THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD

Chris Mara

Chris has a long association with Aboriginal issues and development. Chris established Coles Group’s Indigenous philanthropic programs in 2001 including Coles Indigenous Food Fund, relationships with the Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA) and with Islander & Cape Indigenous Services (IBIS). Chris also shaped and continues to advise Coles on the implementation of its successful Indigenous employment program, Indigenous supply chains and Coles philanthropic partners.

 

Chris is a former Corporate Affairs Adviser to Coles Group and inaugural Chair of Coles Indigenous Food Fund until 2014.  Chris has broad private (Coles Myer & NAB) and public sector (ACCC, Defence) experience in Government and Public relations.  In 2015 Chris was appointed as the Foundation’s Executive Director.

Peter Dalton

Peter brings extensive fund raising expertise to the Foundation. He is a former Chair of Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA), a Certified Fund Raising Executive and FIA Fellow.  

 

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the fundraising profession, Peter was awarded FIA’s 2016 Arthur Venn Fundraiser of the Year.

 

He is a Director of Fundraising Futuresandrecently co-authored a book on so called ‘non profit’ organisations titled, ‘Giving Hope – The journey of the For-Purpose organization and its Quest for Success’.

 

Peter is a passionate Australian native gardener, life-long environmentalist and Al Gore trained Climate Reality Leader.

 

 

Juleigh is the Managing Director of Robins Foods and has over two decades experience in sourcing native bush foods from Aboriginal communities throughout Australia.  She has worked with a wide range of government research groups to develop native foods and the inspiration for the establishment of the Foundation. 

 

Robins continues to contribute 5 cents per product sold across its range of products sold in Coles to Coles Indigenous Food Fund as well as paying a premium price for and commitment to native bush foods supplied from Indigenous enterprises. Juleigh gives generously of her time and expertise to Aboriginal Communities and groups about native plant species and cultivation. 

Ron Newchurch

Peter is a former Managing Director and CEO of the Spotless Group during which time he was involved in a number of Indigenous Employment programs. Peter brings wide-ranging Australian and international business experience to the Foundation. Peter is Chancellor and former international board member of  the Australian Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He continues to serve on a number of the international committees of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is an Ambassador for the White Lion organisation. 

Rick Mayers

Ron Newchurch is a Narunga man from the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.  Ron and his family grow vegetables on their farm, Boookyana, for Coles and the South Australian fresh produce markets through Nunga Produce.  Ron also grows native and contemporary herbs under his Matjara brand sold through IGA supermarkets and independent retailers.

Ron has a long association with bush foods with the help of the Foundation and Coles.

Tanya Carter
Yasmin Power
Peter Wilson
Juleigh Robins

Rick began his career in the Information Management sector with Infotrieve Australia Pty Ltd servicing government agencies, education, NFP and corporate sectors; including blue chip pharmaceutical, legal and consulting firms. 

 

Rick gained an insight into the invaluable work many of them delivered to the community, prompting a transition to the NFP sector as a professional fundraiser, applying a passion for building and stewarding long-term relationships.

 

In 2009 Rick served as a member of  Victoria University's Advancement Office for five years, working across a full spectrum of fundraising channels including Major Gifts, Corporate Partnerships, Sponsorships, Workplace Giving, Trusts & Bequests.

 

Rick then joined  Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria, as Community Fundraising Manager, helping the organisation re-brand as MOVE – the voice of muscle, bone and joint health.

 

In 2016, Rick transitioned into Recruitment, in particular marketing and fundraising for community services. In 2018, Rick and Philip Mayers joined forces to create Mayers Recruitment.

Tanya is a marketing communications and fundraising specialist with expertise in branding, media relations and stakeholder management. Tanya has extensive experience with events, project management and issues management, together with strong speechwriting, copywriting and digital content marketing expertise. Tanya has held senior communications roles for large Victorian organisations, including Austin Health, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer, Research & Wellness Centre and the Royal Women's Hospital. Tanya has a recent Masters of Marketing with additional qualifications in social impact and philanthropy, from Swinburne University and The Centre for Social Impact.

© 2019 Outback Spirit Foundation

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