Staff
Welfare Rights Centre is powered by a small dedicated team committed to supporting people to navigate the social security system. With compassion and expertise, we work to address individual injustices while striving for a fair and accountable social security system for all.
Katherine Boyle, CEO of Welfare Rights Centre

Katherine Boyle

CEO

Katherine Boyle has been in the leadership role at Welfare Rights Centre since 2016, and is also a practicing social security lawyer. She has a 30-year career focused on achieving social justice in various sectors, including the community legal sector, union movement, public sector, and private practice. Katherine has a deep commitment to advocating for the rights of people to access income support and legal assistance. She also serves as the Chair of Economic Justice Australia. In 2022, she provided evidence to the Robodebt Royal Commission, shedding light on the detrimental impacts of Robodebt on Welfare Rights Centre’s clients. Katherine has been a vocal advocate on this and other human rights issues, consistently speaking out and raising awareness.

Natalie Ross, Principle Solicitor Welfare Rights Centre

Natalie Ross

Principal Solicitor

Natalie Ross has been the Principal Solicitor at Welfare Rights Centre since 2019, bringing over 30 years of experience in the community legal sector. She leads the casework practice, ensuring staff provide accurate legal advice and focus on supporting vulnerable clients.

Natalie represents clients in Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) hearings and identifies systemic problems in social security law. These issues are prioritized for law reform. Her work in social security appeals and legal advocacy helps people navigate Centrelink and the welfare system.

She has held leadership roles at Inner City Legal Centre, Redfern Legal Centre, and Kingsford Legal Centre. In each role, she has worked to improve access to justice and support disadvantaged communities.

Natalie is an expert in welfare rights law. She has authored, edited, and project-managed many plain English legal resources, making legal information easier to understand. She also serves as a Board Member for Economic Justice Australia, contributing to national advocacy on social security policy.

Natalie is dedicated to social justice, legal education, and systemic change. Her work plays a key role in advancing the Welfare Rights Centre’s mission to protect and promote welfare rights.

Donna Flood, Senior Solicitor

Donna Flood

Senior Solicitor

Donna commenced work as a Welfare Rights Centre solicitor in 2018 after joining the Centre as Office Administrator in 2017. She supervises the Disability Support Pension (DSP) clinic, working with pro bono lawyers to support people with disability to access the Disability Support Pension and navigate Centrelink’s complex systems and eligibility requirements. Since 2021, Donna has led the Centre’s disaster recovery work, regularly delivering community legal education sessions both remotely and face-to-face. Donna has worked in the community legal sector since 2012, also working as a volunteer solicitor in family law and general practice. Donna has also worked in Native Title law and has broader experience working with a number of Aboriginal communities.

Julius Golab, Senior Solicitor

Julius Golab

Senior Solicitor

Julius Golab is the Senior Solicitor at Welfare Rights Centre, where he has worked since 2019, beginning his journey as the Centre’s Intake Officer. Julius provides legal advice and casework assistance, including representing clients in internal reviews and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) appeals.

In addition to his casework, Julius regularly develops and presents community legal education sessions for community workers, helping to improve understanding of social security law.

Before joining Welfare Rights Centre, Julius volunteered and worked as a locum solicitor at Illawarra Legal Centre from 2016 to 2019 while studying at the University of Wollongong and completing his Practical Legal Training. He is a passionate advocate for economic and human rights and has volunteered with the Supporting the Unification of Refugee Families (SURF) program run by the University of Wollongong.

Julius is committed to supporting vulnerable communities, advocating for fair social security policies, and promoting access to justice.

Juliet Dimond, Senior Solicitor

Juliet Dimond

Senior Solicitor

Senior Solicitor Juliet Dimond took on the role of Welfare Rights Centre solicitor in 2020, following a temporary appointment in 2019. She provides legal advice to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients, advocates for clients at internal review level, and represents clients at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Juliet has worked as a generalist solicitor at Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre, and  has a long history of volunteering at community legal centres including Women’s Legal Service, Redfern Legal Centre, Katherine Regional Aboriginal Legal Service, Inner City Legal Centre and Welfare Rights Centre. Juliet also has a strong background in government policy and law reform.

Julie Foreman

Centre Manager

Julie has been the Centre Manager at Welfare Rights Centre since early 2023. She leads and coordinates our operational environment providing support in finance, ICT, human resources and governance. Julie strongly believes in the importance of robust internal operations of for-purpose organisations. A strong operational environment allows staff to turn outwards and focus on achieving the organisation’s mission and impact. Julie has over 25 years of experience in for-purpose management and adult education with a strong focus on advocacy and community engagement. She has previously worked within the Community Legal Centre movement at the Environmental Defender’s Office and the Tenants Union, which she led for nine years.

Georgia Phin Administration Officer Welfare Rights Centre

Georgia Phin

Administration Officer

Georgia joined Welfare Rights Centre in June 2023 as Administration Officer, assisting in the management of all day-to-day activities. She is responsible for providing administrative support for staff and volunteers, and inducting new employees. While completing a Bachelor of Arts and Social Justice at Macquarie University, Georgia undertook an internship at the student Indigenous Centre. There, she researched pathways and access opportunities for further education for Australia’s First Nation’s peoples. Georgia has previously worked in the community health care administrative system and the events industry. Georgia is passionate about engaging with issues of human rights and social justice.

Allienttia Weldon-Oti

First Nations Access Officer

Allienttia joined the staff of Welfare Rights Centre as First Nations Access Officer in 2022. She is a proud Aboriginal woman originating from the Wayilwan, Gomeori, and Wiradjuri nations. Allienttia’s mother relocated as a sole parent from Nyngan in Central NSW and Allienttia has since raised her own three young children on Gadigal lands. Her lived experiences as a First Nations person has enabled her to have a learned understanding of the systemic disadvantages First Nations people face in their daily lives. This has led her to undertake studies in Community Services at TAFE NSW Eora Centre and Ultimo TAFE where she developed the skills necessary to pursue tertiary education. Allienttia has since completed a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of New South Wales and she is currently completing legal studies in the Juris Doctor program at UNSW.

Thea Butler staff photo

Thea Butler

Community Engagement Manager

Thea joined Welfare Rights Centre in December 2023 and manages the Centre’s community legal education program, organising and delivering education sessions. She also leads the Centre’s communications activities, including management of the website and social media. Thea brings a multilayered understanding to community engagement, having worked for over 25 years in NFP’s, government and corporate organisations, most recently as program manager at Reconciliation NSW. Her experience encompasses project management, leadership and community education, together with digital and creative communications roles. Thea has a Masters in Education (Social Ecology) from the University of Western Sydney and brings a wealth of experience in steering complex projects, fostering authentic connections and creating transformative results. Thea is a passionate advocate for social justice, working towards positive change, equity and empowering community.

Bree Roberts, Events and Communications Officer

Bree Roberts

Events and Communications Officer

Bree Roberts joined the Welfare Rights Centre team as our Events and Communications Officer in February 2023. She plays a key role in developing and delivering our events while driving the organisation’s strategic marketing, communication and fundraising activities. With a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Newcastle, Bree brings a strong academic foundation to her work. Previously, she served as the Director of Public Relations for an anti-domestic and sexual violence organisation, and organised events for a healthcare-focused non-profit supporting medical professionals. Bree has also dedicated years to volunteering and campaigning for non-human animal rights.

Tien Nguyen Welfare Rights Centre Intake Officer

Tien Nguyen

Intake Officer

Tien Nguyen joined Welfare Rights Centre in March 2025 as our Intake Officer.

Tien graduated from UNSW in 2021 with a Bachelor of Social Work and Criminology (Honours). She began her career at Barnardos, delivering frontline casework support to vulnerable children and families across Western and Metropolitan Sydney and surrounding areas. Her introduction to community legal centres began with a placement at Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service, where she developed a deep understanding of the impact of legal advocacy in supporting women and children. As a first-generation immigrant and daughter of a refugee, Tien is a firm believer in human and welfare rights. Driven by a passion for being an agent of change, she is committed to walking alongside and advocating for those whose voices might otherwise go unheard. She is excited to contribute to meaningful systemic change as part of the Welfare Rights Centre team.