Heather Coulston - Full CV (pdf) - fevapitch.com.au

Heather Coulston31 Kirley Drive,Bruthen, Vic, 3885Ph: 03 5157 5105Mobile: 0427 520 206Date of Birth: 25 th September, 1978Educational Qualifications• 2003 Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), La TrobeUniversity (Shepparton)• 1998-2002 Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), La Trobe University (Albury/Wodonga)• 2001-2002 Certificate II in Horticulture (Parks & Gardens), WodongaTAFE______________________Work History:Current: Consultancy BusinessCo-Director “FEVA Pitch” community capacity building; Projects undertaken:2010 Current: Development and presentation of Smiles 4 Miles kindergartensperformances, East Gippsland, 12 kindergartens/performances, BairnsdaleRegional Health and Communities for Children Program, East Gippsland2010 Development and presentation of children’s theatre project ‘MoondustDetectives’, Easter holidays -17 performances in twelve communities, EastGippsland Shire Council2010 Facilitation and coordination of a Family Day, East Gippsland ShireCouncil, Lakes Entrance Vic2010 Local facilitator, Bruthen Blue Bees Circus Project, schools community artsproject as part of Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival2009 Local choir support for Melbourne Millennium Chorus, East Gippsland2009 Presentation of ‘Maintaining Community Connections’ seminar at RAVSymposium and music performance at RAV RAVE Awards presentationevening, Geelong Vic2009 Local facilitator, choir leader & performer for Gippsland performances of‘DUST’ music theatre project. Director Donna Jackson, Music MarkSeymour2009 Presentation of role plays for management training sessions aroundperformance appraisals, TASPO Australian Defence, RAAF Base Sale Vic2009 Facilitator, Foothills Music Inc. Strategic planning and event planning,Briagolong Vic2009 Consultancy: East Gippsland Shire Council, Development of strategicpriorities document, early years services integration, East Gippsland Vic2009 Local Facilitator, Children’s theatre performance ‘TIDDALK! Where has allour water gone?’, Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival, Bruthen Vic1

2008 - 2009 Consultancy: Kilmany UnitingCare, support the strategic development ofEast Gippsland Early Years Plan, Communities for Children Program EastGippsland, Kilmany UnitingCare, Bairnsdale Vic2008 - 2009 Coordinator, Children’s Week Celebrations and Celebrating Children &Families EXPO, Communities for Children Program East Gippsland,Kilmany UnitingCare, Bairnsdale Vic2008 - 2009 Workshop leader, WTree Spirit of Place Festival, WTree, Vic2008 Consultancy: East Gippsland Shire Council, Development of MunicipalEarly Years Plan2008 Consultancy: Presentation of Early Years ‘Hubs’ Forum, Bairnsdale Vic2008 Coordinator, Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival, Bruthen Vic2008 Facilitation & Coordination, East Gippsland Community Music Project2008 Children’s ‘Personal development through drama’ program, Bairnsdale WestPrimary School, East GippslandApril 2008 to CurrentChild Development Worker (Child Protection)Employer: Department of Human ServicesResponsibilities:• Supervise and observe court ordered contact between children and familymembers, with particular emphasis on monitoring the safety and well-being ofthe children• Keep records of such interactions in a consistent, objective and professionalmanner that is such a standard to be read in a court of law• Transportation and responsibility on behalf of the Department for childrenfrom age 0 to 16 years• Maintain and promote working relationships with parents, carer’s, agenciesand other departmental programs• Work as a supportive member of a regionally based teamJanuary 2004 to December January 2008Classroom TeacherEmployer: Clifton Creek Primary SchoolBackground:Clifton Creek Primary School is a small school about 15 minutes from Bairnsdale. Inthe time that I have been employed there, student numbers have grown from around24 to 37 with an expected enrollment of 39 the following year. About two thirds ofthe students come by bus from Bairnsdale because of the inclusive communityculture of the school and the open door policy. The school is well known for its‘African Drumming’, a culture that continues on even though two of the staff thatstarted the culture have left. Recently the school has focused on building strongerrelationships with the local community through organising and supportingcommunity events.2

Responsibilities:• Planning and implementing a rich educational program for junior students(Prep to 2), including individualised programs for students with special needs• Planning and implementing a weekly whole school (p – 6) music program• Organising a transition program for students to feel happy and comfortable atschool• Supervision of students during break times• Regular and on-going, formal and informal communication with parents andfamilies• Planning and organisation of whole school involvement in community events• Organisation of extra-curricula activities, such as lunchtime tennis• Planning, coordinating and implementing an Active After SchoolCommunities program at the school• Understanding, generating and respecting school culture, philosophy andprocedures• Supporting school culture out of school by supervising drumming workshopsand participating in performances• Respectful student behaviour management• Contributing to school cluster activities including taking minutes of clustermeetings and organising student activities for whole cluster days• Undertaking professional roles and responsibilities such as collecting staff andstudent data for regional surveysAugust 2002 to February 2003Factory Assembly Line WorkerEmployer: Coopertools AlburyResponsibilities:• Assembly of tape measures• Working as a supportive and productive member of a team• Checking and maintaining quality assurance procedures• Packing products within company guidelines• Maintenance and cleaning of machinery and equipment• Ordering of parts and equipment• Supervision, support and education of new staffFebruary 2001 to February 2002Horticulture and Grounds MaintenanceEmployer: Corryong Secondary CollegeResponsibilities:• Maintenance of school grounds and property3

• Development of gardens and grounds• Supervision of school children• Organising activities for children• Contributing to staff activities and functions.Arts Related Work Experience______________________From 2001Performing musician, (singing, guitar and percussion) in severalbands and groups of different styles.2005 Involvement with percussion groupsResponsibilities:• Teaching African drumming to a variety of school children and teenagers• Awareness of cultural differences• Creating a safe environment and catering for individual ability levelsFrom 2005Teaching singingResponsibilities:• Teaching a variety of world music to groups in East Gippsland.• Choirs and groups of up to 30 people of a variety of ages, abilities and levelsof confidence.• Creating and maintaining a fun, safe and friendly environment for all singersand catering for individual levels of experience.______________________Interests and Activities• Singing, guitar playing, percussion, songwriting and music• Arts based community projects• Tennis and netball• Horse-riding, horse education and other farm activities• Communication and interpersonal skills• Supporting and helping children and young people______________________Certificates and Licenses• Victorian Drivers License – No: 53618621• Working with Children Check – No: 00532140-01• Farm chemical users certificate 2001• Level 1 Chainsaw accreditation 20014

______________________Workplace Skills• Awareness and understanding of Asbergers syndrome and Autism in childrenand young people – Ability to empathise and respond quickly and calmly tobehavioural changes and plan routines to minimise this.• Teamwork – Supportive and productive in roles of team member and teamleader.• Computer and Multi-Media Skills – Good understanding of a variety ofsoftware including word-processing, spreadsheets and databases, as well as avariety of multi-media and familiarity with Mac and Windows computersystems.• Communication – Interpersonal skills and positive communication skills thatempower children, young-people and adults.• Professionalism – Maintaining professional integrity when dealing withindividuals and the public.Referees______________________1. Jenny HearnesClassroom TeacherClifton Creek Primary School.1020 Deptford Road, Clifton Creek, 3875Ph (03) 51 579 251 or 51 525 4362. Eva GrundenCo-Director of FEVA Pitch2/12 View Street, Bruthen, 3885Ph (03) 51575751 or 0400 807 8575