North East Citizen Advocacy Incorporated (NECA) is a community based, not-for-profit organisation that provides advocacy to people with intellectual disabilities within the Banyule, Darebin, Whittlesea and Nillumbik areas.
NECA was established in 1986 with a citizen advocacy program and has since expanded to provide individual advocacy and systemic advocacy support.
What do we do?
North East Citizen Advocacy (NECA) is a community based not-for-profit advocacy program in the North East of Melbourne. The program seeks to uphold the rights and interests of adults with an intellectual disability on a one-to-one basis by addressing instances of discrimination, abuse and neglect.
About Us
Our Vision
“A community where every person’s life has inherent dignity and value”.
Our Mission
“We will promote, mentor and advocate for the well-being and interests of vulnerable people with disabilities. We support our communities by establishing a range of advocacy programs that facilitates increased participation.”
Committee of Management
Carolyn Oxer
President
Prabash Galagedara
Ordinary Member
Ryan Baxter
Secretary
Luke Robinson
Ordinary Member
Carolyn retired from paid employment in late 2015. Carolyn has always been interested in community volunteering and sought roles through local connections which brought NECA to her attention. Carolyn brings with her knowledge gained through life experiences and work background and is an active member of the local community.
Prabash joined the Committee of Management in 2020. He currently works as a General Manager in the Telecommunication Industry. Prabash’s experience spans across strategy, finance and commercial management and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program. He is a passionate advocate of NECA and keen to positively contribute to the success of the program.
Ryan works as a policy analyst for the Federal Government, and holds qualifications in economics and finance. He joined NECA at the beginning of 2019, and hopes to use his skills and knowledge to benefit NECA’s employees, participants and advocates.
Luke joined the NECA committee in 2018. Luke currently works as an Engineering manager in the energy industry. He holds qualifications in science, engineering and business administration, and is keen to provide a positive contribution to the committee, its members and the community.
Yuwei Liu
Treasurer
Scott Ganino
Ordinary Member
Kate Krombach
Ordinary Member
Yuwei is a qualified chartered accountant and currently working as a financial accountant in the retail sector, and joined NECA committee in July 2018. She had four years working experience in business advisory and involved in preparing accounts for the non-profit organisations. She is committed to contributing with her knowledge and act in the best interest of NECA.
Scott works as an IT Portfolio Manager at Optus telecommunications. He holds qualifications in both business and finance and joined the NECA Committee of Management in 2019, where he hopes to use his skills and qualifications for the betterment of the NECA program
Kate has been strongly involved with NECA for over 25 years and previously performed the role of NECA Program Manager from 2004 through to 2013. Kate has also held the role of President on the North East Citizen Advocacy Committee of Management and is also a much valued Advocate with the relationship lasting over 20 years.
Carolyn Oxer
President
Carolyn retired from paid employment in late 2015. Carolyn has always been interested in community volunteering and sought roles through local connections which brought NECA to her attention. Carolyn brings with her knowledge gained through life experiences and work background and is an active member of the local community.
Prabash Galagedara
Ordinary Member
Prabash joined the Committee of Management in 2020. He currently works as a General Manager in the Telecommunication Industry. Prabash’s experience spans across strategy, finance and commercial management and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program. He is a passionate advocate of NECA and keen to positively contribute to the success of the program.
Ryan Baxter
Secretary
Ryan works as a policy analyst for the Federal Government, and holds qualifications in economics and finance. He joined NECA at the beginning of 2019, and hopes to use his skills and knowledge to benefit NECA’s employees, participants and advocates.
Luke Robinson
Ordinary Member
Luke joined the NECA committee in 2018. Luke currently works as an Engineering manager in the energy industry. He holds qualifications in science, engineering and business administration, and is keen to provide a positive contribution to the committee, its members and the community.
Yuwei Liu
Treasurer
Yuwei is a qualified chartered accountant and currently working as a financial accountant in the retail sector, and joined NECA committee in July 2018. She had four years working experience in business advisory and involved in preparing accounts for the non-profit organisations. She is committed to contributing with her knowledge and act in the best interest of NECA.
Scott Ganino
Ordinary Member
Scott works as an IT Portfolio Manager at Optus telecommunications. He holds qualifications in both business and finance and joined the NECA Committee of Management in 2019, where he hopes to use his skills and qualifications for the betterment of the NECA program
Kate Krombach
Ordinary Member
Kate has been strongly involved with NECA for over 25 years and previously performed the role of NECA Program Manager from 2004 through to 2013. Kate has also held the role of President on the North East Citizen Advocacy Committee of Management and is also a much valued Advocate with the relationship lasting over 20 years.
Staff
Frank Damiano
Program Manager
Ingrid Camille
Citizen Advocacy Program Facilitator
Joanne D’Abaco
Accounts
Amelia McMurray
Royal Commission, Advocate
Nebahat Erpolat
Royal Commission, Advocate
Agnes Koulomendas
Individual Advocate