Meet Our Team
At Making Connections Toowoomba, our team of professionals has a proven track record of working with young people from diverse backgrounds, especially those facing social challenges. We adopt a strengths-based approach, leveraging your young person's strengths and interests to facilitate connections with peers who share similar interests. We deeply value diversity and inclusion, considering it a privilege to work with your young person.
Fiona Goodall
Autism Consultant
Owner & Director of Making Connections Toowoomba
Making Connections Toowoomba was founded by Fiona Goodall, a Special Educator with over 20 years’ experience. Fiona holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Special Education. She is also a certified facilitator of the PEERS® Program, Peaceful Kids Mindfulness and Positive Psychology programs, and is a certified facilitator of LEGO® Based Therapy. Fiona has a professional and personal interest in Mindfulness and Meditation. She is a Registered Meditation Teacher with the Meditation Association of Australia, and is currently studying a Diploma of Counselling.
Fiona has worked across all education sectors, including specialist autism settings, special education settings and mainstream schools, both in Australia and abroad. Fiona stepped into the private sector so she could devote her professional time, passion, and expertise to working directly with neurodivergent young people, and their families.
Fiona is a member of the Positive Partnerships Delivery Team, working with caregivers and educators of school-aged children on the autism spectrum to provide evidence-informed information through face-to-face and online workshops. Fiona is also a member of the Positive Partnerships Educators Reference Group.
Fiona is the proud mother of two teenage boys who are patient in their endeavours to keep her up to date with Gen Y lingo. Her better half shares her love of live music and passion for supporting neurodivergent youth. Aside from her human companions, Fiona enjoys the gentle company of the family’s little white dog Oskar, and their two chooks, who are reluctant layers yet enthusiastic scratchers of her beloved garden.
Em fiona@makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au
Ph 0492 054 085
Nikki Esplin
Occupational Therapist & Program Facilitator
Nikki is an Occupational Therapist with a passion for supporting people to live meaningful and purposeful lives – whatever that may look like! Since graduating in 2013, Nikki has worked within child and youth mental health settings, supporting individuals and facilitating group programs as a vital part of a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, she has provided support to parents, caregivers, and childcare professionals working with vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Nikki has a special interest in working with neurodivergent youth and loves the authenticity, fun, and energy that these amazing young people bring.
Nikki has been part of the MCT team for nearly a year now (how quickly it's flown by!). She loves working with such beautiful participants and engaged families and feels fortunate to be part of such an amazing and supportive team.
Nikki enjoys creative endeavors, usually juggling one or more projects at a time with a new art technique always waiting to be tried. She also loves going to brunch with friends, spending time with her animals, and volunteering for a local charity.
Darcy Goodall
Special Education Teacher
Darcy is a Special Education Teacher with over 20 years of experience working with neurodivergent youth. Currently, he is in the final stages of achieving his goal of becoming a psychologist, as he works towards completing a Master of Psychology in 2025.
His professional journey began in behaviour units, both in Australia and abroad, before he transitioned to Special Education programs within mainstream schools upon returning to Australia. Darcy spent a decade as an Advisory Visiting Teacher for Autism, and during this time, he worked as a Facilitator for Positive Partnerships, delivering workshops for caregivers and educators of school-aged children on the autism spectrum. He later returned to working in a high school, where he held the position of Program Leader for Enhanced Learning.
In recent years, Darcy’s spare time has been limited while juggling family, study and life. However, when he gets a moment, he enjoys playing golf and remains a die-hard fan of the Brisbane Broncos, no matter where they place on the ladder!
Amanda Holzheimer
Early Years Teacher & Program Facilitator
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and has over two decades of experience teaching students in primary school settings.
Starting out as a classroom teacher and more recently a specialist drama teacher, Amanda has worked in several schools within the Darling Downs region and has literally taught thousands of children during this time. Amanda has expertise in teaching a wide range of abilities and needs, including many neurodivergent children. During Amanda's time as a specialist drama teacher, she has worked with her students to build skills such as exploring characters and their emotions, collaborating with others through teamwork while helping each individual young person build the confidence to be who they are. She has showcased students' talents, liaised with the community, produced and directed festivals and musicals, as well as being part of fundamental groups within her schools.
Amanda loves seeing the young people she works with grow and shine! She enjoys building connections with each of them, and their families.
When Amanda is not at work, you will find her enjoying time with her husband and two teenage children. This could include watching the kids play sport, seeing them perform on stage or being 'taxi mum' for their very busy schedules! She enjoys hanging out at home, sitting by the pool or the firepit (depending on the season) and being entertained by her adorable pup, Rocky.
Megan (Meg) McClenaghan
Occupational Therapist & Program Facilitator
Meg is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who is passionate about seeing people celebrate their uniqueness and thrive in their everyday lives. Before becoming an OT, Meg worked as a Youth Worker, supporting young people recovering from mental illness to transition into independent living. She also has experience working in both individual and group therapeutic settings with clients of a variety of ages.
Meg has a particular passion for neuro-affirming practice sparked by her own lived experience of neurodivergence, and has a keen interest in sensory processing and health research.
In her spare time, you'll find Meg doing any creative hobby she can get her hands on! She loves playing table top games, reading a good book, and going for runs or having couch cuddles with her pet spoodle, Leo (who no doubt will make some guest appearances at MCT!).
Michelle Vanzella
Group Assistant & Independent Support Worker
Michelle has had a broad career working with vulnerable people within the community. Michelle worked as a government social worker for over a decade throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Looking for more hands-on roles, Michelle started working as an allied health assistant about 7 years ago, and more recently, as an independent support worker. In 2021, Michelle joined Making Connections Toowoomba as a Group Assistant. She enjoys the opportunity to create meaningful working relationships with our Making Connections Toowoomba participants and their families to achieve their goals. Michelle also loves being part of a dynamic, passionate and supportive team which celebrates both the little and big wins of our participants.
Outside of work, you’ll find Michelle and her husband trying to keep up with their busy teenage children. They love bushwalking, picnics and board games and can often be seen searching for their aging beagle who, even at 12 years of age, is still a supreme escape artist.
Sarah Ryan
Group Assistant & Club Facilitator
Sarah is a third-year Psychology student with UniSQ. Sarah chose Psychology because she has always been interested in human behaviour, and hopes to one day work as a child psychologist.
In addition to working as a Club Facilitator and Assistant in several Making Connections Toowoomba groups, Sarah also enjoys running fun, outdoor, adventurous activities for primary-aged students. Sarah has also been volunteering with a local primary school for the last two years. She loves helping students with math and reading rotations and especially music lessons and concert items.
Besides study and work, Sarah loves relaxing while drawing, taking photos or watching action and fantasy films. However, what she really loves most is her cat Mitten, and dog Jasper!
Kay Folker
Group Assistant
Kay has always worked in compassionate and caring roles, testimony to her measured and patient nature. Kay worked for many years as a registered nurse, then later when she gained her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood, for seven years in a dedicated early intervention setting for children with autism.
Kay’s passion is for working with neurodivergent children, teens and young adults, where she believes in and celebrates the uniqueness of every person. Kay sees learning as a social activity and values collaborative interactions and caregiver partnerships.
Life away from work, sees Kay living on a farm on the outskirts of Toowoomba with her husband, two barn cats and a herd of Speckled Park cattle. Kay’s children have flown the nest, so visits to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coase are much anticipated get-aways, where she has two grandchildren to spoil!
Cate Power
Administrative Assistant
Cate brings a wealth of experience to the team at Making Connections Toowoomba, with a career that spans from hairdressing to administration. After 17 years as a hairdresser, she completed her Cert IV in Business and Booking, leading to a decade managing a boutique medical practice in Toowoomba.
Cate then transitioned to a school environment, where she worked in various administrative roles, including as a personal assistant to the Assistant Principal Student Engagement for eight years. In this role, Cate gained valuable insight into student behaviour and engagement, and cites this as one the most rewarding times in her career. Cate now remains in the administration field and is enjoying her new adventure taking on a role helping Fiona and the MCT team within the administration side of Making Connections Toowoomba.
Cate has two grown up children, a husband and a mini poodle. When she is not working you will find her relaxing and catching up with family and friends, going to the gym and swimming.
Nicholas Downey
Group Facilitator
Nick holds a Bachelor of Psychology from QUT and is currently studying a Master of Learning and Teaching. Nick has extensive experience as a caseworker working with young people in the statutory care system, supporting them to remain stable in their foster care placement so that they do not bounce through the system.
Nick is passionate about seeing all young people empowered to do what they are passionate about and thrive personally.
In his spare time Nick likes fishing, eight-ball pool, and spending time with his young family.