Our Team
Including members of the SJCS team who support the Rough Edges Program
Gabriel Lacoba, SJCS CEO
Gabriel has been involved in the Charitable and Community Sector for most of his working life. Some of the charities he’s worked for include the Cancer Council, Anglicare, National Breast Cancer Foundation and Baptist World Aid in a variety of roles. He has also worked on church teams. The thing he loves most about leadership is being able to support his teams to achieve their best. The love of his life is Sue and a bunch of daughters and grandkids, who have him wrapped around their fingers. His hope is in the simple message of Jesus, who came into a broken world to restore it to its original beauty and purpose.
Angus Megarrity, Rough Edges Team Coordinator
Angus has been a youth and community development worker for almost 20 years working across homelessness, program and event development, and community sector development. He has worked in local government contexts as well a for the NSW state youth peak Youth Action, and for other nonprofits. He has also participated on various nonprofit boards. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, a Bachelor of Youth Work, and is currently completing a Diploma of Applied Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. Angus is a passionate follower of Christ and let's Christian world view inform his professional practice.
Naomi Escott, Partnerships Coordinator, SJCS
Naomi works part time for SJCS strengthening fundraising partnerships with schools and churches. She has held a number of positions that have led her to this job, including Graphic Designer, Youth Minister, Christian Studies teacher and most recently, mother to her four children. She believes in God’s call for all Christians to care for the poor and the marginalised and loves the work that St John’s Community Services is doing in Jesus’ name.
She is married to Tim and likes making her own clothes, baking sweet treats with her kids and tending to her plants.
Lucy Parsons, Urban Insight Coordinator
Lucy oversees and manages our Urban Insight program. She is the point of contact for schools, community groups, and our guides. With a degree in International Relations, Lucy is committed to social justice and loves that, through the Urban Insight program, school students are encouraged to foster empathy for people experiencing homelessness. As a committed Christian, Lucy’s work is informed by her faith and the call for all Christians to practically love those within our community who are in need, as God first loved us.
Belinda Paxton, Legal Services Lawyer
Belinda is the Principal Solicitor for Paxton Solicitors which provides a legal service to St John’s Community Services. The service is funded by SJCS so it can be free of charge to clients. We provide advice, referral, legal assistance, and casework in almost any area including: Centrelink, Housing NSW, Discrimination, Criminal Law, Family Law, Domestic Violence, Victims Services, and Insurance.
Belinda’s background is in Criminal Law and she has worked in areas such as public prosecutions, domestic violence, and corrections. Belinda has two cheeky boys and lives with her partner. She loves reading, drawing, and riding her bike