Lois Mitchell RN CM holds a Masters in Health Management.

After years of experience as a hands on nurse Lois moved into middle management within the public health industry. She acted as a Department Unit Manager and is used to administering multi-million budgets. After resigning from the public health system Lois undertook an extensive program in NLP.

Lois has always had an interest in giving back to the community. Over the years she dedicated time for activities that enriched the lives of her children. She spent time as part of the parent management committee of the preschool her children attended. Over time she graduated to the P&C and being involved in fund raising.

Within the hospital she was on the Founding Ball Committee of KIDS of Macarthur Health Foundation. Lois has always had an interest in combining alternate therapies with mainstream medicine and feels that the medical profession and complimentary therapy professionals are getting much better at working together for the good of their patients and their families.

Lois is looking forward to working on this very worthwhile project and developing long term friends within the community.

Cheryl contribution to developing the momentum that has allowed the organisation to be established can not be underestimated. Ten years ago her son, Jonathan, was severely injured in an accident. Doctors did not expect him to life let alone recover. His parents were told if he did live he would never walk, talk or live a productive life. He has achieved all of that and more.

Cheryl is the author of three books on brain injury:

‘There‘s Always Hope, Just Alter The Dreams’, NSW HEALTH - May, 2006
‘The Courage to Care ‘ NSW HEALTH - September 2007

‘Paper Cranes — A Mother ‘s Story of Courage & Determination’. This book is her masterpiece. Paper Cranes tells the story of personal journey; the pain and the subsequent achievements.

She is a consumer representative/advocate with the Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce – Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate.

She applied for this honorary position with the expectation of improving clinicians’ understanding of issues of concern to consumers. She brings to the Directorate a consumer perspective that reflects her enthusiasm and optimism for improving and developing health care services. She is strongly committed to the ideology of a health care system that is accessible and equitable to all sectors of the community. To date she has attended regular Directorate meetings and bi-monthly Consumer Forums at the GMCT.

Her personal experience in the extensive rehabilitation of her own son, along with gaining a wealth of insight through meeting and interviewing many other consumers, she feels she can contribute a wide reflection of consumer perspectives that would be beneficial and constructive in any discussion relevant to improving the policies, plans and initiatives in most areas of health care services.

She is a member of the NSW Brain Injury Association’s Mentor Advisory Panel - which has been set up to design and implement a mentoring program to assist people affected by brain injury. She was recently appointed as a Consumer Representative on an Advisory Panel for MSAC (Medical Services Advisory Committee) which reports directly to the Federal Minister for Health & Ageing in regard to the approval of a new surgical procedure. This appointment is short-term and should conclude in February 2008.

She is a member of an Advisory Panel for the NSW Brain Injury Association.

Cheryl has been a guest speaker at several Carer Support Groups. There is no doubt she will make a major contribution to the projects undertaken by the organisation.

Cheryl has a wonderful husband, Robert, and a remarkable son, Chris. Both men have taken on many tasks to release Cheryl to make a change in the lives of others.

Krissy Wright has been involved in Natural Healing for l7 years. After treatment and surgery to remove a pituitary brain tumour at the age of 23 she became inspired to help herself and others through complimentary healing methods.

She holds diplomas in Medical Herbalism (including retail herbalism) Basic Applied Medical Science, Iridology and Remedial Therapy, with certificates in Relaxation, Swedish and Sports Massage and Trigger Point Therapy Massage plus Basic Kinesiology.

She is a Reiki and Seichem Master and recently completed a further course of study to obtain a PhD in Naturopathy from Richmonds University England. She continues to study the potential and power of the brain and use of the mind in healing and self development.

Having tested positive for BRACA1 in 2001 she opted for preventative removal of her ovaries to decrease risk of ovarian cancer and better screening ability for breast cancer, this action plunged her into early menopause.

Three years later Krissy was diagnosed with an aggressive non- hormone receptor, grade 3, breast cancer involving 3 lymph nodes. She had both breasts removed, and over the next 12 months underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. During this time she integrated and explored many adjunct therapies to create a positive healing experience for herself.

She is currently writing about her journey and the processes she explored, in a book called: “An Arty Crafty Healing — A Genetic Breast Cancer Journey with a Creative Happy Ending”.

Krissy is available for bookings for speaking engagements and commission basis artwork. She is also developing a range of healing and self development products some of which are available at her website. Krissy brings a unique perspective to the organisation. She is currently on a journey of healing and is a qualified and experienced healer herself.

Sean Wright is CEO of Sean’s PC Power and www.onlinepcschool.com

He blends his passion for computer maintenance, repair and construction with his vision of educating people about computers - to relieve the fear surrounding this most vital
21st Century technology.

With 25 years experience in telecommunications, Sean brings extensive experience and understanding of excellent customer needs and technical support. His vast knowledge and the ability to make ‘computer phobics’ relax and learn will be invaluable to the association as it works with strategic partners to use the latest technology in a truly unique manner.

As a loving father of two sons and husband to Krissy Wright, Sean believes he has found true happiness. He understanding the challenges families experience as one of them faces life threatening illnesses. He and his wife have lived through such experiences and want to turn those negative situations in positives.

The Friendship Foundation Limited Sean knows it will be able to use Sean’s unique balance of technical know how and effective communication to become a agent of effective change within the community.

Ray has several diverse qualifications B Ed S (UQ), Grad Dip R S (CCC. Sydney) ATCL (London).

He has worked in education for 34 years, first as a teacher then 15 years in administration. He has worked both in the private & public education sectors.

For the last ten years Ray, with his wife, Kathy has been very involved in completing numerous projects and has succeeded in bringing all the projects to completion on time and within budget. Ray has handled the numerous D.A’s required for the projects and has experience in working with local Councils and coordinating the works that are undertaken.

Ray, will bring invaluable educational and project management skills to the organisation.

Kathy has an extensive background in banking. However, for the past 10 years Kathy has developed several businesses and has demonstrated an ability to project manage many complex and challenging undertakings.

Together with her husband, Ray, they have completed numerous projects including setting up and running a Guest House in Canvagra, a Bed & Breakfast in Beaudesert, Commercial Offices in the Old Queensland, National Bank, Kyogle and a homestead on a rural block in The Southern Darling Downs, as well as renovations of numerous residential properties.

Kathy has flair in design and interior décor that creates a welcoming and family environment for travels from near and far. She has a keen interest in residential real estate and handles all the financial challenges that are part & parcel of property development and management.

Kathy’s extensive project management experience will deepen the organisations ability to manage complex and diverse projects from setting up mentoring programs, enrichment programs, and other activities that connect people and create an ‘extended family’ environment.

Kathy & her husband, Ray, have an 18 year old daughter who brings great happiness into their lives. A great happiness and a sense of family they want to share with others.