About Us
What We Do
As Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, we work with young people who provide unpaid care for a family member with a disability, illness or addiction across a range of direct support programs.
Over the past 11 years, 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. From cities to rural farms, we work in every corner of Australia, ensuring Young Carers are never left out, forgotten or lonely.
We’re working to improve the quality of life of Young Carers right across the country, with an ultimate vision to ensure that every single Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by 2030.
Our Team
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Kat
General Manager
Tasha
State Manager (VIC) (currently on maternity leave)
Carla
State Manager (NSW)
Tu
State Manager (QLD)
Nat C
National Head of Programs
Emma
National Marketing and Events Manager
Cath
Virtual CFO
Amanda Shilkin
Virtual People Manager
Laura
Education Program Manager (VIC)
Cassie
Impact Measurement and Research Analyst
Nat M
Graphic Designer
Adam
Operations Coordinator
Taylar
Events and Fundraising Coordinator
Steph
Volunteer Coordinator
Miranda
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Amber
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Gee
Regional Family Support Worker (VIC)
Yuval
Big Dreamers Coordinator
Mary
Family Support Worker (NSW)
Katie
Program Coordinator (NSW)
Jennie
Education Program Manager (QLD)
Dee
Program Coordinator (QLD)
Daisy
Chief Barketing Officer
Our Board
Michael Thurin
Board Chair |
Management Consultant | A.T. Kearney
Trevor Givoni
Clinical Psychologist | Department of Education and Training
Dana Rochwerger
Digital Acquisition Manager | Bared Footwear
Sally McLeod
Group Financial Controller | Forever New Clothing Pty Ltd
Zoe Nasr
People and Culture Director at Remedy Drinks
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."
Our Ambassadors
Dena Kaplan
Ariel Kaplan
Gemma-Ashley Kaplan
Alicia Banit
Michael Short
Our Partners
Donors
Meet Mawada ⭐️
Mawada joins Little Dreamers as our newest placement student! 🙌
Mawada is humble, positive, and motivated, and her hobbies include art and reading 📖
Her ultimate Dream Experience is to travel in hot air balloon, go Bungee jumping, or have dinner with Nelson Mandela.
To Mawada, "Little Dreamers is a bridge that connects young people and helps them on their journeys." ❤️
#LDDreamBig #MeettheTeam
Just a few of our fave happy snaps 📸 from Tuesday’s Holiday Program in Vic! ☀️
We cooked up a storm in the kitchen that gave @masterchefau a run for its money 👩🍳 then got creative with science experiments by @fizzkidzz 🧬
What a day! 🙌 #LDDreamBig
Our very first Big Dreamers retreat in NSW kicked off yesterday! 🏄☀️
We can’t wait to continue learning and bonding with this incredible crew of Young Carers over the coming days and months 🙌 as well as our superstar Team Leaders joining us on the journey! ⚡️
#LDDreamBig #BigDreamers
🍔We have some exciting news! We're on the Local Matters Jar at Grill'd
South Yarra. 🎉
🍔Each month, in every Grill'd restaurant, the jars promote three community groups to support.
🍔With every burger ordered, a Local Matters token is handed over to drop into the jar of ones choice.
🍔At the end of the month $500 is split between the groups ($300 for 1st, $100 for 2nd and 3rd), with a total of $70,000 given back to the community every month! ✨
How can you help?
1️⃣ Head over to Grill'd South Yarra
2️⃣ Eat one of their delicious burgers (or salads)
3️⃣ Pop your token in the Little Dreamers jar! 🌈
🍔 To find out more about Local Matters visit: www.grilld.com.au/about/localmatters
#LDDreamBig #Grill’d #SouthYarra #ChapelSt #Burgers #Grilld
🎉 It's trivia time!! 🎉
We're posting a new trivia question every Monday morning on our IG and FB in the lead up to our in-person trivia night on 15 May!
Here’s how to play along:
⭐️Like the post and comment with the answer (on either platform)
⭐️Tag your friends for bonus points!
The winner will be the individual with the most correct answers (and bonus points) at the end of the competition, which will be announced on 10 May.
What will the winner take home? 🤷♀️ An epic prize pack from @bounceinc containing 10 free passes for you and your friends! 🙌 (swipe across to see)
Check out our trivia night at bit.ly/LDtrivia21
#LDDreamBig #TriviaNight
There's less than one week until our Diversity and Inclusion event in Sydney! 🎉
We are so excited to be joined by the amazing @marlee.silva, @karn.ghosh, Emily Scott, @nathanj_parker and Shukufa Tahiri for this event.
Find out more at 👉 bit.ly/diversityinclusion-syd
