Jeff McAlpine

Appointed June 2023

CHAIR

We are thrilled to introduce the new Chair of the HPCH Board, Jeff McAlpine. 

Jeff has over 40 years’ professional experience, working primarily across local government in a range of disciplines, including senior roles in economic development and strategic planning at the Waverley Council in Sydney and the Monash Council in Melbourne.

With a strong background in Town Planning, Strategic Planning, Economic Development and Property Law, in 2016 Jeff established the Eastern Innovation Business Centre – a high tech facility in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs that provides an accelerator environment for local businesses to turn innovative ideas into commercial successes. He was Executive Member of the Centre Board for four years.

Earlier in his career, from 1975 until 1987, Jeff studied at the University of Melbourne and was awarded a Bachelors of Town and Regional Planning, a Bachelors of Law, a Masters of Urban Planning and a Masters of Environmental Studies.

Jeff furthered his legal studies in 1992, when he graduated from Victoria’s Leo Cussen Institute (a highly regarded independent centre of excellence for practical legal training). A year later, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and registered as a practitioner with the High Court of Australia. 

Jeff is passionate about people. He has a network of connections and, no matter where he is in the world, his focus is on community. His depth and breadth of knowledge and experience place him well as an expert mediator and mentor.

Jeff lives for his classic Holden cars and can often be seen engaging with people who stop to talk to him about his vehicles. In 2022, he was President of the Lion’s Pride Holden Car Club Inc.

Jeff is a man who is passionate about his community. He brings a wealth of diverse professional skills, business acumen and genuine dedication to his role as Chair of the Hampton Park Community House.

Ric Holland

Appointed June 2023

Vice Chair

With a lifelong commitment to social justice, Rev Ric Holland is a highly regarded leader in the community sector, known for putting people at the centre of every connection he makes.

 Rev Ric has been on the HPCH Board of Governance since 2020, he was our Chairperson. His selfless contribution has been driven by a genuine commitment to further embed the Community House as a welcoming place of support, inclusion and empowerment.  

Rev Ric has enjoyed an esteemed, multi-faceted senior management career in Australia and overseas. He has balanced roles as both an ordained Minister of religion with senior executive positions in the not-for-profit sector and within the community media industry.

From 2010 until recently, Rev Ric was CEO for the Melbourne City Mission. This proud not-for-profit was established in 1854 with a focus on creating new possibilities for children, young people and adults experiencing disadvantage.

Prior to this role, he was Director of Community Engagement at St Michael’s Uniting Church in Melbourne’s CBD.

Currently Minister of Hampton Park Uniting Church, his diverse career has included leadership roles across the community sector including the Marriage Guidance Council UK, the Animal Welfare League and Parkinson’s Australia.  

Rev Ric is a graduate of the University of London and holds an Honours Degree in Theology, Philosophy, Ethics and Sociology. He has undertaken Ministerial training and ordination in the UK Methodist Church and has acceptance into the Uniting Church in Australia as a fully recognised Minister.

Rev Ric Holland is a compassionate, energetic and progressive individual committed to improving lives in the communities he serves. 

Bruce McBain

Honorary Treasurer, Hampton Park Community House 

Bruce has been a resident of Hampton Park since 2017 and is married with two adult children. 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Deakin University and has post-graduate qualifications in Accounting and Law. 

Bruce’s professional career has seen him work in roles as diverse as Group Company/Secretary/Financial Controller at Bain Clarkson Pacific Ltd Group (insurance brokers) to Group Company Secretary and related corporations at The Age Company Ltd (the high-profile metropolitan and regional newspaper publisher).  

For 14 years, Bruce was CEO of the Corporate Superannuation Association. Established in 1997, the Association is the representative body for large corporate not-for-profit superannuation funds and their employer sponsors. His multi-faceted role included Member Services, Member Education, Researching Submissions, and Marketing & Administration.

Throughout his career, he has also held a portfolio of Governance roles and is a sessional TAFE lecturer. 

Bruce is a member of a number of professional associations – he is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria as a solicitor. 

He has been active in local community associations and sees his professional contribution as a way to ‘give back’ to organisations in which he has a personal interest. These include diverse groups and roles such as:

• Past Chapter President, Regional Vice President and National Committee, Australian Jaycees, now Life Member 
• Past Chapter President, past Regional Treasurer, Rotary, now an honorary member 
• Past Chair and current volunteer and Life Member, Fitzroy Legal Service 
• Past Company Secretary Whitelion (Youth at Risk) 
• Past Parish & Diocesan Governance  
• Former member, Vice Chancellors Circle, Deakin University 
• Secretary Uniting Place Church Council (Present) 
• Treasurer Dandenong & District Historical Society (Present).  

Diane Leak

Secretary/Public Officer, Hampton Park Community House 

Diane has happily lived, worked and been active in and around Hampton Park since 1975 and, since then, has been known locally as a caring, committed and involved community member. 

Her contribution to the community has seen extensive experience in Stakeholder Management across a range of not-for-profit organisations and, a subject dear to her heart, Religious Education.

As well, Diane also has enjoyed over 30 years of co-ordination and liaison experience with Hampton Park local schools. Working closely with educators and children has always been vital.

She also has lived experience and has volunteered tirelessly with local groups – Hampton Park Community Event Management, Community Gardens and Food Relief – for over 40 years. 

Diane has also held governance roles in Hampton Park Uniting Church council where forged close ties with the community and worked actively to support vulnerable people.

Professionally, Diane specialises in the area of Children’s Services as an experienced early-years and playgroup facilitator.

More broadly, her work in Community Services within the Hampton Park Precinct Partners group and Neighbourhood House Social Support activities sees Diane respected as a dedicated and hardworking contributor to the lives of people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

May Saba Sabet

General Member, Hampton Park Community House 

 May was born in Iran, she spent her formative years in Johannesburg and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), and now happily calls Melbourne home.

 Driven by compassion and an abiding sense of social justice, May is driven to create lasting change at the grassroots level with young people, families and institutions in the South-East of Naarm. 

Through her work, she aims to raise consciousness and build the skills, tools and attitudes needed to contribute to a more just and understanding world. 

Her experience lies in the nexus of community development, arts and education.

As a co-creator of theatre with young people, her previous work included directing the play Everything in Between with high school students and facilitating workshops for The Power Of Expression, a play about female genital mutilation that toured schools in Dar-es-Salaam.

She uses theatre to unite hearts and dissolve social barriers. She works as a teaching artist, while producing and directing independent pieces with youth.

May’s contribution to HPCH will focus on the interconnection between children and young people and their creative expression, aiming to give them a voice while reinforcing their valuable places in our community. 

Your Executive Team

Kate Madden

Appointed February 2020

Executive Officer

Kate brings a wealth of experience to Hampton Park Community House, having more than 20 years of Community Development and leadership experience before taking on the role of Hampton Park Community House Manager in January 2020 and currently as Executive Officer for Hampton Park Care Group Inc.

Her achievements in community leadership are extensive, having previously been Executive Officer for Diamond Valley Learning Centre as well as Community Manager for Laurimar (in the City of Whittlesea) and Community Development Coordinator for Parkinson’s Victoria.

Kate has earned a Bachelor of Arts -Psychology (University of Port Elizabeth), Diploma of Management (RMIT), Advanced Diploma of Community Management (PRACE), Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 16) Eltham Learning Centre and is Graduate of the Centre for Courage and Renewal Facilitation Program. A life-long learner, Kate is presently completing a Bachelor of Education at Swinburne University.

Kate was a Board Director for the Dear Dyslexic Foundation for three years. She is a current member of the Institute of Community Directors, IAP2 (International association for Public Participation) and ANZACATA peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.

Asad Abassi

Principal of Cloudxaccounting, Asad has more than fifteen years of extensive work experience in accounting, finance, administration and compliance-related roles in Retail, Education, Banking, Financial, Medical and Manufacturing industries, accumulating strong knowledge in accounting and finance procedures. Having worked in professional services firms and NFP organisations in Australia and abroad, Asad has developed strong networks and expertise in navigating complex NFP regulations and risk including internal auditing and compliance experience. Asad has extensive up-to-date knowledge of Accounting Standards (IFRS/FRC/AASB/AUASB), sound knowledge of the Australian taxation system (BAS, CGT, GST, PAYG, FBT, etc.), Dashboard Reporting and Analytics. (Power BI). He has practical experience of filing APRA, ATO and ASIC returns, preparing financial reports, including budgeting, forecasting & variance analysis, financial reporting & data analysis and balance sheet reconciliations, office Support & staff management, budget control & administration and process improvement.

AIS expertise and controls.

Asad has a passion for supporting community organisations and through his work with the Executive team, he aims to raise awareness of our Sector in the broader community and be an advocate for increased funding for community services and research.

Sue Schreiber

Sue is your Marketing and Communication contact person who will handle all your Social Media and Website enquiries.  She has a long history in design and a Cert IV in Graphic Design and has completed several courses with RMIT in Social Media Marketing.  She brings a wide range of skills, bridging our gap in the digital world.

Children's Services

Teagan Grigor, Early Childhood Teacher and Educational Leader

Teagan has worked professionally in the early childhood sector for nearly eight years.

A new Mum herself, Teagan married in 2022 and had a beautiful little boy who is her absolute world.

She says her family has made her the person she is today but, most of all, it has impacted the way she looks at things in everyday life, waking up with a smile on her face.

In her younger days, Teagan had no idea what she wanted to do or be. One day in 2009, she looked after her younger cousins, turned to her parents and said, “I know what I want to do, I want to work with children”.

She soon completed a Certificate III, Diploma and Bachelor of Education. She has since worked as a Baby and Toddler Room Assistant, before moving to pre-kinder (3-year-old Kinder) Teacher, then to a role as a 4-year-old Kinder Teacher.

Teagan believes that all children are different and have their own unique way to explore their world and grow and develop in their own time. As educators, she says ‘we are there to guide them through their own unique journey. I am responsible for providing meaningful, play-based experiences that are individualised, that reflect in our program and through children’s learning and development, observations and summative assessments.’

The children in her care drive her to be the best Early Childhood Teacher she can be. When she sees a child reach a milestone, or goal or are proud of something they have achieved, she develops more confidence herself in providing the children the best learning environment they deserve. 

Her belief is that the space around them should enhance the children’s interests in all development areas, achieved most successfully through play stations and play spaces that can be visited, explored, and revisited again and again, and takes into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children within the room.

As an Early childhood teacher, Teagan strives to be enthusiastic, patient and caring. She always follows policies, procedures and regulations and if she is ever unsure, will seek out advice and improve her knowledge.

Teagan is focused on creating a loving, caring, safe and welcoming environment that allows families, educators and children to find a sense of belonging, warmth, and confidence within themselves throughout the environment each and every day.

Community Services

Zorah Hasib

Community Development Coordinator

Zohra migrated to Australia over 30 years ago, and completed her VCE, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma in Community Services Management in Australia. Recently having completed the ACFE Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program, she is a welcome addition to the Hampton Park Care Group Inc. Adult Community Education team. She is fluent in Dari, Urdu, Hindi, Pashto, Hazaragi. Zohra has over 15 years of customer service and leadership roles experience and is always determined to help everyone in any way she can. Besides work, she is a mother of 4 kids, loves both roles, and understands how important work-life balance is.
Always full of energy and happy to help others!

Family Services

Edith Schaaf

Edith has worked in family services for the past 13 years. She has extensive experience in working with Families and Children, having worked in the Children’s services area for 4 years.
Edith was born in Germany, lived in France and Canada, and also travelled the USA. Immigrated to Australia in 1982 for a new adventure in her life to stay, live and work in this beautiful country.
Her hobbies are Ice Hockey, Bike Riding, Swimming, Crafting and walking.
Edith is fluent in both German, French, and English languages.

Lorna Berry

Lorna immigrated to Australia as an 11 year old from New Zealand with Scottish Parents who intended to return to Scotland the next year. On leaving school Lorna did a cooking apprenticeship and qualified as a chef on completion, Lorna took on a role some years later as chef in a child care service where she changed careers. 

Lorna has a diploma of children’s services and extensive experience as a youth and disability support worker.In addition, she has 2 daughters and a step son ages 25,17 and 9 as well as Cyndi and Prince the poodles.

Lorna has 15 years plus in customer service and leadership roles.  She is also a volunteer for Guides Victoria and Centre for Research Excellence, women’s reproductive health.  https://whirlcre.edu.au/ as consumer advocate for women with Ploy Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.