Nigel Smart
Chief Executive officer
Nigel brings to Variety significant expertise in commercial business and relationship management, having spent the past 12 years working in organisations such as Lion Nathan, Toyota and Jobs Statewide.
Deputy Chairman of the Adelaide Football Club (last five years) and Chairman of the award winning Slingsby Theatre Company, Nigel also has a Master of Business Administration from Adelaide University.
Nigel is married to Sarah and they have 3 children Jeremiah, India and Noah.
Nigel is passionate about helping disadvantaged children in South Australian and has always been impressed by the work Variety does. Nigel now wants to bring his skills to Variety to further benefit many more South Australian children.
Jane Coldbeck
Events Manager
Jane joined Variety SA in January 1991 and has spent the past twenty years working on Variety’s events. As the Events Manager, Jane works with the Event Coordinators and entrants on the Bash, 4WD Challenge and V2 Classic together with other events and functions like the annual theme ball and Santa Fun Run.
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
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
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.
Liz Humphrys-Glynn
Events Coordinator
Liz began working at Variety in April 2010. Having previously worked as an Event Coordinator at SA Water Vacwsim for two years, a water safety program targeted at school aged children across the state, Liz also has a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management, majoring in events management.
In her spare time Liz enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing netball, and travelling where possible. Liz is recently married to Tom who runs his own business as an Electrician. Liz loves the fast pace of working in events and feels priviledged to work for Variety whilst giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate.
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.