Chief Executive Officer since 2018, Mike brings a wealth of not-for-profit experience to Courage to Care. From leadership roles at Make a Wish Foundation, Alannah and Madeline Foundation and Guide Dogs Victoria, he has also had an extensive corporate career. Mike is passionate about the real difference Courage to Care is making. He leads a small, enthusiastic team who can only achieve all that they do with the outstanding support of a larger group of dedicated volunteers. Mike and his wife Ros are keen long-distance runners and Mike has recently completed his 15th Melbourne Marathon.
ceo@couragetocare.org.au
Zoi joined us in 2011 and is adept in contributing to a range of activities across the organisation, drawing on skills from her design, writing and communications experience. Zoi manages the growth and delivery of all our Upstander Programs and is responsible for the development of educational resources and the volunteer training program. Zoi is a keen hiker, particularly in wilderness areas, and an avid reader. With Kindle in hand, she combines her hobbies by reading while walking, but has been known to have creative spurts where she produces textile arts.
program.manager@couragetocare.org.au
Lisa Lewis | Volunteer Relationships Coordinator
Lisa’s role is integral in cultivating relationships with our volunteers. She handles communications, negotiates rosters and consistently supports our volunteers. Lisa can often be found behind the camera, and together with her husband and two daughters, she loves to explore different foods and cultures through local and overseas travel.
volunteer.coordinator@couragetocare.org.au
Karen Lutchner | Schools Program Coordinator
Karen is responsible for all direct communications with schools – overseeing bookings, logistical details and program resources. Karen’s attention to detail is vital to ensuring the programs are delivered smoothly. Karen loves to bake and decorate cakes and all kinds of sweet treats. She derives much joy from creating beautiful, delicious desserts and special occasion cakes and sharing them with family and friends.
karenl@couragetocare.org.au
Sarah Jones | Roster and Program Support
Sarah looks after rostering for all school programs, as well as booking transportation and accommodation for program delivery teams, and also supports volunteers through compliance requirements
support@couragetocare.org.au
Our extended team includes more than 150 volunteers all under the oversight of our Committee of Management (COM).
It is only with the unwavering commitment of our multi-talented and dedicated team that we can transform bystanders into Upstanders across Victoria and work towards a truly cohesive society.
We are proud to have the following Patrons and Ambassador representing us. Each of them in their unique way support the work and key messages of Courage to Care.
Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE was born in Austria with Jewish ancestry and immigrated to Australia with his family in 1939. After studying medicine at the University of Sydney, his influential research helped lay the foundations of modern immunology. A tireless campaigner for scientific research, Sir Gustav was President of the Australian Academy of Science and a long-term adviser to the World Health Organisation and Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council for the Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine Program. He was Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1997 to 2000.
Uncle Alf Turner or Uncle Boydie to most – is a true gentleman and believed to be the oldest living Yorta Yorta Elder in Victoria. In addition to making his own substantial contribution to his community, he is custodian of the legacy of his grandfather, the Aboriginal leader William Cooper, an activist whose compassion extended beyond the suffering of his own people. In 1938, William Cooper lodged a personal protest against the treatment of European Jews in Nazi Germany, walking from his home in Footscray to the German consulate. It was one of the first protests in the world against the actions of the Nazis.
Alpha Cheng is a true humanitarian. After suffering the profound loss of his father at the hands of an extremist, Alpha Cheng has turned his tragedy into a call for Australians to unite rather than be divided by hate.
We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 150,000 students across Victoria.
Our 30/30 vision is to reach an additional 30,000 students by the end of our 30th anniversary year. Help us achieve this.
“Real life education activity which helps engage students in understanding the Holocaust and the “Upstanding” message. A great experience, especially for our rural students who cannot travel to Melbourne.”
“As a child of Holocaust survivors I feel strongly that through educating children about the consequences of discrimination we will be able to create a better and more embracing community.”
“It’s eye-opening and teaches us much more than history and the Holocaust. It inspires you to be an individual and stand up for your beliefs. It made me realise that I can make a difference.”
“It engaged the student with real details, then took it further to make it matter. Excellent presenters, great materials, effective program. “
“Volunteering for Courage to Care is a worthy use of my time as it contributes to a better society.”
“Enjoyed the session. Got a lot out of it. It wasn’t what I expected.”
“Thank you so much for telling your story. You’ve made me realise that there is a light at the end of the tunnel as I have been going through a hard time.”
“The program links the past with current day perfectly. The students clearly made connections with Upstanders in WWII to current students/Upstanders and saw that they have the ability to be an Upstander.”
“The biggest reward is when I see students understanding the message to to be Upstanders.”
“It’s eye-opening and teaches us much more than history and the Holocaust. It inspires you to be an individual and stand up for your beliefs. It made me realise that I can make a difference.”
“Very powerful, informative & brilliant in structure & organisation of content, and clearly got across the message of being an Upstander. Having the Holocaust Survivors share their stories made the session even more powerful in its message.”