ABOUT US

Position: 

Chairperson

Qualifications: 

Diploma of Management, Diploma of Business, Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Cert IV in Small Business Management, Cert IV in Frontline Management, Remote Pilot License

Experience: 

Since 2010, Clayton has been associated with Registered Training Organisations in capacities such as an Educator at TAFE, Sales and Management roles . Prior to this Clayton was a part owner of the family business and has held various sales & management roles in varying industries across Australia.

Position: 

Treasurer

Qualifications: 

Bachelor of Ministry

Experience:

Will is the Pastor of Toowoomba City Church and Board Chair of Toowoomba Christian College and has had the privilege of being a volunteer in different capacities since Hope For our Children began. He has been involved in Governance of a variety of Not For Profit organisations and companies since 2003 and is currently serving on five diverse Boards. 

Will is excited by the opportunity to develop and grow Hope For our Children as they seek to provide a better future for our children and he is committed to ensure the continuation of the Vision and Mission of the organisation

Personal Interests:

Will is blessed with a beautiful wife and five Children, Loves Cricket is torn between supporting Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers and his idea of a great holiday is reading a good novel at the beach.

Position: 

Director 

Qualifications: 

Bachelor of Social Work 

Experience: 

Phoebe has a strong passion in the field of child protection. Since 2013, Phoebe has worked for Queensland Government in Child Safety. Phoebe has worked in a number of roles including Child Safety Support Officer, Child Safety Officer, Child Safety Officer - Health Liaison, Senior Child Safety Officer and Senior Team Leader. 

Personal Interests: 

Phoebe loves travelling, cooking, cycling, and weekends at home with family and friends. 

Position: 

Director (Dog-Program Co-Ordinator)

Qualifications: 

Bachelor of Criminology (Hons I), PhD (Criminology), Cert III in Dog Training and Behaviour

Experience: 

Since 2014, Lauren has been actively engaged in utilizing dogs to provide support for individuals within the criminal justice system. Her doctoral research delved into the effectiveness of support dogs in prison environments, leading to subsequent publications in this field. In 2020, Lauren secured her position at the University of Southern Queensland teaching criminology. 

Personal Interests:  

In her free time, Lauren finds solace in exercise and tending to her home, alongside her beloved dog Presley and two beloved feline companions, Milo and Otis. 

Position: 

Administrator

Qualifications: 

Diploma Child Care, Cert IV Teacher Aide Studies, First Aid

Experience: 

Selena began working in Administration in 2006, and joined the Hope for Our Children team at the start of 2020

Personal Interests: 

Selena enjoys board games, chocolate and spending time with her family (not necessarily in that order)

Rachael Carter is a dedicated professional with a diverse background and a passion for community engagement. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing and a Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business, she has complemented her academic pursuits with courses like the Social Enterprise Leadership Program and Social Impact Evaluation Principles and Practices.

With nearly two decades in the not-for-profit sector, Rachael has served as the Queensland Growth and Strategy Leader for MOPS Australia. As a registered nurse, she has worked in various capacities, from St Vincent's Hospital's emergency department to pioneering the role of Multicultural Health Nurse in the Darling Downs region.

Her impactful journey includes establishing the operations of You Belong Australia, where she served as Managing Director, successfully obtaining a $670,000 grant for the CALD Women Learner Driver Program. Rachael is currently the Managing Director of Hope For Our Children, steering the charity towards expansion and program development.

In 2022, she initiated the social enterprise Mosaic Hues, aiming to provide employment pathways for CALD individuals through ethically sourced gifts. Born and raised in Toowoomba, Rachael's love for her community is evident in her hands-on approach to crafting belonging and support.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rachael is a wife, mother, and grandmother, enjoying crafting, travel, and fostering a sense of belonging in her community. Her values of lifelong learning, kindness, and creativity drive her commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Position: 

Accounts Manager

Qualifications: 

CPA, Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)

Experience: 

Since 2008 Lis has been volunteering her time and working for not-for-profit organisations.  Using her skills as an Accountant, she continues to help several different typs of NFPs with their finances, reporting and audit requirements.

Personal Interests: 

Lis treasures time with her family which husband Mark, young adult children Amy & Tim and pups Roxy & Odessa.  She feels blessed to be a Hope for OUR Children guardian and handler for Odessa, a community therapy dog and finds the volunteer work with Odessa very rewarding.  Other loves are a good coffee and chat with friends, new & old; curled up in a hammock with a great book; crocheting; walking; being in nature.