Leadership team

Meet our team

Magistrate Noreen Toohey OAM

Noreen Toohey has been a Magistrate for 26 years. This includes 16 years working in the western suburbs of Melbourne (including as Regional Co-ordinating Magistrate for the Sunshine Region), eight years in country Victoria in the Goulburn Valley, Grampians and Barwon regions, and two years at the Melbourne Coroner’s Court. Prior to her appointment, Magistrate Toohey was in private practice and later a solicitor with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions. She has been the Lead Magistrate at the Specialist Family Violence Division at Ballarat since 2005. A former committee member of the Australian Association of Women Judges, Her Honour is a member of the Victorian Magistrates’ Family Violence and Family Law Portfolio Committee. In 2017, Magistrate Toohey was awarded Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the law, particularly as an advocate to the safety of children and families. Magistrate Toohey has a deep interest in therapeutic jurisprudence.

	General Manager / Rachel Powning In the role of General Manager of the NJC Rachel is responsible for strategic leadership of the NJC, engagement with the broader community, and widely promoting the benefits of a community justice approach. Rachel’s career has focused on social justice, and she has worked in leadership roles in local government and international NGOs. Rachel’s qualifications include a BA Hons, MA Politics and GAICD. She is a strong advocate for the empowerment of local communities, and believes diverse communities are the best ones.
	Louise Bassett / Strategy & Innovation Manager As strategy and innovation manager, Louise explores and develops new ideas and initiatives to identify their potential to benefit the local community and the justice system overall. Louise oversees strategic planning and managers the Program Innovations Team. Her 'can-do' attitude is behind the many Australian firsts the NJC has brought to life. Louise has been with the NCJ for nearly a decade.
	Dr. Cameron Wallace / Client Services Manager Cameron manages NJC's social service providers. He and his team provide our clients with wrap-around treatment and support. Cameron works closely with our Magistrate, Community Correctional Services, court administrators, Victoria Police, the legal profession, and agencies across justice. Cameron has been with the NJC since day one and is a passionate advocate for restorative, therapeutic and problem-solving justice.
	Diane Arsic / Office Manager Diane manages our Information Team, and juggles a range of administrative and office support functions, including reception services, office support/ administrative services, facility management, HR, finance and budget, purchasing and contract management, records, fleet management and general project management of administrative related matters. Diane has been with the Centre for over seven years.
	Charlie Watson / Senior Community Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid Charlie Watson is the Senior Lawyer for Victoria Legal Aid at the NJC. Charlie has been at the NJC since July 2018. Charlie was admitted as a solicitor in 2005 and is an LIV accredited criminal law specialist. Prior to the NJC, Charlie was the Managing Lawyer of WEstjustice’s Sunshine Youth Office at the Sunshine Visy Cares Hub from 2016-2018.
	Damian James / Senior Registrar Damian is an experienced Court Registrar and has a long history at the NJC managing the two registrars and two trainee registrars, the team that provide administrative support to the court. Prior to working at the NJC, Damian has extensive experience working at the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Children’s Court, VCAT and project work.
	Paul Kidd / Senior Community Lawyer, Fitzroy Legal Service Paul Kidd is the Senior Lawyer for Fitzroy Legal Service at the NJC. Paul has been with us since late 2018, when he completed his legal traineeship. He was admitted as a lawyer in 2019. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Paul was for many years involved in the community response to HIV in Australia. He is a member of the boards of Thorne Harbour Health and the HIV Justice Network, and is a member of the Victorian Government LGBTIQ Justice Working Group.