About Us
Being together makes life Better.
Registered NDIS provider 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 NSW and QLD. 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
to enable people of regional Australia to live their best lives.
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 seven 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.
He joins the board as Chairman of the Clinical Governance Committee and a member of the Risk and Audit Committee.
Peter Carter
Vice President
Peter Carter
Vice President
Peter Carter has recently retired from his role as Director of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services for New South Wales, Australia, to enjoy a holiday in Europe, pursue consulting opportunities such as joining the LiveBetter Board of Directors and to continue his studies.
The role of Director of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services for New South Wales involved Peter in leading planning and funding these services for the State, and managing the State’s budget for these services of over A$1.8 billion (1.4billion Euro).
Before moving to Australia Peter had held senior roles with the New Zealand Government planning and funding Health and Disability services, and had previously managed these types of services in both hospital and community settings.
Helen (Trudy) Mallick
Director
Helen (Trudy) Mallick
Director
Helen has been on the LiveBetter Board for the past four years, initially as a member appointed Director and then as a Board appointed 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.
Peter Callaghan
Director
Peter Callaghan
Director
Peter Callaghan has broad experience in the not-for-profit sector. Over his 40 years, he has been involved in Senior Leadership and Board roles in many Community Services organisations spanning youth, disability, aged care, housing, education, training, employment and industry services sectors in Queensland.
Previously, Peter was founder and CEO of Community Employment Options Inc. and co-founder and Executive Manager, Employment and Training Services for Community Solutions Inc. Peter currently works as a Business Consultant with a newly-formed consulting group - DCA Advisory Services.
Peter is passionate about utilising his experiences, skills and knowledge to assist organisations, develop their capacity to grow sustainably and achieve their full potential.
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. For the last four years Jean was CEO of Central Queensland Medicare Local and prior to that, was the General Manager of 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.
Natalie Forsyth-Stock
CEO
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 currently the 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. Natalie currently divides her time between Orange and Sydney.
Senior Management
Our Senior Management Team has diverse and extensive experience in the community, government and private sectors. Bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields including child & family, disability, and aged services, as well as in finance, human resources, quality and clinical services and marketing, the team effects the belief that diversity of experience helps provide the best leadership and ultimately best practice delivery of services to those who need assistance
Accounts
All finance enquiries can be made Monday-Friday between 8.30am-5.00pm by phoning 02 6391 2400. LiveBetter's Finance Department is led by a the Chief Financial Officer and a team of qualified Accountants and Finance Officers located across LiveBetter's geographic footprint.
Media
For all media related matters please contact Marc Bonney - Head of Marketing. Phone 02 6391 2400 or email marketing@livebetter.org.au.
