About Us

Jan Smeaton

Manager

Jan, a trained and registered Counsellor has been our Manager since 2015. She has a keen interest in working in the not for profit sector and really enjoys working in, and for the community where she has now lived for 35 years. Her work with CAPS Hauraki and past managerial experience with Hauraki Victim Support and Whangamata Community Services Trust brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to WCRC.

In her other life Jan is a wife, mother of 3, nana of 4, a dairy farmer, and maintains a small counselling practice. She enjoys reading, music, cooking and walking – when she has time!

Kaye Gadsden

Reception

Kaye is our friendly face that will meet and greet you when visiting us. She manages our bookings and room hire and just about everything else so if there is anything you need to know – just ask Kaye!

Leanne McCurry

Strengthening Families Coordinator/Heartlands Coordinator

Bio pending

Linley Carpenter

Kaimahi - Family Harm Team / Whānau Support

Linley has a passion for working within community settings and her knowledge and experience enable her to work for the Waihi Community Resource Centre in a diverse range of roles

Having lived and worked within our community for over 10 years, Linley loves working with people - supporting and encouraging them on their journey of discovery, toward living the life they were born for.

Tina Phillips

Counsellor

Tina is a registered NZAC counsellor who joined the Waihi Community Resource Centre in 2021. Tina grew up in the Hauraki area and has served her community in various ways over the years.

A passion for social justice motivates Tina and she is committed to ensuring the diverse contexts of people's lives are respected. 

In 2021 Tina began her Masters of Counselling at the University of Waikato. She is continuing this during 2022/2023 whilst working full time within her role as a counsellor at the Waihi Community Resource Centre. 

Matt Wallace

Family/Whānau and Youth Support

Matt recently joined our organisation in 2021. He brings a great desire, enthusiasm, and commitment to working with both youth and adults. Matt’s role is diverse and varied. He works as a Youth Worker/Mentor and is also a Whanau Support Worker within our ISR & Strengthening Families teams.

Matt lives in the Waihi community with his young family and outside of work he enjoys outdoor activities, sports, cooking, animals and spending time with whanau and friends.

Nadia Gillbanks

Counsellor/Family Support

Bio pending

Sarah Tawhiti

Kaitautoko Whānau Community Social Worker

Sarah works here at the Waihi Community Resource Centre as a Kaitautoko Whānau (Community Social Worker). She has a passion for walking alongside whānau, hapū , iwi as an advocate to ensure whānau, hapū, iwi have all the necessary resources and tautoko (support) that they may require.

Sarah is a registered Social Worker who studied at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa ki
Tauranga and has achieved her Bachelor in Biculturalism in Social Work.

Marina Williams

Whānau Support

Marina is a Whanau Support Worker for ISR, where she enjoys working with people individually as well as with the whanau in supporting them making their life and home free from violence. Marina has an extensive background in addiction and mental health.

She is a lovely mother of four children, four stepchildren and a grandmother of 14. Her family, little lifestyle block and animals are her safe haven outside of work. 

Carol Cullen

Family/Whānau and Youth Support

Carol joined our organisation in 2022. Originally from Scotland, Carol has been working with Rangatahi for over 29 years that have displayed a wide range of complex needs, trauma and behavioral issues.

Carol has been in New Zealand since 2020, where she has spent a year working with Oranga Tamariki in a secure residential facility in Auckland. With an extensive range of qualifications, having studied child protection, child development and behavioral management, Carol has a great passion for supporting our Whanau and Rangatahi. 

Carol is a mum to one, and is married to her husband of 37 years. 

Volunteers

Volunteers are an integral part of Waihi Community Resource Centre, volunteering their time as Drivers, relief receptionists, Heartlands workers, and Youth Hub helpers - just to name a few! New volunteers are welcome - come and speak to one of our friendly team.