With over 45 years business experience in both the private & corporate environments, principally in the field of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Michael has gained a wealth of knowledge and exposure at the most senior levels of business. His twenty two years of service with Sandvik Australia Pty Ltd concluded in December 2012 when he retired as Managing Director a position he held for five plus years. He now runs a successful consulting business for a number of small to medium size companies in both Sydney and Brisbane.

Michael’s invaluable experience will be a huge asset, offering sound professional advice and guidance for the Foundation.

Michael’s passion for assisting the Foundation comes after witnessing his sister-in-law taking up the challenge of becoming a 24/7 carer for his older brother John, which last some eight years. This exposure made Michael realize the unrelenting challenges that a carer has to endure, both physically and mentally, and the urgent need to help in some way in providing a release valve and support for the unsung heroes within our community.

Both Jasmine and Emma have attended the young carers program with The Carers Foundation Australia, as they had been caring for their beautiful mum for 10 years. Sadly, their Mum has recently passed away, and now both girls are passionate about helping other young carers, since the program made a significant difference to their lives.

Both girls have overcome hardship since they were born, being three and a half months early resulting in Emma having multiple medical conditions and Jasmine caring for her sister since day one.

EMMA is living with chronic pain and spends some of her time attending multiple specialist appointments. Having lived with medical conditions all her life, she can empathise with both the carer and the loved one being cared for. The Carers Foundation offers a unique opportunity to work with people passionate about raising awareness for young people who are caring for a loved one within the community.

Some advice she would give anyone who is or just became a carer would be to seek out help within the community and to seek out mental health services, as you shouldn’t feel alone.

JASMINE is about to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Entertainment Business Management at JMC Academy and spends her spare time volunteering within the community. Having interned with the Inala Community House and CF Foundation, she is looking forward to bringing her Social Media and Event experience to the team. Being a full-time care while studying full time can difficulty but manageable with the right resources and help.

Some advice she would share for anyone who caring for a loved one in any way is to ask for help and don’t be afraid to seek out mental health services (there is nothing wrong with seeing a psychologist/therapist)

I am a firm believer that the visual environment you surround yourself with significantly influences your perceptions, moods and overall attitude. A picture, painting or something of personal meaning we keep in our wallet can lift us in ways that can be hard to explain. It is a medium many of us turn to when words cannot express what our inner-most person is experiencing.

Visual design’s ability to transform our view of the world is something I am passionate about and why I founded Aquila Design. I have been very fortunate that my professional world has connected me with The Carers Foundation, affording me the opportunity to connect personally with Ronnie and Mike. The services they provide to the community and support they deliver to individuals through The Carers Foundation is truly inspirational and something I am proud to have my name and business associated with.

Joan has had firsthand experience in the role of carer. Joan cared for her partner Philip throughout his treatment for prostate cancer and was able to fulfil his final wish which was to die at home. Since Philip’s death Joan has been passionate about helping and supporting other carers.

Joan initially connected with the Carers’ Foundation following the release of her book ‘Who Cares -help for those caring for seriously ill loved ones at home’. With a background in communications, extensive experience (and being very comfortable)with a microphone in her hand and a powerful story to tell, Joan willingly joined the team at The Foundation and happily accepted the honour of being an ambassador.

Joan’s business JwJ Consulting is located in the Samford Valley (at Mt Samson). She lives and breathes her philosophy of ‘live life to the fullest’. A seasoned traveller (her 40th birthday present to herself of a 12 month adventure backpacking the world), she now spread her energy across her business, her family (she is a very proud grandmother), her menagerie of animals, her equestrian pursuits and her role as vocalist and lyric writer in the Brisbane based band Calcite. Proving you are ‘never too old’, Joan’s latest adventure is to take up dressage at the tender age of 60, after all, ‘it’s only too late if you don’t start now’.

Lee Crockford is passionate about instigating social change through innovation, the arts and education. He is both the CEO of Spur Projects, an NFP working in the area of men’s mental health and suicide prevention, as well as Lead Assembler with Assemblus, an NFP working to amplify sustainable, social impact within organisations.

Lee is also the founder and co-founder of a number of side projects including Future Postbox, Best Day / Worst Day and Oldmate

An experienced facilitator and speaker, Lee has presented and mentored in numerous countries on social change, mental health, entrepreneurship, innovation, education and arts. Lee was also (once) a cohost on channel Ten’s “The Project”.

Nick is the only person in the Asia-Pacific region to have worked at both Facebook and Twitter, and the only person in the world to have worked in marketing at both brands. Nick is also a successful (and unsuccessful) entrepreneur, a thought-leader in social media, and works extensively in the startup ecosystem in Australia and internationally as both an advisor and investor, and sought-after keynote speaker.

In Nicks own words “I am STOKED to be involved with such an amazing organisation of selfless, kind and productive people within The Carers Foundation”.

Steve Parish is an emotionally-sensitive, inspirational and widely-acclaimed photographer of Australia’s unique wildlife, flora, landscapes and places. Steve is one of Australia’s most iconic nature photographers with a span over 50 years and as a photographic artist, he feels deeply about, and has a great passion for, Australia’s nature.

Since it is recorded that Carers have significant mental health issues such as depression, loneliness, anxiety and extreme stress, connecting them to nature occurs naturally at Cedar Creek.

Steve will be an excellent advocate of the Carers Foundation to promote mental health wellness by connecting carers to nature.

Marylin, affectionately known as Maz, has 17 years of global business success, leading other women to success.

Currently Maz is the founding Director of the Institute of Women International and Creator of the only fully female mind breakthrough/healing process called Creatrix®. Maz has given herself the massive mission of releasing suppression in women worldwide. Her unique processes are simple, organic and pain free.

Because carers carry such a toxic level of stress and anxiety due to their daily commitments, Maz’s techniques will be incorporated into our wellness programs, and her support will be invaluable for carers. We know we can rely on Maz to help us deliver these programs effectively to carers to help relieve stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.

Malcolm (Mal) has a certification in Psychology and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business. He is an experienced sales, marketing and product strategy leader having held several management positions in information technology companies with personal business exposure in India, New Zealand and Singapore. He also has extensive experience in business development gained from start-ups through to multinational organisations and currently resides in QLD with his wife and two children.

Having had a rough start to life as a child he is acutely aware of the necessity of a strong support network whilst being a carer within a challenging environment, and is therefore passionate about programs that support carers mental and physiological wellbeing so that our community can thrive in the years to come.

In addition to the direct support of the millions of carers in Australia, Malcolm firmly believes that corporate social responsibility and values frameworks need to evolve to better support carers employed within the global business environment.