About OARS Community Transitions

Introduction

OARS CT has been delivering high quality professional services and support to people who have offended and their families for over 130 years.  While the Vision and Mission statements have changed slightly over the years, our core business serving the most vulnerable clients in the community has remained unchanged. Over recent years OARS CT has been working very hard to advocate for better public policy to reduce the overuse of incarceration, implement Restorative Justice and improve community safety.

Statement of Purpose

Enhancing community wellbeing by reducing offending and victimisation.

Strategic Directions

• Reintegration Services
• Rehabilitation Treatment Services
• Advocacy
• Victims & Crime Prevention
• Organisational Excellence

Guiding Principles

• Social Justice
• Restorative Justice
• Community Participation
• Human Rights
• Continuous Improvement
• Advocacy
• Prison as a Last Resort

Principles

• OARS Community Transitions believes that restorative principles should guide the development of policy and services in the criminal justice system. We subscribe to the International Covenant on Victims’ Rights.
• Diversity in human life is valued as an important community asset and specific groups of disadvantaged people should not be further disadvantaged through interaction with the criminal justice system.
• Provision for minimum standards in accord with the United Nations Minimum Standards should be implemented within correctional facilities.
• Capital punishment is not acceptable in our society.
• People have the right to choose their lifestyle whilst accepting responsibility for their actions.
• Investment in early intervention and crime prevention strategies will prove beneficial at both the individual and social levels.
• Alternative sentencing options to imprisonment should be regarded as high priorities.
• People who have offended and their families should be treated with a non-judgemental attitude.
• Prisoners are punished by the restriction of their liberty and whilst imprisoned they must be treated humanely and with dignity. Implicit in this is recognition of the fundamental importance of active and respected involvement of families and children in the lives of offenders.
• Offenders have the right to be involved in the decision-making processes of their restoration, reconciliation and rehabilitation.
• Participation of offenders in rehabilitative processes will enhance reintegration into their families and the wider community.
• Social justice principles should be applied in the criminal justice system.
• Collaborative decision making with all stakeholders involved should be central to policy development and service delivery in the justice system.
• Service development should be based on social science research whenever possible.
• Freedom of religion and spiritual expression should be granted to all persons residing in South Australia prisons.

The management is vested in the Board which includes the following members:

 

ANNABEL SHINKFIELD was appointed Chair of the Board in October 2012.  She has been a Board Member since November 2005, and served as Deputy Chair of the Board from Nov 2008, before being elected as Chair in October 2012.

Annabel’s current roles as Head of Operations, Scouts SA, and Founder/Owner of The Customer Collective consultancy, incorporates her wealth of experience including managing marketing, communications and customer experience in the NFP,  local government, health, professional services, media and retail sectors.

Annabel’s qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Management, Marketing, University of South Australia, 2000.
• Master of Business Administration, International Graduate School of Business – University of South Australia, 2015.
• Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), 2016.
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Louise Kelly – CEO
BJusSoc; GradCert Crim & CrimJus; MBA, CF, GAICD

Louise commenced as Chief Executive Officer in December 2025, bringing more than 15 years’ experience with OARS Community Transitions (OARS CT). Since joining the organisation in 2010, she has worked across a wide range of services and programs, with a strong focus on client reintegration, organisational development and service innovation.

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Louise held senior leadership roles including Deputy CEO and Head of National Services & Development, as well as positions as General Manager, Team Leader, Case Manager and Engagement, Development & Innovation Consultant.

Louise holds qualifications in Justice & Society and postgraduate qualifications in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Mediation, alongside an MBA and governance qualifications. Before joining OARS CT, she worked with young people under guardianship of the Minister in an emergency care setting.

In 2016, Louise was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research initiatives that reduce reoffending through supported reintegration and rehabilitation. She is President of the SA Churchill Fellows Association and a Board Director of Embolden SA (SA’s peak body for domestic, family and sexual violence) and the SA Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS).

Leigh Garrett – Outgoing CEO
B.Ed.; Grad Dip OHSW Management; MBA; FAIM; FAICD

Leigh is retiring as Chief Executive Officer of OARS Community Transitions (OARS CT) following a remarkable period of leadership. On 10 January 2026, Leigh marks 32 years leading OARS Community Transitions, shaping the organisation’s direction and contribution to community safety across three decades.

Across his tenure, Leigh has kept OARS CT’s purpose front and centre – reducing harm and supporting people to build safer, better lives – while guiding the organisation through change, growth, reforms and significant sector pressures with integrity and determination.

Leigh is also recognised for the way he has backed people – mentoring leaders, championing staff, and fostering an environment where meaningful work can be delivered with professionalism and belief in change.

As Leigh steps into retirement at the end of January 2026, OARS CT acknowledges and thanks him for his long service and the enduring legacy he leaves for clients, staff and the broader community.

Leigh is a Life Member of SACOSS and is currently Chair of the Board of Unity Housing Company, and serves as a Director on the Board of CARA, and as a member of the Australian Crime Prevention Council National Executive.

Joe Aylward – Head of Client Development & Wellbeing

Joe Aylward was appointed Head of Client Development and Wellbeing in September 2024 and has leadership over several key services in the organisation, including Client Treatment Services, Client Reintegration Services, Specialised Client Services and the WA Real Services Network team.

Joe has over twenty years’ experience in leading and managing teams across a range of areas including Justice, Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Housing, Homelessness, Child Protection, Education and Training for both State and Commonwealth Government agencies and in the community services sector.

He has a Master of Social Work and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Joe has two children, two stepchildren and a cat named Goose.

Tricia Oats – Executive Manager Quality & Risk

Tricia Oats assumed the GM Governance, Quality & Safeguarding Systems role in January 2025, reporting directly to the CEO. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and has been with OARS CT since June 2003.

Throughout her career, Tricia has gained extensive experience in counselling services, holding various Team Leader and Manager positions, including her current role. This background has provided her with a deep understanding of OARS CT’s clients and culture, which plays a crucial role in driving the collective goal of continuous service improvement.

Tricia also chairs the Workers Health and Safety Committee, where she focuses on aligning risk management efforts with the broader objective of service enhancement. Her responsibilities further include reviewing governance assurance processes, developing strategic plans at both operational and organisational levels, and ensuring that OARS CT remains fully compliant with all regulatory requirements.

Deb Black – Manager Restorative Services

The Centre for Restorative Justice (CRJ) is a division of OARS Community Transitions.   Deb Black is our Manager Restorative Services and has implemented many of our RJ training sessions in schools. Deb joined the Executive Committee in 2021.

Deb has had broad ranging commercial mediation experience across Industrial relations, Leadership development, Innovation and strategy, Risk management and Conflict resolution and Coaching.

Deb is a Resolution Institute (LEADR/IAMA) nationally accredited Mediator and has a Bachelor of Social Science – Majoring in Human Services – UniSA; Grad Cert in Mediation – UniSA; Diploma of Vocational Education and Training – TafeSA; Diploma Professional Counselling – AIPC; VARJ (Victorian Association of Restorative Justice) – Conflict Transformation through Group Conferencing.

Shonnie Pascoe – Chief Financial Officer,  B Com (Accounting); Grad Dip Chartered Accounting; CA

Shonnie Pascoe commenced with OARS in April 2017, working part time and heading up the finance team.

Shonnie worked in a small accounting firm and then KPMG before moving into the commercial sector. Her previous roles have been in retail, property and the not-for-profit sector.

Shonnie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting. She is a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.

Jade Morellato – Executive Manager People and Culture

Jade Morellato is passionate about creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

With extensive HR leadership experience across health, education and community sectors, she has led culture transformation, capability building and change initiatives that strengthen engagement and performance.

Leading People and Culture at OARS Community Transitions, Jade brings a collaborative, strategic approach grounded in genuine care for people. She enjoys partnering with leaders to build trust, unlock potential and create environments where everyone can do their best work, and is a strong advocate for continuous learning and meaningful relationships.

 

 

 

Early History of OARS SA

Romantic Beginnings chronicles the first 30 years of the Prisoners Aid Association now known as OARS CT.

Seven men composed the Committee of Management up to the formalisation of the Prisoners Aid association (P.A.A.) in 1886. David Nock MP and Visiting Justice, James Scott JP, William Burford, Charles Birks, G.C. Knight JP (first Honorary Treasurer), George Crase (first Honorary Secretary) and W. J. Sowden. Four of these seven founders formed the new committee: Scott, Birks, Knight and Crase.

All seven founders were at some time active members of the Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers and Friends Society (A.B.& S.F.S.) and previously Crase had served it as both Secretary and Collector. When they needed additional help they turned to A.B.& S.F.S’s then current Collector Mr A Fance. Over the next few years several new committee men joined the P.A.A., most of whom (like JB Hack, R Knowles, and MH Madge) were members of the A.B & S.F.S.

Although Adelaide’s women were also active philanthropic workers, it was not until the 1880’s that a significant number of them, including Miss CH Spence, became not only members, but active members of the A.B & S.F.S. and the S.F. & C.O.. Male pressure may have kept them out of the societies until the 1880’s, however none of them are mentioned in regard to the P.A.A.. The most likely explanation is obvious, working with prisoners was not thought to be fit work for women.

Click here to read Romantic Beginnings

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2012. Following the conclusions of that Royal Commission, and as a response to it, the National Redress Scheme was set up and is managed by the Commonwealth Government.   The Scheme started on 1st July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

The National Redress Scheme :

• acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions,
• holds institutions accountable for this abuse, and
• helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a Redress payment.

As an organisation which supports and delivers restorative justice programs that provide a voice for victims, OARS is completely supportive of the Royal Commission’s findings and recommendations, and the National Redress Scheme itself.  OARS recognises how important it is for victims to be able to voice their concerns, have access to support, and utilise processes that assist in repairing the harms they have experienced.

Recently Offenders Aid & Rehabilitation Services of SA Inc (OARS) received a letter from the National Redress Scheme indicating that one or more people had registered with it as a victim of historical child sexual abuse and had named OARS within their complaint.   OARS was not named in the Royal Commission.

OARS has joined the National Redress Scheme.

To Make a Claim

If you wish to make a claim with the National Redress Scheme about OARS please make contact with the National Redress Scheme via their website www.nationalredress.gov.au or by calling the free National Redress Information Line – 1800 737 377 – Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time (excluding public holidays).