Special Needs Consulting in WA | Toy Library Perth | Our Staff

Adam Scott       

Chief Executive Officer

From the start of his career, Adam’s roles have all involved the care and development of children and young people. After completing his Bachelor of Psychology in 1994, Adam’s early career saw him working with young people who were in trouble with the law and/or alienated from the school system. 

Adam’s work in this area saw him twice awarded a National Violence Prevention Award and a Family and Children’s Services Community Services Award for services to families and children at risk.

Adam’s work in the student services area of the Department of Education saw him hold key roles as a policy officer; support officer; team leader and Manager and enabled him to make a positive contribution at an individual, organisational and state level.

The four years Adam spent as a Support Officer and Team Leader at the Centre for Inclusive Schooling ignited his passion for services for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

To complement his clinical work with children and families, Adam also spent time honing his corporate management skills in the Human Resources and Finance and Administration divisions of the Department of Education.   He also worked as Manager, Planning and Strategy for the Department’s Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning.

A secondment to assist a not-for-profit organisation with their strategic planning and operational processes opened his eyes to the not-for-profit world and the positive contributions these organisations make to our society.   

Adam is pleased to be back working directly with children with special needs. He is most looking forward to seeing the positive difference he can make in their lives and in the lives of those who care for them.

Linda Oborne

Executive Officer

Linda first joined Noah’s Ark toy library in mid-2005 to assist with the development of a strategic plan by assessing the administration and processes of the toy and resource library.

The broad nature and quality of Linda’s work soon led to her appointment as Noah’s Ark’s Executive Officer.

The focus of Linda’s role is to streamline the efficiencies of Noah’s Ark’s library and resources to make them more accessible to children, families and therapists in the metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Western Australia.

Prior to joining Noah's Ark Linda provided bookkeeping services to a range of business clients for over 20 years.

At Noah’s Ark Linda appreciates the opportunity to help children and their families and to see what a difference it makes to the children. She believes that working for a not-for-profit organisation means that every cent she can save the organisation goes back into providing better services for children and their families.

Linda is married with three daughters, who along with Linda’s husband and parents, regularly volunteer their time and expertise to help at Noah’s Ark toy library to do whatever is needed.

Shirley McInnes

Occupational Therapist

Shirley’s career as an occupational therapist began in 1966. She has worked for organisations such as the Centre for Cerebral Palsy, Rocky Bay, Lady Lawley, the South Australian Centre for Cerebral Palsy and the Curtin University Sensory Integration Clinic.

Since 1992, Shirley has worked with Child Australia (formerly RUCSN), initially as an inclusion support facilitator and then as the manager of the resource centre, with particular responsibility for the provision of specialist equipment for children with disabilities in childcare.

Shirley has been a committee member of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (WA Chapter) for many years and contributes to the National Investment for the Early Years (NIFTeY) WA committee. She also participates in the activities of the WA Developmental Occupational Therapists Group.

Shirley previously worked for Noah’s Ark toy library in 1980 and was a Board member for 10 years, first as secretary and then chairperson.

Shirley’s particular interests are in the area of advocacy for adequate early intervention services for young children at risk of, or diagnosed with, a developmental delay or disability. She is also committed to increasing the opportunities for children with disabilities to participate with other children in all community activities. Shirley works hard to communicate to parents and the community the importance of the valuable role of play in supporting all children’s learning and development.

Shirley sees her involvement with Noah’s Ark toy library in WA as an opportunity to further these interests and believes she can contribute to the organisation’s commitment to similar objectives.

Jenny Gartner

Toy Library Facilitator

Jenny has been working with Noah’s Ark toy library in WA since 1992 and over this time has developed a wealth of information about the history of the organisation and the children and families it helps.

As well as working in the toy library, Jenny delivers Noah’s Ark’s toys, special needs resources and support to families in regional Western Australia.

Her travels take her on a variety of metropolitan, regional and country routes every month. Her longest trip is from Perth to Bunbury, Capel, Busselton, Margaret River, Forrest Grove, Manjimup and Bridgetown as well as outlying areas.

Other trips for Noah's Ark take in many regional and rural towns and the outlying areas of metropolitan Perth.

Jenny was previously a primary school teacher and also taught children with special needs.

The need for this service in the communities of WA, and being able to help people in isolated areas, gives Jenny a great sense of satisfaction.

Michael Tierney

Computer Club

Michael’s younger sister attends the Noah's Ark Computer Club, which is what inspired him to join as an assistant in April 2009.

Being in his second year of studies toward a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science is certainly a benefit to the children and the computer club overall.

Michael says he enjoys working with the children and says it’s a special area in which he finds a rewarding challenge.