Australis Team

Katrina has just finished studying for her Diploma and is a Course Consultant and Student Recruitment Officer for Australis College. She prides herself on her empathetic and encouraging approach, focusing on guiding and supporting new students through the educational process. Having just been a student herself, she understands the issues that can arise from a student’s point of view and will always endeavor to assist them in achieving their goals and becoming the best version of themself. Her motto is
“Let’s have a chat!”

She enjoys park dates with my daughter and trying new things in her spare time. Right now, the ‘new things’ are painting by numbers and amigurumi crotchet.’

Wendy Bonnarens has over 25 years of experience working in the community services and education sectors in TAFE and private training organisations. She is highly skilled in course development, curriculum writing, and community services for youth and the aged. As well as disability & counseling training, including all aspects of adult education, e-learning, workshop facilitation, distance learning, and instructional design.

Her background and focus are on Community Services, Counselling, Youth Work, and the Health sector. She is passionate about the ongoing commitment to learning and staff development.
Wendy has completed a Postgraduate in Learning and Development, Bachelor of Applied Science, Leisure & Health, Diploma of Counselling, Diploma of Business and Management, Diploma of Hypnotherapy, and Certificate IV TAE. She has also authored two books in the field of Community Services and Health.

Martha McDaniel is the Head of Faculty for the Community Faculty at Australis College. She has over ten years of experience in the VET sector. Having worked as a trainer, assessor, training support officer, and student support for Australis over the past seven years, she is passionate about the student learning experience. She understands the many challenges students can face when studying.

Martha enjoys working with students to overcome those challenges and see them through their study duration journey and works closely with all of the trainers and assessors in the faculty. She enjoys volunteering throughout the year in the industry, which helps her stay in touch and on top of industry changes.
When she is not working, she loves traveling and discovering new places, going bush, and just being outdoors in the fresh air.

Mona Heather is Australis College’s course consultant/student recruitment officer, and she is passionate about interacting with and supporting students find the right course. Mona feels that the best part of her job is advocating for students, guiding them in the right direction to where they see their future selves. When she is not working, she is in full mum mode. She spends every moment with her four beautiful children, dog, family, and friends.

Sue Lawn started in the Community Services industry as a Nurse. Part of her job was to train and assess others in the workplace. During this time, she found her passion for empowering others with knowledge and skills to support themselves and the community. Sue enjoys talking to students through live chats, classes, and practicals. When she is not training and assessing, she facilitates Mental Health First Aid Courses. In her downtime, she enjoys being outdoors, doing crafts, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Jacob is one of our Trainers and Assessors focusing on Community Services. He is very passionate about helping students achieve their individual educational goals and guiding them through their certificate and diploma journey. He loves teaching, but he also loves to learn and finds that this can occur daily when you listen to others.

When Jacob is not teaching, he spends time with his family and takes every opportunity to travel. He coaches’ rugby for his sons under 7s rugby team and volunteers as an Ecclesiastical leader at his Church. He is a Brisbane Broncos fan, and his favorite food is Chocolate Cake.

Terri has worked as a Diversional Therapist for over 20 years. After mentoring and training junior staff in day centres, she turned her passion and experience into her next career as a trainer and assessor.

Industry currency is important to Terri, and when she is not teaching at Australis College, she runs her own private Diversional Therapy practice, where she offers meaningful activities to clients who have barriers to participation in the realm of leisure.

In her spare time, she loves to swim in the ocean all year round and is a mum to two teenage boys.