Our People

About Us

Josephine Dingiria, Early Childhood Teacher and Education Support Coordinator

Josephine Dingiria is a teacher at GEKA Bentleigh East and our Education Support Coordinator. Josephine has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and has been working in Early Childhood for fifteen years!

As part of her role as Education Support Coordinator, Josephine aims to provide professional support and direction to all GEKA services on all aspects of service delivery to ensure the provision of high quality educational programs for children and families.

In her role as teacher, Josephine enjoys engaging with children through books, creative play and encouraging the children to explore nature.

When she is not at work, Josephine enjoys travelling, being on the beach, and spending time with her daughter Olivia, her pet green tree frogs and her dog, Ricky.

Josephine's Favourites;

Movie: The Birdcage

Colour:  Blue

Food: Anything savoury, and chocolate, of course!

Season: Summer

Sports Team: Carlton Blues

Animal: Giraffe

Melissa Lewis, Enrolments Manager 

Melissa Lewis is the Enrolments Manager at the GEKA office and has been working for GEKA for six years now. Melissa’s favourite aspect of her role is connecting with our local community and sharing information and knowledge with others. She finds it invigorating to work in a fast paced environment with the GEKA team, who she describes as supportive, passionate, dynamic and resilient.

Melissa lives in Elsternwick with her two teenagers, Will and Emma, the youngest of whom attended GEKA Orrong Road Kindergarten ten years ago! Along with her smelly teenagers, she also lives with her two adorable cats and sometimes adorable husband. In her spare time she enjoys skiing at Mt Buller with family and friends, and raising her children to contribute to their community be forward-thinkers.

Melissa's Favourites;

Movie: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Colour: Pink, as a woman and a friend and family member of several people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Food: Anything she doesn’t have to cook herself!

Season: Spring

Book: My Place, by Sally Morgan – Melissa’s first experience with Aboriginal literature, which still resonates with her.

Hobby: Puzzles