People Are Our Focus
Meet The Team
Management
Johnathan Thurston
Managing Director
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston is a strong positive influence and role model, as demonstrated by his long list of accolades, including 2018 Australian Humanitarian of the Year.
It is critical to note that Johnathan’s well-published messages are spoken directly from his sincere passion of our nation’s youth and his Indigenous culture. In doing so, this organically creates an experience that fosters group cohesion, community, shared responsibility, and a greater sense of self-belief and identity.
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Carley Maher
General ManagerCarley Maher
As an attentive and adaptable educator skilled in management of both school based and business operations, I can effectively create dynamic learning programs and individual sessions that address individual strengths and weaknesses. I am dedicated and motivated towards encouraging growth through carefully monitored progress and as an energetic academic professional who is driven to promote outcomes through engaging curriculum and innovative teaching techniques I can successfully coordinate instruction, activities and assessment to reinforce core concepts and gauge understanding.
I am a focused educator who is passionate about promoting inclusion, critical thinking skills and student development. Managing various environments with positive and proactive strategies is a strong skill set I demonstrate in all educational settings. I have excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving abilities and am adept at modifying programs to suit different learning styles.
With a history of results-focused operations, with strength in staff management, I am a proactive leader who collaborates effectively and consistently. Proficiency in leveraging education and operations knowledge to promote best practice and using data to inform my program development is at the forefront of my skills.
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Cairns
Ty Williams
Regional Manager Cairns and Mt IsaTy Williams
Ty Williams is the regional manager for Cairns and Mount Isa, with a background in Coaching and Mentoring young athletes over the last 12 years. He is excited about the opportunity that the Academy can provide for the Young People on the back of Values, foundational skills, and behavioural change.
Ty believes these are some of the key ingredients for anyone to achieve their potential and is something he is very passionate about. Outside of work Ty enjoys spending time with his family and playing a round of golf.
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Uleta Miller
Lead Program FacilitatorUleta Miller
My name is Uleta Miller; I am from the Yarrabah Community located 40kms South East of Cairns. I’ve been with the JT Academy since the end of 2022, I have recently rejoined the Cairns team.
When I’m not working I love to play rugby league, hanging with family and friends and fishing.
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Chanten Lefoe (Lifu)
Lead Program FacilitatorChanten Lefoe (Lifu)
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Kayla Frazer
JT Program Support OfficerKayla Frazer
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Townsville
Antonio Winterstein
Operations ManagerAntonio Winterstein
Since completing a proud and accomplished career in the NRL spanning 10 years, Antonio has now been applying his passion for the well-being, career, and personal development of young people in various roles within the youth sector, specifically within a youth justice context.
Antonio brings to the Academy his strong background in the delivery of services and programs that aim to reduce the rates of youth offending.
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Gabrielle Little
Lead Program FacilitatorGabrielle Little
My Name is Gabriel I am very passionate in empowering our youth & mob to build their identity to become leaders in their own communities. I really enjoy working in the community in building relationships with services within our community to achieve young people’s goals and also families.
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Carissa Miller
JT Program Support OfficerCarissa Miller
I’m a proud indigenous south sea islander woman who’s all about family. Helping children reach their goals is my passion!
When I’m not cooking up a storm, you’ll find me fishing, crabbing, swimming and cheering for my favorite rugby league team.
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Lara Quabba
JT Program Support OfficerLara Quabba
I am a proud Italian woman whose family migrated here after WW2 and made a life for themselves cane farming. I spent majority of my childhood in Ingham, a small town in North QLD, running through my family’s cane farms, camping, crabbing, and fishing.
I am passionate about working with young people and their families to provide a strengths based and holistic approach that enhances their family and community connections. I pride myself in being building strong rapports with service users, specifically young people, to spark often life changing conversations and provide support in all faucets of their lives. I am studying my Bachelor of Social Work and have a strong passion for understanding human behaviour, solving psycho-social problems & enhancing human well-being to help meet all needs of individuals.
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Keu Pa
JT Program Support OfficerKeu Pa
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Mount Isa
Natalia Unsworth
Lead Program FacilitatorNatalia Unsworth
Hi! I’m Tali, I’ve been working in the community services sector for just over two years. I have a passion for programs and working with at-risk young people, helping them to achieve goals for a better future.
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Madelene Rogers-Vanden Bos
JT Program Support OfficerMadelene Rogers-Vanden Bos
Born and bred in Gordonvale a small country town 20km south of Cairns. Spent most of my childhood fishing, riding my bike through cane fields, playing with kids in the neighbourhood and watching my brothers football team on Saturdays.
I am a proud Papua New Guinea woman with Dutch and Australian roots, I come from a huge family and put my family above all.
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Hervey Bay
Summer Knight
JT Program Support OfficerSummer Knight
Introducing Summer Knight the new Support Officer for Hervey Bay.
Summer is local to the region, works in residential care and has a passion to support our nation’s youth.
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Bernie Williams
JT Program Support OfficerBernie Williams
Bernie is a proud South Sea Islander and Aboriginal man. He lives local in the Hervey Bay Area and works in the disability field.
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Gold Coast
Carley Maher
General ManagerCarley Maher
As an attentive and adaptable educator skilled in management of both school based and business operations, I can effectively create dynamic learning programs and individual sessions that address individual strengths and weaknesses. I am dedicated and motivated towards encouraging growth through carefully monitored progress and as an energetic academic professional who is driven to promote outcomes through engaging curriculum and innovative teaching techniques I can successfully coordinate instruction, activities and assessment to reinforce core concepts and gauge understanding.
I am a focused educator who is passionate about promoting inclusion, critical thinking skills and student development. Managing various environments with positive and proactive strategies is a strong skill set I demonstrate in all educational settings. I have excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving abilities and am adept at modifying programs to suit different learning styles.
With a history of results-focused operations, with strength in staff management, I am a proactive leader who collaborates effectively and consistently. Proficiency in leveraging education and operations knowledge to promote best practice and using data to inform my program development is at the forefront of my skills.
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Alana Taylor
Operations CoordinatorAlana Taylor
Alana Taylor, based on the Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country has worked in Events, Marketing and Sponsorship. Alana is an all-rounder and brings her organisational skills to the team and has supported many of our programs on the ground.
Alana is passionate about our culture and learning more about the land we live on and prides herself on the JT Academy values: Confidence, Courage and Self-Belief!
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Melissa Roberts
Cultural Advisor and AdministrationMelissa Roberts
My family are representatives of the Nyangbal and Widjabul Wirabul people of the Bundjalung Nation. With family connections to Kamiliaroi country. I have experience working in all levels of Government and extensive experience working in the Legal sector supporting mob within the justice system and corrections. I love to share my superpower of supporting and comforting others. I love connecting to all living things around me to feel and heal together.
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Consultants in the Academy
Tim Pritchard
Finance ManagerTim Pritchard
Tim is passionate about supporting the JT Academy by providing financial and operational knowledge and expertise.
He is seen as a “safe pair of hands” when managing the complications of complex financial transactions and has spent the last 8 years working in the Social Impact sector. He loves supporting the team as we help to change lives.
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Deanne Norday
Lead HR ConsultantDeanne Norday
NEXUS Human Resources is privileged to work closely with the Jonathan Thurston Academy to deliver operational and strategic Human Resources; and support their mission of growth and empowerment as they increase their footprint and important services within the community.
Our Lead Consultant, Deanne Norday is committed to providing outstanding HR support that aligns with JTA’s values of self-belief, confidence and courage and NEXUS’s pledge to refine, redesign, and reignite HR for the ongoing success of JTA
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Internet Removals
IT support and Cyber SecurityInternet Removals
Internet Removals is passionate about empowering the JT Academy through their expertise in IT support and cyber security. By safeguarding JTA’s digital infrastructure, they ensure that the Academy can focus on its mission of nurturing and guiding future leaders without the worry of online threats.
Internet Removals works tirelessly to protect their sensitive data, maintain smooth operations, and provide ongoing technical support, demonstrating our shared commitment to excellence and community development.
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Mark Egan
Complete Telco Account ManagementMark Egan
Superior Solutions
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We’re Hiring Great People
We are always looking for great people. Contact with our team to know more about the job opportunity.
