Staff Profiles

Rhonda Vang

Inclusion Support Agency Coordinator (NSW Central West & NSW West)

Rhonda is Coordinator of the NSW Central West and NSW West Inclusion Support Agencies. She is based in Dubbo and has worked for Gowrie NSW for 3 years. The Inclusion Support Agencies support childcare services to effectively and positively include children with additional needs.

Rhonda has qualifications in Education and in Community Services Work and has worked in a number of community service positions, including working with migrants and refugees, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and teenagers. She has also coordinated a community mentoring program. Rhonda loves working for Gowrie NSW and enjoys both the challenges and rewards of her role.

The two regions managed by Gowrie NSW cover over 1/3 of NSW, from Lithgow in the east, to Broken Hill in the west, up to Lightning Ridge and down to Temora. Reaching these centres involves long hours of driving, being aware of which rivers are rising to cut off roads after heavy rain, and learning to keep a careful watch for the wildlife who share the roads, including emus, kangaroos, feral pigs, little bearded dragons and enormous goannas! The rewards include the relationship building that occurs between the team members during these long trips, observing the resilience and resourcefulness within the small communities we visit, and getting to see a large part of our great state - as well as the emus, goannas and assorted wildlife!

Gayle Dodd

OSHC/Vacation Care Supervisor

Gayle has worked with Gowrie for the past fourteen years and has an Advanced Diploma in Social Science (Childcare). She has a passion for the out of school hours care service and is committed to working with children, families and the school, to develop and implement a quality program that is relevant and fun for the children who participate in it. Gayle has actively embraced the excitement and challenges involved in managing the OSHC service and enjoys the daily interactions with the 5 to 12 year olds who use the service.

Her personal interests in art, design, travel, music and pop culture help her to work effectively with children to create relevant and stimulating activities and programs. Gayle and her team pursue open and collaborative relationships with families to ensure that the OSHC program is appropriate and responsive to the needs of school aged children and caters to their needs and interests. They strive to maintain a warm, encouraging and responsive environment. The OSHC service received a High Quality rating in its most recent accreditation process.