Meet our Board
Leadership that matters
Far North Community Services benefit from a skilled, regionally-based governing Board who oversee the management of risk, fiduciary obligations and quality of services.
The Board and Senior Management at Far North have extensive experience both lived and work with people with disabilities, their families and carers.
JENNIFER PAYNE
Chairperson
Jennifer is a teacher and psychologist who has called the Kimberley home for 12 years. Jennifer is currently managing director of Potentium Psychology, a private psychology practice in Broome, and of Rypple Ltd, a not for profit research organisation focussing on evaluating impacts of Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports throughout Western Australia. Jennifer’s main areas of experience are in education, Positive Behaviour Support and suicide prevention. She is passionate about people in remote locations having equity of access to the very best supports.
JUSTIN MORTLEY
Secretary
Justin is an experienced educator with 20 years in both specialised settings and mainstream schools. He is dedicated to creating meaningful educational opportunities and pathways for students with disabilities, with a particular focus on autism and complex needs. Appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disabilities in 2017, Justin has extensive experience across the Western Australian education sector. His work in Broome and Kununurra included leading the Kimberley Disability Coordination Team, supporting schools with training, specialist access, diagnosis, and funding navigation. His contributions have been recognised with several awards, including the 2010 Canning District Education Award for Teacher Excellence, 2011 WA ESPAA Primary Teacher of the Year, and 2012 Sangora Education Foundation Award for Innovation in Teaching.
​Denise is a registered Social Worker with over 30 years career across the Globe. Denise's main interests are around Trauma, Community and Ethnic Minorities as she has worked extensively with refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants and remote indigenous communities. Denise resides in Kununurra with her large family, she enjoys walking, writing and connecting with people.
Denise Gallo
Director
Anne is passionate about improving health and disability outcomes for regional and remote communities and is an experienced executive, strategist and non-executive director with more than 20 years’ experience across community services, disability, healthcare, not-for-profit and corporate sectors, with strengths in strategy, growth, transformation and regional service delivery.
Until recently, Anne was the Regional Operations Manager with EPIC in the Pilbara, providing direct experience of NDIS service delivery and the workforce, access and sustainability challenges facing regional and remote communities. Previously, as CEO of Respiratory Care WA, Anne developed and delivered the organisation’s three-year strategy, increasing service delivery by 207% and Aboriginal service access by 600%.
Her governance experience includes serving as a Board Director of Country Football WA and Dampier Surf Life Saving Association, and Vice President of Karratha Netball Association and Dampier Sharks Netball Club.
Anne lives in Dampier with her husband and newborn son.
Anne Hallam
Director
Born and raised in Broome, Rochelle has a strong connection to the community and the people who call it home. She is an experienced educator with an extensive background in disability support, having worked with children and young people across Broome schools in a variety of roles.
Rochelle is passionate about supporting young people with disability to develop the skills, confidence and independence to participate meaningfully in their community. She believes strongly in the value of real-world opportunities, genuine relationships and providing the right support for each person to reach their potential.
In 2025, Rochelle received the Secondary RSE Educator Award in recognition of her work in inclusive and relationship-based education. She brings to Far North a combination of lived community knowledge, frontline experience and a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for people with disability to participate, connect and belong.
Rochelle Cilia
Director
