About Us
What We Do
Hello! We're Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use or frail age. Since our launch in 2009, we've become a game changing force in the Young Carer space, developing internationally recognised best practice programs and changing the lives of thousands of Young Carers around Australia.
Across a range of direct support programs, both in-person and online, we're working to improve the quality of life of Young Carers across five key areas of risk: education, employment, mental and physical health, social wellbeing and financial literacy. It's our vision to create a world in which every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.
Our Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Brett
Operations Director
Emma
National Marketing and Communications Manager
Nick
Partnerships and Fundraising Manager
Veronica
Head of Program Design
Laura
State Manager (VIC)
Tasha
Family Support Work Manager
Mary
State Manager (NSW)
Lindsay
State Manager (QLD)
Erin
Executive Assistant
Olivia
Volunteer Coordinator
Jess
Operations Manager
Natalie
National Branding and Communications Manager
Amber
Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (VIC)
Mel
Intake & Support Coordinator (VIC)
Amanda
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Monika
Family Support Worker (Geelong)
Richard
Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (QLD)
Kathryn
Intake & Support Coordinator (QLD)
Beck
Family Support Worker (QLD)
Tahnee
Intake and Support Coordinator (NSW)
Fang
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Alycia
Teens and Young Adults Portfolio Lead
Brooke
Respite Portfolio Lead
Rachel
Education and Employment Portfolio Lead
Kyle
Lived Experience Lead
Amy L
Facilitator Lead
Benita
Community Engagement Coordinator (QLD)
Dee
Regional Program Coordinator (QLD)
Janine
Community Engagement Coordinator (NSW)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Our Board
Tom Levi GAICD: Chair
Principal at Nous Group
Michael Gilbert: Treasurer
Senior Finance Business Partner at Australia Post
Dana Rochwerger
Co-Founder at Not a Pony, Head of Digital and Funday Sweets
Rosie Thomas OAM
Co-Founder of PROJECT ROCKIT
Darren Lomman
Business Owner
Our Ambassadors
Elise Pulbrook
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group
Bonnie
Chris
Daniel
Lulu
Nicole
Numa
Philippa
Stephanie
Seb
Our Advocates
"Young Carers are some of the most resourceful and resilient people around. Heavy responsibilities rest on their shoulders and they face and overcome challenges, often daily, that most adults would struggle to solve. We should champion all children and young people in caring roles, recognise their talent and support them to have the choices and freedom that the rest of us take for granted."
"There is an emerging consensus that around 10% of children and young people are Young Carers. They are involved in various caring roles for an ill or disabled relative/parent in their family, such as showering them, helping them to the toilet, keeping an eye on them, etc. These children represent a hidden army of young people who are also family carers. They will be on your street, in your community, in your schools . . . . can you see them yet?"
"If you’re a young adult caregiver, I implore you to share your story. Make yourself known. This may mean opening up to a friend, forming an online peer support group, or meeting with your state representative. Whatever you do, however seemingly big or small, is incredibly important in ensuring that the world knows that you serve an invaluable role as a young adult caregiver. Your acts of sacrifice are courageous and inspiring, particularly in a society that increasingly argues that today’s millennials are selfish and narcissistic. You are irreplaceable. You matter."
Larapinta Trek Day 5 🌅
On our third day of Trekking, we rose well before the sun to climb to the summit of Mount Sonder and watch the spectacular sunrise 😍
The mountain is known traditionally as Rwetyepme – in local Arrernte culture she’s portrayed as a pregnant woman forever doomed to lay on her back and watch the sky.
It’s an experience we’ll definitely never forget, so challenging but so worth the end result!
Support the Trek 👉 littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au
#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
Larapinta Day 4 / Trek Day 2! 💪
On Monday, the second day of our Trek, we weaved our way from the Finke River to Ormiston Gorge through rolling limestone hills filled with unique plant life 🌿
The Finke is one of the oldest river systems in the world, and the local Arrernte name for this waterway gives the whole trail its name – Lhere Pinte (Larapinta), which means ‘salty river’.
Check out the beautiful scenery in our Day 4 recap above 🏜
Support the Trek 👉 littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au
#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
Larapinta Day 3: Our first day of hiking 🙌
We’re finally back with reception and able to share everything we got up to on our four day trek across the Larapinta Trail! 🥾
On Sunday, we began our adventure walking 10km from Geoff Moss Bridge to Wallaby Gap.
We took in the beautiful land of the Arrente people, vast stretches of caterpillar rock formations, Australian flora and fauna, and vibrant red dirt.
We then settled into our campsite for the next three nights days, amongst the luminescent red rocks of Glen Helen Gorge 😍
What a week it was, and we can’t wait to show you more!
Support the Trek 👉 littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au
#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
Day 2 of our Larapinta Adventure! ✈️🏜
Yesterday we had a day free to explore Alice Springs before the hike begins! We were blown away by the history of this town and the beautiful landscapes AND, it’s just the beginning of learning about the many special things Central Australia has to offer 🤩
In the evening, we had a team briefing, before team dinner and an early night 😴
Support the Trek 👉 littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au
#Larapinta #Larapinta2023 #LittleDreamets #YoungCarers
Day 1 of our Larapinta adventure! ☀️🥾
Yesterday, we touched down in Alice Springs ahead of our 4 day hike of the Larapinta Trail. It was a beautiful sunny day for us to explore and get to know our new surroundings!
We kick off our hike on Sunday, and we’ll be keeping you updated each day with regular posts right here!
👉 Find out more and donate to our Trek: littledreamers-larapinta-2023.inadv.com.au
#Latapinta #Latapinta2023 #LittleDreamers #YoungCarers
Don`t forget to mark your calendars and book for our Young Carers Festival QLD! 🎉🎪 There`s only two weeks to go!
Bring along your friends and family, explore the epic indoor playground at Area 51, get to know more Young Carers, meet and connect with a range of awesome community organisations, and enjoy loads of entertainment and food at this private event!
🗓️ Friday 2 June, 6pm-9pm
📍 Area 51 Brisbane
🎟 Young Carers attend free!
Book now: bit.ly/youngcarersfestival2023-qld