Aunties and Uncles

Chair – Patricia Gilchrist
Patricia Gilchrist was first elected to the Board of Aunties & Uncles in 2006 and became Chair in December 2008. She has been an aunty in the program since 2004 and believes that we can all contribute in some way to a better life for our children, and that measured by success and satisfaction, there's nothing that beats the Aunties & Uncles program to offer a better life to disadvantaged children.

For a number of years Pat combined a professional life, later heading an industry association, with raising a family, study and community work. She has now committed much of her energies to Aunties & Uncles and right now, the goal of securing the long-term funding needed to continue and extend the program to the many children who should and could have, through Aunties & Uncles and caring volunteers, a better life and future.

Vice-Chair – Heath Ducker
Heath Ducker is a former "nephew" in the Aunties & Uncles program, and joined the Board in 2008. A renowned speaker on "overcoming adversity" & "social change & activism in the 21st century," Heath's own life story is an inspiration. He is a lawyer at top 10 national law firm Gadens Lawyers; a Trek Leader on the Kokoda Track with Adventure Kokoda & a Leader (and former director) of the Youth Insearch Foundation, where he led a team responsible for setting up Youth Insearch in New Zealand & the UK. Heath has held audiences with former Prime Misister John Howard & former Premier of NSW Bob Carr to advise on Youth Affairs.

He launched his autobiographical book, "A Room at the Top", in June 2009.

Treasurer – Tony Fehon
– TBC

Secretary – Val Barton
Val Barton came from the UK in the early 60's and has worked extensively with children in Council-run Activity and Vacation Care Centres and more recently teaching art to children in community based centres. Val has been an aunty in the program for six years, with links to two children. Retiring from corporate life in 2008 now allows her to volunteer at the Westmead Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House and pursue her passion for writing.

Director – Barb Allwright
Barb Allwright has been involved with Aunties and Uncles as an Aunty since 2005 and a Board member since 2008. Barb currently works with Fuji Xerox as an Organisational Development Consultant and has also worked in the pharmaceutical industry in sales, management and training roles.

Director – Justine Bennett
Justine Bennett has been an aunty since 2005 and joined the Board in 2008. She is passionate about Aunties & Uncles with particular interest in sustainability and policy development. Justine has her own consulting firm, specialising in small business management. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog.

Director – Chris Bullivant
– TBC

Director – Philip Feinstein
Philip Feinstein became an uncle with Aunties & Uncles in 1984 and joined the Board in 2009. Originally from South Africa, he has travelled extensively and is involved in various charities both here and overseas. He is fanatical about the importance of self-esteem in both children and adults and has also managed the “Smokender” quit smoking program Australia-wide for over 20 years.

Director – Belinda Marsh
Belinda Marsh joined the Board and became an aunty in the program in 2007. She is an energetic marketing professional with a background spanning both consumer and business marketing, plus more than 20 years' experience coaching young children in the sport of gymnastics. She is inspired by the opportunity to make a difference and believes that devoting time and energy into helping children fulfill their potential is the most rewarding investment.