Staff

Michelle Thompson
Michelle Thompson – she/her
CEO

Michelle Thompson is the CEO at Family Access Network (FAN). Michelle has been at FAN for almost 10 years in the role of Manager. Michelle has worked in the Community Sector for over 25 years mainly working with young people and their families. She has worked in leadership positions for over 20 years. . Michelle has worked in a variety of settings including Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health, Family Services, Community Health and Youth Homelessness. Michelle holds a Bachelor Degree in Youth Work, Graduate Diploma in Substance Abuse and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Michelle is a current board member on the Gateway LLEN and was previously on the Hepatitis C Council and VIVAIDS boards. Michelle was part of the inaugural LGBTIQ Leadership program in 2018 run by Leadership Victoria.

Michelle also teaches in the Tertiary Sector at RMIT in the Diploma of Youth Work. Advanced Diploma Community Sector Management and Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence.

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Oriana Phutully – she/her
Acting Team Leader Client Services

Oriana’s educational background is a Master’s of Social Work and an honours degree in Social Science (Policy & Research) from RMIT. Prior to starting at FAN, she had worked in various homelessness services in Victoria in different roles. She started with FAN in 2011 in the Private Rental Brokerage Program (PRBP) and now works as a Youth Support Worker, and Volunteer Program Worker and runs the Young Mums Group.

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Michael Woollard – he/him
Financial Administrator

Michael is a qualified accountant (CPA) with over 30 years finance and accounting experience. Michael has worked in a variety of financial roles both in the not for profit and for profit sectors with recent experience in the Community Services sector.

Chris L
Chris Lulich – she/her
Executive Assistant/Administration Officer

Chris is a skilled Executive Assistant with significant experience supporting CEOs and Executive Management. She has held Executive Assistant roles in a variety of industries including manufacturing, not for profit (RSPCA Victoria), telecommunications and legal.

In her role, Chris provides high level administrative and business support to the Executive, Management, Administrative and Corporate systems at FAN.

Aaron - Staff Profile
Aaron Ong – he/him
Youth Support Worker

Aaron joined FAN in 2019 in his first role in the community service sector, prior this he worked in residential construction. He has an educational background with a bachelor in Social Science (Youth Work) and a Diploma in Community Services (Case Management). Aaron works in the Homeless Support Services (HSS) program providing case management support to young people in Transitional Housing. He also operates the newly established Peer Leadership Program; which is a skill and personal development program for young who have successfully transitioned HSS program.

Jess Austin
Jess Austin (She/Her)
Creative Arts Therapist (LGBTIQA+, Youth & Family Violence)

Jess is employed as a Creative Arts Therapist and specialises in working with young people (12-25) experiencing homelessness and family violence including LGBTIQA+ people and pregnant or parenting young people. Jess facilitates FAN’s art therapy group “Talking with Pride” and offers 1:1 art therapy for young people who have experienced family violence. Jess also provides capacity building training in LGBTIQA+ Family Violence space and is available to conduct secondary consults with practitioners working with LGBTIQA+ young people.

Jess joined FAN in 2021 as an LGBTIQA+ Specialist Youth Worker where she provided case management support to LGBTIQA+ young people residing in Transitional Housing.
Prior to joining FAN, Jess worked in community engagement and volunteer management roles in education and recreation settings. She has experience working with children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQA+ people and young people with disabilities. Jess holds an honours degree in LGBTIQA+ community grief responses, a Masters of Therapeutic Arts Practice specialising in Therapy and has undertaken additional training in support people who have experienced sexual violence.

Michelle K
Michelle Kiriama – she/her
LGBTIQA+ Specialist Youth Worker

Michelle K joined FAN as an LGBTIQA+ Specialist Youth Worker in 2022. In her role she facilitates the Eastern Diversity Group and provides case management support to young people in Transitional Housing. Prior to joining FAN Michelle worked as a settlement caseworker, and a youth health and well-being project officer. Michelle’s educational background is a degree in Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from Deakin University. Michelle is excited to be a part of the FAN team.

Cameron Darling
Cameron Darling (he/him)
Pride in Place Service Navigator

Cam returned to Melbourne in 2022 after living interstate for more than 30 years. He joined FAN in 2023 as the Pride in Place Service Navigator. Cam came to FAN from Vincent Care Victoria where he also worked in the Pride in Place Program. Pride in Place provides comprehensive, safe and inclusive recovery pathways for LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing homelessness. Pride in Place also identifies and intervenes early to direct LGBTQIA+ people who are at risk of homelessness towards a place of safety and pathway to sustainable housing. Prior to working in the Pride in Place Program Cam worked in the human service and community service sectors for more than 25 years after working in the education and adult education field for 6 years. He has worked in many different roles in service delivery, network support and policy development in government and non-government workplaces in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Cam is an active community advocate for people who are marginalised particularly people living with HIV. His interests include community development, community engagement, homelessness/housing and sexual health. Cam is a keen Sydney Swans and South Sydney Rabbitohs fan.

Dalton Kealey
Dalton Kealey – he/him
LGBTIQA+ Specialist Youth Worker

Dalton joined FAN as LGBTIQA+ Specialist Youth Worker in July 2023.

In his role he provides case management support to LGBTIQA+ young people residing in Transitional Housing and project support to the Eastern Diversity Group (EDG). Prior to joining the team Dalton worked as a Program Administrator organising LGBTIQA+ youth mental health training in regional Victoria. Dalton has always had a passion for creating safer spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people and has volunteered as a Youth Coach at leadership and business summits and a leader at LGBTIQA+ events in Melbourne.

With an educational background in Community Services (Case Management) and work history in the legal and property sectors, Dalton brings a wealth of experience to the team. His experience combined with strong rapport building ability, and an approachable and vivacious nature, make him a valuable member of the FAN team.