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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Manny Williams
Lead Program FacilitatorManny Williams
Manny Williams is a proud Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Bundjalung man who has grown up in Mount Isa. He is a passionate and strong advocate for our nation’s youth, which shines bright through his role within the Academy, and in the community.
He shares his knowledge and lived experiences from working in the Youth and Community services sector for over 5 years, to ensure young people have the tools to be the drivers of change within their lives.
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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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Samual May
JT Program Support OfficerSamual May
Sam is committed to supporting young people by helping them identify themselves, their passions and goals and providing them with the tools to reach them.
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Saquoia Hartman
JT Program Support OfficerSaquoia Hartman
Saquoia is a proud Kuku Djugan woman who grew up in Mount Isa, she is a support officer for the JT You got this program. She is passionate about supporting young people in achieving their goals and empowering them to see themselves in a better light.
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Seranna Shutt
Administration AssistantSeranna Shutt
Seranna is our Community Liaison Officer, based in the Cairns office and enjoys facilitating online JTLeadLikeAGirl programs.
I have previously worked in Community Corrections and Leadership positions in Local Government. I enjoy engaging with young people, to raise their self-belief, through taking vulnerable actions outside of their comfort zone and improving their confidence and courage.
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Townsville
Antonio Winterstein
Regional Manager Townsville and Mt IsaAntonio 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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Trudi Nant
JT Program Support OfficerTrudi Nant
I’m Trudi, I was born and raised in New Zealand. I made the decision to move to Australia and have been here now for 28 years. Im also a proud mother of 4 boys.
My passion as always been to be able to help and support others reach their goals, live there best life, and to be the best they could possibly be, and achieve the most out of life. Away from work, I love cooking, catering, being outdoors, from fitness to camping, fishing bush and beach walks. Also Supporting my boys in their sports and school activities and being a mum.
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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
Chloe Lhotka
Program Development & FacilitationChloe Lhotka
I’m Chloe Lhotka, Program Development and Facilitator at the Johnathan Thurston Academy. Based in Gubbi Gubbi country, with a background in Criminology and Justice studies, and a Master’s in Social Work.
Specialized in youth case management, but found my passion in developing programs in Butchulla country. Experienced in residential youth work, youth justice, social innovation, and community development. I believe in empowering young people to shape their own narratives, particularly focusing on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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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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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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Tim Pritchard
Financial ControllerTim 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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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
Administration & Programs SupportMelissa 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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We’re Hiring Great People
We are always looking for great people. Contact with our team to know more about the job opportunity.
