Justice Support Centre is driven by a dedicated group of people pursuing a future in which there is access to justice for all, and women and children are free from family violence.
CEO
Melanie joined Justice Support Centre in March 2023 as our CEO. She has extensive experience as a CEO and director, spanning the not-for-profit, legal, corporate and banking sectors. Before joining us she was working in international development with women and girls in South Asia and Africa. Melanie's passionate belief in social justice has been a driving force in her work. She brings a positive, curious and constructive approach to leadership and has used this approach to grow and strengthen the organisations she has worked with.
Principal Solicitor
Peter joined Justice Support Centre as Principal Solicitor in 2003. Before joining our organisation, Peter owned and operated his own legal practice in Liverpool for over 15 years. Peter has held positions with a number of private companies, with responsibility for areas including marketing and loss prevention. In addition to his legal qualifications, Peter holds a degree in Economics.
Finance Manager
Angela joined Justice Support Centre in 2020 and brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector finance. Angela has a Bachelor of Commerce-Accounting. She is a member for CPA Australia.
Manager South West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Service
Farah Assafiri joined Justice Support Centre in 2009 and manages the South West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy service, which supports women through court processes to secure an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. Farah draws on her expertise in trauma-informed care to manage a team of Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Workers and provide needs-based support to clients. Farah has advanced degrees in legal studies and political science.
Manager Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Service
Janice Waring joined Justice Support Centre in 2018 and manages our Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service. Before this, she worked with the Family Advocacy and Support Service when it was first introduced to the Family Court. With 11 years working in the sector, she aims to ensure every client is supported to achieve the best possible outcome to suit their needs, with a focus on safety and empowerment. Janice has a Juris Doctor and has done extensive studies in mediation and negotiation, as well as psychology.
Operations Manger
Effi Vassiliadis joined Justice Support Centre in 2012. She brings with her more than 10 years’ experience in community services, as well as corporate banking. As the Operations Manager, Effi supports the CEO and the Board in overseeing People and Culture, IT, compliance, facilities management and special projects, as well as managing the organisation’s financial counselling program.
Justice Support Centre is managed by an independent, volunteer management committee. The committee members come from the broader community and support the principles of social justice and equality. Their collective skills and experience are an invaluable resource to the centre.
President
Naushee has 15 years’ experience in the public sector, including at NSW Treasury where she held several roles since 2007, before joining TAFE NSW as Director of Policy and Industry Engagement. Most recently, she focused on strategic projects and reform, working on skills reform policy and national skills negotiations with the Commonwealth. Previously, she led advocacy and strategic projects at the NSW Small Business Commission and implementation of activity-based funding at NSW Health before that.
Vice President, Secretary
Diana brings over 35 years’ experience as a commercial litigation lawyer and has been consistently recognised as a leading and recommended practitioner in that area in Australia. She has been a partner in commercial law firms including a founding partner of a leading corporate boutique law firm and Office Managing Partner and Practice Leader in the Sydney office of Clifford Chance, a global law firm. Throughout her career she has steered and actively contributed to social justice initiatives of the firms she has worked at. She was a Member of the NSW Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee for 2 years and was also a part-time member of the Australian Takeovers Panel for 6 years.
Treasurer
Rakesh is the Finance Consultant of Flow Systems Pty Ltd Sydney. He started his career at Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants. He has been a Finance Director and Regional Controller of several Australian and multinational companies and a large independent not-for-profit college. Rakesh holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a member for CPA Australia, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants of Australia and a registered BAS agent.
Member
Rivkah is Impact Manager with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC). She has expertise in social and legal policy, having held senior roles with strategic policy consulting firm Inside Policy, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Rivkah has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, including community legal centres and has worked in frontline roles in domestic and family violence and homelessness services.
Member
Joanna works as Legal Counsel with Settlement Services International, a community organisation and social business that operates both nationally and internationally. Prior to this, Joanna was a Manager and Principal Lawyer with Justice Connect, overseeing a generalist legal practice. Joanna’s background is in not-for-profits, including extensive experience in legal and practice management roles in community legal centres. Joanna has also worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and has held positions on a range of human rights committees, including with the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.
Member
Carmela is a Senior Lawyer in the Office of General Counsel, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Immediately prior to joining the Commission Carmela was the founder and Principal Director of CP Partnerships Legal & Consulting, a specialist legal and consulting practice. She has extensive human services experience having worked in legal and non-legal roles in government and non-government sectors. Carmela has expertise in litigation and legal policy and reform, particularly in relation to the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people.
Learn more about the impact our services have had for our community over the years and how our services are funded.
Interested in joining the team? Take a look at our current vacancies and learn more about what it’s like to work with Justice Support Centre.
Find out more about our impact in the community.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands, skies and waterways in which we live and work, the Gadigal, Cabrogal, Darug and Eora people. We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, partners and community leaders.
Level 4, 2-14 Meredith St, Bankstown
Darug & Eora Country, NSW 2200
