Who We Are
The Armidale Women’s Shelter values it’s staff and volunteers who show compassion, empathy and enormous skill.
Our team of experienced and professional staff
Team Leader
Our Team leader supports our staff and enables them to do their work as effectively and efficiently as possible, overseeing operations and providing guidance to our team to ensure case management is ethical, effective and efficient. Promoting a culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement in service delivery, supporting the Manager and organisation to achieve and maintain quality outcomes for our community.Case workers
WSA support staff contribute to the provision of a comprehensive range of support services to women in the New England community. They continuously assess the support needs of women who have experienced, or who are at risk of experiencing, domestic or family violence and/or homelessness. In doing so, they provide collaborative case management to assist clients to develop fulfilling, independent lives, free from relational abuse and with safe, affordable, accommodation.Specialist children’s and young person’s workers
Experienced and equipped professionals providing specialist services to the children and young people of the New England region who have experienced domestic violence and/or homelessness. Providing specialist support to assist with recovery from trauma and implementation of early interventions for our youth to flourish.Cultural Integration worker
Our cultural integration team member collaborates and works closely with clients and originations within our community to deliver culturally safe, authentic and appropriate case management. Womens Shelter Armidale prides ourselves on ensuring our services cater to and facilitate our diverse range of community members.Development Team
Our community based, multidisciplinary team is comprised of experienced and driven individuals, dedicated to enhancing our organisations partnerships, opportunities and connection to community, whilst promoting the rights of marginalized people within our region.Our Governance Team
Heidi Burton
Interim Chief Executive OfficerNatasha Ross
PresidentKye Single
Vice PresidentKristy Willaimson
TreasurerCaroline Coupland
SecretaryJuliet Kaberry
Board memberSara McNeall
Embrace RepresentativeSteven Widders
Board MemberSarah Hunt
Board MemberRachel Horton
Board MemberFelicity Jackes
Armidale Rotary RepresentativeHeidi Burton
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Life’s challenges can be magnified when systems are not built for everyone. Heidi Burton’s passion is to dismantle barriers and create pathways that allow every person, regardless of ability or circumstance, to participate fully in their community.
Heidi is the Interim Chief Executive Officer for the Women’s Shelter Armidale Inc, leading a committed team to provide best practice services to women and families who experience Domestic and Family Violence and homelessness. She focuses on ensuring services are culturally safe, trauma informed, and responsive to the realities of rural and regional communities.
Prior to joining the Shelter, Heidi worked extensively in the disability advocacy sector where she championed the rights of people with a disability, influenced policy reform, and built strong collaborative networks across government and community organisations. Her work has focused on Supported Decision Making, access and inclusion, and ensuring that those most impacted are included in the design of solutions.
Heidi holds degrees in Psychology, Social Work, Secondary Education, a Diploma of Human Resources, and a Diploma of Quality Auditing. She is currently completing her MBA to further strengthen her capability in strategic leadership, governance, and organisational growth.
Raised with a strong rural work ethic and deep connection to community, Heidi combines practical leadership with values-based decision making.
Heidi has lived and worked in regional NSW for many years and is committed to ensuring that women and families have access to safe housing, responsive services, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
Natasha Ross
President
Natasha combines her professional expertise with a deep-seated commitment to regional, place-based soluations. With a Master’s in Human Rights, she is an advocate for women and children escaping violence, championing community-led initiatives to address homelessness and deliver dignified support. She has experience working with a broad range of people and sectors including multicultural communities, children and families, corrections, aged care and disability.
Natasha’s leadership is guided by a human rights approach, ensuring the shelter’s governance is robust and compassionate. She brings a dedication to fostering positive change and empowering vulnerable communities.
Juliet Kaberry
Member
Juliet holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psych/Soc), Bachelor of Laws, and Grad Dip in Legal Practice. She has worked as a Family support worker in Moree, a Counsellor at Community Health and later at TAFE, and a Lawyer for 15 years specialising in family law and child protection. She is a founding member of the WDVCAS board in Moree in 2006, panel solicitor acting for children in child protection and family law matters, and was vice-president of Community Housing in Moree from 2004 – 2007. Juliet has served the Women’s Shelter Management Committee for many years and has been an integral part of its sustainability.
Sara McNeall
Embrace representative
Sara McNeall is a practicing Primary School Music Teacher, and a member of EMBRACE, a voluntary group which organises donations of beds, furniture and kitchen items from their St Marks church community exclusively for the Women’s Shelter which they donate and deliver these items to clients moving into transitional housing.
Steven Widders
Member
Uncle Steve Widders is a descendant of the Kamillaroi and Anaiwan people of Northern NSW. He has lived and worked on the ancestral ground of his people most of his life and has great pride in his identity as an Aboriginal Australian. He has served as a member of the NSW Disability Council, National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC), and is currently a board Member of Multicultural NSW. Additionally, Steve is Chair of the Newara Aboriginal Corporation, the Anaiwan Language Revival Group, he is a board member of Armidale AM Rotary Club, a Paul Harris fellow, and is a cultural and heritage advisor to local organisations. On top of this, Steve has achieved many personal triumphs, including becoming one of the first blind men to walk the Kokoda Track. He has also completed several tandem bike rides to raise funds and awareness for Men’s Health concerns.
