The Australasian Associations of Professional Organisers (AAPO) was incorporated in November 2005 as a non profit organisation to educate the public about Professional Organising and benefit members by growing the industry.

Our committee comprises of members from two countries and three different time zones, but we share one thing in common: we're passionate about organising, growing our industry and professional development.

President - Angela Esnouf

Angela Esnouf, from Creating Order from Chaos, helps families create order, hoarders break free from clutter and home-based businesses make the most of their time. Angela believes getting organised can be pain-free, and even fun!

Angela is keen to continue developing a strong AAPO, always keeping in mind our mission to support members and their businesses, set industry standards and educate the public on the value of Professional Organising.

Having served on the AAPO executive committee since 2005, Angela now looks forward to the challenge of leading AAPO during her 2^nd year as President. She says, "I'm proud to be an AAPO-accredited Expert, to lead our association onwards and upwards, and to be supported by a wonderful team."

Vice President - Roz Howland

Roz Howland is thrilled to be elected for a second term as Vice President.

2010 -2011 is such an exciting time of growth for Professional Organising and Roz is passionate about developing the industry throughout Australasia.

Based in Cairns with clientele nationally, Roz coaches both individuals and businesses in how to be better organised. When you are organised you can achieve your goals!  

Roz is also the Chair of AAPO’s PR sub committee which works to increase media opportunities for all Members. She is a regular columnist on all-things-organising in her local newspaper The Cairns Post, Flying solo for soloprenuers and is regularly published in other hardcopy and online publications.  

Immediate Past President - Wendy Davie

Wendy Davie has turned her hand at being an Emergency Department Nurse, photographer, writer, wife and mother of three amazing kids. It is through these roles that she has found useful ways to get organised, simplify life and get more done.

Her business Totally Organised Ltd. was one of New Zealand’s first professional organising services. Wendy is a founding member of AAPO.

Wendy is the first New Zealand Organiser to be awarded the title Certified Professional Organiser CPO®, in 2008. Making her a true trailblazer of the industry in Australasia.

Wendy’s first book “The Accidental Organiser” was released in New Zealand in 2008. Wendy is an accomplished speaker and presenter. Wendy has been awarded “Rookie of the year 2007”, “People’s choice” and “Unsung hero” (2008) by the National Speakers Association of NZ (Christchurch Forum). She runs workshops, seminars and presents at conferences helping spread the message of how to be accidentally organised and develop businesses and live a real life too.

Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, good wine, good company, travel and having fun.

Secretary - Wendy Hanes

Wendy Hanes has been organising all her life, and in February 2006 turned her passion for creating orderly environments into an organising career. As owner of Skeletons in the Closet, the most satisfying part of her work is helping people determine what is important to them, and creating an environment that supports that. Wendy has helped to restore order in more than 100 Melbourne households and particularly enjoys working with people struggling with chronic disorganization. 

Wendy is an Expert Level Member of AAPO and one of only two Australian Professional Organisers to earn the distinction of CPO®,  She is also an active member of The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Wendy served two previous terms as AAPO Secretary, two years as Melbourne Forum Leader and in 2008 was awarded the AAPO President’s Award in recognition of outstanding work in the industry of Professional Organising and within AAPO.  As a current member of AAPO’s PR Committee she is dedicated to building public awareness of the organising industry and the benefits of hiring a Professional Organiser.   

Treasurer - Bec Johnston

Bec Johnston lives in the real world. She wants time off to holiday, watch TV & play with family & friends. The way to do this is to be organised & get the stuff done that needs to be done so she can enjoy doing these things. Bec realised that if she need to learn these skills then others would too. So BecShui (2006) was started & is helping people to get the results that they want in their lives by being more organised.

Efficiency has always been a big drive in Bec’s life, striving to get things done in the best way possible to achieve the greatest results. Bec uses the skills that she has learnt through being a Registered Nurse, and through organising events, finances, people & their space to achieve this for herself and others.

Bec is honoured to be re-elected on to the 2010-2011 Committee of AAPO as treasurer and looks forward to her year on the volunteering committee in an organisation that continually looks toward to the future.

General Committee - 

Helen Butler 

Helen Butler is an Accomplished Professional Organiser who is the Director of two Professional Organising businesses – Clutter Rescue and Organise Your Site.  She is also the manager, director and social coordinator of her household, husband Scott and four year old son Toby.

Helen has had a varied professional life, including working as a Primary School Teacher, University Lecturer and Educational Designer.  After returning to work following maternity leave Helen realised that there was more to life – and thus Clutter Rescue was born.

Having always had the organising gene, the move to Professional Organising was a natural transition.  Clutter Rescue’s goal is to provide each client with clutter-free physical spaces that are well designed, efficient and suit the client and their organising style.  Our clients vary from working Mum’s to retirees however all have the same goals – to become (more) organised and to feel the benefits of this organisation.

When she has time Helen enjoys pilates, yoga and swimming.  She loves spending time with her family and seeing the learnings that take place in her son every day.  And one day she hopes to have enough time to schedule monthly facials! 

Sarah Cottman

Sarah Cottman loves to organise, motivate and teach the overwhelmed how to get their lives back on track! An Expert in the field, she began her Professional Organising Consultancy, Heavenly Order, in November 2006 and has been assisting clients and other Professional Organisers ever since.

Sarah has a strong business background as a CAO. Combining this with a very busy family has developed in her a sincere passion for supporting family life through her work.

“I love this Industry and helping others reach their potential, and I’m keen to promote the growth, professionalism and the public’s image of AAPO both nationally and internationally. I am also looking forward to connecting our Members with one another and encouraging the growth of new Forum and Forum Leaders including a virtual forum. I have loved being the Sydney Forum Leader for the past 2 years and am delighted for the opportunity to be part of the Executive Committee again.”

Karen Koedding

Karen Koedding is Australia’s first Certified Professional Organiser (CPO®) and the founder of A Little Elf. A Little Elf is a Professional Organising firm established in early 2004 and works with clients in Sydney and New York. Karen’s background includes financial management roles in large corporate and small start-up businesses.

Her belief is that disorganisation creates stress that carry in your head everywhere you go. Helping her clients get organised gives them freedom from this stress and allows for new energy in their lives and businesses. Her firm specialises in creating organised, functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces for clients. Karen's greatest organizing strength is her ability to evoke confidence in her clients.

Karen has been very active in AAPO, now serving her third year on the national committee, and serving on the 2009 and heading the 2008 Annual AAPO Conference Planning Committees. She is a member of NAPO, NAPO-NY, NSGCD, and has served on several committees for NAPO-NY. Karen has a passion for AAPO and the Professional Organising industry as a whole. She is excited to be a part of its growth, working with other professionals and her clients.

Forum Meetings

AAPO has Forums in many parts of Australasia. Prospective members are invited to attend a Fourm meeting to meet members and learn more about AAPO. Contact a Fourm Leader to make arrangements.

Forum Leaders are

AAPO President’s Award Hall of Fame

Each year at AAPO’s annual conference, the President bestows an award to recognise outstanding service to AAPO and the organising industry in Australasia.  Congratulations to all recipients of the President’s Award.  Your contribution is much appreciated.

2010    

2009    Wendy Davie  

2008    Wendy Hanes