Variety the children’s charity is privileged to benefit from the extraordinary dedication, experience abilities of our volunteer Board of Directors.
Jenni O'Donnell: Cheif Barker / Chair
I started my association with Variety in South Australia as a “Barossa Brat” in 1998 and after moving to Darwin in 2002, joined Variety NT.
The Northern Territory office was being run single handedly which made me realise the time and effort it took to make everything happen and how much help is needed in the form of volunteers.
From being a volunteer helping where I could, I have progressed onto the Board and hope that together we can all make a difference to our children with special needs here in the Northern Territory.
Sharon Winks: Board Member
Having moved to the Northern Territory a few years ago, getting involved in a charity such as Variety NT provided a wonderful way to support our local community, as well as get to know a fantastic group of people from all walks of life. Over the last few years I have been a Board member, Vice Chair as well as Bash Chair and am continually getting involved in more and more wonderful activities that Variety NT run. Over the next year I will continue as Chief Barker and know it will keep me busy!!!!! Importantly, it has been my pleasure to see the continued support provided by Variety NT to our children with special needs and their families and how it makes their life so much easier.
I am fortunate to have the support of my wonderful husband who also volunteers on the Bash and assists in whatever way he can at every event. I work in Darwin on a range of projects in a management consulting capacity which provides me with much needed flexibility in my working hours. The balance between my consulting work and the volunteering has been very rewarding.
Laura Campbell: Secretary
Originally from Gippsland in Victoria, I moved to Darwin from Melbourne in June 2006 for a very welcomed change of lifestyle. I began working with the Darwin International Airport in October of 2006 and to this day love every minute of it. I joined their Corporate Giving Committee in 2007, which was the year we chose Variety NT as our charity to fundraise for and as part of this we entered the Bash and the rest, as they say, is history.
Variety NT gives such a sense of purpose, to really see where those hard earned fundraising efforts go to and to know those who fundraise are rewarded for these efforts with the Bash each year is something I respect and truly appreciate.
Having joined the Board in late 2008, I look forward to working as a team to raise the bar of this fantastic organisation, whilst having a whole lot of fun along the way!
Mike Foley: Public Officer
I have worked for a number of community organisations such as Browns Mart Community Arts, Australia Day Council, Keep Australia Beautiful Council, and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. I have organised major functions such as the World Water Ski Racing Championships, an important Bi-centennial media event and ‘Good News Day’, along with organising the Opening Ceremonies for the Bowali Visitors Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre in Kakadu, the extensive judging journeys to every town and community in the Northern Territory for the Keep Australia Beautiful Council and two of its major awards presentations.
Over time I have also voluntarily worked for many other community organisations and have been a Board Member of the National Heart Foundation and Browns Mart Trustees. I have also been a TV and community radio presenter, and more. My interest in politics saw me stand in the 1987 Northern Territory election and in the 2008 Lord Mayoral race. Amongst all of this I have built a very well known profile as a musician and have performed at almost every venue in the Top End and beyond for locals and visitors alike.
I have a personal edict which, put simply, is - “you can never do enough to return to the community, that which it provides.” I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to work with the terrific people of Variety NT and support this most important cause.
Jimmy Doyle: Appeals Chair
I became a member of Variety in 2009 so that I could go in the 2010 Variety Bash. After a false start with a '73 Mercedes (I don't want to talk about it), I ended up with an old ZL Fairlane and the 'Camel Car' was born. Ended up over in Gove on the 2010 Bash, the Camel Car never missed a beat and I enjoyed every minute of the adventure. It was then I was asked if I would like to join the Appeal Committee of Variety NT, to which I said yes, and now I have just been asked to be the Chair of the Appeal Committee which is a great honour, and a position that I will fill to my best potential. The Appeal Committee is a dedicated group of people that work really well together, granting Appeals to children in the NT who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. I know how hard it is to raise the money, even for such a worthy cause, so to assist in making sure the money raised goes to truly deserving kids and their families, really inspires me.
I have a 10yr old son named Hamish who is a special needs child. He is in a wheelchair, and is a happy and healthy boy. Variety have been a great help to him for such a long time, and now I am in a position in life to start to give something back, I enjoy the fundraising side of being a Variety Basher, and getting the word out about what Variety, the children’s charity is all about.
Patrick Gray: Board Member
My first introduction to the Territory was way back in the early 80’s as a 15 year old on holiday. Some eight years later I decided to make the move north, to be closer to my older brother who by then had been living in Darwin for some time. My involvement with Variety NT began from helping out my brother on the odd occasion erecting shades for various Variety events in the late 1990’s, but it wasn't until 2002 that I went on my first Bash to Broome. Since then I have managed to go on another four Bashes, as well as volunteering for Variety in whatever way I can.
Over the years my involvement with Variety has rallied my community spirit. Currently I am the president of a local Landcare group, a volunteer wildlife carer, and now am on the Board at Variety, and I love every minute of it. I am very excited about becoming a part of the Board of Management and I hope that my participation will enhance Variety NT as it continues to grow in 2011.
Sandra Woodward: Treasurer
I’m a CPA & Registered Tax Agent with over 25 years experience working in Chartered Accountant Firms. I’ve moved to Darwin with my partner in July 2011 after my partner accepted a position at TIO.
Prior to the move north I had worked as the SMSF Manager for Wallace Group an inner city chartered accountant firm which specialised in corporate clients. I have worked for CA firms as Audit Manager and senior Tax Accountant during 1997–2001. During 1986-1997 I worked in Emerald Central QLD where I was the 2IC for another CA firm. During this time I was also appointed as a QAO government contract auditor.
I got into helping & volunteering with charities during my stint in CQ where I was involved with the Lions & Lioness’s Clubs. My involvement with the ambulance committee came about after the ambulance came to our assistance around midnight 38 kilometres along the Capricorn Highway west of Emerald to help deliver my youngest son at midnight (even states this on his birth certificate). My doctor at that time provided a bill for the “safe delivery of my son”, so I inturn provided my services as Auditor to the Gemfields LAC and have ever since.
My son has Asperges and I know what it is like to ask for help and many friends have helped me out to retain my sanity as much as they could.
Now it’s my turn and I want to help groups who help children and especially with those in need. I’m currently helping out TS Darwin Cadets as their honorary auditor.
Anita Davidson: Board Member
Bio and photo coming soon.
Vlado Bandjak: Board Member
Bio and Photo coming soon.
Pamela Mills: Board Member
Pamela Mills is an Australian citizen, resident in Darwin, Australia. Brought up in Sydney, Pamela spent two and a half years in Bejiing (2005-2008) and the past four years in Darwin.
A graduate from Ravenswood School for Girls, Sydney, her first career path was in secretarial and office administration. These skills were invaluable in supporting her through her tertiary studies at Macquarie University where she completed degrees in Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (Biological Sciences). During her academic career, she taught undergraduate Biology and held a number of research assistant roles. When funding for academic research dwindled, Pamela changed direction and leveraged her office administration skills to start a lifelong career in IT.
For the past 16 years, Pamela has been with CA Technologies and has held positions of increasing responsibility in Sales and Technical Support. During her tenure she has consistently leveraged her creative business outlook to achieve significant results by driving cultural change, fostering teamwork and improving customer relationships.
Her interests include travel, photography, natural history and the arts. Pamela is also a casual stall-holder at the Parap Village Markets where she sells her photographs taken in the Territory and during her travels in Australia and overseas.
Pamela lives in Nightcliff with her cat. She has two adult daughters, both living in the Territory.