Michael Denton
Incoming Chief Executive Officer to commence on 2 April 2013 
Michael comes to Variety Queensland with a long history in national and international events, extensive experience as a Chief Executive and a strong commitment to public service. As Chief Executive of Queensland Events Corporation, Michael was Australia’s longest serving major events executive. After 11 years with Queensland Events, Michael was appointed to head up the Gold Coast’s bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games before moving on to establish the Sunshine Coast’s regional tourism agency. More recently, he established his own consultancy business with clients across state and local government and the private and not-for-profit sectors.
As a CPA and Chartered Company Secretary (London) Michael also brings a solid background in financial management and strategic planning as well as extensive experience working on and with boards, committees and advisory groups across a diverse range of industries. In addition to his work with Variety Queensland, Michael is also Chair of the Forde Foundation and a Director of Coaching with Substance Inc.
Melanie Jefcoate
Events & Development Manager
The business of Variety’s events is a serious one. It is in the business of events that Melanie Jefcoate specialises. As our Events and Development Manager, she visions what can happen – and then, through her years of successful experience, she makes this happen. Melanie has been in this industry, locally and Australia-wide, for 15 years and brings creativity, charisma, skill and expertise to Variety Queensland.
The magic of fundraising through events comes not from the glitter on the tables, but from the passion of people who donated that glitter – these are the people who Melanie calls her friends. She is the driver behind Variety Queensland’s premier food and wine event, the Variety of Chefs Ball – in 2013 it will be celebrating its fourth year.
Georgie Benham
Corporate Events Executive 
After several years organising corporate and private events in the UK and Europe, Georgie made her way Down Under to sunny Queensland and joined Variety as Corporate Events Coordinator in July 2010. She has previously been responsible for delivering events of various sizes, in various locations; from gala dinners in Athens for the 2004 Olympics to fundraising yoga challenges in India and conferences in her home town London. Georgie is excited about the opportunity to use her professional experience to date to support the amazing work Variety does for Queensland’s children.
Rob Goodwin
Director of Motoring Events
Rob Goodwin joined Variety in 2005 as the Director of Motoring Events after spending many years as a Variety Bash participant raising money for the children of Queensland. He lived and worked in Cairns before moving to Brisbane to take the role, and was the North Queensland Manager for the Real Estate Institute of Queensland prior to joining the Variety Team. He has a wealth of fundraising experience through his Variety Bash participation over the years, is a qualified auctioneer, and loves to tell a story or two. 2011 will be Rob’s 14th Variety Bash.
Erin Groeneveld
Motoring Events Manager
Erin joined the Variety Queensland staff in October 2007 to undertake the role of Variety Bash Coordinator. In the past three years, Erin has moved into the Motoring Event Manager Role where she is now works across all events that fall within the Motoring realm. Previous to joining the Variety team, Erin lived in London and travelled extensively through Europe.
Erin Taylor
Motoring Events & Database Administrator
Erin joined the Variety Queensland team as Fundraising Coordinator in January 2010. Her previous experience includes roles in procurement and database management. After coordinating a number of annual charity events she decided to pursue a position where she could make a difference. Erin is looking forward to putting her database experience to good use throughout the implementation of Variety’s new ThankQ database and is thrilled to know she is contributing to making a positive impact on the lives of Queensland children in need. Erin's role was broadened to Administration Manager in late 2010 before she joined our Motoring Events Team as Motoring Events & Database Administrator in late April 2012.
Amy Simpson 
Business Development Executive
Amy Simpson brings to the team at Variety Queensland an extensive & fruitful career in the Sales & Business Development industry. Her drive to succeed coupled with her strong relationship management skills makes Amy Simpson a valuable team member at Variety Queensland focussing predominately on event promotions & sales, corporate relations, sponsorship & new fundraising initiatives. Prior to working at Variety, Amy was exploring this beautiful country of ours – around Australia for 12 whole months.
Sarah Ponturo
Community Fundraising Executive
Sarah joined Variety in 2012 for the second time as the Community Fundraising Executive. Sarah has eight years experience working in the UK and Australia in events management and fundraising roles for high profile corporate and creative charity events, not for profit community events, council and government, community and arts events, music festivals, theatre shows, stage show tours and live event production!
Sarah’s role at Variety is to create new and interesting fundraising events and campaigns aimed at various community groups, as well as to support third party community events. Sarah is our connection between the fundraiser and Variety and will support your fundraising journey in any way possible in order to help Variety!
Dan Lotz
Management Accountant
Dan Joined variety Queensland in August 2008 as a finance officer. Dan’s previous experience includes finance roles in the not-for-profit, property and chartered accounting industry. Dan’s role at Variety Queensland involves attending to the day-to-day finance requirements of the charity as well as performing the finance function for Variety fundraising events such as the Bash, 4WD, Jet Trek and Ball. Dan loves being part of the “Variety family” and especially helping to make a difference in lives of Queensland’s Children in need.
Dayna Fifis
Finance & Administration Officer
Dayna joined Variety as a Finance Officer in March 2012 after relocating with her husband from Tasmania to Queensland. Dayna’s previous experience includes a range of administrative positions from a small family run business to a commercial television station. Dayna’s role at Variety Queensland is to work closely with the Management Accountant to assist with the day-to-day finance requirements of the charity. Dayna is excited to further develop her skills with Variety and to know that she will be making a difference in the lives of Queensland’s children in need. Dayna's role was broadened to Finance & Administration Officer in late April 2012.
Carly Quinn
Regional Development Manager
Carly has been involved with Variety both as an employee and as a volunteer for the past 10 years. Her current role involves developing fundraising committees and opportunities across Regional Queensland. This role requires her to travel across the regions and she loves getting out into the heart of Queensland and meeting Variety’s many supporters. Carly also looks after the Public Relations requirements for Variety across Regional Queensland as well as for our major motoring events such as the XXXX Gold Variety Bash. Passionate members of the Variety Family, Carly and her husband Steve believe in the work of Variety and the amazing impacts it can have on our communities.
Gael Chudleigh
Gold Coast Manager
Gael has been associated with Variety Queensland for 20 years. Gael, a Variety Queensland board member for 10 years, several as the secretary of Variety Queensland, she brings knowledge, expertise and experience in to the organisation. Gael has completed 18 Bash’s, several 4WD’s, Jet Treks, Gold Coast Splashes and headed a very successful Fiji splash for 8 years. Since resigning from the board in 2006, Gael now heads the Regional Gold Coast office part time to assist Gold Coast fundraisers by coordinating new events to assist with their FUNdraising goals. Gael’s background is an Event Coordinator.
Samantha Shumack
Program Coordinator
Samantha joined the Variety Queensland team as Program Coordinator in early 2009. With extensive experience in sales and engineering Samantha was looking for a change when she attended some of Variety’s key fundraising events, it was at one of these events that she decided she wanted to make a difference. Samantha’s role is wide and varied, she provides the integral link between those requiring assistance and the Variety office. Samantha is responsible for liaising with all appellants, suppliers and other organisations involved in Variety’s Freedom, Future, Sunshine Coach and Liberty Swing programs. The wall of photographs and thankyou notes surrounding Samantha’s desk is a testament to her dedication to local children in need.
Penny Cameron
Marketing & Communications Manager
Dan Lotz
Management Accountant
Dan Joined variety Queensland in August 2008 as a finance officer. Dan’s previous experience includes finance roles in the not-for-profit, property and chartered accounting industry. Dan’s role at Variety Queensland involves attending to the day-to-day finance requirements of the charity as well as performing the finance function for Variety fundraising events such as the Bash, 4WD, Jet Trek and Ball. Dan loves being part of the “Variety family” and especially helping to make a difference in lives of Queensland’s Children in need.