Who We Are
Zonta House Refuge Association (Zonta House) is a specialist provider of family and domestic violence (FDV) services. Our vision, purpose and values have been informed through 40 years of experience, the needs of women in our community and research in leading practice.
When the voices of women are heard, our responses uphold dignity, builds on safety, and challenges the drivers of abuse. Victim/Survivors of FDV are able to access responsive and person-centered support based on their individual needs to build a future free from abuse.
Our Purpose
Improve the lives of women and their families who have experienced family and domestic violence.
Our Vision
We want a safe and equitable community.
Our Values
We CARE
We have INTEGRITY
We are DEDICATED
Our Impact
Zonta House works to mitigate the impacts of family and domestic violence which are diverse, complex and can have life-long implications for individuals and families. Working alongside each woman and taking into consideration her specific situation, our holistic response and therapeutic approach supports women in their recovery and healing from their experiences.
Our Committee & Management Team
Kelda Oppermann
CEO
Kelda Oppermann
Kelda has worked in the community services sector for 18 years. For the past 11 years, Kelda has worked at Zonta House Refuge Association, developing programs; driving change from output to outcome based funding models, implementing client focused models of service delivery and leading through organisational growth.
Kelda is committed and motivated to working collaboratively with government, community sector peers and corporate supporters to achieve positive outcomes for individuals and the greater West Australian community. Kelda is passionate about how we can each contribute to a safer and equal world.
Kelda is currently a Member of the Supporting Communities Forum and Board Member of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing (CWSW) and Community Employers WA. Kelda was announced as CEO of the Year at the Third Sector Awards 2023, WA Business News 40 Under 40 winner and 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards Finalist.
Anna Scott
Operations Manager
Anna Scott
Anna has been with Zonta House since December 2018 and is the Operations Manager, overseeing the organisation’s twelve service arms.
Anna has over ten years of leadership experience and two decades of dedicated work in the Family and Domestic Violence sector. Anna has developed a deep understanding of the complex dynamics involved in preventing, addressing, and mitigating these critical societal issues. Anna has worked both domestically in Western Australia and South Australia, as well as internationally, in government and non-government organisations to drive positive change and promote the well-being of individuals and families affected by violence. Anna possesses qualifications in Health and Social Care as well as Leadership and Management. She recently completed the Entry to the C-Suite Program.
Anna remains actively involved in the fight to end men’s violence against women and children. Her current work includes providing input and guidance on system responses. She has consulted on various sector improvements, including the review of Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Offences, participation in the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce – System Reform Workshop, and the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing’s review of the Family and Domestic Violence Code of Practice. These contributions reflect her ongoing commitment to creating safer communities.
Melanie Hay
Chairperson
Melanie Hay
Melanie is the Managing Partner, Private Equity with Perth based investment manager Viburnum Funds. She has worked in private equity for Viburnum for 16 years, where her experience spans investments, mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings and strategic development across a range of industries.
Prior to Viburnum, Melanie worked for ANZ Private Equity, which followed ten years working as an economist for ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth Treasury. Melanie has a Bachelor of Economics with Honours and a Masters of Applied Finance.
Chantelle Thom
Vice Chairperson
Chantelle Thom
Chantelle’s role as Global Manager Equity, Inclusion & Diversity for Rio Tinto is responsible for the design and delivery of programs that help to drive an inclusive workplace across the company; and is a member of Rio’s Everyday Respect Taskforce.
Chantelle was integral in ensuring Rio Tinto (Australia) achieved White Ribbon Accreditation. She sits on the company’s White Ribbon Committee and plays a key role in implementing initiatives that aim to eradicate family & domestic violence.
She joined Rio Tinto in 2005 and has since held senior corporate and operational human resource positions, across a number of commodities including salt, uranium, talc, diamonds and iron ore.
Chantelle has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Grad.Cert. Business (Human Resources), currently studying Masters Human Resources; and has recently completed the AICD Governance Foundations for NFP Directors.
David Hickmott
Treasurer
David Hickmott
David commenced his professional career in 1981 when he started working for Hendry Rae & Court (Chartered Accountants) while undertaking a Bachelor of Business degree at the West Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT).
In 1986, after completing his degree and gaining valuable experience, he left to play professional cricket in England.
Following this, he returned to Public Practice with a West Perth Accounting firm which became Finkelstein Hickmott following his appointment as a Director in 1993. David retired as Director in 2021 but continues to provide part time consultancy services to clients of the Practice.
David currently holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is a member of CPA Australia. He has previously been a Registered Tax agent, SMSF Auditor and held a Public Practice Certificate with CPA Australia
Over the years David has gained exposure to every aspect of Public Accounting life and looks forward to using this experience to help Zonta House achieve its goals.
Mandy Brown
Secretary
Mandy Brown
Mandy has practiced law for over 20 years and has broad corporate law experience including negotiation, resolution of disputes, project management, strategy, infrastructure construction and regulation, foreign investment, IT related projects (including privacy and data security) and financing. Before working at AGIG she was general counsel at a small ASX listed mining company and prior to that worked in litigation in private practice in Perth and in Adelaide, where she was involved in disputes related to ASX listing rules, construction, audit negligence, bank hedging and various other contractual matters.
She holds an LLB (Hons) and Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and is a Graduate of the AICD a member of the Law Society of WA.
Gail Curtis
Committee Member
Gail Curtis
Gail is a Partner at Grant Thornton, chartered accountants and their National Head of Quality and Excellence – Private Business Tax and Advisory. She has extensive expertise and practical experience as a business advisor to private businesses and high net worth families in a range of industries including property development, aged care, retirement villages, manufacturing and professional services.
Gail provides advice to management and private company boards on management and planning issues. Gail is a former Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of Landgate. She has also held positions in local community organisations.
Gail is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australian and New Zealand, a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Chartered Accountants Advisory Group.
Sarah Josey
Committee Member
Sarah Josey
Sarah is a Partner at KPMG, an international accounting, tax and advisory firm. She has a broad range of expertise as an advisor to private businesses, family groups, start ups, not for profit organisations and Australian subsidiaries of large multinationals with experience in a range of industries including medical technology, climate technology, logistics, mining services, health, aged care, hospitality and sub sea marine surveying. Sarah also provides advice and performance monitoring services to Boards with a strong focus on finance management, business improvement, risk minimisation and corporate governance.
Sarah is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand and a registered tax agent.
Rebecca Taseff
Committee Member
Rebecca Taseff
A highly regarded workplace investigations specialist, Rebecca Taseff brings over 20 years’ employment law experience at Senior Associate and Special Counsel level for international law firms to her investigations practice. Over the course of her career, Rebecca has amassed considerable expertise, advising clients on an expansive range of workplace issues such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, victimisation and adverse action claims. Rebecca’s experience spans industries ranging from mining, energy, transport and maritime to banking, insurance, health, and the State public sector.
Rebecca is passionate about providing fair and respectful investigation services and is entrusted to conduct complex and sensitive investigations. Rebecca’s specialist advice has been relied on for managing public relations, police investigations and whistleblower complaints. Acting as a ‘sounding board’ for HR practitioners, Rebecca has advised on performance management processes and discipline. Rebecca has also worked in-house where she conducted and supervised many internal workplace investigations.
Rebecca is a dedicated educator and has lectured at Western Australian universities in human resource management and employment law and is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at the College of Law. Rebecca was a founding member of the Perth circle of the Australasian Association of Workplace Investigators and remains an active member.
Rebecca currently manages her own workplace investigations practice, as well as providing consultancy services to Worklogic, an Australian market leader in identifying, preventing and resolving workplace misconduct and conflict.
Jasmine Kadic
Committee Member
Jasmine Kadic
Jasmine Kadic is a proud Wadjuk/Ballardong woman from a long line of strong Aboriginal leaders and elders within the Noongar Community. Jasmine has been in Management positions within the Health and Construction Industries with a passion and drive for Aboriginal economic and social development across all major areas including Health, Employment and Education. Jasmine is the Managing Director of Benang a multi-utility infrastructure construction company and its staffing and professional services arm, Ergon.
Jasmine has a passion to help her people and community, not only is she a businesswoman she is a mother of 3 children and believes we are at the forefront to make change for the generations to come.
Jasmine has a real passion to help others and is driven to make changes that will benefit her people and community. Jasmine is a MURRA alumni from Melbourne Business School, the Chair for Noongar Mia, Board member for Noongar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, WA board advisor for NATSIHA the National Peak body for Aboriginal and Torres strait islander housing, a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and just recently winner of the Business News 40 under 40 category winner for Indigenous business.
Jodie Wyatt
Committee Member
Jodie Wyatt
Jodie Wyatt is a proud Yued Noongar woman, with ties to Moora. Throughout her professional journey, Jodie has established an extensive background in public service, having served in various government agencies. Furthermore, she has garnered valuable experience in the non-profit sector, where she played a pivotal role in running a small Leadership Institute.
Her deep-rooted connection to her heritage, combined with her extensive experience in the public and non-profit sectors, equips her with a comprehensive perspective that enables her to address the specific needs and aspirations of Aboriginal individuals. Through her leadership programs and dedication to making a positive difference, Jodie continues to play a significant role in creating opportunities and facilitating the growth of Aboriginal people, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and progress.
Our History
Zonta House Refuge Association, established in the early 1980s, initially operated as a single volunteer-run shelter for women without dependent children, with financial backing and volunteers from the Zonta International women’s movement.
Over the years, we have evolved into a prominent family and domestic violence (FDV) service provider operating in the South East Metro Corridor with a diverse range of programs and a dedicated team of over 65 staff members.
Zonta House boasts a well-established reputation and extensive experience in the community services sector. This reputation has fueled its growth, facilitating comprehensive service delivery that emphasizes prevention, early intervention, victim safety, and, importantly, perpetrator accountability.