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.
Karen Banks – Deputy Chair
Hello, my name is Karen and I live in Blackmans Bay with my husband, daughter and two golden retrievers.
I currently work part time within the insurance industry, after being employed full time for over 24 years within childcare.
My life-changing moment came with the birth of my daughter after 12 years of IVF treatment.
My daughter, Jacey now attends Outside School Hours Care . I have been involved with many organisations, including being a volunteer with the Special Olympics Australia / Tasmania for 17 years and love helping to make a difference.
Ashleigh Furminger – Company Secretary
I have been living in Kingborough for the entirety of my life and enjoy working within my local community. In my working life, I am a lawyer at Worrall Moss Martin Lawyers where I specialise in estate planning, having previously worked in the area of Industrial Relations. I enjoy applying my skills learnt throughout my professional career to assist the Board of Directors at Adventure Patch. Outside of work I love to spend time with my dog Jax, as well as participating in netball and boxing.
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!
Calum Frame – Director
I grew up, and have spent the majority of my life, in Blackmans Bay. When my partner and I discovered that we were having our first child in late 2019, we promptly moved back to the area to spend the first year of our son’s life in a place that was familiar and family-oriented.
I hold a Bachelor of Business degree and am a member of Chartered Accounts Australia and New Zealand. After a number of years in finance, working in professional services firms and for-profit organisations, I began working as a Finance Manager for a not-for-profit company in early 2020, which has been equal parts stimulating as well as incredibly fulfilling.
To Adventure Patch, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of finance, accounting and management. I also bring the cautious perspective of a new father, trying to find my feet and ensure that my son is safe and cared for within the wider Hobart community. With that, I’m in the same boat as so many of the parents and carers that access services through Adventure Patch.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, running and spending time with my partner and son.
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.