Staff and Trustees

Claire Kinnear

Dionne Ward

Hi everyone, I'm Dionne. I grew up in Dunblane (alongside my co Manager Claire) and have spent most of my life here. I first became involved with the Centre as a youngster, when I attended and volunteered at the previous youth clubs on this site, the old TA hut, as my parents set up and ran these. I was lucky enough to be one of the young people chosen to help design the Dunblane Centre as we know it - I still have the sketch stashed away safely!  

I am honoured to be managing the Dunblane Centre as it is a place very close to my heart, and it's incredibly important to me that we continue the legacy while staying true to the roots of the Centre.

I have vast experience in office management as well as a background working in the care sector, and I hope these skills and my experiences will help steer the Centre forward for future generations.

I love meeting people from all backgrounds so feel free to pop in and say hi!! 

Diana Sneddon

Hi, I'm Diana. I've been a Centre Assistant since November 2021 and can usually be found helping with our popular parent and toddler sessions.

Born and raised in Shetland, I moved to Dunblane with my husband and two children 6 years ago and love being part of the community. Happiest when the sun shines, I am a keen traveller and love exploring both locally and further afield.

Au-Yeung Dora

Lisa Fraser

Hi, sparkle fairy Lisa here!  I have worked at the Centre for 8 and a half years now.  I definitely feel a warm attachment to the Centre and all the lovely dedicated people who are involved in keeping this special place a going concern.  I am originally from Elgin and moved to Alloa to help out with grandparent duties.  I am a mum of 3 grown up children and 3 precious grandchildren, and also a carer for my husband.  When I do get some free time I love doing jigsaw puzzles, diamond paintings, and having special family time especially if it involves coffee and cake!  I also enjoy keeping fit which working at the Centre helps me to do.

Saskia Thorburn

Mia McCool

Katika Samaneein

Hi, SaWadDee Ka! I’m Katika, originally from Thailand and now proud to call Dunblane home with my husband and daughter. I bring extensive experience in facilities management, health and safety compliance, and sustainability initiatives. I hold a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and have conducted research focusing on vulnerable groups, including children and ageing populations. Having started as a volunteer here, I’m now delighted to serve in the role of Facilities Manager, ensuring the Centre remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant space for the entire community.

Jennifer Steele

Hi I'm Jennifer, a professional dance artist and youth arts worker based in Stirling. I am passionate about creating and teaching performing arts for young people and helping them use theatre skills in everyday life. As a professional dancer I also enjoy performing on stage and on screen. I'm looking forward to growing and working with the Dunblane Centre community to create something new and exciting!

Gemma Baillie

Hi, I’m Gemma, I am a mum of two small children Shaun and Amelie, and a local business owner/solicitor in Dunblane.  I came to Dunblane in 2008 as a young trainee solicitor and I take great pride in assisting the local community with their business and personal needs.

It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to be Company Secretary to the Dunblane Centre. The Centre has achieved great things and I believe that it has even greater things to come. With a dedicated team of staff and volunteers I am sure it will grow from strength to strength.  It is true what they say - that what you achieve, you achieve through great people.  I am excited to help shape the future of the Centre and hope to support its strategic direction in order that we can continue to have a wonderful Centre for years to come.

So together let’s continue to do great things, in honour of those who are close to our hearts, and do Dunblane and its community proud!

Winner - Achievements in Law  

Nora Gilfillan

Hi I’m Nora. Originally from Northern Ireland - I moved from London to Dunblane over 35 years ago and I co-owned Dunblane Nursing Home for 20 years. My four children were raised here and I am delighted 3 of my 6 grandchildren are living in Dunblane. I run Another Tilly Tearoom and I enjoy working in the community. I was one of many others involved in the setting up of the Dunblane Centre which opened in September 2004. I have recently returned as a Trustee. It is a challenging time - different from when we first opened but similar in many ways too. Covid and energy prices, plus less users, fewer volunteers and less fundraising events due to Covid etc mean that the Centre needs a re-think to move forward. The building is almost 19 years and it needs a little TLC. We have a strong team of new Trustees and a skilled advisory team full of ideas and enthusiasm. New volunteers and many local people are ‘stepping up’. I feel excited for the possibilities to get the Centre back on track. I feel privileged to be part of the team. Twice in two days visitors to Dunblane (one from Canada) told me that the Centre is seen as a ‘Beacon of Hope’ throughout the world … something very good which came from something very bad - and that is something Dunblane should be very proud of. 

Sue Lockwood

Hi, I’m Sue. Born and raised in Dunblane, I left to join the WRNS in 1980, although this was always home. After lots of Naval moves around the south coast with my husband and five children, we came back to live here in 2004, which happened to coincide with the opening of the Centre and I quickly got involved as a volunteer. I then became a Trustee and served on the Board for six years until 2011. After over a decade of working locally and focusing on family, I am thrilled to be back
on the Board and closely involved again with the running of the
Dunblane Centre. Four generations of my family currently live in
Dunblane and I feel passionately that it’s time for me and others to help out again in order to be able to pass a thriving Centre over to our children who can then carry it on to theirs. If I’m not in and around Dunblane you’ll probably find me on a beach, searching for seaglass!

John Robinson

Hi, I am John Robinson and I've lived in Dunblane for 26 years since leaving the Army.  I retired in 2021 after being the Estates Manager/Facilities Manager at the Queen Victoria School.  I have a broad range of skills and experiences and am willing to turn my hand to anything that needs sorting in the Dunblane Centre, especially in the context of Safety Management, Security, Fire Risk Management and Facilities Management generally.  I found retirement a little boring and the opportunity to volunteer at the Dunblane Centre 'floats my boat'.  The team here are inspiring, great to work with and are highly motivated; what's not to like about that?

Pam Ross

Hi, I’m Pam.  My family came to Dunblane in 1976.  After finishing school, I began my working life in one of the local banks, and between 2006 and 2015 I was part of The Centre’s team where I loved working with a great bunch of staff and volunteers.  I also had the opportunity to see the youth and community flourish in a place that evolved from the sorrow of 1996.  I felt privileged to be involved with such a special gift to the people of Dunblane.  I’ve kept a close link with the Centre, attending classes and volunteering and I’m delighted to now be a member of the Board of Trustees.  I still live and work in Dunblane, and I’m lucky to have three other generations of my family all living here too.  I’m looking forward to being part of the Centre team once again and to seeing this treasured facility continue to thrive.

Jenny Stirton

Hi, I’m Jenny. My parents moved to Dunblane 45 years ago and I grew up here with my three brothers. 

After a few years away, my husband and I decided Dunblane was the ideal place to start our own family - good schools, strong community and the Dunblane Centre is an important part of that.

For the past 15 years I worked at STV News, first as a reporter then later as an assistant producer. I recently took a career break to raise my two children who are both at Primary School.

I am delighted to join the team at the Dunblane Centre. It’s a very special symbol of hope in our community, but it’s also a vibrant, buzzing, welcoming space that my own family have benefitted from. I loved doing pregnancy yoga there, then baby classes, fitness classes and now after-school activities. 

I look forward to helping showcase all that the Centre has to offer, and the brilliant efforts of the staff and volunteers who keep it going every day.

Ferdi van Zyl

Dorothy Welsh

I’ve lived in Dunblane for 25 years now and feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. My husband is from Dunblane and we have raised our two sons here. My working life has been spent in hospitality marketing. I’ve been attending fitness classes at the Dunblane Centre since it opened and have always appreciated what a wonderful facility it is for the local community to enjoy. The Dunblane Centre is such a positive legacy from the tragedy of 1996.

When I became aware that the Centre was needing more support after the twin challenges of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, I was keen to get involved and support wherever possible. I’m delighted to have been accepted as a Trustee and I look forward to working with the staff, volunteers and Board to keep the Dunblane Centre moving forward and continuing to provide a wonderful amenity for the local community for current and future generations.