Our Team

We welcome Noel Cliff to the broad of the Philanthropic Collective as Patron of the Free Food Patron.

Noel has always been a huge supporter of the Philanthropic Collective and all our endeavourers as Streeton Ward Councillor for Yarra Ranges Council.

Few know the Dandenong Ranges as Noel, first elected to the Shire of Sherbrooke in 1991 and re-elected to Yarra Ranges Council 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016.

Noel has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for more than 40 years and enjoys its supportive and welcoming community. He is someone who deeply cares about our community and the people which reside in it. He is not just a character; he has character in spades and is no slouch when it comes to hard work. Noel has continued to collect produce, sort it, and delivered like a Trouper twice per week.

With Noel’s 20 years’ experience as a local business operator, he believes in the importance of fostering and supporting business as a key generator of income and jobs for the local community. Noel is also passionate about the environment and about empowering communities to take positive action around waste reduction.

A fine vintage is Noel, who continues to serve our community as part of our Free Food Program. We are honoured to call him our Patron and his wealth of experience which he brings to the broad of the Collective, fostering his legacy of good will towards each other.

Mark brings a mix of artistic and IT skills to the board of the Philanthropic Collective.

Mark works as a finished artist, graphic designer, programmer and trainer.

Kimberley was born and raised in the Dandenong Ranges and adds to the group with her extensive background in Early Childhood Education and a strong base in volunteering.

As both a Kindergarten assistant and long day care educator Kimberley has also led community-based music sessions for children and has a Certificate IV in Education Support. With a passion for helping students with additional needs she wholeheartedly believes that every child possesses wonderfully unique talents, and deserves the right to be supported and given the opportunities to flourish.

A keen advocate and lobbyist for human rights issues, Kimberley is a trained community services specialist who has volunteered with Discovery Community Care in Lilydale, providing emergency relief to those in need.

She has a background in volunteering at the Doveton Neighbourhood learning centre, mainly assisting in disability programs. Kim remains an active member at Sherbrooke Community School in her role as school council vice president and currently undertakes a primary role in the delivery of the free food program run by the Collective at the school.

Fabian has extensive financial and corporate experience, including 11 years as the CEO of Trading Numbers Pty Ltd, which was contracted by the Victorian Government to audit the public transport network and all fixed assets within the state, and as the Executive Director of The Oracle, trading in Sassafras.

Fabian also has a broad record of service to community, including providing pastoral care as a Catholic Chaplain Assistant at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and as a mentor within the ‘Big Brother, Big Sister’ programs.

Lauren Schmidt is a successful local small business owner, with Dandenong Ranges Cleaning and Gardening Services, and brings her small business acumen to the group with her wealth of experience. Lauren is an enrolled endorsed nurse and nurse practitioner who moonlights in the role of managing a small team within the industry.

As a member of the Collective, Lauren and her husband, Lee work tirelessly within our community through many volunteer hours. Both within our Free Food Program and as a main contributor on the ground in the pre- and post-Halloween on the Green activities.

Lauren also actively participates in charity hiking and walking fundraisers for the Fred Hollows Foundation, Walk for Autism and Relay for Life cancer fundraiser.

Kelly has had connections to and involvement with The Philanthropic Collective since the inception in 2016 and has previously operated as a food collection volunteer and a breakfast club member. Kelly has a long background in serving and working in various community sectors with an in depth understanding of crisis response and the structural and personal challenges that communities can face.

Kelly has worked in specialist children’s support services, disability services, community legal centers and in the family violence sector. In her volunteering capacity Kelly has volunteered as a crisis telephone support worker and group facilitator for support services for families with a loved one with AOD dependencies and in animal rescue rehabilitating flying foxes.

As well as working, Kelly is currently studying Social Work and in her spare time is also an artist who paints in oils. Kelly currently enjoys the creative aspect of producing The Philanthropic Collective’s monthly newsletter and assists with our social media, supports communications, development and production of information showcasing The Philanthropic Collective’s work amongst the community.

Andrew Fillip-Gautier is an industry expert with 20 years’ experience within the public transport sector. His extensive experience includes roles as a Planning Assistant, Survey Designer, Patronage Analyst, Survey Logistics Manager and Auditor. This experience has provided him with essential skills in project management, staff engagement and high-level stakeholder management overseeing multi-million-dollar projects within the industry which have supported his mobilisation of the local business community through the creation of the Villages of Mount Dandenong (Business) Association.

Andrew is also heavily engaged with his local community as architect of the free food program and Halloween on the green community festival. As a volunteer and local businessman he has supported disadvantaged students and families through numerous projects and donations, including establishment of a free food bank, and the ongoing collection and donation of food, clothes, and essential school infrastructure.

Always up for a challenge he is the driving force behind the vision of creating a First Nations People’s cultural and community Arts centre (the Forest Hive) on the ridge as an international tourist destination.

A champion of zero waste solutions and carbon neutrality remains his focus across all projects. With a never say no approach and an attitude of abundance he brings his many skills to the community and broad of the Collective.

Rosalind Mackay has been a resident of the Dandenong Ranges for almost 20 years. Rosalind has spent most of her life working in theatre as an actor, director, writer and stage manager. She spent 15 years as a general manager and performer of Knockabout Theatre; Victoria’s leading theatre in education company and is currently a regular actor with Lux Radio Theatre.

In addition to this, Rosalind has worked as a marriage celebrant, events co-ordinator, a lecturer at Swinburne university in the Theatre Arts and Circus Arts departments and has taught drama to primary aged children through to young adults.

Her community work includes teaching drama to homeless youth and disadvantaged children, co-ordinating entertainment for the Villages of Mt Dandenong Fundraising balls, The Chestnut Festivals, Halloween on the Green, as well as several fundraising projects for Mt Dandenong Primary school.

Rosalind is an enthusiastic member or the Philanthropic Collective’s free food program and team leader of the program.

Suzanne has an educational background in Small Business and Motel Management. She is passionate about her Hills community having lived, loved, and worked here for thirty-four years and brings her lived experience as a resident and local businesswoman to the broad of The Philanthropic Collective.

In that time, she has owned and operated four highly successful local businesses including hills landmark, Churinga Café. For many a hills local children Churinga Café was their first job. We were given the privilege and allowed the pride of witnessing their growth in confidence and achievements as each were trained to the highest of standards in the industry.

I was given the gift of caring for my aged mother for three years. She gave me the legacy of understanding dignity and the enduring qualities which comes with aging along with her sometimes offbeat sense of humour and her commitment to volunteering.

Suzanne continues to prepare home cooked meals weekly which are offered with her trademark loving care across a broad range of community members requiring support.

I am a founding member of the Sassafras Book Club, Aunt to local dogs with free treats supplied, known as the Exceptional Easter Bunny and voted the best Halloween house on the Street.

Sonja brings to the broad of the Philanthropic Collective her steely determination, high energy, and insatiable work ethic.

I am a parent and grandparent who is extremely active and have lived in Sassafras for several years. I have a love for nature and garden as often as possible, especially edible plants. As someone who grew up on a farm on the Peninsula, I thrive on extending support to the community and love being a part of our "Free Food Program" for all it stands for.

I hold a Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate in Primary Care Nursing, Immunisation Certification, and I am currently employed as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in immunisation for the homeless sector.

Genevieve brings legal and governance skills to the board of The Philanthropic Collective. She has been employed for over a decade in the Victorian public service administering legislation in the sport and major events portfolios, and has served on numerous boards, including five years as the secretary of a state sporting organisation.

A long time local resident, Genevieve is committed to maximising resources and creating opportunities for children in our community. She has served as a fencing coach in Olinda for nearly ten years, is the current secretary of the Ranges Chess Club Inc. and frequently volunteers her time to local fundraising projects.