BOARD MEMBERS 2009-10
Shona Pearson (Chairperson) M.ED. (Ad.Ed) Shona has more than twenty five years experience as a community volunteer, serving on several not-for-profit and community organizational management committees. At present she hold office as Public Officer for Grief Support Inc. and is a Life Member of that organization. Her association with Breakaway was for many years through her support of 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 and now as Chairperson. Shona is currently working as a part-time TAFE Outreach facilitator, providing training for mature aged volunteers wishing to participate in the Plan-it Youth mentoring programs conducted on the Central Coast. Shona lives in Hamlyn Terrace with Cec and is a proud and captivated grandma of Rebecca, Sabrina and Jessica.
Wayne Gates (Vice Chairman) 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 & Marketing Manager. He is a committed Christian who believes strongly that businesses and the community should work together to support those in need. Qualifications and awards include MBA , Diploma in Market & Structural Engineering. He has received a Ralph Basden College Medal and 3rd place Cumberland Achievement Award.
Julie Graham (Public Officer) currently works as a Senior Sales Consultant for Ray Murray Real Estate in Summerland Point. She and her husband Frank have lived on the Central Coast for the last 35 years. Julie has a long and diverse history of sales and business management in both Sydney and on the Central Coast, and has also owned two of her own businesses in the past. In addition, Julie has extensive experience in community work, fundraising for Red Cross and Central Coast Grammar School, and has seven children, three step-children and almost sixteen grandchildren. Presently Julie sits on the Board of the Rotary Club of Wyong and is a twice-serving Past President. During her time at Rotary Julie has contributed to fundraising for Breakaway, and has served on the Camp's Board for the last year.
Philip Potter (Director) has been a Board member since 1996. Phil is a Management Consultant and has the following qualifications and awards: Industrial Chemistry Certificate, Certified Quality Technologist, Consultant in Risk Management (OHS & R, Food Safety) & Senior Food Safety & Quality Auditor with Quality Society of Australia. Phil lives in Wyongah with his wife & three children. Interests include playing the guitar, family & garden landscaping.
Gerard Andrews (Treasurer) B Bus, CA holds the position of Treasurer and joined 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, and accounting and corporate compliance.
Lorelle Thompson (Secretary) A retired educator who spentnearly 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. Lorelle dabbled in writing resource material 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. They have great times together. In her spare time Lorelle support 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 now looking forward to checking out Australia.
Michelle Price (Director) OAM RN. BN. (Bachelor of Nursing) MRCNA, Post Graduate Cert., in Community Assessment and is the Chief Executive Officer and Director of AllCare Nursing Services Pty Ltd. Michelle has been involved with Breakaway since thefirst camp over 26 years ago. 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 and Aboriginal community. Michelle lives on the Central Coast with her husband Roger, and 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) is a triple certificate RN, currently working in Cardio-Respiratory at Wyong Hospital and mother of 4. 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 is also a joint coordinator for the upcoming Siblings Camp. 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.