About Us
Being together makes life Better.
LiveBetter is an innovative community service organisation focused on the unique needs of regional Australians. LiveBetter provides a diverse range of community services across regional New South Wales and Queensland. Together our people and our systems help support our clients who live in rural and remote communities to live their best lives. For more information about LiveBetter's services please call 1800 580 580 or email info@livebetter.org.au
Our purpose
we inspire possibility by giving people access to support in their chosen community
Our Values
LiveBetter's values guide the way we conduct ourselves. This includes how we interact with our clients, community and business partners and how we treat each other.
Integrity
We live out our values, are honest and ethical in all our dealings and are accountable for our actions.
Cooperation
We strive to identify and create value from partnerships and alliances with other organisations, agencies, businesses, communities and within our own organisation.
Empowerment
We believe that individuals and communities should be encouraged and supported to realise their full potential.
Respect
We value the individual. We recognise the rights and choices of our customers, employees and the community. We encourage teamwork and support diversity within the team.
Excellence
We strive for excellence and best practice in all that we do as individuals, teams and as an organisation.
Our History
1984 - LiveBetter (formerly CareWest) was established as the Orange Community Resource Centre (OCRO) by a group of socially active Orange residents during a climate of uncertainty about the future direction of community services in their local community. For the first 10 years the organisation served as a vehicle for community development activities, working with all levels of Government and other community groups to identify community needs and attract and arrange funding and other resources. OCRO then provided corporate and administrative support to the resultant programs and services which operated relatively independently.
Board & CEO
LiveBetter is led by an engaged skills-based Board comprising members from a cross-section of professions and combined plethora of experience, ensuring continued excellence in service provision across our wide geographic footprint.
Dr Peter Mangles
President
Dr Peter Mangles
President
Dr Peter Mangles is an experienced Healthcare Executive and Board Member who has managed a number of integrated and complex healthcare services in Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
With 25 years’ experience in management leading multinational organisations in the Health and Hospital sectors, he has worked extensively in the emergency and prehospital sectors. Dr Mangles is an executive with experience in acquisitions and mergers, and organisational development, as well as specialisation in leadership and corporate and clinical governance.
Helen (Trudy) Mallick
Director
Helen (Trudy) Mallick
Director
Helen highly values the work of LiveBetter and greatly enjoys her role as a Director, especially by contributing her experience and expertise to enable LiveBetter to achieve the best possible outcomes in the provision of services.
Helen has worked as the Coordinator of the Forbes/Bland Home Modification & Maintenance Service Inc for the past seven years after serving on its Board of Management for five years. She enjoys her job immensely and has great satisfaction in knowing that the modifications LiveBetter has completed have enabled someone to remain in their own home for longer than would otherwise have been possible.
Jean McRuvie
Director
Jean McRuvie
Director
Jean has held the role of CEO, Senior Executive or Board Director for 21 years in a range of private and NGO Companies, including Central Queensland Medicare Local and Focus Health based on the Sunshine Coast. Both organisations provide amongst other services mental health, physical health and drug and alcohol treatment services.
She has also held senior executive/director roles in regional development, tourism and small business. Jean is Director of three other companies: Coast2Bay, Housing Limited, a social housing and support agency; Prime Management Services management consultants; and Excelcare Australia Ltd, now LiveBetter Community Services, a social services company engaged in home support, aged care and child support services.
Michael Jones
Director
Michael Jones
Director
Michael Jones has held the position of Director - Corporate Services with Cowra Council since March 2018. Michael has responsibility for Council’s finance, technology, governance, customer service and community development divisions. Furthermore, he has overarching responsibility for the Cowra Civic Centre, Cowra Regional Art Gallery and the Cowra Library.
Prior to joining the local government sector, Michael’s experience covered a broad base of industries including banking and finance and disability employment. With 10 years at Westpac in Senior Management roles, Michael has a strong background in risk and governance having held both state and national leadership positions in business lending operations.
Michael’s understanding of the not-for-profit sector comes from three years running Employment Solutions. Employment Solutions is a division of Cerebral Palsy Alliance that assists people with a disability find mainstream employment or gain the skills to achieve that goal.
Michael has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of Local Government Professionals and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Originally from Sydney, he and his family are now based in Orange NSW.
Amy Cooper
Director
Amy Cooper
Director
Amy Cooper is an experienced executive manager and board director, having held positions spanning Commonwealth and State government, health, community services, education, the Not-For-Profit and charity sectors. She has spent time living and working in Asia and North America. Amy is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Communication, a Masters in Strategic Affairs, and qualifications in Leadership, Change Management and Human Resources. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Harvard University’s Executive Program specialising in the Not-For-Profit sector. Passionate about high-impact social outcomes, Amy values the opportunity to contribute and give back to the community.
Robert Lagaida
Director
Robert Lagaida
Director
Robert Lagaida has held a number of senior executive roles in the NSW public health system including Local Health Districts and the Ministry of Health. With over 25 years experience in the health sector, he has extensive experience in health policy development, strategic planning, delivery of hospital and community based health services, financial and asset management, strategic procurement and contracts, and ICT development.
Robert is the Director of two other companies: NSW Local Government Procurement Limited, and Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW. He also serves as the Chair and member of Audit and Risk Committees at Blacktown City Council, Nepean & Blue Mountains Local Health District, and North Shore Community Transport.
Tina Sinclair
Director
Tina Sinclair
Director
Tina has over 30 years operational and executive management experience in health care, aged care and disability services. Along with a strong background in management, Tina has a Bachelor of Health Administration. She has a strong interest in quality management systems, and currently supports residential aged care service providers though undertaking independent reviews of compliance against the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Natalie Forsyth-Stock
Managing Director & CEO
Natalie Forsyth-Stock
Managing Director & CEO
Based in Orange, Natalie Forsyth-Stock is a finance professional with over 25 years’ experience in financial management, investment banking, venture capital and private equity investment.
She is formerly Director Investment for Australia and New Zealand for UK Trade & Investment and was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director for Clancy Exploration Limited, an ASX listed exploration business in Orange, NSW.
Natalie has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), a Master of Business (Banking and Finance) and is a CPA and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Executive Managers
Nerissa Marat
Executive General Manager, People & Culture
Nerissa Marat
Executive General Manager, People & Culture
Nerissa has tertiary qualifications in Psychology and Industrial Relations, Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and is an accredited Change Manager.
She has 15 years’ experience in the retail, manufacturing, not-for-profit and public arenas spanning consulting and community services.
Nerissa is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and has strong skills in HR Systems implementation.
Helen Miller
Executive General Manager, Aged & Community Services
Helen Miller
Executive General Manager, Aged & Community Services
Helen has over 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within the health and aged care sectors, and holds a Juris Doctor (UTS), Bachelor Health Management (UNE), and Associate Diploma Applied Health Sciences (Gerontology).
With highly developed strategic and operational management skills, Helen is passionate about delivering positive outcomes for people who receive Aged and Disability services in regional Australia.
Bob Rogers
Executive General Manager, Governance & Legal
Bob Rogers
Executive General Manager, Governance & Legal
Briette Parish
Executive General Manager, Disability Services
Briette Parish
Executive General Manager, Disability Services
Andrew Sharkey
Executive General Manager, Finance & Commercial Performance
Andrew Sharkey
Executive General Manager, Finance & Commercial Performance
Andrew joins us with substantial experience leading high performing financial teams. Most recently he was Head of Commercial Performance at WaterNSW, where he had responsibility for the performance of a $320 million business. Prior to this, he was General Manager, Finance and Controls at BNP Paribas and has also held a number of other finance leadership roles at IAG, Westpac and Origin Energy.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA) and also holds qualifications in coaching and mentoring.
Accounts
All finance enquiries can be made Monday-Friday between 8.30am-5.00pm. Phone 02 6391 2400 or 1800 580 580.
Read about LiveBetter's Standard Terms & Conditions for Purchase Orders.
Media
For all media related matters please contact the Marketing department. Phone 02 6391 2400 or email marketing@livebetter.org.au.
