
Meet Our Team
We are proud to have assembled Australia’s finest team of doctors, clinicians, therapists, nurses and managers.

Dr Kate Beardmore
General Practitioner
MBBS (Hons) RACGP
Dr Beardmore is a General Practitioner with expertise in drug and alcohol disorders and mental health. She has extensive experience in drug and alcohol detox management and supporting clients in the early stages of recovery. Dr Beardmore has worked at South Pacific Private for 12 years. As Medical Superintendent, she oversees the medical management and clinical services at South Pacific Private ensuring a high standard of care.
Dr Kate Beardmore
General Practitioner

Dr Jane Cass-Verco
Psychiatrist
MBBS, BSc (Med), FRANZCP, MIPH, MPsychiatry, Cert. Cons-Liaison Psych.
Dr Cass-Verco is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, with an Advanced Training Certificate in Consultation-Liaison (general hospital) Psychiatry, a Master of Psychiatry and a Master of International Public Health. Dr Cass-Verco is the Coordinator of Psychiatry Training for the Northern Beaches. Interest areas include general adult psychiatry and Indigenous mental health.
Dr Jane Cass-Verco
Psychiatrist

Nicola Christie
Director of Nursing
Nicola Christie brings a wealth of experience to South Pacific Private. Nicky first started as a Registered Nurse and progressed to Nurse Unit Manager before moving to the Director of Nursing role in 2021. Nicky has worked in many different capacities over the years in general hospital, community and mental health settings. Nicky has a passion for mental health and proudly supports the positive outcomes and holistic approach the program offers clients.
Nicola Christie
Director of Nursing

Dr Laura Cotiga
Psychiatrist
MBBS, MD, FRANZCP
Dr Laura Cotiga is a Consultant Psychiatrist and a Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP) with expertise in general adult psychiatry and a special interest in mood disorders and addiction medicine. Dr Cotiga’s motivation comes from embracing new challenges each day and being able to make a difference.
Dr Laura Cotiga
Psychiatrist

Jill Farrell
CFO
As Chief Financial Officer, Jill is instrumental in ensuring the hospital delivers reliable, compassionate, high-quality care to clients through the management of the HR, payroll, finance and administrative functions of the hospital. She has been with the organisation for almost 20 years, bringing valuable institutional experience and knowledge to the role.
Jill Farrell
CFO

Lynne Fishwick
CEO
BBusSC(Hons), CA(SAI), GAICD, LCF
Lynne brings decades of hospital management experience to South Pacific Private. She describes her experiences with mental health as the highlights of her career and returned to South Pacific earlier this year after nearly 10 years with St Vincent's Hospital. A dedicated advocate for mental health, Lynne also sits on the board of Stride, a leading mental health support charity.
Lynne Fishwick
CEO

Frances Hansen
Director
Daughter of South Pacific founder Lorraine Wood, Frances Hansen was appointed Director in 2017 as part of the hospital’s succession plan. Formally a university lecturer, based in South Auckland, NZ, Frances’ capacity for compassion, connection and understanding is a driving force for South Pacific’s vision and culture. A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Frances is actively engaged across all aspects of the business including facilitating the art therapy program.
Frances Hansen
Director

Dr Bruce Lachter
Psychiatrist
FRANZCP
Dr Lachter has more than 20 years of psychodynamic psychotherapy experience. The psychodynamic approach recognises how developmental trauma and deprivation can lead to addictions and other symptoms. A former journalist, Dr Lachter's novel, 'A Break in the Wall', is a satire of contemporary psychiatry set in prison.
Dr Bruce Lachter
Psychiatrist

Dr Darren Lee
Psychiatrist
MBBS BMed Sci FRANZCP FAChAM
Dr Lee is a qualified addiction psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, who has worked across a broad spectrum of public and private settings in NSW, Victoria and United Kingdom. He has expertise in substance use disorders, behavioural addictions, PTSD, psychosis, anxiety and mood disorders. He has a keen interest in dual diagnosis treatment for his patients, focussing on both psychological therapies and optimising prescribed medicines.
Dr Darren Lee
Psychiatrist

Dr Taggart Lidbury
Psychiatrist
B Med (Newcastle) MPH (Hons) FRANZCP
Dr Lidbury has a special interest in addiction psychiatry. He has expertise in substance use disorders, behavioural addictions, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety and mood disorders. He’s an advocate for comprehensive treatment for addiction and mental health issues, addressing not only the biological component, but the psychological and social drivers behind them. As such, he not only focuses on prescribing medication, but also administering a range of effective behavioural and psychological therapies.
Dr Taggart Lidbury
Psychiatrist

Tori McCarthy
Program Manager
Tori is the program manager for both our inpatient and outpatient programs. Tori has been working in addiction treatment centres for 13 years, bringing with her a passion and belief in everyone’s capacity for healing and growth. She has undergone extensive studies in the fields of psychology, social science, addiction and process orientated psychotherapy and is a registered psychotherapist with PACFA. Tori has 15 years of 12 step facilitation experience with a deep understanding that we recover in community and out of isolation.
Tori McCarthy
Program Manager

Dr Sian Ong
Psychiatrist
MBBS (Uni NSW) FRANZCP Cert Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (RANZCP)
Dr Ong comes to South Pacific with advanced academic qualifications in child and adolescent psychiatry from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and a deep understanding of developmental issues which shape adult behaviours. Dr Ong has a specialist interest in mindfulness-based ‘Eastern’ approaches to treatment working alongside more ‘Western’ psychiatric approaches, such as the role of neuroplasticity in recovery outcomes.
Dr Sian Ong
Psychiatrist

Dr Brendan O'Sullivan
Psychiatrist
PhD MA MB BS BSc(Hons1) FRANZCP
Dr O’Sullivan graduated with first-class honours from Sydney University. He trained in Psychiatry at RPA Hospital, Sydney and upon completing his PhD studied at the Nobel Institute, Sweden before returning to RPA as an Assoc Prof & Senior Staff Specialist Psychiatrist. With over 30yrs experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist including 10yrs in private practice and subsequently served Indigenous communities across rural Australia. He maintains a broad interest in all aspects of Psychiatry, including mood & addiction disorders.
Dr Brendan O'Sullivan
Psychiatrist

Dr Ashwini Padhi
Medical Superintendent
MBBS,FRANZCP, MRCPsych (UK)
Dr Padhi is a Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. He also holds a membership of Royal College of Psychiatry UK and has practised for over 10 years in the United Kingdom before coming to Australia. He is currently the Clinical Director in Western Sydney LHD and is an expert in general adult and youth mental health. He joins South Pacific with special expertise in addictions, psychodynamic psychotherapy and impulse control disorders.
Dr Ashwini Padhi
Medical Superintendent

Zoran Pavic
Head of Maintenance
As Head of Maintenance, Zoran has been with South Pacific for over 12 years, overseeing the continuous development of our facilities. From the original 1930’s sandstone building to today’s fully refurbished, 54-bed, custom-designed facility, client comfort and safety have always been paramount. Zoran always goes the extra mile to ensure the building and landscaping are in prime condition.
Zoran Pavic
Head of Maintenance

Ed Wheeler
Chef
A firm favourite with our clients, Ed’s talents never fail to appear in our client feedback reports. Whether it’s his South African heritage or his time overseas as a Restauranteur, Ed’s food is both top-class and nutritious. Adhering to South Pacific’s rigorous policies on healthy and mindful eating - and tailored client dietary needs - Ed’s recipes are always vibrant, satisfying and delicious.
Ed Wheeler
Chef

Fleur Wood
Director
Daughter of South Pacific founders Bill and Lorraine Wood, Fleur is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, creative, author, businesswoman and philanthropist. Formally serving on the board of South Pacific Private from 2003 – 2008, Fleur has returned as Director to work closely with the senior management team on communications, business strategy and her vision for inclusive, accessible, high-quality care.
Fleur Wood
Director

Diane Young
South Pacific Private Addictions Specialist
Diane is a Psychotherapist and Holistic Counsellor who runs South Pacific Private’s Changes Program, a deep experiential therapy program designed to identify and resolve lingering childhood trauma. She is a trained Trauma-informed therapist with over 40 years’ experience with 12-step programs. She is also a Systemic and Family Constellation practitioner and has undertaken extra training and professional development in EMDR, Gestalt, and Process Work.
Diane Young
South Pacific Private Addictions Specialist
Join the
Team
Our multi-disciplinary leadership team is committed to the highest levels of expertise, delivering leading-edge treatment and investing in a diverse, inclusive workforce and to the ongoing professional development of every team member. As an organisation we are committed to ‘changing lives and healing families’.
Stories of Recovery
All photographs are for demonstration purposes only