Life Skills Victoria Inc. Logo

Our Board and Executive Team

Current Board Members

Life Skills Victoria's current Board Member and Executive Team profiles.

Sue Carroll

President

Sue is currently the President of the Board.  She has a Bachelor of Business (Multidisciplinary), a Master of Professional Education and Training, is an Associate Member of the Association of Medical Secretaries.  She was the Office Manager for the Clinical Director of Mental Health at Latrobe Regional Hospital for 14 years and the Student Support Officer at Monash University for 10 years, supporting both Off Campus and Open Learning students.  She is a Member and Secretary of the Drouin Probus Club. Sue was invited to join the Board and did so after researching the organisation and finding that its philosophy and values were a good fit with her own interest in disability. Sue’s business and administrative background in mental health, management of general hospital and Government departments brings excellent communication skills and a solution focus to the Board.

Read More

Ben Corcoran

Vice President

Deidre Carmichael

Secretary

Deidre was part of the Steering Committee that established Moe Life Skills in 1986 and has served on the Board since. She has held positions of President and Treasurer and served on a range of sub committees. Deidre has a Bachelor of Art in Education, a Graduate Diploma of Special Education and is a Trained Teacher of children with disabilities. She taught at Traralgon Special Development School (TSDS) for 17 years and in Primary Schools for 10 years, developing an understanding of teaching and learning, curriculum, and policy development. Deidre has a strong commitment, over many years, to supporting families, improving outcomes for people with disability and advocating for their right to be treated with dignity and to be accepted citizens in their communities.

Read More

Jason Batson

Treasurer

Jason is a Board Member and Treasurer.  He has spent 32 years in the Banking Industry.  He says, “Uni wasn’t for me, so I worked my way from the ground up into my current role as District Manager – ANZ Melbourne CBD”.

He is an active volunteer with Vinnies Melbourne, supporting people who are experiencing homelessness.  He has received multiple awards for Collaboration, Customer Care and Performance. He is also involved in local sporting clubs’ committees and has a Life Membership in a local sporting club for many years of coaching young people.

“I have a strong sense of when injustices are being applied in our community and equally believe that every person has potential to be unlocked. I also expect to be able to leverage my finance networks to the betterment of the Organisation”.

Jason says he has been incredibly fortunate in his career and wants to give back to those who are most vulnerable.

Jason brings a range of skills and expertise including, banking, customer care, and performance to the Board.

Read More

Lindsay King

Board Member

My name is Lindsay King and I have just recently joined the Board of Life Skills Victoria. I am now retired after working for 9 years as an electrician and 45 years as an Ambulance officer, 34 years of which I was a paramedic. Concurrently with this I was a volunteer ambulance officer for 29 years.

As well as my qualifications as a Paramedic, I also have Bachelor of Teaching in adult education and an Associate Diploma in Occupational Health and safety.

As such I have experience in management, committees (including ambulance, two school councils, scouts, woodworking and Probus), Occupational Health and Safety, training and clinical skills, and experience in communicating and working with all levels of the community.

During my time as an ambulance officer, I have had many dealings with people who have a disability, I have seen prejudices against them and I feel that that is wrong.

I feel that inclusion is very beneficial and I would like to work towards this and try to improve their quality of life.

With my experience in the above areas, I feel that I can contribute to this by being on the Board of Life Skills Victoria.

Read More

Bev Russo

Board Member

Bev comes to the Board of Management with a background in education and a strong commitment to social justice. Bev’s career as an educator spanned several decades and encompassed a range of roles. Throughout the early years of her career, Bev worked as a classroom teacher in Government and non-Government schools in Victoria, the NT and in the UK. After completing further studies, including a Graduate Diploma of Special Education, she was seconded to work as a consultant and advisor in Special Education, Curriculum and Welfare at the Education Departments Gippsland Regional Headquarters.

“During my time at the Regional Office, I was privileged to work alongside dedicated and inspirational members of the Regional Integration Committee. This experience has motivated me and underpins my philosophy that every member of society should have the opportunity to reach his or her potential, should be treated with respect and should have the right to lead a dignified life.”

In more recent years, following her retirement from the position of Principal, Yarragon Primary School, Bev has continued to enjoy the shared experience of teaching and learning through involvement with U3A Baw Baw and Community Radio 3BBR.

Read More

Dr Larissa Walker

Board Member

Larissa works as a researcher for Federation University on the Community Wellbeing Stream of the Hazelwood Health Study and is currently assisting in the development of a community wellbeing barometer.

She previously worked at the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault on a peer-led rights-based program promoting respectful relationships for adults with cognitive disability. Inspired by her colleagues, this experience sparked her interest in self-advocacy for people with disability.

Larissa has also worked: in public libraries, delivering programs and events to promote life-long learning and social connection; at Berry Street in youth mentoring programs, case management, and public policy and practice development; and at Monash University as a sessional academic in media and communications studies.

Larissa holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and PhD in Communications, both obtained at Monash University, and a Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services obtained at Federation University.

As a proud member of a neurodiverse family, Larissa was motivated to join the board due to her passion for work that contributes to building happy, safe and supportive communities who respect and embrace diversity.

Read More

Kyle Prasser

Chief Executive Officer

Kyle commenced with Life Skills Victoria Inc. in July 2024. He has worked for more than a decade across a number of community services organisations in the areas of health, mental health, aged & community care, wellbeing, crisis care and disability services. He has worked at national, state and regional service level across Australia. He has also worked at Board-level with a number of organisations in the education & childcare, arts and disability spaces. Kyle is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Community Directors Australia. Kyle has a familial connection to disability and those with psycho-social disorders, and is a strong advocate for social justice and Environmental, Social and Governance principles.

Read More

Mailing List

Keep up-to-date with news and events!
Newsletter Subscription
Life Skills Victoria Inc is situated on the traditional lands of the Braiakaulung People of the Gunaikurnai Nation. We acknowledge them as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved Certifications
Life Skills Victoria Inc. Reversed Logo
chevron-up linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram