Melanie Tettey
Intake & Allocation Lead- Homestay
Encircle Community Services
Melanie Tettey is a South African professional based in Australia with a strong background in the Disability sector and a deep commitment to advocacy and social justice. Her passion for supporting marginalized individuals led her to transition into the Housing sector, where she champions equitable access and meaningful support for vulnerable communities. Actively involved in community initiatives, Melanie strives to empower minority groups and address poverty-related challenges.
In South Africa, she mentored unemployed youth considered “overqualified,” sharing business principles, fostering skills, and connecting them with opportunities to become entrepreneurs. This experience reinforced her dedication to creating sustainable pathways for change.
A natural leader with high emotional intelligence, Melanie brings compassion, vision, and determination to her work. She is passionate about inspiring individuals to transform their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
SESSIONS
Day 2
2.00
Concurrent Breakout Discussions
Breakout 1: Cross-sector partnerships: Shared systems of care to address homelessness: Cross-sectoral partnerships are fundamental in addressing homelessness. This discussion will explore how partnerships function not simply as referral mechanisms, but as shared systems of care that provide continuity that is achieved and sustained through the recognition that housing, health and social inclusion are fundamentally interconnected. This session will encourage discussion around the role of trust, continuity, and co-location in enabling early intervention, sustaining tenancies, and supporting people to navigate fragmented systems. Join us for this breakout discussion to share insights and explore what works and what doesn’t and what we can learn from each other to build sustainable change.
Facilitator: Frances Cieslak, National Head of Partnerships and Service Innovation, One Bridge
Breakout 2: Practice Innovation: Exploring new models and tools for connected outcomes-focused practice
Facilitators:
Shane Frost, Service Integration Facilitator, Encircle Community Services
Dean Cotter, Housing Sustainment Coordinator, Encircle Community Services
Melanie Tettey, Intake & Allocation Lead- Homestay, Encircle Community Services
Breakout 3: Innovative Ways to Deliver More Homes for the Most Vulnerable: A unique housing model which brings the property and construction industry together in a collaborative way to build more homes for homeless youth.
Facilitator: Antoinette Rusby-Perera, QLD State Manager for Homelessness Youth, Property Industry Foundation
Breakout 4: Advance to Zero: This interactive session explores the Advance to Zero methodology and how communities can use real-time data to drive coordinated, measurable reductions in homelessness.
Facilitator: Taylor Grills, AtoZ Practice and Improvement Lead , Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH)