Cancer Support Association

Ms Mandy BeckerKnox - CSA General Manager & Wellness News Editor
B.A.(Communications), C.Graphic Pre-Press

Mandy was appointed General Manager of CSA in 2012, after 12 years as Wellness News editor and Communications Manager.

Mandy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Curtin University with a major in English and Communications, is a qualified Graphic Designer and holds qualifications in Business management. She has extensive experience in the printing and publishing industries and the arts both in Perth and Melbourne, and for many years ran her own graphic design/communications consultancy business. Mandy has studied and practiced yoga and meditation since she was twenty and teaches at the Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre which she co-directs with her husband.

Mandy is deeply committed to CSA and combines practical management experience with a holistic perspective to lead the CSA team with vision and integrity. After twelve years editing and researching for Wellness News, pursuing personal development within the holistic arts, and overcoming personal challenges, Mandy has a deep understanding of what it takes to become truly well and to heal. New CSA initiatives such as Meeting the Challenge Handbook for People Newly Diagnosed with Cancer and the Cancer Wellness Course are based on this extensive knowledge and empathy for people facing serious life challenges.

e-mail direct: mandy@cancersupportwa.org.au

Kerry Day - Accounts Manager

Kerry has been with CSA since February 2005. She has a background in accounts and management, having worked in various industries. In her role at CSA she oversees the day to day financial financial operations within the association, and provides the monthly and annual budgets and reports.

Kerry likes being part of the CSA team which provides a much needed service to the membership and the wider community, and values her contact with members. She feels it is the close working team of the CSA which is integral to the association's success.

Kerry is a keen traveller, and has seen much of Australia.

e-mail direct: kerry@cancersupportwa.org.au

Angela Ebert - Group Facilitator and Counsellor
B.A. (Honours) Psych., Post Grad. Dipl. Soc. Work, MA Clin. & Health Psych., PhD Psychology.

Drawing on over 20 years experience as a practitioner, Angela brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in individual, group and family counselling, change management, and research. She is a well-respected trauma specialist and has worked in a range of organisations offering services for people dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, life changes, and chronic pain. She currently works in private practice in Como. The pathways she offers to people are broad-ranging and evidence-based and include interpersonal, cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness therapy, and hypnosis. Angela selects among these pathways those that are best suited to enhance wellness and assist people with cancer and their carers.

Angela believes in ongoing professional development and holds a post-graduate diploma in social work, an Honours degree in psychology (Murdoch University), a Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology (Curtin University of Technology), and has recently completed her PhD at Curtin University. She has a particular interest in facilitating the mobilisation of deepest resources for healing and coping with big life challenges. Her PhD research investigated trauma recovery and she has been invited to teach her findings regarding mechanisms of strengthening resilience at conferences and in workshops. Angela has also published in a number of journals.

Angela facilitates the Tuesday support group at CSA, and is available for individual sessions by appointment. She is also the Cancer Support Online counsellor.

e-mail direct: a.ebert@murdoch.edu.au

Cathy Brown - Client Services Manager

Cathy Brown has personal experience with cancer. She was first diagnosed with melanoma in 1989 - with secondary melanoma developing in 1990. She was told that chemotherapy and radiotherapy wouldn't be offered and to go home and enjoy her family while she could, as she only had between two months and two years to live. Her children were six and eight at the time and she was devastated by this news. This initiated an amazing personal journey, which has explored many beliefs and healing modalities.

Cathy attended the Wellness Course and Cancer Support Groups for five years before she was invited to facilitate them at the Cancer Support Association in Perth. During the next six years she facilitated The 12 Weeks to Wellness Course, Cancer: Meeting the Challenge Course, cancer support groups, open support groups, support groups for women, supervised volunteer carers and also instigated the Reiki Clinics.

In 2001, Cathy resigned from the Cancer Support Association to produce and present corporate wellness programmes for Perth businesses.

Always fascinated and intrigued by the power of the mind, Cathy commenced training as a Clinical Hypnotherapist in 2005 and now enjoys running her business Life XL by helping people to heal and change their lives through hypnotherapy.

Since 2010, Cathy has facilitated The Gawler Foundation's Lifestyle Based, Education Self Help Programme - Cancer, Healing and Wellbeing in Western Australia.

In 2011, Cathy again returned to the Cancer Support Association as part of the Client Services Team. Cathy is an Endorsed Gawler Foundation Meditation Leader.

e-mail direct: cathy@cancersupportwa.org.au

Mike Sowerby - Counsellor and Group Facilitator
Master of Counselling

Mike joined the CSA team as a group facilitator in 2010 and counsellor in 2011. Mike offers counselling sessions at CSA to help clients achieve their choices, to appreciate and value their role in taking personal responsibility for their greater wellbeing. Mike is also a CSA group facilitator. Mike has experienced cancer himself, and travelled the long and often winding road to recovery and wellbeing. He has met thousands of people with cancer, their carers, their families, and the thing he notices common to all, is the importance of being heard, of being valued as a person and respected for meeting the challenge of cancer in a way that reflects trust in oneself and the nurturing of love in relationship.

e-mail direct: michael@cancersupportwa.org.au

Barbara Nicolay - Fundraising Assistant

Barbara joined the Fundraising Department in September 2004. She has more than 10 years experience in the Fundraising not-for-profit sector. In her current role at CSA, Barbara assists with raffles, direct mail appeals, donations and bequests. Barbara's duties at CSA also include database administration, mail appeals, events and other fundraising programs.

e-mail direct: barbara@cancersupportwa.org.au

Hilary Harman - Reception and Client Care

Hilary was a volunteer at the CSA for some years, helping out with the reception area on a part time basis until taking on the role full time in January 2008.

Hilary's background is in reception and administration, and she qualified as a travel agent as a mature student after raising her family. After working for over fourteen years in the travel industry she decided it was time for a change. Hilary's extensive experience in dealing with the public, along with her calm and compassionate nature, means she is well qualified to present a friendly face and cheerful voice for the CSA reception.

e-mail direct: reception2@cancersupportwa.org.au