Our Team

We’re always interested in speaking with people that are passionate about the voice of support people.

Glen O’Keefe (he/him)

CEO

“It is a privilege to lead our team as we advocate for families and friends while we strive to achieve our strategic priorities, mission and values.

“What I most enjoy my role as CEO is working with a passionate and like-minded team and board at MHFFTas and witnessing the amazing impact that the lived experience of families and friends has on mental health AOD services.

I look after my own mental health by ensuring that I have a healthy work/life balance, eat well (mostly) and travel as often as possible.

“My favourite matra is ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast,’ by Peter Drucker. I love this quote because it reminds us that strategy can not be achieved if you don’t have the right culture and teamwork in place to achieve it.'”

“A silly talent I have is the ability to seem quite “normal” even though I am a passionate Collingwood supporter. ‘Go Pies!'”

Glen’s response when asked if he’s a dog or cat person, “I am definitely a dog person. I like their loyalty, unconditional love and their energy and enthusiasm is contagious.”

Sarah Beechey (she/her)

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

“I do a vast array of administration tasks to keep the office going and assist the team when needed. I also get the word out about the fabulous things we’re doing on our website, or our Facebook page. You might also speak to me if you call the office.

“What I most enjoy about my role is the variety; the nice people I meet along the way, when people say we’ve helped them. I also enjoy learning about what other organisations do.

“I look after my own mental health by having a break from responsibilities when things get too much. I love nature and getting out in the fresh air watching the leaves moving; bushwalking and riding my mountain bike!

“My favourite mantra is, ‘Just Do It!’. Because much of life is helped by actions, and actions lead to motivation. We can spend a long time thinking about what we want to do and feel fear or feel stuck. If we think less and just do it, then we actually achieve more!

“A silly talent I have is playing funny kid songs on the piano (that I taught myself) and doing handstands.

Sarah’s response when asked if she’s a dog or cat person, “I’m a rabbit person. I like them more than cats and then dogs.”

Rahnee Butterworth (she/her)

LIVED EXPERIENCE PROJECT OFFICER

“I host and coordinate our support programs, network with other services and organisations, and support the organisation in its systemic advocacy.

“What I most enjoy about my role is engaging with families and friends and I enjoy being able to use a range of my skills within the organisation, but also the never ending learning opportunities.

“I look after my own mental health by loving on my big puppy Jackson, listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with my family, engaging in therapy and journalling, and watching Family Guy on repeat.

“My favourite quote is, ‘And here you are living, despite it all.’ This is a poem by my favourite poet, Rupi Kaur, whose writing got me through some dark times.

“A silly talent I have? I’m really good at spending money, if that counts?

Rahnee’s response when asked if she’s a dog or cat person, “Dog’s rule. Cat’s drool.”

Picture of Vicki sitting in front of a hanging plant with slight smile on her face.

Vicki Kember (she/her)

OFFICE COORDINATOR & FINANCE

“I manage the daily operations of the organisation”.

“What I most enjoy about my role is working for an organisation that has such a positive impact on families and friends, and the wider community. Our Team is so passionate and values-driven!  And I love admin.

“I look after my own mental health by getting dirty in the garden, being creative with macrame, and hanging out with my beautiful dog.”

“My favourite quote is, ‘Will you look back on life and say, “I wish I had’ or I’m glad I did?’ It’s an old cliché, but time is so short, don’t waste it.

“My useless talent is that I I can curl my tongue, raise one eyebrow at a time”.

When asked if she’s a dog or cat person, Vicki’s response is, ‘I’m definitely pro-dog. The stats say that a dog person is 78% more likely to be more agreeable than a cat person.'”

Employment Opportunities

We are recruiting a Chief Executive Officer

Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) is the leading organisation in Tasmania representing, supporting, and advocating for family members and friends who provide unpaid physical, practical, emotional, social, mental, and or financial support to a family member and or friend living with mental ill health or co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use.

MHFFTas is seeking applications for the Chief Executive Officer position. The role provides an opportunity for an experienced leader to guide a passionate team through a period of sector reforms.

The successful candidate will bring a strong sector-related background alongside demonstrated community-based leadership experience. Experience building successful relationships with lived experience, government, and community stakeholders will be essential.

The MHFFTas CEO will travel both intra and inter-state as part of their role. This travel may include overnight stays.

This is a Hobart-based contract position with negotiable part-time/full-time hours. The position is classified in accordance with the SCHCADS Industry Award 2010; salary will be negotiated in relation to experience.

MHFFTas is a Child Safe organisation.

View the position description

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a current resume and cover letter (up to three pages) addressing the criteria listed in the roles’ position description.

Please note: expressions of interest will only be received and responded to if:

  • the selection criteria are clearly addressed; and
  • applications are received before the closing time.

For enquiries, please contact Glen O’Keefe on 0437 010 934 or at glen@mhff.org.au

Applications are to be sent to Glen O’Keefe at glen@mhff.org.au before 5 p.m. on Tuesday the  3rd of October 2023.

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