Our Team

Philip Brookes - CEO

Philip comes to BDS with substantial experience gained leading other disability support organisations and serving on the South Australia State Committee of NDS (National Disability Services), the peak body for disability support providers in Australia. He has a great passion for people and supporting everyone to realise their full potential, and is thrilled to join the team at BDS, and learn about the aspirations of our clients and their families.

In addition to sector-specific knowledge, Philip brings a broad array of business experience encompassing Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology, and more. Philip spent many years consulting to non-profit organisations and is deeply committed to fostering strong and inclusive communities.

Although born in Victoria, Philip grew up in Nepal and India, has worked in Cambodia and Philippines, and has a multi-cultural family. In Brisbane he enjoyed greatly being able to support refugees and newly-arrived migrants through a number of his organisation’s initiatives, including a community farm, multicultural arts program, and other support services. He is looking forward to continue the work BDS is doing to provide culturally-aware and inclusive services that meet the needs of our diverse community.

Philip is a champion of collaboration, innovation, kindness, and values-driven teams, and is excited to work with the BDS team to ensure we provide the best possible opportunities for all our current and future participants. Although the disability support sector is facing considerable change and uncertainty, Philip believes that a positive, innovative mindset that anticipates and leads the way in creating the future we hope to see is the surest path to success. While it certainly isn’t easy, and he will continue to advocate and fight for legislative and procedural improvements to the NDIS, we should look forward to BDS making an ever-increasing contribution to people with disabilities in the City of Hume and beyond.

Geraldine Long - Client Services Manager

With more than 35 years’ industry experience across the disability sector, Geraldine brings a wealth of operational management and human resource management experience to BDS. She worked with DHHS for more than 20 years in strategic and senior management roles across disability accommodation services, community care and state-wide forensic services. Geraldine has been at BDS for the past 10 years and heads up our client and family engagement services.

Shanez De Silva - General Manager

Details coming soon

Lyn Chapman - Finance Manager

Details coming soon

Michael Bzdel - Business Development Manager

Michael joined the BDS team as Business Development Manager in June 2023. He has 24 years’ local government experience in leadership and management positions with Hume City Council Leisure Centres. Michael is purpose driven and has a passion for implementing programs to the local community that improve their overall quality of life. He has successfully led his teams through 3 challenging facility redevelopments at Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre during his time at Hume.

Jodie Valkenburg - Program Leader

Jodie is our Program Leader for the Community and Social Recreational Program and the Individual Support Program. She brings more than 8 years’ experience working in children’s services and has qualifications in financial services. With many years of direct care experience, she ensures that our services are customer-focussed and of high demand, continually meeting the needs of the people we support and their families. She adds a youthful approach to our team and in recent years, she has successfully supported a number of BDS customers to maximise their individual outcomes in their transition to the NDIS.

Kelly Zarb - Team Leader

Details coming soon

Casey Houston - Team Leader

Casey joined BDS in 2015 as a Community Support Worker in the community and social recreational program and individualised support program. In 2021, Casey became a Team Leader initially in Escapade/ISP and now Day Services. Prior to BDS, Casey has 10 years’ experience in the industry - supporting children in a special needs setting school and as a vocational trainer in the workplace for school leavers with an intellectual disability. Casey thrives to empower all participants, to encourage all participants to have a voice and choice and control over the supports they receive, and to provide a welcoming, fun and supportive environment for all.

Sanjani Wijesinghe - NDIS Administration Officer

Details coming soon