ABOUT US

LEIGH GARRETT

Founder

Centre for Restorative Justice

As Chief Executive Officer of OARS CT for 32 years and the founder of the Centre for Restorative Justice (CRJ), Leigh’s transition to retirement in January 2026 marks the close of an extensive chapter. His leadership leaves CRJ with a founding legacy grounded in unwavering advocacy for restorative approaches to justice. In 1997 he established the Centre for Restorative Justice – a response to significant community feeling that different approaches to justice were needed to ensure that the current criminal justice system did not further contribute to the damage and harm experienced by victims of crime.

Leigh was committed to the belief that the increasing rights of victims will demand more services and funding to assist healing after crime. Some of this healing may involve restorative approaches that provide options for victims and offenders to meet in structured and positive ways to assist in repairing any harm. This should never be compulsory, but surveys of victims that have been able to engage in restorative practices, are positive.

Many victims are happier with the process and the outcome of restorative conferencing than they are of traditional court processes.

Leigh developed restorative approaches in schools in South Australia and CRJ has trained hundreds of teachers and assisted many schools, both Government and Independent. That work now continues through the Centre 4 Restorative Practices. CRJ has also assisted businesses with conflict resolution.

Leigh's degree in Education, Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health Management and Masters Degree in Business Administration, saw him able to utilise his diverse skills to build CRJ into the South Australian community entity it is today.

Leigh undertook restorative justice training in the USA, holding a Certificate in “Restorative Justice Principles, Practices and Implementation” from the US Department of Justice. He has been trained in the USA at the University of Minnesota in Restorative Circles and holds management and governance credentials.

As a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders.

Leigh was engaged as a Consultant by the Thailand Government to assist in implementing Restorative Justice in the Youth and Family Courts.

He had previously been a Ministerial appointee of the SA Correctional Services Advisory Council and is a Life Member of the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS). Leigh continues his advocacy with these local and national appointments:

Chair of the Board of Unity Housing Company
Board Member of the Australian Crime Prevention Council (National)
Board Member of the National Indigenous Network Initiative
Board Member of Community Accommodation & Respite Agency Inc (CARA)

In 2002 Leigh’s achievements in the Not-For-Profit sector were recognised when he was awarded the National ‘CEO of the Year for the NFP Sector’ by Equity Trustees.

DEB BLACK

Manager Restorative Services,

Centre for Restorative Justice

Deb joined The Centre for Restorative Justice in early 2017 as a Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator and Trainer. Deb is committed to alternative dispute resolution that utilises blended processes in order to accommodate and engage in discussion that addresses all parties’ needs.

Deb has studied Restorative Justice conferencing through both Mediators Beyond Borders International (utilising IIIRP – International Inst. of Restorative Practice training) and VARJ (Victorian Association of Restorative Justice – now AARJ) and uses Restorative Practice/Justice to facilitate and provide conferencing as a vehicle for addressing emotional impacts of conflict in group, industrial and other settings.

Traditional legal and statutory processes do not accommodate dealing with the community or emotional impacts of conflict. Deb has a proven track record of facilitating positive outcomes for business and individuals through a relational approach to conflict and behaviour development.

Deb is a Resolution Institute (LEADR/IAMA) nationally accredited Mediator and utilises blended processes of dispute resolution, including facilitative mediation, transformative mediation and conferencing. Deb focuses on assisting parties maintain constructive working relationships and assists organisations and individuals develop skills to understand and manage conflict in a constructive manner to minimise impact on individuals and workplace dynamics.

Deb has broad ranging experience across:

Industrial relations, Leadership development, Innovation and strategy, Risk management, Conflict resolution and Coaching

Memberships

Graduate member – Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Member – Resolution Institute (LEADR/IAMA) – NMAS Accredited Mediator
Graduate member – Australian Institute of Company Directors
Member – Mediators Beyond Borders International

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Science – Major: Human Services – UniSA
Grad Cert in Mediation – UniSA
Diploma of Vocational Education and Training – TafeSA

AMANDA MARSHALL

Trainer Restorative Services,

Centre 4 Restorative Practices

Amanda joined the team at the Centre for Restorative Justice in 2021, bringing with her experience in adult education and training. Amanda has worked within the healthcare industry, as both a practitioner and educator, and has experience working within the public and private healthcare sectors in South Australia.

Amanda began her journey in healthcare as a Registered Nurse in 1999 and post completion of her post graduate studies in 2007, she combined her clinical work with education. Working for a number of years, as a clinical facilitator and tutor at Flinders University within a variety of undergraduate nursing programs.

Amanda’s professional approach within educational and clinical settings, utilises the principles and processes of restorative practice believing in the restorative principal of working with people, rather than doing things to or for them.

Her strong value base, rooted in social justice, supports her professional practice and carries through to her personal interests, where she can often be found volunteering in a variety of community programs.

Amanda's initial appointment within CRJ, has developed into her role as lead trainer in the newly created Centre 4 Restorative Practices, a branch of CRJ that supports the delivery of Restorative Practice training, contextualised to the unique needs of schools, organisations and workplaces Australia wide.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Nursing - Flinders University
Graduate Diploma - Adelaide University
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment