Karen commenced at the Central West Women’s Health Centre in June 2019. Karen joins the team bringing with her a multi-faceted career history with transferable skills in leadership, management and community development.

Karen is passionate about building community capacity, developing local partnerships and has a strong sense of social justice.

As Manager, Karen is committed to addressing gaps in women’s health in the Central West and promoting physical, emotional health and wellbeing for all women.

Karen has completed the following qualifications:

• Bachelor Social Science (Community Development)
• Post Graduate Certificate Education K – 6
• Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management

Lorraine Murphy joined the CWWHC team as the Generalist Counsellor in November 2020 and comes to us with over 25 years’ experience.  Lorraine has worked with couples, families and individuals.

Specialising in working with victims of Domestic and Family Violence, Lorraine has written models of practice.  Her expertise includes extensive group work, supporting clients suffering grief and loss; offering Victims Support; supporting those in Out of Home Care; delivering Managing Strong Emotions and more.

Lorraine co-developed and facilitated the first Aboriginal Diploma of Counselling and Group Work at Bathurst and Canberra.

On a personal level,  to maintain well-being and balance, Lorraine loves to grow veggies and read good books.

Lorraine has an ongoing commitment to professional development, her qualifications include:

• BA Counselling
• Post Grad in Supervision
• Post Grad in Family Dispute Resolution
• Diploma Management

Breanna first joined the team in 2021, completing her postgraduate student placement with the Centre. Following her graduation from the Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy with the Australian College of Applied Psychology, she became a regular fixture on the counselling roster. Breanna is particularly passionate about clinical work relating to grief & bereavement, the experience of trauma, change and transitions, anxiety, and self-esteem.

Breanna is an enthusiastic fur-mum to two miniature dachshunds. Her love of animals is reflected in her Master’s research project which explored the grief experiences of Australian adults bereaved by companion animal loss. She also enjoys dancing and vintage fashion

You may also see Breanna’s face pop up in both our children and adult group programs.

Breanna’s qualifications include:

• Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Bachelor of Science; Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts; Biological Anthropology
• Cert IV – Bereavement Support

Alison joined the Women’s Health Centre team in 2021, allowing her to merge her lived experience of raising three children with the knowledge she gained through studying Community Services and gaining a Diploma of Counselling. With a passion for empowering women and carers, Alison now sits comfortably in the position of Family Clinician and Counsellor, and is trained in Family Conferencing, allowing her to work collaboratively with the Child Clinicians to best support our families.

She has previously volunteered as a trained telephone Crisis Supporter and has experience in the disability sector, taking pride in offering support to women experiencing domestic violence, trauma, and grief and loss. 

In her spare time, Alison enjoys gardening, sea glass hunting, and experiencing live music.

Alison’s qualifications include:

• Diploma in Counselling
• Diploma in Community Services

Julia Maher joined the CWWHC team as the Community Engagement and Health Promotion officer in March 2023. Julia comes to us with a Primary & High School education background, as well as experience within recruitment.

In her spare time, Julia loves to play with her fur-baby, draw, read, as well as participate in and instruct dance and aerial sports. She has lived in the Bathurst community since 2019 and has a passion for helping others and involving the community to promote women’s health services. Julia created the work uniform design for The Brew Drive Thru’s collaboration with the Australian charity Support the Girls, and has assisted with Boys to the Bush fundraising events.

Julia’s qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Education (K-12)
• Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA) training

Lynece Pett joined the team as Administration and Client Support in June 2023. She joins us with many years of experience in customer service, office management, and medical reception.

Nece has a keen interest in women’s health, support and wellbeing. Nece is a natural people person and loves to listen and share stories with others.

In her spare time, Nece enjoys spending time with her family, playing golf, laughing and going on adventures with her husband.

Jess Hopwood joined the team in June 2023 as our Child and Adolescent Trauma Counsellor. Jess has completed her Bachelor of Psychology and is a registered Psychologist through AHPRA. Jess comes to us with over five years of experience working with young people and their families in the mental health realm. Jess is particularly passionate about clinical work relating to empowering young people who have experienced trauma, AOD concerns, eating disorders, ADHD, and Autism; using a variety of evidence-based play and talk therapies. Jess is all about creating a safe space for those in need.

Jess is a Bathurst local since the age of three and is involved within her local community. In her spare time, Jess loves to get outside, captaining her local third grade women’s soccer team; creating artwork and reading novels; you may also find Jess’ baking treats in the centre kitchen. When Jess sees a puppy anywhere, she may in fact burst of excitement. Jess has previously led another mental health service in a clinical lead capacity ensuring appropriate and ethical clinical care to young people.

Jess’ qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Psychology
• AHPRA Approved Registered Psychologist

Paula joins CWWHC with a diverse range of knowledge and skills. A life-long learner, Paula has qualifications in Social Work, Psychology and Training and Assessment.  As a person who loves rural NSW, Paula has worked with individuals and communities regionally in Health Promotion, Training and Education (Disability) and service planning and development.   

Most recently, Paula has been working as a Counsellor and Social Worker, with women experiencing or recovering from domestic violence, trauma, grief and loss and adjustment to change.    Paula has worked in the Drug and Alcohol, Sexual Assault, Health and Vocational Education settings.  Group programs delivered include New Parents Group, Dementia carer support, Mental Health and Adolescent Mental Health programs. 

Paula’s interests are in understanding how physical health, mental health and social health intersect.   As a counsellor, her interest is in walking with people on their path from surviving to thriving. 

Favourite past times include cooking (and eating!), bushwalking and enjoying live music. 

Paula’s qualifications include:

• Masters of Social Work (Professional Qualifying – with Distinction) 
• Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) 
• Level 1 – EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) 
• Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment 

Nova Hillard joined the CWWHC team as our second Counsellor for Children and Young People, sitting within our CATS team in January 2024. Nova comes to us with a vast background around human services, community, and family counselling, while simultaneously studying their Master of Social Work.

Nova has a fascination of the human brain and believes people have an amazing capacity for healing and is eager to assist our clients on this journey. Nova has a heart of LGBTQIA+ folks and people on the fringe and is eager to offer a safe space for healing in our community.

Nova loves tattoos, crochet, birding, nature walks, cooking, and baking.

Nova’s qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Theology and Human services counselling/Community and Family
• Master of Clinical Mental Health Counselling
• Current pending provisional membership with the Australian Counselling Association
• Master of Social Work (CSU) (current)

Michelle joined the team in January 2024.

Michelle describes herself as someone who is passionate about women’s issues. She has worked for many years as a holistic case manager of people with high complex needs in both the disability and aged care space. Michelle is also engaged as an on -call counsellor with IVAN Crisis Response (DV and Sexual Assault) through Western Health.

 She is a creative thinker who will colour outside the lines to get the best outcome for the people she champions.

 Michelle is a proud mum who has raised 2 strong resilient children to adulthood.  

Her other loves are knitting, theatre, walking and clever crime podcasts.

Michelle’s qualifications include:

• Diploma Community Services – Case Management
• Cert 1V in Assessment and training