About Us

Olwyn Maddock

Chairperson & Technical Director 

Olwyn has been a director since Co-operation Housing’s foundation. She is an AHPRA registered psychologist and an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has worked as a TAFE lecturer and is currently a registered school working in the Wheatbelt. She lived at Pinakarri Community from 2000 to 2008, was trustee for the Co-op Maintenance Trust from 2001 to 2010 and was active with FOHCOL in a number of roles from 2003 to 2009. She has also represented the co-op sector as a tenant on the Community Housing Code of Practice Western Australia (2002–2004), and was a sector development worker with the Community Housing Coalition of Western Australia (2004–2005).

Heidy Tiebosch

Elected Director 

Originally from the Netherlands, Heidy moved into co-op housing in 2013.  She has experienced living in a couple of housing co-ops across the Fremantle area and appreciates the diversity they offer.  Heidy raises her two daughters in the co-op.  The kids appreciate the sense of belonging the community provides.  Heidy was trained and working as an ICT professional in the Netherlands.  She retrained and obtained an Advanced Diploma of Accounting while raising her two children.

'Through co-op living I have experienced that the saying, it takes a village to raise a child, is very true. Living abroad and away from family, co-op residents play an important part in my life and my daughters.  Someone taught them how to knit, someone bakes biscuits with them, the list goes on.  My reason for joining the board is that I would love to see more people being able to experience the benefits of community living.'

Angela Howie

Technical Director 

Angela is a senior government lawyer, with extensive experience in managing legislative reform projects and as in-house counsel providing advice to Departmental staff. She has worked in several Government Departments and has experience in administrative, environmental, planning, property and resource management law. Her main interest is in environmental law, and in supporting communities to move to a more sustainable way of living. She is eager to bring her skills to assist the Board in building a stronger organisation and co-operative housing sector.

SHARIFAH HUGHES

Elected Director

Sharifah is raising a school aged child and was working for the Department of Education as a casual School Handyperson and Gardener when she moved into a housing co-op mid 2021.

In the early 80’s her family had started up the People Who Care volunteer organisation in WA.

She comes from a low income background, and has lived in teen hostels,  share housing, as well as private rentals.

As a late teenager she worked in various roles from Hospitality, Fitness Instruction, Aged Care and she completed a Bachelor of Nursing as a mature age student, working as a Registered Nurse between 2005 and 2013 in the Perth Metropolitan Area, Peel and Far North Queensland.

‘I believe that feeling safe and having a sense of belonging is a necessary foundation for an individual to develop and thrive. I am so grateful that my child and I have been given the opportunity to live in a co-op home. Due to disabilities, my ability to function consistently in paid employment gets impacted. Volunteering and living in a co-op and being on the Board of Directors gives me an opportunity to learn new skills, practice helping others, build community relationships and receive access to affordable stable housing. I am inspired by some of the planning for future Co-operative Housing projects and I’d like to see more.’

Kara Tripp

Technical Director 

Kara is an experienced corporate management consultant, specialising in real estate and property development.  Currently employed full time as financial controller for an entrepreneurial group with diverse real estate and business interests, Kara is responsible for all senior accounting functions as well as coordinating property sales, acquisitions, leasing, finance and capital raising functions for a portfolio of more than 50 companies.  Kara held a real estate agency license for more than 15 years, is certified as a company secretary, and currently volunteers on the boards of three other charities.  In addition to her employment and charity work, Kara co-owns a laser studio in Fremantle specialising in laser skin aesthetics, scar removal and anti-aging treatments.

Kara previously held a board position for Co-operation Housing between 2017 and 2018, transitioning into the role of Operations Manager in 2019 where she was instrumental in re-registering Co-operation Housing as a Community Housing Provider with the Department of Communities.

Eugenie Stockmann

Development Manager

Eugenie is the Development Manager for Co-operation Housing, a registered community housing provider specialising in the co-operative model.  Her work with Co-operation Housing builds on her knowledge and experience as a sustainability educator, developer and consultant.

Eugenie’s work has a strong focus on community living.  She successfully completed two small, and now multi-award-winning developments, in the Town of Victoria Park.  She worked closely with Co-operation Housing on the development of new housing co-operatives prior to being appointed in the CEO role.

Eugenie’s qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability and Advanced Diploma in Accounting.  She brings experience in property development and the social and affordable housing sector and is an affiliate of an international network of cohousing professionals.  She has previously served on not for profit boards and has completed relevant training facilitated by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

melinda marshall

Operations Manager

Melinda is a senior town planner with over a decade of experience in undertaking a variety of strategic and statutory projects, including urban design guidelines, structure planning, subdivision, development assessment and advocacy. She brings to the team her knowledge and experience of planning for a range of different development types, such as renewable energy projects, medium and large-scale mixed-use developments, nursing homes and retirement villages and affordable dwelling projects. She has also been a member of the City of Fremantle Innovative Housing Design Panel and has owner built her own home.

Anthony Rizzacasa

Project and Development Manager

Anthony joined the team as Senior Development Manager in October 2020. Anthony aims to deliver genuine affordable housing. His approach to affordable housing is innovative and he explores shared equity potentials as well as utilising community land trusts for example. Prior to this he was the Director of Property Development with Access Housing Australia Ltd. He is Director of North Point Property Group. He predominantly operates in the apartment market and has experience with delivering multi-storey buildings.

Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA)

An alliance of Australia's co-operative housing peak bodies.

Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM)

Australia’s only peak body for co-operatives and mutuals across all industries.

Shelter WA

An independent peak body, based in Perth Western Australia, that advocates for social and affordable housing and ending homelessness.

Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA)

The peak industry body for the Australian community housing industry.

Co-operatives WA

The umbrella organisation for co-operatives in Western Australia.

New Economy Network Australia (NENA)

NENA is a network of organisations and individuals working to create an ecologically healthy and socially just society by transforming Australia’s economic system.