Board Members 2011-12

Shona Pearson M. ED. (Ad.Ed) - Chairman

Shona has more than twenty five years' experience as a community volunteer, serving on several not-for-profit and community organizational management committees. Her association with Breakaway was for many years through her support of her late husband Cec, a retired Board member and past chairman of Breakaway. Since 2004 Shona has enjoyed a more direct association with Breakaway, originally as Honorary Secretary, then a Director and now as Chairman. Shona has worked for almost 10 years as a part-time TAFE Outreach facilitator, providing training for mature-aged volunteers wishing to participate in the Plan-it Youth mentoring programs conducted in many high schools on the Central Coast. Shona lives in Hamlyn Terrace and is a proud and captivated grandma of Rebecca, Sabrina and Jessica.

Owen Fletcher - Vice Chairman

Owen is a long-serving member of Wyong Rotary, retired businessman and a Volunteer at Breakaway. Owen's background is predominantly in the building trade and he has just completed building a new house for his son. Owen was instrumental in rejuvenating the Sensory Trail and even persuaded fellow Rotarians to give up several Sundays to lend a hand and keep costs down. Owen in a voluntary capacity also carried out all the renovations to the old camp office.

Gerard Andrews B Bus, CA - Treasurer

Gerard joined the Camp Breakaway Board in August 2006. He is a Chartered Accountant and Partner at Herbert Partners, a local Accountancy firm based at Tuggerah. He lives at Kanwal with his wife Kirsten and three children. Gerard's interests include guitar, astronomy and baseball. Gerard has been advising small and medium-size businesses for over 15 years in areas such as business and financial management, taxation, accounting, corporate compliance and superannuation.

Lorelle Thompson - Secretary

A retired educator who has spent nearly 40 years as both a classroom teacher and an executive, Lorelle is experienced in the TAFE system and is an adult literacy and numeracy tutor. On the side Lorelle dabbled in writing for education publishers and was part of a writing party for the NSW English Syllabus. As much as Lorelle loved her job she was happy to retire and become Nana to 4 lovely grandchildren. Lorelle feels privileged to be closely involved with her kids and grandkids. In her spare time Lorelle supports Bruce in his role at Rotary and really enjoys reading and working on digital projects using Photoshop. Lorelle and Bruce like to travel and are always planning the next destination.

Wayne Gates - Director

Joined Breakaway in 2002. He is the Marketing & Development Manager for the LA Group. His interests include church, gardening and camping. Wayne lives at Mardi with his wife Sonia and 2 children. Wayne has been involved in managing businesses for over 20 years with diverse experience as a Group CEO, Sales and Marketing Manager. He is a committed Christian who believes that businesses and the community should work together to support those in need. Qualifications and awards include MBA , Diploma in Market and Structural Engineering. He has received a Ralph Basden College Medal and 3rd place Cumberland Achievement Award.

Lesley Mayo - Director

Lesley became a member and active volunteer of Breakaway in June, 2006. Her working life spanned forty-five years, the majority of which was within the legal profession in an administrative and managerial capacity, and for fourteen years immediately prior to her retirement, she and her husband, Graham, owned and operated a domestic cleaning business in Sydney. As well as devoting as much time as possible to her family, Lesley's interests include gardening, reading, writing and history. Her current volunteer work also embraces the Plan-it-Youth program which entails mentoring local high school students in years 10 and 11. Lesley has accepted the role of editor of the Volunteers Voice for another year. She also intends to remain an active member of the Auxiliary and hopes that, as a Board member, her availability, her hands-on approach and commitment will have a positive impact on the organization.

Darrol Harmer B Econ. CA – Director

Darrol joined the Board in October 2011. For over 30 years, until January 2011, Darrol conducted business as a Chartered Accountant, Company Auditor and Financial Planner based in Umina Beach. Known on the Woy Woy Peninsula for his activities as past member of Woy Woy Apex and his support to various community bodies. Now living in Tumbi Umbi with his wife Sandy (nee Hendriks, past Breakaway Chairman) who introduced Darrol to Camp Breakaway some 15 years ago and got him involved as a volunteer. Darrol is known for his camp "sleep-overs". His interests include cycling, gardening and active involvement with the grandchildren.

Michelle Price OAM RN, BN (Bachelor of Nursing), Post Graduate Cert. in Community Assessment, MRCNA - Director

Michelle is the CEO and Director of AllCare Nursing Services Pty Ltd, and continues to train and educate/facilitate for ET Australia and University. Michelle has been involved with Breakaway since our first camp 30 years ago, and remains dedicated and passionate about caring for our campers. She became a Board member in 1992 and is a Life Governor. Her clinical expertise encompasses all aspects of disabilities and has assisted with charitable projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Australian Aboriginal community. Michelle lives on the Central Coast with her husband Roger, has three children and eight grandchildren. Michelle has been awarded a "Paul Harris Fellow", the highest award by the Rotary International for her contribution to humanity and the Order of Australia OAM for her commitment and dedication to nursing and people with disabilities.

Leonie Ford - Director

Leonie is a triple certificate RN, currently working in Cardio-Respiratory at Wyong Hospital and is the mother of four. Leonie has been attending camps at Breakaway since 1997 and is currently the coordinator of the siblings program for the High Medical Needs Camps and SMS Camps. She was also a joint coordinator for a Siblings Camp in 2010. Leonie is also a keen member of the Scouting movement and is a wood badge Group Leader and current Cub Scout Leader. Leonie was awarded the Silver Arrowhead for excellent service to the Scouting movement in 2006.

Ron Thomsen - Director

Ron retired from corporate life in 2003, to be primary carer for his aged parents. He supplemented this role by undertaking volunteer activities with various Community Organisations. Ron is currently a Director on 6 Boards of Not for Profit Charitable Organisations on the Central Coast. He is a retired Corporate Financier with an extensive banking career, spanning 40 years and has held Senior Executive positions with Westpac Banking Corporation (1963-1993) and Banque Nationale de Paris (1994-2000). In that time he obtained wide ranging experience in project/structured finance and in providing Corporate Advice.