Meet the Directors

  • Brittney Henderson (they/them) - Bunurong/Boon Wurrung and Wiradjuri🏳️‍🌈

    CHAIRPERSON
    Living on Wurundjeri Country

    Why did you become a Director?
    I am committed to systemic change and promoting equitable access and development for Indigenous people. I’m particularly passionate about LGBTQIA+SB Mob and believe that cultural safety should include queer friendly. As the Chair of Deadly Sports Plus Aboriginal Corporation, I hope to ensure all members feel not only safe to communicate their thoughts, but empowered to do so.

    What do you do outside of DS+?
    I am studying a Master of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne and work for the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute as a Project Officer in Learning and Development. I love keeping busy and am passionate about the work I do.

    Professional Memberships

    Member of Institute of Community Directors Australia

  • Jessica Simpson (she/her) - Wakka-Wakka and Gubbi-Gubbi 🏳️‍🌈

    DIRECTOR
    Living on Ngunnawal Country

    Why did you become a Director?
    I am passionate about culturally appropriate care and improving health outcomes for First Nations people. I love being able to support and empower the amazing team to help our communities. Being a part of DS+ allows me to apply my knowledge and experience from my degree and work experience for mob.

    What do you do outside of DS+?
    I work as a Policy Analyst in the Australian Public Service. I am Chair of the Departments RAP committee and Deputy Chair of the Indigenous Employees Network. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in several policy areas, including social policy, small business, and barriers to employment for people who face disadvantage. Through my work, I have advocated to ensure that First Nations voices and considerations are made throughout the development of Government policy and that First Nations culture is celebrated within the workplace. I have a Bachelor of Business (Management) from QUT and a Diploma of Government from CIT.

    Professional Memberships

    Member of Institute of Community Directors Australia

  • Nic Radoll AHFEA (Indigenous Knowledges) (they/them) - Anaiwan 🏳️‍🌈

    FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
    Living on Wurudjeri Country

    Why did you become a Director?
    After copping a few too many concussions playing Roller Derby, I started DS+ to keep involved in sports, as a sole trader business. As I continued to work noticed a massive lack of representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTIQA+SB community in the first aid industry. I decided that this needs to change, so I brought together community members I admired, and we started DS+ as a non-profit!

    What do you do outside DS+?
    I work in the RTO and Higher Education space, providing advice and support in Indigenous education and developing culturally safe content in the adult learning space. I have been a Trainer/Assessor in Indigenous Leadership, Indigenous Governance, and First Aid across the last 7 years. I hold 9 Certificate IVs and 3 Diplomas across Indigenous governance, leadership, health care, and adult education. My higher education includes a Graduate Certificate in Education (Indigenous Education) and an Associate Fellowship with AdvanceHE (Indigenous Knowledges).

    Professional Memberships

    Associate Member of the Australasian College of Paramedicine

    Member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development

    Member of Institute of Community Directors Australia

Meet the Staff

  • Ailsa (she/they) 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 1
    Living on Wurundjeri Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I love the community aspect, being able to support and work across diverse communities around Melbourne.

    What work do you outside DS+?
    I am an occupational therapist working in mental health

  • April (she/her) - Wiradjuri 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 2
    Living on Bunurong Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I enjoy and take pride in providing holistic, person centred care to our communities in a safe and appropriate way. I encourage and foster autonomy of clients and their care and provide education about health and wellbeing.

    What work do you do outside DS+?
    Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQA+SB Peoples Health and Wellbeing

  • Brittney (they/she) - Noongar 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 2
    Living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I am passionate about improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples, providing holistic healthcare, and continual learning. DS+ helps solidify my skills and to learn from first aid workers from different backgrounds than me. I want to contribute to the realisation of the DS+ mission by providing high-quality culturally safe care and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTIQA+SB people.

    What work do you do outside DS+?
    I am studying the Doctor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne, hoping to specialise in Emergency Medicine. I also am a member of the Roadmap towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adolescent Health Governance Group.

  • Gen (she/her) 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 1
    Living on Wadawurrng Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I work for DS+ because I believe in quality service for marginalised communities. I also think it’s important as an ally to support First Nations-owned and run businesses. I am committed to social change, and working with this business is a real-world way to do that. I’m proud to be part of an organisation offering culturally appropriate care for our communities.

    What do you do outside DS+?
    I work in youth mental health research with Orygen Youth Services and the University of Melbourne.

  • Grace (no preference) 🏳️‍🌈

    ADMIN ASSISTANT
    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 2
    Living on Wurundjeri Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I have always been interested in health care and making a difference in the health care industry. I like holistic approach for first aid where I can support my patient autonomy and help provide health education. It also gives me the opportunity to work with marginalised communities which I’m a part of, peer-on-peer care.

    What do you do outside DS+?
    I work as a swim teacher specialising in children under 4 years old. I am also studying Biomedical Science at RMIT.

  • Holly (they/them) 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 2
    Living on Wurundjeri Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I work for DS+ because I believe in inclusive and culturally sensitive practice at all stages of care, from first aid through to tertiary setting such as hospitals.

    What work do you outside DS+?
    I am a physiotherapist working in private practice at a clinic specialising in hypermobility and connective tissue disorders. I also work at SANE Australia as a mental health advocate and peer ambassador.

  • Lachie (they/them) 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 2
    Living on Wurundjer/Bunurong Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I am passionate about both healthcare and social justice, and this job is a wonderful intersection of both. I started studying healthcare because I am passionate about connecting with community and providing the best quality care to people who need it. This job is an amazing opportunity to hone my practical skills and be as respectful an ally to the First Nations community as I possible can be. .

    What work do you do outside DS+?
    I am completeing a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Victoria University.

  • Nick (he/him)

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 1
    Living on Wadawurrng Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    I’ve worked on and off in the sports first aid field for the last 15 years and DS+ allows me to give back to the community while being able to do so in a welcoming and inclusive space.

    What do you do outside DS+?
    I’m a quality and production manager for a beverage company.

  • Tully (she/her) - Gundungurra 🏳️‍🌈

    FIRST RESPONDER LEVEL 1
    Living on Wurundjeri Country

    Why do you work for DS+?
    DS+ has a focus on providing holistic first aid care to people from traditionally marginalised communities, and I wanted to contribute to the mission of empowering individuals when it comes to their health. Working for DS+ also allows me to enhance various skill sets that are beneficial for my studies and career, whilst allowing me to connect with other people from my own community.

    What work do you do outside DS+?
    I am studying Mechanical Engineering, specialising in Aerospace, at the Univerity of Melbourne.