Our People
Bec Passey - Chairperson
Bec is a trained end-of-life consultant and brings a wide range of offerings to deathcare including end-of-life planning, death doula services and grief counselling. She has many hats and is committed to being in service to the community. In other incarnations, Bec has been in management roles for not-for-profits, worked in international aid and development for the Australian government, and created and facilitated multiple programs. She has an odd appreciation for policy and strategy, and has worked as a consultant for established organisations and start ups. Bec runs workshops around the New England on a range of topics focused on health and wellbeing, and facilitates yoga, meditation and breathwork. She likes to potter in her garden in the lovely town of Uralla with her partner Andrew and rough collie cross Ziggy-the-dog.
Lauren Moss - Vice Chairperson
Lauren is a Registered Nurse with over 17 years’ experience and is committed to working in rural health. Her specialty area is Paediatrics and has also worked in General Practice, Women’s Health, Drug and Alcohol, and Undergraduate Nursing Education. Passionate about people, communities and connection, Lauren believes that empowered, holistic end of life and deathcare can be transformative for individuals and the community. She has undertaken training as an End of Life Guide (non-medical end of life support person also known as Death Doula or Death Walker). Lauren has cared for people and their families at the end of life, and is excited to be part of a more holistic movement that is reclaiming dying, death and ceremony. When she’s not on shift or working with clients, you'll find Lauren in her beautiful garden, working on projects on her sustainable property or tending to her bees.
Our Management Committee
The Highlands Management Committee is made up of experienced and passionate community members.
Cath Passey - Secretary
With 30 years’ experience in the New England, Cath Passey has worked as a social worker and counsellor, managing several not-for-profit organisations including Armidale Family Support, the Armidale Women’s Centre and Careline. She also worked as the Social Worker at Armidale Hospital and has extensive experience serving on committees and boards with a strong professional interest in end-of-life support and deathcare.
Julia Hardaker
As a registered nurse Julia worked in emergency, theatres, surgical wards, schools, and later in aged and palliative care. After 30 years in health, she switched to the not-for-profit sector, managing the Armidale Women’s Centre, and Armidale and District Youth Support Services. Julia volunteered in Afghanistan in senior roles focused on capacity building – she developed and delivered a peace-building program, and served as Change Manager for the Afghan Women’s Resource Centre. Returning to Australia, she worked extensively in remote communities.
Nicole Kinnaird
Since 1997, Nicole has worked therapeutically with people of all ages, with particular expertise in individual and group settings supporting those affected by trauma, grief, and loss. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Diploma of Process Oriented Psychology, is an experienced clinical supervisor, and practices as a trauma-informed counsellor and psychotherapist. Her clinical practice is based in Brisbane and Armidale.
Our Volunteer Team
Highlands is supported by an amazing team of warm, compassionate and dedicated volunteers!!!!
