearing the voices of children.
Mila Lu | NDIS Administration and Program Officer
Mila joined ECA NT at the start of May, 2023.
Mila has previously worked as an Educator at an Out of School Hours Care facility for three years, and as a medical receptionist for the past year.
Mila grew up in Darwin and has enjoyed every part of it. Being part of the community, she is inspired to help those around her and takes joy in the work that she does. She looks forwards to assisting the families and children with ECA NT.
Naomi Allen | Senior Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Naomi joined the ECEI Team in September 2020 and has a background in Social Work. She has primarily worked in disability and carers support services in South Australia before moving to Darwin.
Naomi has enjoyed exploring the markets and trying out the local cuisine.
Naomi feels privileged to support children and families on their journey through the early years.
Shae-Lee Bakker | Senior Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Shae-lee joined the ECEI team in May 2021. She started her career as a primary school teacher in Darwin’s rural area. This year, Shae-lee has taught in a special education class, supporting students’ through interaction in a variety of settings and through active development of a supportive learning environment.
Shae-lee was born in South Africa, and moved to Darwin in January 2010. She worked in different positions including childcare, childminding and after school care before and during studying her teaching degree at Charles Darwin University. Shae-lee is passionate about working with children and their families to support them in any way she can.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, camping, fishing and walking her dog.
Aurelia Chebet | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Aurelia career involves 6 years in vast roles of disability, community services, nutrition, child development, women empowerment, public health and mental health. Working with families to realise their preferred futures, build their capacity, and support them achieve their goals gives Aurelia a sense of satisfaction.
A key factor for Aurelia is in building skills and knowledge is to be open minded, and take each day as an opportunity to learn.
She is excited to join the amazing ECA team, and looks forward to continue supporting children and families in the community.
Wendy Tate | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Wendy has lived and worked in the NT since 1989 and consider herself to now be a ‘local’.
Wendy has worked in remote communities and urban and rural settings as a teacher.
The past 4 years Wendy has worked as an Education Advisor – Inclusion, working with many young people with disabilities and their families and educators. She has enjoyed engaging with so many individuals in such a variety of settings and circumstances.
Wendy is excited to join such a welcoming and diverse team and looks forward to continuing to work with families and communities in this new role.
Marlies Coleman | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Marlies holds an Advance Diploma in Children Services, Cert IV in Training and assessing, and Diplomas in Management and Employment Services. Having over 20 years in the Early Childcare and Disability Sectors, she has worked with Government, private and community organisations. Marlies has working in Tasmania, Central QLD, recently Alice Springs and now Darwin.
Marlies is committed to children reaching their goals and ensuring that they have access to pathways to enable them to be the best they can be. Children should be given every opportunity to succeed.
Having an adult child with a disability she has the understanding from the parent perspective as well as the child’s. Marlies is married, 3 adult children, 4 grandchildren and 2 dogs. She enjoys traveling overseas which is now on hold, going to the beach, walking and spending time with family, friends and her dogs.
Zoë Nelson | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Zoë has experience working in a variety of different roles and services in the last nearly 20 years since completing her Diploma of Children’s Service; including as an educator, coordinator, inclusion facilitator and business owner. Currently she is in her final year of a Bachelor of Early Childhood/Primary teaching at Charles Darwin University.
As a specialist early years music educator, Zoë spent 7 years delivering music and movement programs to families, preschools and childcare centres in Darwin and Palmerston and has a strong understanding about how music can positively influence development and build connections.
She is passionate about encouraging children and families to find their voice and is excited to work with the great team at Early Childhood Australia.
She will be working Monday – Thursday to allow a day for study.
Tayla Braithwaite | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Tayla has recently moved to Darwin from Newcastle NSW. Tayla is excited about her move to Darwin and is looking forward to exploring all Darwin and the NT has to offer.
Tayla completed her Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at the University of Newcastle in 2021. Tayla has variety of experience in the community service field, having worked as a Therapeutic Youth worker in Out of Home Care and most recently working as a NDIS Support Coordinator.
Tayla is passionate about promoting child health and wellbeing in the early intervention space and is looking forward to working and learning from the wonderful team at ECA.
Kim Whitburn | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Kim had grown up in Darwin as a child and recognise as a proud Indigenous Australian woman. She has two children and loves the relaxed Darwin lifestyle.
Kim holds a Diploma in Children’s Services, Diploma is Counselling and has almost completed her Bachelor of Social work.
Kim has an extensive knowledge and experience working with early childhood and early intervention for almost 20 years.
She previously worked at the Department of Education - Mimik-ga Centre Families as Fist Teachers (FaFT) program for 6.5 year’s and with Carpentaria Disability Services Ealy Intervention team for 6 years. She has a passion for working with children and families to empowering them to advocate for themselves and achieve their goals.
Outside of work she love’s spending time with my children, going to the beach, keeping fit, meditation and socialising with friends.
Denisse Gonzalez | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Denisse is originally from El Salvador, has lived in Victoria, and has been in the Northern Territory for the past 3.5 years.
Denisse has worked in community engagement projects with Darwin’s multicultural communities, as well as in migrant settlement services and mental health.
Denisse holds a Master of Social Work (Qualifying), and enjoy’s volunteering and travelling.
She’s excited to be part of and learn from the ECA team, and is looking forward to working alongside families to best support their child’s early years.
Caitlin Chapman | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Caitlin has 15 years of experience working in the early childhood sector and for the past 6 years she has been working as a disability support worker in the Darwin region.
As a mum of three boisterous children, Caitlin has a busy lifestyle of being on the go and out and about. Mostly fishing, four wheel driving and regular get together’s with her family and friends.
Caitlin is very excited to be a part of the Early Childhood Australia Team.
Amy Skipworth | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Amy is originally from South Australia and has lived in Darwin since 2022. Amy completed the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2019 and has experience in various clinical areas, including Paediatrics in Regional South Australia. Amy is passionate about educating and empowering children and their families, with the goal of helping children to live their best lives.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys sewing, volunteering for the RSPCA, volleyball and camping.
Amy is excited to be a part of the Early Childhood Australia NT team, and looks forward to supporting children and their families in the Darwin community.
Aline Harten | Early Childhood Approach Specialist
Aline is originally from Brazil. And moved to Australia about nine years ago. Back home, she worked in design, but after coming to Australia, Aline discovered her passion for helping people, especially children to thrive. Aline worked as an early childhood educator for five years, and now she’s excited to help empower families by using a strengths-based approach. Aline goal is to help families build their confidence as experts in their children's lives and create a secure and supportive environment for their children to reach their full potential.
Besides from work, Aline is a active person who loves trying different sports, with swimming being her favourite. Aline also enjoy spending time at local markets, trying new foods, and being in nature. Aline loves camping with her family, friends, and her dog, Sol.