Phone: (02) 4760 0470
Email: [email protected]
The Mediation Centre

Welcome to The Mediation Centre

Who Are We?

The Mediation Centre – “TMC” is a team of experienced and qualified National Mediators and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners that offer a cost-effective, confidential and timely alternative to resolving disputes without having to go through the Court system. We offer Mediation primarily online so that distance is not a barrier to us supporting you across Australia.

TMC has been helping families mediate their disputes for over 10 years and has adapted its services to respond to an increased demand for mediation and alternate dispute resolution services for families. This has included adding services such a Child Consultation, Parenting Coordination and Conflict Coaching and also expanding our appointments to help families with after hours and weekend appointments.

What is Our Goal?

Because we ensure each mediation session caters specifically to not only the individual needs of those involved but also the nature of the dispute, the approaches we take will vary. Regardless of the techniques we use, TMC ultimately aims to:

• Facilitate open communication between everyone involved
• Promote shared understanding of core issues
• Assist each party to identify their needs and interests, and
• Use creative problem-solving techniques to enable agreement.

Mediation is the most self-empowering method of resolving a dispute. Unlike the legal system, you don’t have one authority imposing a solution on you AND no one “wins” at Court. Mediation allows you to protect your peace and make decisions about yours and your children’s wellbeing.

The Mediators at TMC facilitate discussions, but the ultimate control lies with those involved to resolve the dispute. If all parties do not agree on a solution, the dispute remains unresolved. If this happens, we may still be able to assist you with Conflict Coaching 1:1.

We place a focus on:

We provide after-hours and weekend appointments when required, and work hard to ensure we are available within a short timeframe, limiting both the financial and emotional stress to all parties.

We can help you reach agreements with regards to all aspects of family disputes including, children’s arrangements, child support and property settlements.

TMC Mediators are selected not only for their skill but for their compassion and ability to understand the stress you are going through. It is our role to provide a structured approach to resolving your dispute that is focused on achieving the best possible outcome for all parties, and we do so with empathy and understanding.

Our understanding of family law processes, combined with our experience in mediation and working with complex families has positioned TMC as a leading provider of Family Dispute Resolution and general Mediation services to families across greater Western Sydney, the Central West of New South Wales and right across Australia.

Our Mediators are Accredited by the Attorney Generals Department as Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners and can issue Section 60I Certificates.

Meet Our Mediators 

Tara Weir
Owner and Director of The Mediation Centre, FDRP, Child Consultant, Parenting Coordinator and Conflict Coach

Tara holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Behavioural Studies, is an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Nationally Accredited Mediator, Child Consultant, Parenting Coordinator and Conflict Coach. Tara has worked with separated families in dispute resolution processes in both the community sector and in private practice for several years and leads an impressive Panel of Mediators at TMC.

Prior to becoming a mediator Tara worked as a Judge’s Associate in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia hearing family law matters for over 10 years. In 2020 Tara established Family First Mediation and Dispute Resolution and, in 2023, was selected to take the reins of TMC due to her dedication and compassion for helping families after separation.

Tara is passionate about helping families remain future focused and helping them to improve their communication. She believes that empowering others to resolve their disputes is fundamental in achieving peace after separation and ensures that children are not exposed to the detriments of ongoing conflict, enabling them to focus on being children, and parents being positive role models and co-parents.

Tara has also had the pleasure of mediating for Legal Aid NSW on their Early Intervention Panel and their Court Ordered Mediation Program.

Ruth Chowdhury
Lawyer, Collaborative Coach, Parenting Co-Ordinator, FDRP and NMAS Mediator

Ruth is a lawyer and practises exclusively as a Collaborative Coach, Parenting Coordinator, Family Dispute resolution Practitioner and Mediator. Ruth focuses on helping separated families find another way to resolve issues in a timely, costs effective manner without the need for Court.
Ruth manages the mediation, parenting coordination and collaborative processes with compassion and empathy. Ruth is non-judgemental, neutral and neither condemns nor condones. Ruth is here to support you to have a productive conversation in which all sides are heard and acknowledged so you can avoid the financial, psychological and emotional costs that come with a long court battle.

Renee Fedele
FDRP, Child Consultant, Family Group Conference Faciliation and Child & Family Therapist

Renée holds qualifications in both law and psychology and commenced her career practising in Family Law and Care and Protection Law.

Renée is an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Attorney-General’s Department, a Family Group Conference Facilitator, Child Consultant and Child and Family Therapist. Renee has worked in both the community and private sector for many years and provides mediation for Legal Aid NSW.

Renée has also supported many graduates to obtain their registration with the Attorney General’s Department as an FDRP Supervisor and mentor.

Renée is passionate about providing families and children with a safe and non-judgmental context in which all parties feel empowered to have a voice and remain child and solution focused.

Amber Lowes
FDRP, NMAS Mediator and Child Consultant

Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Diploma of Education majoring in English Literature and a background in teaching in Australia and overseas as a high school teacher. Amber also has extensive experience within the business and construction sector making her well-positioned to mediate complex property matters.

Having a clear understanding of the social issues that impact families and continually investing in up-skilling around client safety, trauma informed practice and mental health means Amber can provide clients with an emotionally safe and respectful service with their needs, as well as their children’s always within view.
 
Being invited and trusted to have deeply personal and important conversations with families inspires her work as an FDRP.