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Our team
Philip Petrie
M.Ed.Stud., B.Nursing, RN
Executive Director
Philip has worked in the community services sector for over 28 years. He is currently the Executive Director of Allevia and manages Dare to Aspire as a part of the Allevia group of businesses.
As a List A Registered Nurse (RN0946127), Philip has worked as a specialist nurse in the area of developmental disability, in large residential services, the community and in group homes. His speciality is working with people with high and complex needs, including those with behaviour problems and dual disability (intellectual and psychiatric disabilities). He has contributed to two editions of a mental health nursing textbook which widely used across Australia and New Zealand in training mental health nurses.
In 1994 he graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Nursing, and completed a Master of Educational Studies in 1999, specialising in administration, special education and adult education.
He made a major contribution to the evolution of disability and community services in NSW through his work on the Boarding House Reform Projects and large residential devolution projects of the Department of Ageing, Disability, and Home Care, primarily as a staff development officer and behaviour specialist.
His unique approach to addressing the multiple problems which come from caring for people with behaviour problems and developmental disabilities, led him to establish a very successful consultancy service which supported people and organisations across Australia. However due to a need to be a husband and a father, he accepted a position at Allevia and settled down into a more normal life in 2004.
Philip is committed to the development of services for people with high and complex support needs, and the promotion of human rights and personal responsibility. In 2009 he successfully achieved accreditation as a Life Passion Map Practitioner and is heavily involved in various projects which are focusing on the development of innovative and effective leaders and managers in the ever changing and evolving community services sector.
“It is not about making people fit, it is about being open to what is possible and being creative and flexible to make a better future emerge for everyone.”
Rhomea Kojic
Dip. Community Welfare
Clinical Consultant
Rhomea has been involved in many different sectors of the workforce including hospitality, retail, horticulture and the building industry before coming to work in the community sector. “Each job and sector has given me the opportunity to look, learn, listen, feel, and most importantly grow and acquire the understanding of a good clinician.”
Rhomea acquired his Diploma in Community Welfare three and half years ago and began working with Allevia and now Dare to Aspire. Here, he has further developed skills in behavioural assessment and Health Care Planning. Rhomea has worked with clients with high levels of challenging behaviours and effectively supported staff and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and communities. In all his roles he has taken pride in his work and is always willing to accept and undertake a challenge no matter how difficult it may appear at first. “Through my years of coaching and my experiences in a variety of roles I have learnt that it’s great to offer knowledge, support and an environment where others can develop and grow”
He is also currently employed as a semi – professional football coach with Spirit FC. “I reached a personal high standard of football in my playing career but then opted to share and give my knowledge onto children aspiring to reach the highest pinnacles of the game”. In this position he has worked alongside professionals in an elite training academy. Many of his students have developed into highly successful players now plying their trade overseas.
