Speakers Biographies
Tucker Christou
Tucker Christou has extensive experience in working with gambling addiction, family domestic violence and abuse, drug and alcohol dependency, offending behaviours, men’s behaviour change group work and individual counselling.
He has led the development and delivery of innovative service models to break the cycle of inequity and violence. This includes men’s behaviour change programs, family and community support services and working with young people at risk in out of home care. Collaborating with diverse teams spanning from the Kimberley to the South-West region, Tucker supports the delivery of ethical, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, and evidence-based services to communities in need.
Tucker is a trained and experienced conflict mediator, clinical supervisor and critical incidences first responder in the community, workplace and prison environment. He is also an accredited gambling counselling with GamCare.
Mandy Drommer
Mandy Drommer is a qualified AMDRAS Mediator; Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner; Hague Convention Cross Border Mediator; Collaborative Professional; Coach, Trainer and Assessor.
Mandy is passionate about the promotion and delivery of facilitative mediation, which is why she has worked in this area for over 25 years. This includes with a large not for profit organization, during which time she coordinated the establishment of two, Family Relationship Centres in WA. Over 20 of these years were spent managing multidisciplinary teams at a senior level. This included operational responsibility for 50 staff, consortiums, and state-wide service locations.
In 2017 she opened her own clinical practice where she provides mediation for workplace and community disputes, family matters, relocation, parenting and property/financial matters. Additionally, Mandy provides mentoring and clinical supervision for FDRP’s and mediators.
Mandy is part of several committees including the Chair of Resolution Institutes National Family Law FDR subcommittee. Mandy was an inaugural member of the WAFLPN steering committee through to 2024.
Stacey Wellings
Stacey Wellings commenced as a Magistrate of the Family Court of Western Australia in January 2025.
Prior to Her Honour’s appointment, she spent more than 15 years working for a specialist family law firm in Perth and was made a director of that firm in 2017. During time this time, she developed a practice primarily focused on complex property disputes making regular appearances in the Court she now sits. Her Honour also spent 9 years on the Executive Council of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia, serving as President for the two years prior to her appointment to the Court.
Samantha Craig
Samantha Craig was appointed as a Magistrate of the Family Court of WA in December 2024. Prior to Samantha’s appointment, she was appointed as Registrar to the Family Court of WA in October 2023 and worked extensively as a practitioner specialising in family law matters at Legal Aid WA. Samantha has extensive experience working on complex family law matters and is a highly experienced Independent Children’s Lawyer.
Leonie Forrest
Leonie Forrest was admitted to practice in April 1994, and prior to being appointed as a Registrar of the Family Court of Western Australia in January 2013, practised as a family lawyer.
Leonie has been appointed as an Acting Family Law Magistrate on a number of occasions whilst at the Court, and became the Principal Registrar in July 2019.
She has previously worked as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, and a Legal Research Assistant to a State MP, and has a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science, a Certificate IV in Celebrancy, a Graduate Diploma in FDRP, and qualified as an Accredited Mediator.
Maddalyn Smith-Silcock
Maddalyn (Maddy) Smith-Silcock is the Manager of Customer Service at the Family Court of Western Australia (FCWA). She started working for the Department of Justice in 2014 and has experience across the Magistrates Court, FCWA, and Prisoners Review Board jurisdictions. Maddy recently returned to the FCWA at the end of 2024 having been a Project Lead for the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 working on the implementation of this legislation across the Court and Tribunal Services Division.
Sal Truscello
Sal Truscello has over 23 years of experience at Services Australia (Centrelink) supporting the community in customer service roles within the face to face services division.
A graduate of the Public Sector Management Program (Q.U.T), he currently serves as Program Manager for Western Australia – Financial Information Service (FIS) and My Aged Care Service (ACSO).
The FIS provides education and information to the community on financial matters whilst the ACSO provides education, information and support to the community around navigating the aged care process.
Ekua Abaka
Ekua Abaka is a dedicated Social Worker with Services Australia, bringing over two years of experience in the government social services. Her career over the years has been focused on empowering vulnerable Australians and helping them navigate from welfare to employment, particularly through her work with a not-for-profit organization. Prior to joining Services Australia, Ekua worked in the well-being sector with a mining company, where she developed her skills in supporting individuals in challenging environments.
With a strong academic foundation, Ekua holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an MBA in Human Resources, and a Master of Social Work. Her diverse educational background enhances her ability to address complex issues from a holistic and strategic perspective.
Ekua is especially passionate about advocating for migrant women, using her platform to provide support and guidance in areas of well-being, employment, and social inclusion. She is driven by a deep commitment to authenticity, integrity, and collaboration—values that underpin her approach to social work and her dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of those she serves.
Karen Meehan
Karen Meehan has a Bachelor of Social Work (B.SW) from Curtin University. She is social worker with a strong commitment to social justice. With over 20 years’ experience in government, she has worked the past 8 years with Services Australia, Centrelink. Karen is a strong advocate for her vulnerable customers affected by family and domestic violence (FDV). She is keenly interested in the systemic issues that impact our society’s most vulnerable. Karen works with compassion, empathy and understanding.
Melanie Hopkinson
Melanie Hopkinson brings a rich and diverse background in leadership, management consultancy, AOD counselling, and education. Holding a Master in Health Counselling, she has five years of experience working directly with consumers in mental health and AOD settings.
Since joining the Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia (FCAWA) as Chief Executive Officer in 2020, she has successfully raised the profile of financial counselling in WA, highlighting the importance of financial wellbeing across sectors and its significant benefits for the community.
Malachy O’Donnell
Malachy O’Donnell has been in financial services for 25 years in his own small business and in corporate services with NAB, MLC and IOOF/ Insignia Financial Services.
He has an Undergraduate Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) and Post Graduate Certificate in Banking and Finance. Dip FS(FP), Grad Cert Ban Fin.
Malachy works as program coordinator for the Financial Wellbeing Collective in the Central Support Unit, providing a key support role to the financial counselling teams and other FWC support services.
He is looking forward to presenting to you all and providing valuable insights learned from the 48,000 people they helped last year in Perth.
Merlene Price
Merlene Price is a qualified financial counsellor who has been working at Women’s Legal Service WA since 2020, specialising in women escaping family, domestic and sexual violence. Merlene is passionate about ensuring justice for women. Before this Merlene worked at the peak body, Financial Counselling Association of WA, managing the National Debt Help Line. Merlene’s extensive experience and expertise is well known in the sector, and which her varied delivery of professional development to others attests.
Laura Daisley
Laura Daisley is a Case Worker at the Consumer Credit Legal Service (CCLS). She started in the newly set up Financial Abuse Legal Service in CCLS in August 2024. Laura has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care from Ireland.
She has 15 years post qualification experience working in Social Services run by government and the not-for-profit sector, 9 of which were in Western Australia.
Georgia Turco
Georgia Turco has been a solicitor at Consumer Credit Legal Service since 2018. Georgia is a passionate advocate dedicated to simplifying the complexities of the legal landscape, striving to make justice more accessible for everyone. She has made significant contributions to important law reform commissions, including the Banking Royal Commission and efforts to reform Buy Now Pay Later products. Georgia is deeply committed to her community, regularly leading educational programs on behalf of CCLS throughout Perth and regional WA, making a meaningful impact on the lives of WA consumers. She has taken on the role of Senior Solicitor for the pilot of CCLS’s Financial Abuse Legal Service since July 2024.
Trisha Culver
Trisha Culver was thrust into a legal battle to defend herself as both a mother and an individual when her world was turned upside down—all while raising two young children and striving to secure their financial and emotional well-being. The turmoil of separation was overwhelming, intensified by the challenges of child custody and financial disputes. She found herself counting pennies, uncertain about the future, and navigating an exhausting legal process.
Amidst the chaos, Trisha discovered the power of accepting support. Her incredible family and friends stepped in with meals, words of encouragement, and practical help—whether it was taking the kids to school or simply offering a shoulder to cry on. Their kindness, along with the guidance of her professional support team, helped her stay grounded. Her counsellor provided emotional support, her lawyer ensured legal protection, and her doctor safeguarded her health.
One of the most complex and emotional parts of the journey was preparing for the financial aspects of the separation. Drawing on her background in forensic accounting, Trisha carefully pieced together financial records, identified inconsistencies, and brought clarity to overlooked details. Through this process, she came to understand how overwhelming and inaccessible this work can feel for many women in similar situations. That insight inspired her to create Discovery Accounting—a service devoted to supporting and empowering women as they navigate financial settlements with greater clarity and confidence.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Chartered Accounting qualifications, and a deep understanding of financial investigations, Trisha has built a flexible and affordable service designed to help women regain financial freedom. Her mission is to provide clarity, support, and financial empowerment to those facing one of life’s toughest transitions.
Knowmore Legal Service
Knowmore Legal Service is a nationwide service supporting victim-survivors of childhood abuse and the Stolen Generations in accessing legal redress and justice. They offer free, confidential services to help victim-survivors navigate the territories scheme and other redress programs.
Their team provides legal assistance, financial counselling, social support, and specialised cultural support for First Nations peoples. With a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach, they empower victim-survivors to make informed choices on their path to healing and justice.
Knowmore stand with victim-survivors evet step of the way.
Danielle Wilson
Danielle Wilson is an associate in Lavan’s Family Law team.
Experienced in both the Family Court of Western Australia, as well as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Danielle has assisted a diverse range of clients across all stages of their matter, making her well-placed to understand each client’s unique needs and circumstances.
Danielle has practised exclusively in family law and related jurisdictions in Perth and Sydney since her admission in October 2021. Her background in psychology, combined with her prior roles as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Child Contact Supervisor, have given her a detailed understanding of the multifaceted issues which can impact family law clients and their families.
Danielle is the chair of the Wellness Sub-Committee for the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia, and a member of the Law Society Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee.
Rebecca Glenn
Rebecca Glenn founded the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety to support women experiencing economic abuse in the context of domestic and family violence, and advocate for structural and systems change to better support women’s economic safety.
She has worked across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors in financial capability and communications, and has led numerous initiatives to improve financial wellbeing including at the Commonwealth Bank where she was a key member of the Domestic and Family Violence Working Group; as Campaign Director for Money Smart Week; and as founding CEO of not-for-profit, Financial Literacy Australia.
Rebecca holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Media Practice and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2019 to investigate service responses to women experiencing or escaping economic abuse in the UK, USA and Canada. In 2021, she was named an AMP Foundation Tomorrow Maker.
Allison Sampson
Allison Sampson began her career working in HR, corporate social responsibility, and children’s services, but discovered her true passion for financial counselling during her five years at the Consumer Credit Legal Service in Perth. Here she witnessed the impact credit and debt have on all aspects of people’s lives and the invaluable role of community education, legal services, and financial counselling. Allison secured an FCA Upskilling Grant to follow her dreams of becoming a financial counsellor. She completed her diploma in 2023 and has been working for Money Mentors in WA for two years. She recently received the developing practice award from her peak body FCAWA, recognising excellence in a newly qualified graduate.
Deborah Laidler
Deborah Laidler began her career in juvenile remand, and after a workplace accident, she needed a career move. She loved working with people, so community service was the obvious choice. She started at the beginning and worked in community housing support.
Since then, she has worked with homelessness prevention, disability support in education, and supporting fathers in prison. She held her financial counselling qualification for many years before taking on her current role, which she has been in for the past seven years.
Vincent Tan
Vincent Tan is a lawyer, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner (“FDRP”). Vincent has been a lawyer since 2008, mediator since 2015, a FDRP since 2016 and specialises in collaborative financial and parenting matters. Vincent has been a partner of Clairs Keeley since 2019 and graduated from the Oxford University Executive Leadership Program in 2021.
Vincent has a Masters in Law, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce specialising in International Finance. Vincent lectures in mediation and family dispute resolution at The University of Western Australia, Anglicare WA and Centrecare. He was rated by Doyles Guide as one of Western Australia’s Leading Family Law Mediators for 2023.
Vincent has gained great satisfaction in helping clients navigate the difficulties of separation. His ability to understand the needs of a client quickly and compassionately, and work out practical, collaborative solutions has helped thousands of families across Australia in his career.
