Our People
We are a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Department for Communities, operating in Armadale for over thirty years.
Minnawarra House provide opportunities for local people to connect, socialize, make friends, learn, share skills and interests, and contribute to their community.
The Centre is open to everyone in the community and provides a range of services and activities, including counselling for youth and families, after school activities for children, self-development workshops, and arts and craft classes for all
Our Staff
Evelyn Lim
Evelyn first studied at the University of Queensland where she focused on community development, organizational psychology and counselling. She completed a Master of Counselling at Curtin University.
Since living in West Australia Evelyn has continued her work in community engagement and inclusive practices.
Evelyn takes a collaborative and strength based approach that considers all aspect of the person’s lifestyle. Her principle interests lie with Gestalt and Narrative Therapy but she draws on the strategies of a number of therapeutic modalities which best suite the individual and the timeframe available.
Elsja Playne
Elsja is an ethical, collaborative, experienced and compassionate Therapeutic Counsellor who has worked with people from all walks of life, who have experienced all sorts of challenges. Elsja enjoys working with families, couples, individuals, adolescents and tweens. Elsja is always focused on supporting her clients to develop their emotional and cognitive strengths which can become exhausted by relationship breakdowns, trauma, and grief.
Leonie Wight
Leonie came to the Art Therapy profession via a creative route starting in the early 2000’s with a Diploma of Art and Design. She worked in the local film industry before settling into the stability of self-employment as a Graphic Designer for 15 years. Leonie commenced training in 2013 in Art Therapy and joined Minnawarra House as a qualified Transpersonal Art Therapist in 2016.
Leonie brings to Minnawarra House her own special flavour of passion, commitment and enthusiasm for all of her clients. Leonie’s expertise in Art Therapy provides her clients with the opportunity to experience the language of art and art making as a therapeutic tool to achieve client defined outcomes.
Services provided by Leonie at Minnawarra House include individual sessions for children, teenagers and adults. She also runs an adult women group and co-facilitated a teenage girls’ empowerment program.
Sam Craig
Samantha (Sam), Music Therapist, provides therapy for children, teens and adults with behavioural, mental health, emotional dysregulation, who seek change, wellbeing, self-expression and fun. Sam runs fun music programs for children and teens. Sam is NDIS registered.
Our Board of Management
Our friendly, active Board of Management is always looking for men and women with new fresh ideas to enhance our community house programs.