As a Not-for-profit organisation, Adventure Patch has a dedicated, voluntary Board of Directors who determine the strategic direction of the service.
The Board engages a Chief Executive Officer to oversee day to day management and operations of the service.
The Board’s goal is to help Adventure Patch to foster the development of Tasmanian children by assisting the organisation and its families to grow and be nurtured in a supporting environment that emphasises learning through play.
Meet Our Board
Charles Courtney – Chair
Hi I’m Charles originally from London and moved to Blackmans Bay from the UK with my Tasmanian wife, Jo-Maree, and two sons, Fraser and Cameron, in early 2011.
The boys began attending Ocean View Child Care Centre shortly afterwards and both loved their time there. Now they regularly attend Blackmans Bay Outside School Hours Care and the vacation programs.
My wife and I share an enjoyment of musical theatre, although I prefer to remain off-stage providing stage management support. I am also an active member of the Blackmans Bay Primary School community and member of the Parents and Friends Association
I welcome the opportunity to use my experience in business operations, administration and financial management to assist Adventure Patch to deliver quality services.
Ashleigh Furminger – Deputy Chair
I have been living in Blackmans Bay for the entirety of my life and enjoy working within my local community. In my working life, I am admitted as a lawyer and have experience in various areas of law. Currently I work for the Tasmanian Industrial Commission in the area of workplace relations. I enjoy applying my skills learnt throughout my professional career to assist in my role as Deputy Chair on the Board of Directors. Outside of work I love to spend time with my dog Jax, as well as participating in team sports and cycling
Monica Baker – Director
Hello my name is Monica I live in Blackmans Bay with my husband, son and two beautiful golden retrievers, Lottie and Louis.
I am an intensive care paramedic working at Ambulance Tasmania, currently in the role of Operations Supervisor. I have been working with ambulance for the past 27 years.
My background is in health and public sector management, and I am looking forward to contributing to the community through the Adventure Patch Board.
My son, Will has been attending Adventure Patch since he was 18 months old and is still attending outside hours care and vacation care programs. Through these experiences I have been totally impressed by the energy, thought and care Adventure Patch invests in the children in their care, ensuring that every child is embraced and encouraged.
Edward Burrows-Cheng – Company Secretary
Hello, my name is Edward and I live in Kingston with my fiancé, daughter and two fur babies, Millie and Hunter.
I attended University on the Gold Coast before moving back home to Tasmania to start my career in law. I practice in the area of commercial litigation in a Hobart law firm.
My fiancé and I were blessed to welcome our beautiful daughter into the world in October 2021 and are excited to join the Adventure Patch family.
I look forward to applying my skills that I have gained from my previous involvement serving on associations and boards.
Shannon Epp – Director
Originally from Canada, I have been living in Australia for the last 21 years, only recently having moved to Tasmania 4 years ago. I was introduced to Adventure Patch Family Care when a new carer arrived in Huonville and advertised on the Huon Valley Community site – at which point we switched our son from Long Daycare to Family care and have been very happy with it!
I am a Business Analyst and have been working the majority of the last 6 years in Not for Profit organisations helping implement new IT systems. I love helping make organisations processes and systems better and am passionate about helping Not for Profits feel empowered by their technology.
I have been on a couple Not for Profit boards in the last few years, having taken a break for the past two years since my son was born. I love being able to volunteer my time and skills to organisations that I feel aligned with!
Liana Koster – Director
Hello, my name is Liana and I live in Blackmans Bay with my teenage daughter, husband and a cat who believes that she is the head of the household. I am originally from Russia and have lived in Tasmania, in Kingborough and Huon regions since 2000.
Along with the Certificate in Governance, I hold undergraduate qualifications in Economics, postgraduate qualifications in Professional Accounting, HR Management and Arts. I am a member with CPA Australia, Australian HR Institute, and Governance Institute of Australia. I have extensive experience in accounting and HR including 14 years in senior positions. I have worked in education, local government, non-profit organisations, professional practice management, tax compliance and audit.
I am looking forward to volunteering my skills and experience to benefit the community I live in, as part of the Adventure Patch board of directors. It takes a village to raise the children.
Jennifer O’Farrell – Director
I have spent most of my career practising law in Melbourne, in the area of commercial litigation. Prior to this, I was a judge’s associate in the Federal Court of Australia. When my husband and I had our second child, we decided that it was time to move home to Tasmania. We moved to Kingston Beach and (having grown up on the Eastern Shore), I am a Channel convert. I am now a lawyer at a Hobart law firm, in commercial litigation.
My two young boys attend Adventure Patch’s Mountain View service. They both love the ‘hands on’ programs at the service and my eldest son especially loves going on the Adventure Patch bus to bush camp.
I have a wide range of experience, including board advisory and regulatory work. I look forward to supporting Adventure Patch both as a parent and board member.
Sarah Woolley – Director
I am life-long resident of the Kingborough area, now raising my own family in our favourite part of the world – Kingston Beach.
In 2011, I Co-Founded the Raine & Horne Kingborough Rentals Real Estate Agency and was a Director/Partner until I stepped down from the role when I had my first son in 2017. I am still working with in the Agency however, I now focus on New Business & Marketing.
As a busy mum to two beautiful little boys, working full time – it is of utmost importance to my husband and I that our children receive loving, nurturing and educational care whilst we are working, and not able to be with them ourselves. We have been part of the Adventure Patch (Mountain View) family for over 4 years and have cherished our time here. I have watched my sons thrive in the beautiful, enriching environment created by Adventure Patch, and feel honoured to be part of this wonderful organisation moving forward.
In my free time, I enjoy keeping fit and healthy; taking our dog to the beach; traveling/exploring, and going on adventures with our family.
Looking to join the Board?
Adventure Patch is a community based not for profit organisation with a long and proud history of providing children’s services in the community. The Board plays a significant role in monitoring and guiding the strategic growth of the organisation in the community we serve.
Serving on the Board as an effective director requires:
- Your time – to prepare for, attend meetings and undertake relevant actions.
- Active engagement in Board discussions and debates, including occasional electronic communication between meetings.
- Be prepared to represent Adventure Patch.
- Have an understanding of the services that Adventure Patch provides.
- Be willing to develop skills in being an effective director.
Meeting frequency:
- Monthly meetings for approximately two hours.
- Annual Strategic plan review for approximately half a day, usually in conjunction with facilitated Board retreat.
As well as possessing attributes to be an effective director, we are particularly seeking potential directors with skills in the areas of accounting, finance and/or business development.
A director position enables Board members to enjoy further professional growth by having access to professional development opportunities. You will participate in an induction program and have access to training for new directors.
If you feel that you have the desire, and qualities to serve on the Board, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible using the nomination form. Nomination Form