Our people

❊ About Us

Our team and members are the heart of the Centre

Behind every class, cuppa, and conversation at the Coast Centre is a team of dedicated people who make it all happen.

From our instructors and volunteers to the admin team and committee members, we’re a group of people who care deeply about creating a welcoming, uplifting space for anyone over 55.

Our instructors are friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced in working with older adults. They’ll support you at your pace - whether you’re new to yoga, trying line dancing for the first time, or coming back to painting after 30 years.

Our volunteers bring warmth and personality to everything they do. They’ll greet you at the door, help set up for classes, and always stop for a chat.

And our staff? They keep everything running smoothly - from bookings and timetables to making sure there’s milk in the fridge and music in the hall.

This is a Centre run by people who love being here, and it shows.

contact the office ▸

Meet Our Management Committee

Left to right: Leela Hanson - Vice President, Diane Guerriau, Mary Ugarte, Angela Langton, Raelyn Flatters, Peter Bailey - Treasurer, Robina Beard - President, Helen Fatouros - Secretary/ Public Officer. Inset: Suzanne Henderson.

Meet the Team

  • A smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing earrings, a dark patterned jacket, and a red scarf, photographed against a blue background.

    Linda Mearing

    General Manager

  • Silhouette of a person's head and shoulders against a dark gradient background.

    Christine Nicholls

    Administration

  • Silhouette of a person in front of a blue gradient background.

    Mark Allen

    Administration

  • Silhouette of a woman with shoulder-length hair against a dark gradient background.

    Helen Simicos

    Administration

  • A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair smiling, wearing a dark t-shirt with a celestial design, against a blue gradient background.

    Amy Sadgrove

    Finance Officer

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Meet the Instructors

Fitness

Hello, my name is Robina Beard OAM

Here at the Coast Centre for Seniors, I lead classes in fitness for the whole body, muscle, and balance with movement, dance and LAUGHTER. I also teach tap dancing.

I am qualified as a Licentiate dance teacher having gained my qualifications in Sydney in 1956 with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD).  I also have a master’s degree in creative art gained at Wollongong University.

I’ve been teaching here for 25 years, whilst having, concurrently had a career on stage as a dancer and actress.

In my classes I focus on the whole body, head, shoulders, stomach, spine, ankles, abdomen and feet, at a level that is age appropriate and achievable.

I love to see people in my classes improving their fitness, having fun and, of course, making new friends.

My classes run 3 times a week. Keep an eye of our Timetable for the days and times.  

Looking forward to seeing you at some or maybe all my classes.

Regards

Robina Beard. OAM. LISTD

Hello,

My name is Robyn Fitzpatrick. Here at the Coast Centre for Seniors, I lead classes in strength and resistance training on Mondays and Thursdays.

I’m a qualified retired Occupational Therapist and worked at St Vincent’s Hospital for over 20 years. I gained my fitness leader qualification over 30 years ago and hold a post graduate certification in exercise rehabilitation. I’ve been teaching here at the Coast Centre for 4 years.

In my classes I focus specifically on seniors’ maintaining overall health and wellbeing and keeping our senior’s active and connected.

My sessions consist of strength training, cardiovascular (heart) fitness, increasing mobility and balance – all packed into a 45-minute class.

Our choice of music is 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

My classes promote all over wellbeing where participants work at their own level in a friendly and supportive environment where seniors can have fun and connect with others.

I love to see people in my classes improving their fitness, having fun, achieving more than they expected and most of all, making new friends.

My classes run several times a week. Keep an eye of our Timetable for the days and times.  Looking forward to seeing you at some or maybe all my classes.

Regards,

Robyn Fitzpatrick

Hello,

My name is Manal Saleh. Here at the Coast Centre for Seniors, I lead classes in; resistance training, core strength, pilates & strength and mobility.

I’m a qualified cert 3 group fitness instructor, dance instructor, specialising in exercise for older adults & falls prevention. Having gained my qualifications at Onfit Training, QLD in 2017, I’ve been teaching here for almost 8 years.

In my classes I focus on building functional strength, improving stability, and supporting daily independence. My main focus is to bring a warm, welcoming, and energetic spirit to every workout, helping older adults feel strong, vibrant, and fully supported.

I love to see people in my classes improving their fitness, having fun, achieving more than they expected and most of all, making new friends.

My classes run several days of the week. Keep an eye on our Timetable for the days and times.

Looking forward to seeing you at some or maybe all my classes.

Regards,

Manal Saleh

Dance

Hello,

My name is Chelsea Franklin.

Here at the Coast Centre for Seniors, I lead Silver Swans® Ballet and Seniors Tap classes.

I’m a qualified ballet teacher, having gained my Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), London, and I am also an accredited Silver Swans® instructor. I have been teaching at the Coast Centre for Seniors for 3 years.

In my classes, I focus on movement, musicality, coordination, posture, strength, balance and, most importantly, enjoying dance at every age.

I love seeing people improve their fitness and confidence, achieve more than they expected, have fun and make new friends.

My classes run once a week. Keep an eye on our timetable for the days and times.

I look forward to seeing you in class!

Kindest regards,

Chelsea Franklin