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Marketing and Administration

Administration and marketing staff are employed by the Helicopter Service to ensure the success and continuation of the service by monitoring sponsorship, fundraising and the business dealings of the organisation.

Alison Bacon (Administration Assistant Tamworth)
Alison has joined the New England North West Service as a part time employee in August 2004. Now full time, Alison works with Barry Walton and Michelle Simpson assisting with administration and marketing work in the Tamworth office.

Jacqui Bailey (Receptionist / Marketing Assistant)
Jacqui commenced with the Service in June 2008. Born and educated in Newcastle and has previously worked in the travel industry and managed a hair and beauty spa in Honeysuckle, Newcastle. Jacqui enjoys spending time with her friends and family, swimming and reading.

Janine Chandler (Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Janine Chandler joined the Service in September 2004 as Volunteer Co-ordinator. She has worked in commercial and not-for-profit organisations including nine years with Telstra culminating in a volunteer co-ordination role during the Sydney Olympics. Her work with Planet Ark, a global environmental not-for-profit organisation involved co-ordination of volunteers in different roles such as special events, development projects and administration. As Volunteer Co-ordinator Janine works with Support Groups and helps them to introduce and create new directions throughout the Hunter and Mid North Coast areas. She has an Education degree from the University of Newcastle.

Karen Cooper (Administration Assistant)
Karen Cooper has been with the Service since 1992, her initial role being with the Housie Department before moving on to Administration in 1998. Karen has a wide range of experience in many sectors of the work force particularly in the promotional area of the hospitality industry. She is married with two sons.

Kylie Eakin (Special Events Co-ordinator)
Kylie Eakin commenced with the Service in September 2004 and is responsible for managing special events, supporting events held by Support Groups and creating new events in the Hunter and Mid North Coast areas. Kylie has previously worked with AMP Shopping Centres and tourism bodies on the North Coast of NSW. She has worked within the media and has assisted many charity organisations with fundraising initiatives. Kylie has a Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Marketing from Southern Cross University.

Janine Fenton (Administration Assistant)
Janine Fenton joined the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in May 2000, assisting with the processing of Housie worksheets, packing with Housie stock and supervising housie games. Previously, she was employed as Branch Manager of Westpac Civic Centre, where she worked for 12 years. Janine is married with two daughters, and enjoys hockey, walking and reading.

Milena Hartnett (Partnership Co-ordinator / Housie Manager)
Milena Hartnett joined the Service in 1989 as a casual office assistant. This soon developed into a full-time position establishing Cash Housie as the Service's first major long-term fundraising initiative. As Housie Manager, Milena manages 20 weekly Cash Housie sessions and 24 casual staff in the Hunter, Mid North Coast & Tamworth regions. In addition, Milena's challenging new role as Partnership Co-ordinator encompasses sponsorship and business partnership development and maintenance. Milena also coordinates the Community Development Support Expenditure Scheme and the annual Fashion Event.

Debby Herdergen (Volunteer Co-ordinator NE NW)
Debby Herdegen was appointed to this position in May 2008. She was recently employed by Southern Cross Ten in Tamworth as Sales Account Manager & prior to this as Marketing & Events Co-ordinator Tamworth Tourism. In this role Debby developed volunteer management & co-ordination skills & has a very good understanding of the role of volunteers in organisations such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. She lives in Tamworth & has a very good knowledge of the NENW. She has a Business Degree from Southern Cross University in Lismore & a number of awards & achievements.

Glen Kolpak (Community Liaison Officer)
Glen Kolpak commenced with the Service in late 2005 as Community Liaison Officer. His primary role is managing the Service’s Payroll Deduction Scheme as well as a number of community fundraising events. Originally from Queensland, Glen spent 18 months working with Telstra Countrywide and now calls Newcastle home. As well as having two degrees from University of Queenland in Business and Arts (English) he is a professional soccer player and has played for the Brisbane Strikers, Canberra Cosmos as well as playing for the under 23 Australian Olyroos and in professional competitions in the UK.

Shannon O'Hagan (Community Liaison Officer Central Coast)
Shannon O'Hagan is the Service's representative for the Central Coast commencing in May 2008. Her role will be to build the Service's profile & reputation & gain support for the Service in that area. Shannon lives at Terrigal & has extensive experience in the private sector in event management, corporate partnerships & media management. She has acquired these skills working with Enigma Communications in Newcastle, News Limited Community Newspapers in Newcastle & Central Coast; Westfield Tuggerah & Hornsby, North Sydney Bears Football Club & the Seven Network. Shannon has a Certificate 1V in Business Marketing from TAFE. She was born on the Central Coast & raised in Budgewoi, her hobbies are snow skiing, the beach, walking & bike riding.

Judy Rodway (Senior Accounts Clerk)
Judy Rodway started her working life as a casual shop assistant at The Store at Charlestown moving on to a butchers shop in Carrington and then to a furniture store in Newcastle. She has been working as an accounts clerk since 1985 commencing with the Service in 2005. Judy has lived in Newcastle all her life and has one son. She enjoys travelling, craft work and watching football.

Michelle Simpson (Community Liaison Officer Tamworth)
Michelle Simpson has been employed by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service since July 2001. Previously, she was a Home Finance Manager with Westpac Bank and was an active staff member in the bank’s Community Initiative. For Michelle, working at the Helicopter Service is a family affair; her mother, sister and two children are active participants in Helicopter Service events and activities.

Barry Walton (Marketing Officer Tamworth)
Barry Walton joined the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in 1975 as a volunteer crewman. In 1991, he was employed fulltime as an Aircrewman and Marketing Officer. In 2000, he relocated to the New England/North West region as Marketing Officer. During his years with the Service, Barry has worked tirelessly, including establishing support groups throughout the Service area, the Hunter Mid North Coast Cycle Classic and the Mountain Bike Bash in the New England North West. There are now over 30 support groups in both service areas. In August 2003 he retired from the flying operations after 28 years but still enjoys the challenge of his position as Marketing Officer in the New England North West.