Together we share a passion to make a difference

Dr Susie O’Neill

KIDS Foundation Founder and CEO

Susie is a Doctor of Philosophy of Education, qualified preschool and primary teacher who specialises in working with children at risk. Her interest in empowering children to protect themselves began in 1988 whilst studying teaching at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education and working alongside the Children’s Protection Society. Susie has dedicated her studies and career to the children at risk focusing on educating them to prevent and recover from injuries and trauma. In 1993 Susie founded the KIDS Foundation and now has a position as the CEO and is a member of the Board.

Erynne Trotter

Injury Recovery Coordinator and Camp Psychologist

Erynne was a longtime supporter of the KIDS Foundation before taking on the Injury Recovery Coordinator role in May 2018. Volunteering at her first KIDS camp back in 2012, Erynne was not only inspired by the amazing people she met but became immediately 'hooked', finding the experience truly rewarding and life changing. 

As a registered psychologist, Erynne understands the importance of educating and empowering others to be the best version of themselves and is particularly passionate about supporting and empowering young people.

Nicholas Van Der Molen

Injury Prevention Educator

Nicholas has over 20 years’ experience teaching. Joining KIDS in 2017 he upholds the motto of #Buildingstronglives and has represented the KIDS Foundation at the Noosa Triathlon in 2017 and like others in the KIDS family was inspired to complete the Port Macquarie Ironman in 2019. Nicholas brings his teaching expertise and technological knowledge to the KIDS team. Within his role he oversees the distribution of the SeeMore safety education program which is in early childhood education centres across Australia as well as the Virtual Classroom. You may see him in an early childhood education centre delivering the program or early in the morning training for his next event. When not at KIDS, Nicholas can be found teaching in a classroom or hanging out with his wife and kids.

Hayley Wilson

Injury Prevention Educator

Hayley is a qualified Early Childhood and Primary teacher and is passionate about supporting, inspiring and mentoring other educators. She is an advocate for the value that strong, responsive relationships bring when working with children (and adults!). Hayley has a background in teaching, training and community programs and brings her ‘on the ground’ knowledge and experience to her role. 

Jen Barker

Injury Prevention Educator

Jen is a qualified Early Childhood teacher and is passionate about supporting, inspiring and mentoring other educators. She places a lot of emphasis on empowering, educating and enabling children (and educators) to be confident and authentic to themselves. Her background is in Early Childhood Education, in a variety of different settings, with her primary focus being on providing an inclusive and supportive environment to children, families and educators alike.

Jen is a big believer in building and strengthening the link between Early learning environments, and home, to allow for a collaborative approach to children’s learning and overall wellbeing.

Beau Jones

Injury Prevention Educator (NSW)

Beau Jones is an Early Childhood Educator with over 11 years experience working with children from 6 months to 6 years old. Beau has a passion for connecting not only the community but the children he teaches into a positive way of interacting and finding the most out of each day. 

Joining the KIDS Foundation in 2019 for the Noosa Triathlon, as a 'Doing it 4 KIDS' fundraiser team member, allowed Beau to not only learn about the great charity, but also implement the program into his own classroom with great success. The highlight being the 20 kilometres he rode on a children’s trike to help raise money and awareness for the Foundation along Australia’s busiest beach, Bondi. Beau has continued to compete in the Noosa Tri as part of the KIDS team and also brought a few of his friends along to create a strong community of athletes, fundraisers and supporters of KIDS.

Lauren Grace

Graphic Design 

Lauren took on the role of Graphic Designer with KIDS in June, 2022. 

She attends Swinburne University, where she studies a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Communication Design.  Lauren enjoys a challenge and has been working on a number of KIDS key assets like annual reports, flyers, brochures, email signatures and other design elements seen within the KIDS world.

Lauren has only recently moved to Ballarat, after growing up in a rural town in the middle of the Mallee. 

She feels beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with KIDS and is excited to see what the future brings!

Jo Brodie

Injury Prevention Educator (QLD)

Jo has recently joined KIDS Foundation as an educator. 

Jo is primary school teacher trained and has worked mostly with junior school children. 

She has spent many years volunteering on various committees in the community and schools while raising 3 now adult, children.

Based on the Sunshine Coast, she is looking forward to introducing SeeMore to the children at kindy’s in the south east corner of Queensland. 

Annie Edgar

Administration

I am very lucky and excited to be working with K.I.D.S. Foundation.  The work that Susie O'Neill and her team does is nothing short of amazing.

I work on a casual basis as I wish to spend more time with my children and more importantly my grandchildren.

My husband, Michael and I have three children and three gorgeous  grandchildren.  Thanks to Susie I have the flexibility to spend more time with them.

Coming from Real Estate, running a property management team for over 20 years full time, K.I.D.S. Foundation offers a diverse working environment and it is wonderful working for a charity that is all about the safety and care of kids.

Melanie Mullen

Campaign Co-Ordinator

Melanie has recently joined the KIDS team. 

Come back later to find out a little more about her.  

Leanne McPherson

Administration and Grant Coordinator

After completing SeeMore's challenge with a previous Ballarat based employer many years ago, I attended a KIDS Foundation function in Ballarat.  I was shown a video about the camps, and I enquired about becoming a volunteer. My first camp was at Seaworld Nara Resort in 2006.

Having attended numerous Phoenix and Tango camps over the last 17 years, I have become part of the "KIDS" family. My children and foster children have also attended some of these camps and found a place of belonging.

Since becoming involved with KIDS as a volunteer, I have formed very close friendships with many of the staff and participants.

After raising money for the KIDS Foundation, I was rewarded on two occasions to feature on "Adventure Allstars" a travel and adventure series. The second episode as a chosen "legend" and this episode is yet to air later this year.

With extensive community service, administration and sales experience, I have joined the team for two days a week. This allows me to spend time with my children and three young grandchildren, whilst being involved in work that I am truly passionate about.