Staff & Associates
Eric Sidoti, Director has been actively engaged in public policy development, strategic planning and communications throughout his career. For over a decade, prior to his appointment at the Whitlam Institute, Eric has managed Strategic options, his own small consultancy. This enabled him to develop long-term relationships with a small number of clients, principally the Dusseldorp Skills Forum and the Australian Red Cross in addition to the Enterprise and Careers Education Foundation, Greening Australia and Job Futures. He has been engaged in projects across a broad range of policy fields (education, training and employment; human rights; development; Indigenous land rights and education; humanitarian law and conflict; and welfare issues).
Eric was the Executive Director of the Human Rights Council of Australia (HRCA) 1992 - 1995, Communications Director of Amnesty International Australia 1987 – 1992 and National Secretary of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace 1985-1987.
Sandra Stevenson is the Project Coordinator. Sandra has a legal background in the private and community legal sectors. For the past 12 years she has worked at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre as solicitor and coordinator of the Public Interest Law Clearing House, managing its pro bono referral scheme and access to justice projects.
Her work on a diverse range of projects including indigenous justice, consumer protection, workplace issues for people with disability, unlawful detention of young people, protection for refugees and education and training for not for profit community organisations, has enabled her to work closely with the public, private and community legal sectors and a range of community sector organisations and peak bodies.
Amy Sambrooke is the Whitlam Institute's Communications Officer. Amy has recently put her headphones away after several years as a Producer at 702 ABC Sydney. Amy has completed a Bachelor in Media in Writing at Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma in Radio Broadcasting at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Amy has worked as a producer at the ABC and 2CH and has presented and produced programs on Sydney youth station FBi. Her career highlight at the ABC was interviewing Barry Manilow for the NSW Evenings program, and finding out that he was not so familiar with Australian humour.
Suzanne Ramirez works Wednesday and Thursday as the Whitlam Institute Office Manager. With a strong background in conference management she brings strong organisational and project management experience to the team. Having staged events for corporate and association clients she is well equipped to manage the Institute's finances and liaise with UWS departments.
During her time at the Institute she has been involved in the What Matters? student writing competition since its inception in 2004. Suzanne has been integral in establishing the competition within the NSW and ACT school program which now receives over 1,000 entries annually.
In her spare time she raises two young boys.
Valerie Wilden is currently working as an Administrative Officer with the Institute. Though new to this position Valerie is very familiar with the Institute having spent several periods on the team in times of peak demand over the last 18 months. Valerie is greatly valued for her calm and methodical manner and her ability to get the job done efficiently no matter what 'the job' is. Valerie, trained at TAFE and elsewhere, has had a solid grounding in all facets of administration and customer service through her time with Lion Nathan Australia, Malt Shovel and others.
Valerie has cut her teeth at the Institute in supporting major events including Gough's 92nd birthday celebrations, the Mrs Prime Minister- Public Image, Private Lives exhibition and the Governing the Economy symposium.
