Meet our Staff
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Ace Boncato - DDAlliance Coordinator
Ace is the Coordinator at DDAlliance. Her role is to oversee the strategic direction of the organisation and making sure that the general operations of DDAlliance run smoothly.
Ace is passionate about creating social change that works towards ensuring that all people have the opportunity to live their best life, enjoy equal and active participation in all areas of civil society and can freely exercise their human rights.
Before joining DDAlliance, Ace studied Business, majoring in Human Resources Management and Business Law before working at the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA). Here, she managed numerous community and research projects. She has also worked as Coordinator of the NSW Network of Women with Disability. In the later parts of her career, Ace’s passion for social policy and human rights led her to take on a role in systemic advocacy at MDAA before moving into senior management roles; overseeing the human resources and operational functions of the organisation.
Since being with DDAlliance, Ace loves working with the team to challenge the status quo, and look for new and innovative ways to take on exciting peer-led projects.
Outside of work, Ace enjoys watching tennis, going to musicals, concerts and shows, watching films and playing music with her brother and cousins.
Ace is the Coordinator at DDAlliance. Her role is to oversee the strategic direction of the organisation and making sure that the general operations of DDAlliance run smoothly.
Ace is passionate about creating social change that works towards ensuring that all people have the opportunity to live their best life, enjoy equal and active participation in all areas of civil society and can freely exercise their human rights.
Before joining DDAlliance, Ace studied Business, majoring in Human Resources Management and Business Law before working at the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA). Here, she managed numerous community and research projects. She has also worked as Coordinator of the NSW Network of Women with Disability. In the later parts of her career, Ace’s passion for social policy and human rights led her to take on a role in systemic advocacy at MDAA before moving into senior management roles; overseeing the human resources and operational functions of the organisation.
Since being with DDAlliance, Ace loves working with the team to challenge the status quo, and look for new and innovative ways to take on exciting peer-led projects.
Outside of work, Ace enjoys watching tennis, going to musicals, concerts and shows, watching films and playing music with her brother and cousins.
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Andrew Boerma - Participation & Project Support Officer
Andrew is a Participation & Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. His role is to support peers to participate and contribute to DDAlliance’s internal and external activities. He also supports the NSW Peer Learning Hub and Connecting Peers Cross Culturally projects.
Andrew is passionate about social justice, inclusion, and peer-led spaces. He believes diversity is to be celebrated, and we are best when we work together.
Andrew has a background in social work, and has worked closely with trade unions, people seeking asylum, young people, and as part of the Ability Links program.
At DDAlliance, Andrew values the collective and creative spaces that allow for peer-led discussions, support, and broader change. Andrew enjoys learning and working with peers, board members and staff.
In his own time, Andrew enjoys bike riding, being in nature, watercolour painting, music, art, gardening and time with family and friends.
Andrew is a Participation & Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. His role is to support peers to participate and contribute to DDAlliance’s internal and external activities. He also supports the NSW Peer Learning Hub and Connecting Peers Cross Culturally projects.
Andrew is passionate about social justice, inclusion, and peer-led spaces. He believes diversity is to be celebrated, and we are best when we work together.
Andrew has a background in social work, and has worked closely with trade unions, people seeking asylum, young people, and as part of the Ability Links program.
At DDAlliance, Andrew values the collective and creative spaces that allow for peer-led discussions, support, and broader change. Andrew enjoys learning and working with peers, board members and staff.
In his own time, Andrew enjoys bike riding, being in nature, watercolour painting, music, art, gardening and time with family and friends.
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Bill Zhao- Office/ Admin Assistant
Bill is an Admin assistant with DDAlliance. His role is to complete admin work including minute taking for meetings, ensuring the attendance logs and sheets are completed correctly, filing, booking interpreters, supporting some of the cafes and making sure everything is always up to date.
Bill is passionate about public transport and supporting peers to get from place A to B. He is very comfortable to show people how to use different modes of transport.
Before joining DDAlliance, Bill did not have any admin experience at all. He has experience in the cooking industry. He likes to share a few recipes and discuss the flavour of cooking. Bill is also a Peer Facilitator. He is the Facilitator for the Young Adults Peer Café.
Since being with DDAlliance, Bill enjoys his work, being among knowledgeable people and making great friends. That’s the best thing of being part of the team!
Bill likes watching movies and going to the gym and indoor swimming for exercise and relaxation.
Bill is an Admin assistant with DDAlliance. His role is to complete admin work including minute taking for meetings, ensuring the attendance logs and sheets are completed correctly, filing, booking interpreters, supporting some of the cafes and making sure everything is always up to date.
Bill is passionate about public transport and supporting peers to get from place A to B. He is very comfortable to show people how to use different modes of transport.
Before joining DDAlliance, Bill did not have any admin experience at all. He has experience in the cooking industry. He likes to share a few recipes and discuss the flavour of cooking. Bill is also a Peer Facilitator. He is the Facilitator for the Young Adults Peer Café.
Since being with DDAlliance, Bill enjoys his work, being among knowledgeable people and making great friends. That’s the best thing of being part of the team!
Bill likes watching movies and going to the gym and indoor swimming for exercise and relaxation.
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Catherine Walsh - Peer Development Officer
Catherine is a Peer Development Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to support peers and other partners in the design and activities of the NSW Peer Learning Hub project.
She is excited about seeing and measuring the impact of peer support in the new community that will be reached throughout the project.
Before joining DDAlliance, Catherine worked in India in community development using empathy driven design processes. Currently, she is completing her master’s in development studies. She particular enjoys the ‘nothing about us, without us’ stance that DDAlliance takes.
Outside of work, Catherine enjoys bouldering, rock climbing, camping and hanging out with dogs.
Catherine is a Peer Development Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to support peers and other partners in the design and activities of the NSW Peer Learning Hub project.
She is excited about seeing and measuring the impact of peer support in the new community that will be reached throughout the project.
Before joining DDAlliance, Catherine worked in India in community development using empathy driven design processes. Currently, she is completing her master’s in development studies. She particular enjoys the ‘nothing about us, without us’ stance that DDAlliance takes.
Outside of work, Catherine enjoys bouldering, rock climbing, camping and hanging out with dogs.
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Joyce van Akkeren - Project Coordinator
Joyce is a Project Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to coordinate the Powerful Peers project in partnership with Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH).
Joyce is passionate about social justice issues. There are many people who still face barriers and are left out in our society. She enjoys working with people who are passionate about social change.
Previously, Joyce worked for 8 years as the Multicultural Access Project (MAP) officer in South-West Sydney. The work centred on the needs of people with disability and older people from multicultural communities, changing the way support services operate to be more culturally appropriate. For two years, Joyce also worked on several projects with the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA), and delivered cultural competency training to workers in the disability field.
Joyce has lived experience as a carer and has close family members with disability.
Joyce enjoys the camaraderie and passions of the DDAlliance staff and peers. She likes the dynamic pace of growth and working on new, untried ideas and innovative projects. These are always exciting, fun and let her learn new skills.
In her personal life, Joyce enjoys bush walking, pottering with plants and pots, exercising with Yoga, Pilates and Zumba, going to live shows and listening to good music when reading novels.
Joyce is a Project Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to coordinate the Powerful Peers project in partnership with Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH).
Joyce is passionate about social justice issues. There are many people who still face barriers and are left out in our society. She enjoys working with people who are passionate about social change.
Previously, Joyce worked for 8 years as the Multicultural Access Project (MAP) officer in South-West Sydney. The work centred on the needs of people with disability and older people from multicultural communities, changing the way support services operate to be more culturally appropriate. For two years, Joyce also worked on several projects with the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA), and delivered cultural competency training to workers in the disability field.
Joyce has lived experience as a carer and has close family members with disability.
Joyce enjoys the camaraderie and passions of the DDAlliance staff and peers. She likes the dynamic pace of growth and working on new, untried ideas and innovative projects. These are always exciting, fun and let her learn new skills.
In her personal life, Joyce enjoys bush walking, pottering with plants and pots, exercising with Yoga, Pilates and Zumba, going to live shows and listening to good music when reading novels.
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Rhiannon Galla - Project Support Officer
Rhiannon is a Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. She works alongside peers to provide support in the running of project activities for the Connecting Peers Cross Culturally project. These include peer cafes, events, and training. She also works with the peer-led newsletter and social media teams.
Rhiannon is passionate about genuine collaboration and the mutual learning that is part of this. She appreciates the unique perspective, voice, and insights that each person brings to peer spaces. At DDAlliance she values the commitment to human-rights principles and the ongoing reflection on social inclusion in everything we do.
Rhiannon has a background in community projects and sociological research. She is currently completing a graduate diploma in person-centred counselling.
Outside of work, Rhiannon enjoys reading, yoga, and exploring new music, especially folk.
Rhiannon is a Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. She works alongside peers to provide support in the running of project activities for the Connecting Peers Cross Culturally project. These include peer cafes, events, and training. She also works with the peer-led newsletter and social media teams.
Rhiannon is passionate about genuine collaboration and the mutual learning that is part of this. She appreciates the unique perspective, voice, and insights that each person brings to peer spaces. At DDAlliance she values the commitment to human-rights principles and the ongoing reflection on social inclusion in everything we do.
Rhiannon has a background in community projects and sociological research. She is currently completing a graduate diploma in person-centred counselling.
Outside of work, Rhiannon enjoys reading, yoga, and exploring new music, especially folk.
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Sonia Tse - Project Support Officer
Sonia is a Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. She aspires to help build a society where people with disability are empowered to reach their full potential, and have confidence in their abilities to fulfil their desired ambitions in life. Sonia strongly believes people with disability should have a strong voice in society.
Before joining DDAlliance, Sonia worked in project officer and diversional therapy roles, and completed training at a mental health unit. At Western Sydney University (WSU), she volunteered as a peer mentor to support students and spoke at campus events. Her work with Lifeline Australia gave her an opportunity to build her knowledge base and develop skills to work with women with disability experiencing domestic violence. Sonia has also worked on projects focused on mental health awareness at WSU to promote inclusivity, and has worked with the Heart Foundation.
Sonia has a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Service Management and Therapeutic Recreation) from WSU.
In her personal time, Sonia reads self-help and motivation literature, she does photography on weekends, enjoys gym training, barre attack and attends leadership seminars to learn and develop new skills.
Sonia is a Project Support Officer with DDAlliance. She aspires to help build a society where people with disability are empowered to reach their full potential, and have confidence in their abilities to fulfil their desired ambitions in life. Sonia strongly believes people with disability should have a strong voice in society.
Before joining DDAlliance, Sonia worked in project officer and diversional therapy roles, and completed training at a mental health unit. At Western Sydney University (WSU), she volunteered as a peer mentor to support students and spoke at campus events. Her work with Lifeline Australia gave her an opportunity to build her knowledge base and develop skills to work with women with disability experiencing domestic violence. Sonia has also worked on projects focused on mental health awareness at WSU to promote inclusivity, and has worked with the Heart Foundation.
Sonia has a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Service Management and Therapeutic Recreation) from WSU.
In her personal time, Sonia reads self-help and motivation literature, she does photography on weekends, enjoys gym training, barre attack and attends leadership seminars to learn and develop new skills.
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Tammy Burnstock – Project Officer
Tammy is a Project Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to coordinate and, together with a great team, co-facilitate Circles of Support.
Tammy Is passionate about the rights of all people to live full and productive lives via social change, and for people with disability to drive that change. Our world is dynamic, and peers are in the best position to understand and navigate a way to genuine social inclusion.
Tammy has interests in human rights and in the power of stories. Before joining DDAlliance, she worked as a storyteller at the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID), with children at the Story Factory, and with young people in Australia and East Timor for a volunteer project, Foto Friendship. Tammy has been involved in Circles of Support as a member and facilitator, for 15 years. Tammy spent 12 years with the ABC Children’s department, 30 years writing Play School, and directed a documentary about cinema that smells!
Since being with DDAlliance, Tammy enjoys the good humour, innovation, sense of purpose and collaborative approach of the team. She enjoys the opportunity to learn new things every day, and to work with an amazing and diverse group of individuals. As we build and widen Circles of Support for people with disability.
Tammy enjoys spending time with people, including a brand new grandchild. She loves being outside, eating good food in good company, smelling the world, and creating stories that engage through our minds, hearts and all of our senses.
Tammy is a Project Officer with DDAlliance. Her role is to coordinate and, together with a great team, co-facilitate Circles of Support.
Tammy Is passionate about the rights of all people to live full and productive lives via social change, and for people with disability to drive that change. Our world is dynamic, and peers are in the best position to understand and navigate a way to genuine social inclusion.
Tammy has interests in human rights and in the power of stories. Before joining DDAlliance, she worked as a storyteller at the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID), with children at the Story Factory, and with young people in Australia and East Timor for a volunteer project, Foto Friendship. Tammy has been involved in Circles of Support as a member and facilitator, for 15 years. Tammy spent 12 years with the ABC Children’s department, 30 years writing Play School, and directed a documentary about cinema that smells!
Since being with DDAlliance, Tammy enjoys the good humour, innovation, sense of purpose and collaborative approach of the team. She enjoys the opportunity to learn new things every day, and to work with an amazing and diverse group of individuals. As we build and widen Circles of Support for people with disability.
Tammy enjoys spending time with people, including a brand new grandchild. She loves being outside, eating good food in good company, smelling the world, and creating stories that engage through our minds, hearts and all of our senses.