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
Laura
State Manager (VIC)
Tasha
State Manager (VIC) (on Mat Leave)
Veronica
State Manager (QLD)
Mary
State Manager (NSW)
Erin
Executive Assistant
Olivia
Volunteer Coordinator
Jess
Operations Manager
Brooke
Operations Assistant
Natalie
National Branding and Communications Manager
Hannah
Dreamers Hub Coordinator
Miranda
Program Manager (VIC)
Gee
National Program Coordinator
Alma
National Program Coordinator
Yuval
National Program Coordinator
Kyle
State Program Coordinator (VIC)
Amber
Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (VIC)
Mel
Intake & Support Coordinator (VIC)
Amanda
Family Support Worker (VIC)
Monika
Family Support Worker (Geelong)
Lindsay
Program Manager (QLD)
Benita
Community Engagement Coordinator (QLD)
Alycia
State Program Coordinator (QLD)
Dee
Regional Program Coordinator (QLD)
Richard
Senior Intake and Support Coordinator (QLD)
Kathryn
Intake & Support Coordinator (QLD)
Beck
Family Support Worker (QLD)
Jazzlyn
Community Engagement Coordinator (NSW)
Rachel
Program Coordinator (NSW)
Katie
State Program Coordinator (NSW) (on Mat Leave)
Tahnee
Intake and Support Coordinator (NSW)
Janine
Intake and Support Coordinator (NSW)
Fang
Family Support Worker (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
Zoe Nasr
People and Culture Director at Remedy Drinks
Darren Lomman
State Manager at Hireup
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."
Meet Tasmyn 👋
Tasmyn is 7 and cares for her sister, who has a rare genetic condition.
Tasmyn's Dream Experience was an overnight stay at Crowne Plaza Melbourne with her mum 🌃✨
"Taz had the most amazing time - 24 hours of quality one on one time with her mumma!!"
Look at that smile! 🥰
#DreamExperience #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Meet Teddy 👋
Teddy is 7 and cares for his older sister Lucy, who experienced an acute ischemic stroke, from which she sustained an Acquired Brain Injury.
To recognise him for all the amazing care and support he provides to his sister, we organised a Dream Experience for Teddy at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - to try out being a Zoo Keeper for the day! 🐨
“Our heartfelt thanks to Little Dreamers and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for organising Teddy’s Dream Experience. He had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of it.
He has a great love of learning and knows a number of facts about Australian animals, so Lone Pine’s Keeper for the Day was a very special time for him!
He has regaled us with many stories of the things he learnt and fun activities he did and took HEAPS of photos (most of them blurry!) for his sister Lucy, so she didn’t feel left out.
At the end of the day, when I picked up Teddy, one of the Keepers told me that Teddy is welcome back anytime and that they hope to see him back at future school holidays. I was touched by this comment as he made such an impression on their team!" ❤️
#DreamExperience #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
2023 Midsumma Pride March 🌈✨
We were so proud to represent Little Dreamers at yesterday’s Pride March, alongside some pretty special people and organisations!
What an incredible day full of love, colour and pride☀️💜
#Pride #PrideMarch #Midsumma #HappyPride
Meet Jemima 👋
She's 11 years old, and cares for her brother who has Autism and an intellectual disability.
Jemima went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat for her Dream Experience, and even got to go backstage and meet the actors! 🌈✨
"It was so great, she absolutely loved it. Thank you so much. It’s most definitely fuelled her passion for the stage even more. We went around to the stage door after the show and had pictures taken with Euan who plays Joseph and she also met Shane Crawford! We had a lovely night and great seats!"
#DreamExperience #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Calling Young Carers aged 18-25 📣
Level UP is a youth-led, dynamic and flexible program that gives Young Adult Carers the opportunity to focus on themselves and their future goals.
Join us for monthly workshops, socials, and an online learning hub that means you can interact on your time, meaning what you put is what you’ll get out!
👉 formstack.io/AF791
#LevelUP #YoungCarers #LittleDreamers
Our Founder and CEO, Maddy, is joining team Little Dreamers to trek the Larapinta Trail for Young Carers this May 🥾✨
Will you join us?
Register 👉 bit.ly/littledreamers-larapinta
Donate 👉 bit.ly/larapinta-maddy
…
Repost @madeleinebuchner
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone in 2023 and raising money for @littledreamersaustralia and Young Carers in the progress 💪🏻🕺
• 5km fun run in March
• Active Escapes retreat in April
• 60km Trek through the Larapinta in NT in May
I’m excited, I’m terrified and I’m ready to get into the best shape of my life - physically and most importantly, mentally.
I am aiming to raise $10,000 to ensure that every Young Carer has access to equitable support to improve their quality of life. If you’re able to donate I have included a link in my bio 💁♀️
We still have a couple of spots left on the Larapinta Trek if you’re interested in getting on board, trekking across the Australian Outback over 5 days whilst raising money and awareness for @littledreamersaustralia and Young Carers ✨