Catherine Raju

Catherine Raju is the manager of Pave the Way and a member of the leadership team at Mamre Association. Catherine joined the Pave the Way team in 2006 after working as a teacher librarian for over 25 years in Queensland and Victorian schools. She is the parent of two daughters, one of whom was born with significant disabilities. As a parent, Catherine was involved in a voluntary capacity for many years with organisations that work for people with disabilities and their families.

Sharon Bourke

Sharon Bourke works full time as a development worker with Pave the Way. Sharon is the mother of three. Her two sons were born with significant disabilities. Sharon believes her real learning began twenty years ago when her first son was born and that her children’s life journeys and their challenges continue to be an inspiration. Sharon co-ordinated/managed a lifestyle support agency for 10 years where she worked with, and was directed by, people who have disabilities and their families. Her work continues to be based on a deep respect for people’s life choices and in the value and power of families.

Julie van Oosten

Julie van Oosten is a full time development worker with Pave the Way. Julie has many years experience working with individuals with disability and their families. This work has included a number of roles at the Mamre Association including support worker, family support key worker, coordinator of the Parent Support Program and circle facilitator. Julie enjoys working with individuals and their families in a developmental way, especially as it pertains to people developing network support and with planning for a good and secure future.

Dianne Mandeville

Dianne Mandeville is a full time development worker with Pave the Way. She has previously worked as a secondary school teacher for 25 years in a number of Brisbane schools. Dianne is the parent of two adult children. Her son was born with significant disabilities. She has been involved, as a parent, for many years in a wide range of organisations that support people with a disability and their families. Dianne strongly believes in the importance of families driving the process of ensuring a safe and fulfilling life for their sons or daughters with a disability.

Michelle Schneider

Michelle is the Administration Resource Worker at Pave the Way. Michelle has many years experience in administration roles in the private sector and has responsibility in Pave the Way for administration and resource management.

Jeremy Ward (BA(Hons), LLB)

Jeremy Ward works as a consultant for Pave the Way. He is a lawyer with a personal and professional interest in the law as it relates to people with disabilities. He is a former member of the Queensland Guardianship and Administration Tribunal and has many years experience working in the law and in advocacy organisations with people with disabilities and families. Jeremy has been with Pave the Way since he established it originally as a small part time project in September 2002.

Christine Douglas (BASoc.Sc, DipEd, GradDip Counselling)

Christine works part time as a consultant with Pave the Way.  Christine is a skilled counselor whose work has been shaped by over 30 years of working with and for marginalised groups of people.  For 10 years, Christine worked as an advocate for people with disabilities and their families, after which she moved to setting up her own counselling practice focusing on issues relating to people with disability and their families, and people's personal and spiritual life journeys.  All of Christine's work is based on a commitment to contribute to the struggle for an ordinary and safe life for all people with disabilities.