Hunter Homeless Connect Inc. Management Committee
Michelle Faithfull – Chairperson & Events & Community Directory Coordinator
Michelle has a long-standing commitment to volunteering, fundraising, and delivering community events across the Hunter. Her years of service earned her local recognition, as Newcastle Citizen of the Year in 2020 and a nomination for Australian of the Year in 2016. Over the past decade, she has personally raised more than $250,000 for local charities, work she has done alongside her full-time role.
Michelle’s connection to Hunter Homeless Connect began in 2016 as a volunteer, a moment that sparked a deep commitment for supporting people experiencing homelessness. In 2017, coordinating the annual Hunter Homeless Connect Day became part of her role at Home in Place (formerly Compass Housing), solidifying her involvement. Since then, she has guided the event through significant growth, from its early days at the PCYC to the Newcastle Basketball Stadium, the Newcastle Exhibition Centre, and now its current home at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. This growth reflects both the increasing demand for support within the community and Home in Place’s commitment to enabling Michelle to apply her event management expertise and community engagement skills to the cause. In addition to event coordination, Michelle also manages the Hunter Homeless Connect Community Directory, website, and social media channels.
Michael Lott – Vice Chairperson
Michael works in the Disability Sector as the operations manager for a company providing disability services and housing across regional NSW. Michael has over 20 years of management experience in the community sector and has been involved in multiple community development initiatives across the Hunter region. Michael has additionally been a member and chairman of multiple boards and committees. He is passionate about helping people and contributing to the Hunter Homeless Connect committee.
Jennifer Leslie – Treasurer
Jennifer is a non-executive director with a diverse career forged in the Hunter Region. Jennifer is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, who has held senior positions with national consulting firms, Pitcher Partners and PwC. She has held board and committee positions with some of the region’s most significant organisations including Newcastle Permanent, where she chaired its Audit Committee and Charitable Foundation and University of Newcastle.
She is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Regional Australia Bank, the national not for profit organisation, CoAct and, community housing provider, Home in Place. As well Jennifer is an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committees for NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, Hunter New England Local Health District and Maitland City Council. She is currently a local leader for Mentor Walks in Newcastle. As a finance professional Jennifer is well aware that the first step to becoming financially secure is stable housing and she hopes to contribute to the solution for homelessness in the region through her contribution to Hunter Homeless Connect.
Leanne Poole – Secretary
Leanne Poole is the Coordinator for the Wesley Mission Newcastle Community Hub and brings over eight years of experience in community services. In her current role with Wesley Mission, Leanne provides professional support across homelessness and crisis intervention, underpinned by a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that impact vulnerable individuals and families.
Leanne is passionate about advocacy and ensuring that those who feel they have no voice are heard. Guided by the belief that every life matters, she works to raise awareness of homelessness and strengthen collaboration with Hunter Homeless Connect and other community partners. Through these efforts, Leanne strives to ensure that no one in need is left behind.
Louise Maher
Louise has enjoyed a career in managing small business, events, tourism and hospitality spanning 30 years, at a regional, national and international level. A collaborative mindset and creative execution of strategic ideas is the approach Louise takes, adding value in a personalised and effective fashion. Sharing this experience and collaborating with local networks, for the benefit of the community and those in need is the path Louise chooses to tread. Louise is a great admirer of the work that Hunter Homeless Connect does and strives to make a valuable contribution to the committee and those experiencing homelessness.
Rebecca Sharp
Rebecca is a community services professional with experience supporting women and families impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. She currently works with Jenny’s Place, where she provides trauma-informed, client-centred assistance to some of the region’s most vulnerable community members.
With professional experience across housing, case management, and crisis support, alongside lived experience, Rebecca brings a deep understanding of the systemic barriers facing people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. She has attended Hunter Homeless Connect for several years as a service provider, and seeing first-hand the event’s impact on people experiencing hardship inspired her to become more involved.
Peta Winney-Baartz
Peta is currently a Councillor at City of Newcastle (Ward 3), a Child & Youth Worker with over 20 years experience and a Mother to four children. She is passionate about giving back to her Community. After witnessing the great achievements of Hunter Homeless Connect Day she felt honoured to join the committee and hopes to raise awareness of homelessness and to address the needs our community has resulting from disadvantage; to advocate to ensure that HHC Inc. is at the forefront of discussion in relation to policy development around housing & homelessness; to assist in furthering the valuable work of HHC Inc. within Newcastle and across across region and ensure the ongoing success of all projects undertaken by HHC Inc.
