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Our Team
Tony McElhinney
Starting as a qualified accountant Tony advanced to became the Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary for a multinational company before moving to General Management roles. In 1997 Tony was appointed General Manager – Commercial Services for the Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of NSW. In 2002 Tony joined Challenge Southern Highlands as the General Manager.
Under his stewardship, Tony has managed through some difficult times growing the organisation significantly. The introduction of the NDIS has enabled Tony to seek new opportunities and grow from being an employer of people with disabilities to an organisation that is now multi-faceted. Challenge supports people in employment, accommodation, in the community, and Plan Management/Support Coordination.
The highlights since joining Challenge in 2002 have been
Carol McElhinney
Manager of the NDIS Services Department, Carol McElhinney, has been working in humanities for over 15 years.
Prior to joining Challenge, Carol has worked on programs in several roles assisting individuals who are marginalised in the community.
Since establishing the NDIS Department in 2017, Carol has worked to expand services that are now being offered by Challenge Southern Highlands for Participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Carol has concentrated on building a team of professional staff to provide support to those in the Community, and in Challenge Supported Independent Living situations. Carol is dedicated to ensuring Clients of the NDIS Services Department receive quality assistance from not only herself but also her team.
Commercial Services employ over 70 adults with mixed abilities. We provide numerous opportunities across a wide range of initiatives which include light manufacturing/assembly, mail box distribution, secure document collection/destruction, garden maintenance and nursery activities. Our team would be happy to assist you, so give us a call to discuss your requirements.
Justin Longhurst
Manager Welby Garden Centre
Welby Garden Centre (WGC), operated by Challenge is the largest Garden Centre in the Southern Highlands. WGC provides employment for people with disabilities. WGC has a team of local, highly skilled horticulturists and is training the next generation through apprenticeships. The nursery specialises in growing plants suitable for the Southern Highlands’ gardens.
Challenge Southern Highlands recognises that our workforce is a valuable asset to our organisation and offer many initiatives to support skill growth and career development. We have opportunities on offer at various times for Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Business Services roles. We recruit in a fair and transparent way and are committed to delivering a diverse workforce. Our employees are expected to have a positive attitude and to make a difference in helping participants and supported employees live a meaningful life, promote independence, and to help reach their goals.
