• I am over 50
  • I am struggling to make ends meet
  • I want a quality affordable home
  • I want help when I need it
  • I Want A Good Life

Senior Executive

Bryan Lipmann AM
Chief Executive Officer

2024 - Executive - Bryan Lipmann

Bryan Lipmann is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Wintringham.

He is an economics and social work graduate who has vast experience working with socially and financially disadvantaged older people.

Under Bryan’s leadership, Wintringham has obtained substantial funding and support to enable the establishment of a range of housing and services to many aged people who were living in poor and insecure conditions.

His ability to develop and implement high quality services that are financially viable, has influenced Government policy and welfare agencies towards a more co-ordinated response to a group of people who are some of the most disadvantaged within Australian society.

Bryan is a regular contributor to a range of local and international aged care and housing forums, and is the author of a book "The Elderly Homeless", which looks at the international provision of services to frail homeless men and women. He is a past President of the Community Housing Federation of Victoria.

In 1999, Bryan received the Order of Australia (AM) for his work with the elderly homeless. He was acknowledged as a Distinguished Alumni of La Trobe University in 2009 and won ‘Melburnian of the Year’ in 2015.

Michael Deschepper
Deputy Chief Executive Officer

2024 - Executive - Michael Deschepper

Michael is Wintringham’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, having joined the organisation as Chief Financial Officer in 2008. A chartered accountant and qualified estate agent, prior to joining Wintringham he accumulated 20 years financial and commercial experience in the corporate sector, including a seven year period working in senior finance roles in the United Kingdom and European Union.

Working at Wintringham has confirmed for Michael a deep appreciation that the most vulnerable in our community have a right to access housing and related support, tailored to the meet the needs of each individual. Michael passionately works to achieve this outcome through his leadership role at Wintringham and as a Board member of Community Housing Industry Association Victoria, and past Director of Council to Homeless Persons.

Jane Barnes
Chief of Staff

2024 - Executive - Jane Barnes

Jane Barnes joined Wintringham in 2019 and took up the post of Chief of Staff in January 2020.

Jane has worked in the homelessness sector for more than 30 years in both government and non-government roles. Prior to joining us, she worked with The Salvation Army where she was the General Manager of a large network of support and related services for people experiencing homelessness. Jane was heavily involved in the redevelopment of Melbourne’s night-shelters in the late 1980’s, and counts the closing of The Salvation Army’s night shelter ‘The Gill’, and the opening of the purpose built Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation in its place, as one of her career highlights.

Jane has been a member of Ministerial Advisory Committees on Homelessness and Mental Health at both Commonwealth and State levels and is a current member of the Victorian Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Committee. She is also Chair of the Board of The Council to Homeless Persons Victoria and a Director of Homelessness Australia.

Phillip Goulding
General Manager Residential Aged Care

2024 - Executive - Phillip Goulding

With a passion for social justice and quality service delivery, Phill is focused on improving health outcomes for everyone, particularly those who are vulnerable. His interests and expertise are in Aged Care Clinical Governance; Care and support options for ageing prisoners; and Behaviour support and management for behavioural and psychological systems of dementia (particularly ARBI).

Phill is a Registered Nurse who trained and worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital for many years in various roles. He has completed his masters of business. He joined Wintringham in 2006 and was supported by Wintringham to complete the Williamson Community Leadership Program in 2009. Phill also completed a Wintringham-supported travelling scholarship for Best Practice Options of Care for Older Prisoners in 2012.

Les Butler
General Manager People, Culture
and Engagement

2024 - Executive - Les Butler

Les is a highly experienced and qualified Industrial Relations and Human Resources practitioner and has held a number of senior positions in the Public and Private Health Sector.

He joined Wintringham in 2003 as the Industrial Relations Manager in a part-time capacity and has been in that position until accepting the position of General Manager of People, Culture and Engagement in December 2019.

Les worked in the homelessness sector 30 years ago at Ozanam House in Parkville. Before accepting the General Managers role, he provided HR and IR advice as a Consultant for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and several public and private healthcare providers. 

Andrea Leicester
Chief Financial Officer

2024 - Executive - Andrea Leicester

Andrea commenced at Wintringham in 2018 and held various roles in the Finance team before being appointed Chief Financial Officer in November 2023. A finance professional with over 30 years of accounting experience in Australia and internationally, Andrea has worked across various industries including construction, property management and advertising and held a leadership role at a disability service provider before joining Wintringham. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of CPA Australia.

Andrea is passionate about being part of an executive team that highly values all staff at Wintringham, and is committed to supporting them to provide the best quality care and support to our clients. 

Kate Rice
General Manager - Home Support

2024 - Executive - Kate Rice

Kate joined Wintringham in 2001 after working in one of Melbourne’s largest crisis accommodation services for homeless adults. Since being at Wintringham, Kate has been privileged to manage programs including outreach, housing, home care, residential aged care, NDIS and quality projects.

Kate joined the Executive in 2022 as General Manager - Home Support to ensure the growth and development of this critical Wintringham community program.

Kate has a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work. Her passion for social justice for both clients and staff is paramount to her practice. She has a determination to ensure that all older Australians experiencing homelessness are afforded the best quality housing and support services. Advocacy is also a key focus in Kate’s day-to-day work.

Kate has presented with Bryan Lipmann at the Royal Commission into Aged Care and the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, both significant career highlights. Her international study tour was completed in 2021.  

Stephen Schmidtke
General Manager - Homelessness & Client Support Services

2024 - Executive - Stephen Schmidtke

Stephen Schmidtke joined Wintringham in early 2024.

Stephen started working in the homelessness sector in the early 1990s within one of Melbourne's large homelessness night shelters in the CBD.  Over the past twenty years, he has acquired extensive experience in senior management positions in the homelessness, aged care, and health sectors.

Stephen's unwavering dedication to social justice is a source of inspiration. He is committed to breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness through innovative housing-first solutions that prioritize individual care, providing purpose-built accommodation and the necessary support. 

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Human Services from Monash University and a Master of Clinical Family Therapy from La Trobe University, The Bouverie Centre. In addition to holding paid positions, Stephen has held several voluntary board positions and participated in national and regional networks. Currently holding the position of Board Director at the Council to Homeless Persons, appointed to the Interdisciplinary Advisory Group (ICAG) (Mental Health Reforms), and a member of the Victorian Housing Register Senior Leadership Group.

How Can We Help You?
If you are over 50, struggling to make ends meet, want a quality affordable home and help when you need it. If you want a good life then contact us on 03 9034 4824.
Who We Are

Wintringham is a not-for-profit welfare organisation created to address the scourge of elderly homelessness. Wintringham Housing is registered in the state of Victoria as a Housing Association.

How Can You Help Us?
Wintringham values the critical roles of staff and volunteers. We also welcome donations and the generosity of philanthropic partners.
Legends of Wintringham
 
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