Council thanks everyone who expressed their interest in joining the Disability Inclusion Advisory Group in 2025. We are pleased to announce the community members who have been appointed to work with us as we implement the 2023-2027 Disability Inclusion Action Plan across Mount Alexander shire.

This group will guide the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023 – 2027, which seeks to ensure people of all abilities feel welcome and included in our shire.

Back row left to right: Rosie Collins, Bev Vines, Sharna Cropley, Alanna Cooper, Lisa O’Grady, Paul Gianni, Ursula McNicoll, Shelley Mulqueen (for Laura Bradly)

Front row left to right: Sharnie Digby, Lorraine Le Plastrier, Shelley Matheson

Missing – Lisa Knight (Chair) & Laura Bradly

Appointed members in alphabetical order:

Beverly Vines (MASARG)

Currently retired from paid employment, Bev moved to the Mount Alexander Shire from Melbourne in 1989 and was employed in senior management roles in Juvenile Justice and Disability services in the Loddon Mallee Region for 25 years.

Bev held positions of CEO, Malmsbury Juvenile Justice Centre for 12 years, Manager of Disability Services, Department of Human Services,7 years and CEO, Windarring 6 years. In January 2000, she was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honors for Services to Juvenile Justice.

Core values of social equity, inclusion and justice have been key principles in each of the various roles Bev has undertaken and now in retirement, she has been keen to continue her involvement in voluntary roles in the community.

Kim Garsed (Vic Pol)

Sergeant Kim GARSED of Castlemaine Police.

Kim holds the Community Engagement Portfolio for Castlemaine Police and is also the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) for the Goldfields Police Service Area. The Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) role is a contact point for people with disability if they encounter barriers to accessing police services. DLOs also help build connections with the broader disability community in their local area and build the knowledge and skills of their colleagues.

Laura Bradly (Sports Focus)

Laura Bradley is the Community Development and Partnerships Lead at Sports Focus and has been a member of the Mount Alexander Shire Council Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group for the past three (3) years. Laura is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and has over 19 years’ experience working within the areas of disability and multicultural inclusion in the sport and active recreation sector. Laura loves networking and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes.

Lisa Knight (Council - Chair)

Lisa Knight is the Director Healthy Communities at Mount Alexander Shire Council. This Directorate is responsible for delivering services which aim to strengthen the community. The scope of her portfolio includes Community Wellbeing, Community Partnerships, Economy and Culture and Healthy Loddon Campapse. Lisa also holds homelessness, childcare and prevention of domestic violence in her portfolio.

Lisa has worked closely with Councillors, community and staff to deliver the 2021-2025 and 2025-2029 Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and the 2021-2031 Community Vision.

Lisa has a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Manufacturing Technology and is a qualified Auditor and Workplace Assessor.

Lisa O'Grady (Windarring)

Lisa O’Grady has lived in Castlemaine all her life and is well known in the community. She is the Team Leader at Windarring and has worked in the disability sector for nine years. Lisa began her career as a placement student, progressed to a support worker role, and worked her way into her current position as Team Leader.

She is passionate about watching clients build their skills and live enjoyable, fulfilling lives. Lisa values the dedicated and experienced team at Windarring, who work tirelessly to support clients. Joining MASC DIAG has given her the opportunity to be a voice for clients, staff, and the Windarring community.

Lorraine Le Plastrier (MASDAG)

Lorraine Le Plastrier Chairperson of MASDAG - Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group.

Lorraine has spent many years working as an advocate for health and access. She is actively involved in numerous community groups and is passionate about raising issues that improve perspectives on health, accessibility, and overall wellbeing. Lorraine has worked with the Shire to help remove barriers reported to MASDAG and those she encounters personally as a wheelchair user. In addition to her advocacy work, Lorraine is a visual artist and musician. She sings with local choirs and performs with the Corker Orchestra as well as the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra.

Paul Gianni (Community)

Paul has lived in Castlemaine for 40 years, during which time he has built a home and raised a family. He brings a lived experience of disability, having low vision, and has held numerous senior management roles in the disability sector. Paul has served as CEO of an employment and training company in Central Victoria, CEO of a community health centre, and held senior leadership positions at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

He has also contributed to policy and advocacy as a member of the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Disability Reference Group. Personally committed to improving the lives of people with disability in the community, Paul’s most recent role was Senior Disability Advisor on Access and Equity at La Trobe University in Bendigo. He looks forward to working with the community to enhance facilities and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Purdy Buckle (Dhelkaya Health)

Purdy Buckle (she/her) is a social worker with over 15 years’ experience in public health and community services. She currently manages programs at Dhelkaya Health, including Social Support, Health Promotion, LGBTIQA+ Inclusion, Home Care Packages, Volunteers, and Homeshare Mount Alexander. Holding degrees in Social Work and Arts (feminist studies and community development), Purdy is deeply committed to social justice. Her career spans leadership roles in mental health, housing, family violence, NDIS, and AOD services, as well as project management for the Public Intoxication Reform Trial and services at Tarrengower Prison. Purdy strives to create an inclusive, equitable society for all.

Janine Young (Consultant)

Janine is a building design consultant with 40 years of experience in design, documentation, and project management. She is also qualified in the design and assessment of Livable Housing, Building Access, and Specialist Disability Accommodation. Janine has a strong interest in advocating for accessible, sustainable, and affordable housing for all.

She enjoys the creativity of design, problem-solving, and supporting others in their journey to create bespoke living environments that are functional, aesthetic, and efficient. Outside of work, Janine loves gardening, bushwalking, exploring architectural history, and cycling the rail trails—essentially any activity that connects her with the natural environment.

Sharnie Digby (Community)

Sharnie has lived in Castlemaine since 1999, when she moved to the area for employment. Around the same time, she became disabled and now experiences life as a wheelchair user.

Her professional background is in Human Resources, but today Sharnie runs a small handcraft business and enjoys participating in marathons. She is pleased to be a member of DIAG, where she can use her life experience to help improve access and equality for people with disabilities in the community.

Shelley Matheson (Community)

Shelley Matheson is a proud Castlemaine local, mum, and athlete who is passionate about building more inclusive and connected communities. Shelley works in diversity and inclusion, focusing on improving accessibility, belonging, and wellbeing across workplaces and communities. Drawing on her lived experience as a parent and athlete, Shelley brings a practical and empathetic perspective to creating spaces where everyone can participate fully. She is committed to helping guide the Mount Alexander community’s approach to disability, access, and inclusion through collaboration, listening, and action.

Stuart Winser (Castlemaine Library)

Stuart Winser is the acting manager of Castlemaine Library and has a strong commitment to inclusive community development and inclusive libraries. He is passionate about creating accessible environments for all. Outside of work, Stuart enjoys gardening, writing, and hiking.

Mayor Toby Heydon (Council)

Mayor Toby Heydon is a Councillor delegate to DIAG, representing Forest Creek ward for the Shire of Mount Alexander. Many of Toby’s neighbours and ward residents face daily challenges as pedestrians attempting to access Castlemaine’s central shopping and services district. As such, Cr. Heydon promotes greater budget spending on footpaths and access throughout the Shire. Previously, Toby was Chairperson of Castlemaine Community House and therein gained valuable insight into the lives of people living with disabilities across the Shire. He also has several close family members living with disabilities, and with close connections to Windarring, Toby is keen to keep learning more.

Ursula McNicoll (Community)

Ursula is a recent resident of Mt Alexander Shire with lived experience encompassing acquired, congenital, and invisible disabilities.

Ursula's interests lie in academic research, history, politics and the applied and fine arts. Her professional background includes operational management roles in international broadcasting and the tertiary sector. This mix of experience and interests informs her approach to leadership, advocacy, mediation, problem-solving and community engagement.

Having found Mt Alexander Shire so welcoming, Ursula chose volunteering with the advisory group to contribute to the community and work towards normalising disability inclusion for all.