CHAIR | FOUNDER

Colin is a 40-year veteran of youth, family and community work in service provision, case work, counselling, management and program development. Colin has been developing and operating the Horses for Hope method for 17 years.

Horses for Hope combines his experience, commitment to improve services and service options for children, youth, families and Narrative Therapy practice skills with his love of horses, natural Horsemanship methods of horse education and training.

Colin has an interest in expanding research in the field of Equine Assisted Therapies and continues to pursue research and evaluation of the Horses for Hope, Equine Assisted Narrative Therapy program. Colin has completed a 3-year Diploma in Youth Work (1979-1982 & now considered a Bachelor program), a Graduate Diploma in Welfare Administration and a yearlong training in Narrative Therapy with the Dulwich Centre.

VICE CHAIR

Zoe brings a wealth of financial leadership experience across a diverse range of organisations, including not-for-profits and multinational corporates. With a specialisation in managing financial risks during periods of change and implementing new systems, Zoe's expertise ensures robust financial stability and strategic growth.

Qualifications include: CPA Qualified and Double major in International Business and Accounting.

Zoe first connected with Horses for Hope during a recent horse ride, where she learned about the organisation's incredible achievements in combining therapy with equine services. Inspired by the substantial impact on individuals, Zoe is thrilled to bring her professional experience back into the not-for-profit sector to support this meaningful work.

As a valued member of the Horses for Hope Board, Zoe is committed to strengthening the organisation's financial framework, enabling further growth and support for participants and horses alike.

DIRECTOR

Anne is a recently retired Mental Health Social Worker who is an experienced Counsellor in the trauma field. She has also had a lifetime of involvement with horses. She is interested in the development and expansion of services to enable people to develop their full potential in a safe and secure environment. Her involvement with Horses for Hope was initially as a volunteer because of her curiosity about how this form of therapy can benefit people who may not have found more traditional therapy suitable. She joined the Horses for Hope Board in 2019.

DIRECTOR

Cheryl’s professional life spans the media, non-profit community sector, tourism industry, small business and local government.

But it is her unwavering commitment to volunteering to support local organisations to achieve sustainability and deliver on their goals for their community that has led her to Horses for Hope.

Cheryl is a skilled collaborator and motivator, and has the ability to bring people together for a common cause, with decades of experience in community engagement.

Cheryl’s inclusive leadership, communication and fundraising skills have successfully built the profile, and capacity, of numerous local organisations throughout the Goulburn Valley over the past 30 years.

Away from these roles she is a mother of three young men and recently became a grandparent.

DIRECTOR

Michelle has a background in business/accounting, community strengthening and leadership development. She has lived, worked and raised a family in the Goulburn Valley for the past 30 years and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those around her (family, friends and community) and is working on a number of different projects and boards at any one time.

Most recently Michelle has worked as the Executive Manager in a health based business. Previously she was Executive Officer of Goulburn Murray Community Leadership (Fairley Leadership) and Executive Officer of GV Community Fund (Greater Shepparton Foundation) and has worked on a number of local political campaigns.

She currently also sits on the GV Hospice Board as Secretary and was a founding Board member of Shepparton Foodshare, a Board member of Primary Care Connect and Shepparton Motor Museum (now Museum of Vehicle Evolution).

Michelle is a graduate of the Fairley Leadership Program (2007) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).