Our Team
At Communication eXtra we pride ourselves on our diverse team of experts.
Our Founder, Director & Principal
Paul Bartlett is the person who set up Communication eXtra, which has seen rapid growth since its establishment in June 2020. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from working in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
Here is what Paul brings to Communication eXtra:
- Over 35 years experience in supporting deaf people, deaf children, and their families, in Australia and the UK
- 20 years experience of designing, implementing and maintaining Quality Assurance systems
- 15 years experience of senior and executive service management and leadership in Australia and the United Kingdom of a number of charities and businesses
- Worked at the NDIS as a Planner
- Worked as a Support Coordinator for genU
- Intimate knowledge of the NDIS, inside and outside
- Intimate knowledge of Auslan, Deaf Culture, and the supports deaf people need
- And Paul also holds Management, Teaching, and Sign Language Translation qualifications.
Communication eXtra has no rivals or competitors. Everyone is a friend and an ally of Communication eXtra!
Our Team
At Communication eXtra, we have a team of high-quality trained professionals ready to help you get the support that you want and deserve.
Narelle Akers
NATIONAL Operations manager
Narelle joined Communication Extra in its early stages and brings over 30 years of experience across the Disability and Health sectors. Narelle provides strong leadership in ensuring NDIS provider standards are met and supports the delivery of high-quality outcomes for participants through the Complex Care and Support Coordination teams.
Isobel Quinlan
social worker | support coordinator
Isobel is a qualified Social Worker with extensive experience and a deep commitment to exceptional support for those with complex and high needs. Empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills are crucial in understanding and addressing the needs of our participants. Isobel manages our Complex Care Team who service our most venerable and complex clients.
Damon Lahtinen
senior support coordinator
Damon is a highly experienced Senior Support Coordinator based in North Queensland, with a strong and well-established background in the disability sector. Damon is respected for his professionalism, integrity, and consistent pursuit of excellence. Damon brings a strategic and outcomes-focused approach to plan reviews, advocating effectively to secure optimal supports while maintaining a participant-centred focus at all times.
Melissa Connor
senior support coordinator
Melissa is an experienced Senior Support Coordinator, who leads our Victorian based Support Coordinators. As part of our Leadership team, Melissa has experience providing Deaf interpreting and has provided translation work for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing refugees. She is an accredited Qualified NAATI Community Language Aide in Auslan.
Jo Michael
national cONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OFFICER
Jo is part of our Leadership Team and focuses on quality, compliance, and safeguarding, working closely with Leadership staff to strengthen practice and improve participant outcomes. Jo leads continuous improvement initiatives and ensures the organisation is audit-ready, with systems and processes to support safe, effective service delivery. Jo’s work includes driving system improvements, enhancing CRM functionality, and embedding efficient, compliant processes across the organisation.
Anna Fallah
National connections manager
Anna Fallah manages our National Connections team and is a dedicated and driven team member with extensive experience in Frontline Management and systems. Anna’s commitment to excellence is reflected in her unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional communication and customer service. Anna is the first person you will have contact with when working with us at Communication eXtra.
Minnie MacDougall
social worker | support coordinator
Minnie MacDougall is an experienced counsellor and NAATI-accredited Auslan interpreter with over 20 years’ experience across health, disability and community services. Minnie provides trauma-informed counselling to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and hearing clients through her private practice, as well as Auslan interpreting services across a range of settings. Minnie is part our Critical Care Team who service our high-risk clients and advises the team with a psychosocial lens.
Michelle Godfrey
sUPPORT COORDINATOR | Training Officer
Michelle Godfrey works in our Support Coordinator team to support in reaching our large National client base. Michelle has come from a corporate background where she prides herself on maintaining fast, friendly and efficient customer service. Michelle is highly sort after in the paediatric space which she specialises in. Michelle is a bilingual support coordinator with a Diploma in Auslan.
Aleisha Clark
Support coordinator
Aleisha Clark is a highly experienced and passionate professional with almost 20 years of experience in education settings. She is enthusiastic and results-driven, striving to achieve the best outcomes for her clients and colleagues. Aleisha brings a dedicated approach with passion for human rights and is a Qualified NAATI Community Language Aide in Auslan.
Andrew Young
support coordinator
Andrew is a Deaf Auslan and ASL user who brings valuable experience as a Support Coordinator and NDIS services. Andrew has a Bachelor of Teaching (Adult Vocational Education) and is well-equipped to bring new insights and knowledge to any team.
Sacha Clark-Hunter
support coordinator
Sacha is a Deaf community services professional with a strong commitment to person-centred, culturally responsive support. With experience across support coordination, employment consulting and Auslan language modelling in schools, Sacha brings deep cultural insight, strong advocacy skills and a practical understanding of systems navigation.
Michelle Ott
support coordinator
Michelle is a Deaf Auslan user who brings a strong
person-centred, strengths-based, and culturally safe approach, with particular expertise with individuals with psychosocial needs. Highly skilled in
interpreting NDIS plans, coordinating multi-disciplinary supports, building participant capacity, and
advocating for choice, control, and meaningful outcomes.
Lilly Collins
Support coordinator | internship
Lilly is currently studying at Flinders University with the goal of becoming an Auslan-proficient psychologist. Lilly’s passion for the Deaf community began at Adelaide High School, where she first started learning Auslan. She particularly values the opportunity to connect with Deaf clients using Auslan and is deeply committed to continuing to develop her language skills to provide inclusive and respectful support.
D’Arcie Miller
bilingual connections officer
D’Arcie is currently studying Law and Business at Adelaide University and brings a strong interest in advocacy, communication and ethical practice. D’Arcie is passionate about working in inclusive environments and values opportunities to support diverse communities. With a developing professional focus and strong communication skills in both Auslan and English, D’Arcie is committed to learning, growth and contributing positively to client outcomes.
0475 434 517
Phone Call | SMS | Google Meet | FaceTime | Video Call
hello@communicationextra.com.au
Communication eXtra are NDIS-registered
Provider Registration ID: 4-G602XE4
ABN: 13 139 212 440
ACN: 672 939 801