Our Key Personnel
Fiona Durham
Chief Executive Officer
In 1996, Fiona moved to Griffith with her husband. In November 1997, she joined NEI as Business Services Manager. She became CEO in 1999 when NEI’s accommodation and employment arms were consolidated. Fiona has a Bachelor of Business (Business Management) and has previous management experience in the real estate and construction industry.
Ethos
Fiona believes that Disability Support Services have to be both human services and strong businesses if they are to remain viable and relevant in the 21st Century.
Balancing the demands of a business with the needs of people is often difficult, but Fiona believes that NEI must never lose sight of its purpose for being.
Bridging the substantial unmet need for services, particularly in the areas of non-vocational day services and accommodation support options, are major priorities for Fiona and NEI both now and into the future.
Jim Warr
Manager of NEI Packaging
Jim joined NEI in 1995 as a supervisor in the Woodworking business that NEI operated at that time. He then assumed the position of Supervisor for Neeta Gardens, the well know lawn mowing service that NEI operated until 2003.
In 2000, NEI was approached by a local winery to complete a gift box project for Christmas. This proved to be the inception of NEI’s packaging division.
As NEI Packaging evolved, Jim continued to operate lawn mowing and packaging services concurrently. The gradual yet sustained growth of the packaging division resulted in re-organisation of NEI’s commercial services to exclusively focus on services related to assembly, labelling and packaging for key industry sectors in the area. NEI believe that these services offer the most viable option for growth and on-going viability.
Since 2003, Jim has been responsible for the efficient running of NEI Packaging, performing sales and industry liaison roles coupled with production management.
Jim has many years of industry and production experience including warehousing, logistics and inventory control in the wine industry.
Ethos
He has a ‘can do’ ethos and entrepreneurial flair that allows a lateral approach to sourcing work from local industry. He never like to turn away work and is always keen to tailor the customers requirements to a prompt and efficient outcome that exceeds their expectations.
Mary Hannagan
Training Manager
Mary began with NEI in June 1998 supervising the lawn mowing business. She then moved to supervise the collating business and as NEI expanded, increasing its focus on employee training, became the Training Manger utilising her skills in Special Education. Mary holds a Bachelor of Education (Special Ed.) and Certificate IV Workplace Assessment & Training. Mary has been working in the disability service industry since 1985.
Ethos
Mary believes that knowledge is power and that everyone has the ability to learn. As adult learners, the training presented needs to be current, relevant, motivating and fun.
To learn something well it needs to be interesting, relevant and have sufficient opportunity for practice.
Kathryn Ross
Life Choices Manager
After leaving Sydney to settle in Griffith in 1997 Kathryn joined NEI in 1998. Initially Kathryn worked as a supervisor support person at NEI Accommodation Service. Kathryn took on the role of Accommodation Manager when NEI’s Accommodation and Employment arms were consolidated. Kathryn moved into her current position as Life Choices Manager in August 2006 to assist in the development of this exciting new area of service provision for NEI. Kathryn has an extensive nursing background in various nursing fields. Since joining NEI she has achieved Certificate IV in Disability Work.
Ethos
Kathryn believes that assisting people with disabilities to recognize their individuality and abilities, helps create participation in their personal goals and within the wider community to enjoy quality of life.
Barbara Warr
Accommodation Services Manager 
Barb started with NEI in early 1996 as a part time support worker and became Imp-PRESS-ions Ironing Service Manager in 1997. In August 2006 Barb moved in to her current role as Accommodation Services Manager after the organisation restructured with the inception of Life Choices. Barb has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and a Certificate IV Disability Work.
Ethos
Barb is a quiet achiever with an attitude of we can try that. Barb encourages and supports the employees to believe in themselves and to plan and achieve their goals.
Kellie Smith
Respite Services Manager
Kellie joined NEI in 2006 to assist in the setup of our Life Choices Program. In June 2008 she moved to Respite Services Manager.
Kellies profile and picture will be placed on this site in the very near future.