The Spark Health Team

The team at Spark Health have a diverse range of experience in delivering programs in Aboriginal Communities in workplaces, schools, playgroups, correctional and complex environments. The team of experienced qualified Aboriginal facilitators and health professionals are committed to growing an Aboriginal workforce.

Laura Thompson - Managing Director

Laura Thompson is a proud Gunditjmara woman and is an experienced and respected leader in Aboriginal Health and in Health Promotion. With 20 years' experience, a Masters of Public Health and a Business and Education background, Laura has led numerous successful health promotion initiatives in the Aboriginal Community. Many of which, have been recognised as being the gold standard. 

The "Coach" Program received the 2016 Minister's Award for Early Years Education and another three projects led by Laura, have been finalists at the VicHealth Health Promotion Awards! Including, #HerTribe Aboriginal women's health and empowerment program that received the highly commended award at the 2017 VicHealth Awards for 'improving mental health and wellbeing'. 

Laura is a strong advocate for public health initiatives and healthy environments and was part of the 2018 Leadership Victoria Williamson Community Leadership Program. She is also appointed (2019-2021) on both the NHMRC Health Innovation Advisory Committee and Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus.

Contact:

laura.thompson@sparkhealth.com.au

0422 046 452 

Sarah Sheridan - Director of Operations

From a farming Community in North Central Victoria, Sarah is a firm believer in small changes making big differences! For Sarah, health is personal with her own lifestyle change giving her a new lease on life! 55kg lighter and three marathons later, she loves sharing her passion for health and wellbeing with Community in new and exciting ways.  Since 2010, Sarah has been working in both regional and metropolitan Aboriginal Medical Services in Community Engagement and Health Promotion. 

With a double degree in Health Science and International Development and a certified Personal Trainer, Sarah has experience in facilitating, developing, leading and implementing a wide range of health promotion projects; from playgroups to prisons. 

Sarah was among the inaugural cohort for the DHSS and Leadership Victoria's Joan Kirner Young and Emerging Leaders Program and a Board Associate with the Inner North Community Foundation in 2019. 

 As a non-Indigenous person working in Aboriginal health and business she is an advocate for change and an example of reconciliation in action.

Driven by the opportunity to create impact, Sarah is dedicated to seeing systematic reform created at the highest levels to see change in inclusion, reconciliation and health.

Contact: 

sarah.sheridan@sparkhealth.com.au

0437 584 123

Lena Charles - Senior Project Officer

Lena Charles is a proud Yorta Yorta/Gunai Kurnai woman from Mooroopna, Victoria. In 2016 she graduated with a Masters in Public Health from the University of Melbourne.

Since graduating, Lena has immersed herself in various Aboriginal organisations and has worked across a number of projects and programs including involvement in the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners Land Management Board, Tackling Indigenous Smoking programs, lead facilitator in the Coach Early learning Years program as well as many other health promotion projects.

Lena is particularly passionate about working with children and believes in the power of creating healthy lifestyle ambassadors for the next generation.

Contact: 

lena.charles@sparkhealth.com.au

Sianna Catullo - Project Officer & Clothing the Gap Chief Creative Officer

Sianna is a proud Narungga woman born and raised in Naarm (Melbourne). 
She is currently completing her Bachelor degree in Health Science, majoring in Public Health. 

Sianna volunteered her time with Spark for 6 months with the Fitzroy Stars Junior Football Club and is now a full-time Project Officer and the Chief Creative Officer of Clothing the Gap.

Sianna made the 2019 Indigenous Marathon Project Squad and is currently training for the New York Marathon. She has used this platform to represent her community and challenge the stereotypes of First Nation people.

As a young, proud Aboriginal woman, she believes its her responsibility to help improve health outcomes for mob through education and leading by example and living a healthy lifestyle.

Sianna is passionate about educating the wider community about Aboriginal culture and thinks this can create unity between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples. She believes Clothing and Fashion is a positive, creative way to spark these important conversations and empower the community.  

Contact:  sianna.catullo@sparkhealth.com.au

Kyralee Murphy-Edwards - Intern