Jane is passionate about Variety and the children who benefit from Variety’s help. She has had the privilege of working alongside many of Variety's greatest volunteers who have become lifelong friends.

During her years with Variety, her two children Anna and Greg have grown up and married and she is now the delighted Nana of three grandchildren,  Lachlan, Zara and Rogan.

Her partner Steve is also heavily involved in Variety as an entrant on the Bash and an official on the 4WD and V2 events focusing on fun stops and entertainment.

Bridgette Whittle

Marketing and Communications Manager

Bridgette has joined Variety after 12 years in the media industry, working in Television, Radio and Press.  Prior to that she worked in Sydney for 7 years working for Clarins cosmetics as their media manager and Raymond Weil watches as marketing manager before returning to Adelaide.  

After many years working in the commercial sector Bridgette was wanting a change and is looking forward to working in an environment that helps others. With a diploma in Marketing (business) and her experience in the media industry, Bridgette is excited about working for Variety.

Bridgette has a 7 year old son named Riley.

Ellie Paterson

Finance and Administration Manager

Ellie has worked with Variety the Children’s Charity since April 2008 as Finance & Administration Manager. She has previously worked in the varied industries of hospitality, retail and chartered accounting, and loves being part of the extended family of Variety. 

Ellie has a Bachelor of Economics, is a former member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and also has an Advanced Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Operations.  The high point in her career prior to joining Variety was to lead the team opening Medina Grand Treasury in Victoria Square.

Ellie is happily married to Michael – they have no kids but a cat and a dog who are almost human.

Megan Winter

Senior Events Coordinator

Megan Joined Variety SA in June 2006  having  come from a legal background working at Kelly & Co and Griffin Hilditch Lawyers as a legal secretary. Since commencing with Variety Megan has moved in to the events team looking after the Variety Bash and Variety Santa Fun Run along with other events throughout the year.

Megan contributes to the Variety team with her enthusiastic personality, attention to detail, passion for people and desire to be involved in an organisation that makes a difference.

Outside of work Megan enjoys running most days to keep fit and healthy and loves attending local gigs from the up and coming band The Timbers.

Kate Willoughby

Senior Events Coordinator

Kate joined the Variety team in January 2009 bringing with her valuable events experience from her previous role of 5 years as Event Coordinator for VACSWIM, a state government learn to swim program.

Since arriving at Variety Kate’s event portfolio includes the 4WD Challenge, the Annual Variety Themed Ball and Variety Vintage. Kate enjoys her role at Variety and loves working hard for children in need.

Veronika Sanderson

Events Coordinator

Veronika is originally from the Czech Republic. After receiving a Scholarship to Southern Cross University, she moved to Sydney and finished her Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Prior to joining the Variety events team, Veronika had a career in hospitality and event management in Melbourne.

After moving to Adelaide she followed her dream to work in Kenya as a volunteer in a children’s orphanage. She was moved by these little orphans and her desire to dedicate time to a children’s charity became even stronger.

In joining Variety, the children’s charity, Veronika can now combine her two passions, events and working to ‘make a difference’ in children’s lives.

Besides working, Veronika is a passionate traveller, loves sport and long walks along Glenelg beach with her little Labrador Max.  

Annie Mates

Events and Administration Assistant

Annie started with Variety SA in early 2010 after a long career in the Wine Industry. Hailing from the Barossa and Gawler areas, Annie moved to Adelaide in 2000 to take up a position as PA to the Sales and Marketing Manager at Nepenthe Wines.

Her move to Variety was prompted by a desire to utilize her office skills, pursue her growing interest in event organisation and to work in a field with a purpose. Annie has extensive experience in customer service, reception, orders, receipting, desktop publishing and Personal Assistant roles.

From answering your calls at reception to assisting the Events team with all the Variety functions and events, Annie is a bit of a “jack of all trades” in the office, and is loving the challenge that Variety SA offers.

Stephen Batten

Communications Assistant

Stephen Batten joins Variety after completing a degree in communication and media management at the University of South Australia. His role as Communications Assistant will enable him to better service Variety through their social media networks and enhance the Variety message.

After volunteering with Special Olympics South Australia and seeing the change they make in intellectually disabled children’s lives, Stephen is excited to join Variety and see more smiles and bring bigger fortunes to disadvantaged and talented children all over South Australia. It is this very reason Stephen was drawn to Variety and hopes to be able to make a change through the Variety show of hearts scholarship program.

In his time off, Stephen enjoys time in the sun kicking the footy and catching up with friends to relax and have a good time. Stephen is a huge fan of everything sport & is a keen snowboarder. Stephen hopes to become a valued member of Variety and is excited at the prospect of helping children on such a large scale.