The Greater Shepparton Foundation builds partnerships and collaborations to connect the needs of the local community with essential resources and skills to tackle and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage. The Foundation Features series will help shine a light on those driving change through innovative initiatives, as well as highlight community organisations that align with the foundation’s purpose.
Greater Shepparton Foundation engages the expertise and knowledge of a skills-based board of directors to ensure strong governance and leadership to achieve our vision of an inclusive, interconnected community where everybody has equal opportunity to participate.
Our board directors have a strong belief that by truly listening, learning and activating local expertise, we are identifying ways to strengthen our community. GSF is committed to the view that if we are led by the community, we can deliver with the community.
With some of our board members stepping away from their positions on the board due to other commitments at the last annual general meeting, we are pleased to welcome three new board members: Vaughan Bradshaw, Kate Long and Ebony Tonks.
Vaughan grew up in Shepparton, then spent time away to pursue a career in aviation. He returned to Shepparton eight years ago with his family for a business opportunity. Vaughan brings a wealth of experience in business and investment, along with his place-based knowledge of our community.
Kate grew up in the Shepparton area and returned to begin her legal career following university. She has spent most of her career working in crime and child protection and is now working in therapeutic justice.
Ebony Tonks is a lawyer for the property and commercial teams at Dawes and Vary Riordan. She studied at Monash University and later Deakin University, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in accounting). Prior to working as a lawyer, Ebony worked at a local accounting firm and later in local government.
“I feel extremely fortunate to become a director of the Greater Shepparton Foundation, an organisation that aligns with my values. I look forward to working with fellow directors and staff to tackle disadvantage, drive change and support community organisations,” Ebony said.
Vaughan, Kate and Ebony joined existing directors Mark De Paola (chair), Julia Thomas (deputy chair), Kara Shields (treasurer) and Neha Samar.
We invite you to get to know our board directors a little better; you can read more about them and the skills they bring to GSF on the ‘About Us’ page on our website. Go to www.greatershepparton.foundation
When appointing board directors, GSF not only seeks the required skills but also engages individuals who represent our diverse community, think innovatively to address priority needs, are entrenched in the community and foster our nimble approach to delivering the services needed most.
The board works with me, as executive officer, to achieve the goals of GSF’s strategic plan through our major projects, an annual grants program, evaluation and advocacy, and partnership development.
Our board directors have recently undertaken a comprehensive organisational overview, deep diving into the important Bridges Out of Poverty training, undertaking a skills matrix and testing the organisation’s risk appetite. This work was the final piece in a comprehensive and longstanding relationship between Carmel Riley from CRSE Group and the GSF.
CRSE Group has been a vital community partner of the GSF since it transitioned from the Community Fund in 2019. Carmel has been an integral part of the organisation, offering strategic advice and support through her social enterprise model from the very beginning.
It is important we acknowledge this longstanding partnership and take a moment to thank Carmel for her sincere interest in and dedication to supporting our work at the foundation. Her deep understanding of community and complex environments has helped us have a considerable impact over the past five years and will set us up for success in the future.
With our 2025 GSF Strategic Plan due in the new year, the board members have been reflecting on our current community priorities alongside our organisational priorities and how GSF can best support delivering our vision.
The recent Greater Shepparton Philanthropic Summit was one of the many community conversations that will help shape our new 2025 and beyond strategic plan.
The event, a partnership between the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation and the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, was held on Friday, May 24. It was designed to enable community organisations to come together to share insights and discuss philanthropic solutions for systemic transformation in Shepparton.
With GSF’s annual general meeting coming up later this year, if you are interested in finding out more about becoming a board director or how you can support our important work at GSF, please get in touch with me at info@greatershepparton.foundation
Until Next Time
Amanda McCulloch
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer.