Meet the Team
Michael Bleasdale
Michael Bleasdale
Michael Bleasdale
Michael has been working in the community sector for over 40 years, firstly as a direct support worker with people with disability in the UK from 1984 - 1986, and then again from 1987 to 2001 in Australia. Since the mid-1990s he has been involved in the promotion of progressive policy positions for the inclusion of people with disability
Michael has been working in the community sector for over 40 years, firstly as a direct support worker with people with disability in the UK from 1984 - 1986, and then again from 1987 to 2001 in Australia. Since the mid-1990s he has been involved in the promotion of progressive policy positions for the inclusion of people with disability in Australia, and globally, including championing individualised funding as the basis for a fundamentally new service approach. Michael worked as an independent consultant and trainer and educator in the early 2000s, during which time he also authored research for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). Since 2008 Michael has focused on his management, leadership and governance skills,. He has been an Executive Director of People with Disability Australia and of the Attendant Care Industry Association, and CEO of Home Modifications Australia (MOD.A) and of the ACT Disability Ageing and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS). He served on a number of Australian Government Ministerial Advisory Committees as well as the ACT Disability Reference Group, and on boards of management, including 6 years as Treasurer of ACOSS. Michael has a Masters in Social Sciences and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Murray Coates
Michael Bleasdale
Michael Bleasdale
Murray has over 30 years working across the nation in the c-suite of organisations of all sizers and shapes. He has worked in sectors including disabilities, aged care, job network, indigenous affairs and registered training organisations (RTO), in cities regional and remote settings.
All of these sectors have or are going thought large
Murray has over 30 years working across the nation in the c-suite of organisations of all sizers and shapes. He has worked in sectors including disabilities, aged care, job network, indigenous affairs and registered training organisations (RTO), in cities regional and remote settings.
All of these sectors have or are going thought large transformational reform and this is where his core skills lie in being able to bring organisation together in a common direction and transform them to a sustainable future. This has also seen successful growth and commercialisation of current and future offerings. Having been involved in the marketisation of both the RTO and Job Services sectors, he understands the journey, environment and dynamics that organisations go through as government policy changes and new players enter the market.
Murray has served on many profit-for-purpose and community/commercial boards, including Kimberley Group Training, TAFE Governing Board; he was the Chairperson and Board Member of the Ord Valley Muster.
Also, in his tool kit is a degree in Social Work (UNSW), Graduate Company Directorship (AICD) and a Post Graduate Diploma of Management (MGSM).