About Us
Community Gateway is not-for-profit provider of aged care and disability services in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Mid North Coast regions of NSW.
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We have been operating for more than 35 years and have a close connection to the communities in which we work.
Our services include case/care management, in home care and supports, respite, cleaning, transport services, social programs, life skills development, clinical care and allied health therapies.
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Our team of dedicated employees genuinely care and take the time to get to know our clients and what is important to them, enabling us to form meaningful connections, based on a solid foundation of trust.
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As a registered NDIS provider, we provide high quality, flexible supports, assisting clients to build on their capabilities and reach their goals.
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We also place great importance on providing services that promote healthy ageing and independence, and improve physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
“Empowering people to live the life they choose”
Our Strategic Plan
Our Values
Our Board Members
Chairperson
Jan Wetherall
Jan Wetherall is a Registered Nurse/Case Manager with over 30 years experience working in the community sector specialising in aged and disability care. Jan is passionate about high quality person centred support for people with disability and the aged which is why she joined the Community Gateway Board. Jan has served on the Community Gateway Board for nine years and is the current Chairperson
Board Member
George Lymbers
George Lymbers is a senior leader in Technology and Business Operations with a Degree in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. He is passionate about leading and driving organisational change to create significant business impact and believes that we can inspire exceptional care and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies in the administration and delivery within Health and Aged Care Services.
Board Member
Felix Aasa
Felix Aasa is a retired accountant and real estate agent. He has held a number of financial and accounting roles in employment including Financial Controller for a family owned business. He served on the board of a prominent aged care facility in Southern Sydney for 15 years and as a mentor and director of a youth outreach centre for Project Youth, Miranda Police, PCYC Sutherland and Caringbah Baptist Church.
Our Leadership Team
Chief Operations Officer
Tegan Bezzina
Tegan Bezzina has a Bachelor Degree in Population Health and is a Case Manager with over nine years experience working in social and community services. Tegan specialises in aged and disabilities care, however; also has experience in the child protection and out of home care sector. Tegan joined Community Options in 2010 and has since spent time as a Team Leader prior to progression into her current position as Director Operations for Community Gateway. Tegan is passionate about making a difference to the lives of people with a disability and those who are ageing and is committed to the future of Community Gateway.
Chief Executive Officer
Deborah De Santis
Deborah is an experienced senior executive and non-executive director with a passion for the
community sector.
She has held senior leadership roles in stakeholder engagement, marketing and communications, sales, customer relations, and human resources.
In addition to her executive roles, Deborah ran, and ran a communications and marketing
consultancy for 16 years with a range of high profile clients in sectors such as manufacturing,
mining, property development, construction, financial services, health insurance, education and
aged care.
Deborah is a Director of the Illawarra Credit Union and Chair of the Board Governance
Committee. She is an active member of the Illawarra business community and a former Director
of the Illawarra Business Chamber.
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Arts (Management/Psychology) and a Master of Arts (Journalism)
from the University of Wollongong and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of
Company Directors.