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Changing Lives Healing Families

Meet Our Team

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

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  • Our History
  • Mission, Values & Inclusivity
  • Why South Pacific Private?
  • Take the Tour
  • Meet the Team
  • Safety & Quality
  • Press Clippings

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

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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

team

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

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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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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

team

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’.

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South Pacific Private recognises the Gayamaygal people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land upon which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

South Pacific Private is working towards Rainbow Tick Accreditation.

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24 Beach St,

Curl Curl NSW 2096

ABN 84 003 340 912

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