The Change MakersSatellite Squad

Satellite Squad is a youth group that gives kids age 10—15 (approx) a voice to express their personal and shared experiences with and around mental health/mental illness. Lead by Satellite’s Youth Ambassador and Peer Leader Jodie Hinton our hope is that this group will inspire resilience and connection for those who are involved and offer a space to make friends, meet peers and contribute creatively and actively to the conversation surrounding mental health in a broader community.

Support & AwarenessOur Ambassadors

Our Youth Ambassadors

Jodie Hinton

Jodie is a youth worker for children in out of home care and has been volunteering since she was 14 years old with families who have a parent with a mental illness. It was through this volunteering that Jodie found herself part of the Satellite family! Since joining Satellite as a Youth Ambassador Jodie has had a huge role in leading our camps, co-facilitating workshops and will now lead our Satellite Squids. With an unbeatable passion for helping people, Jodie’s dream for the future is to run recreational camps for at risk young people.

 

Our Ambassadors

Justin Heazlewood

Justin Heazlewood is an award-winning author & musician. As The Bedroom Philosopher he had a songwriting series on Triple J and his CD Songs From The 86 Tram was nominated for an ARIA. His first book Funemployed: Life as an Artist in Australia saw Justin interview over 100 creative people to see what made them work. His latest book Get Up Mum is about Justin’s life as a child carer for his mentally ill mum. 

Eliza Henry Jones

Eliza Henry-Jones is the author of Ache and In the Quiet, which was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards and the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction and longlisted for the ABIA and Indie Book Awards. Her latest book, P is for Pearl, is her first novel for young adults.  She herself has also been impacted by parental substance abuse and mental illness. She lives on a small farm in the Yarra Valley.

Brad McEwan

Brad is a Satellite Foundation and beyondblue ambassador and is passionate about continuing the vital communication surrounding mental health. Brad is a sports journalist and tv and radio presenter and loves meeting people, hearing their stories and telling their stories. As he often says, “everyone has a story to tell, you just have to find out what it is”. His three greatest loves are family, the Carlton FC, and cooking.

Making it happenOur Staff

Rose Cuff

Co-Founder and Executive Director
Rose Cuff is an Occupational Therapist who has worked in child, adolescent and adult mental health services since 1987. Since 1995 she has focussed entirely on harnessing the full potential of children and families where a parent/carer has mental health challenges. Rose has achieved this through direct clinical practice, developing and implementing peer support programs, co-producing a wide range of resources, publishing widely and conducting training and research. As co-founder of Satellite Foundation, Rose’s passion for this space is undiminished. She has three amazing adult children, an adored grandchild and dreams of walking the mountains of Ethiopia.

Sylvie Meltzer

Program
Director
Sylvie Meltzer has been part of the Satellite team since early 2019. Her background is mostly as a teaching artist in education and community work in Melbourne, India and China. Sylvie feels strongly about creating dialogues and connections in collaborative, creative and supportive ways. Sylvie is honoured to be part of this community of people who are dedicated to and passionate about changing the outcomes for young people who join the ‘Satellite family’ in unique and caring ways. Every day she is learning and is grateful for the opportunity to do so. Sylvie's other passions are hanging out with her larger than life three year old, planning adventures and anything that is hot pink.

Henry von Doussa

Family Liason
Coordinator

Henry von Doussa is a social researcher for La Trobe University at both The Bouverie Centre and The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS).  Much of this work is in supporting families to build and maintain relationships that work well for everyone in the family unit. This whole-of-family approach is integral to Henry's work. Henry grew up in a family where there was mental illness and has a good understanding of what kids need. He also understands some of the constraints and difficulties facing parents and caregivers. Henry is kind, approachable and he knows that all families are doing their best and wish the best for their children.

Addy Dunkley Smith

Youth Advocate

Addy has always been passionate about giving back to the community. In 2016 she began her involvement with Satellite because her values and goals aligned with that of the organisation. Addy contributes regularly as a peer facilitator, program consultant and in sharing her lived experience.  In her past she competed at several world championships on the Australian National Rowing Team. Addy is currently studying for her doctorate in clinical psychology at Deakin University.  She enjoys spending time with family and traveling to exotic places. Addy’s ideal Friday night is a home cooked meal and watching reality TV (a guilty pleasure).

 

Kelly Way

Program Support and Operations Manager
Kelly Way joined the Satellite Foundation team in 2020, excited by the possibilities! With over 15 years’ experience working across both corporate and non-profit sectors, Kelly is an effective manager who can be relied upon as a business support person, particularly during periods of growth and change. Kelly transitioned into the mental health space following postgraduate counselling studies and is passionate about maintaining empathic connections with young people experiencing hardship, loss and mental health challenges within their families. Kelly also loves dance and improvisation, exploring all that creative movement practices have to offer.
 

Vision & GuidanceOur Board

Rose Cuff

Co-Founder and Executive Director
Rose is an Occupational Therapist who has worked in child, adolescent and adult mental health services since 1987. Since 1995 she's focussed on realising the full potential of children in families with mental health challenges. Rose has three adult children and dreams of walking the mountains of Ethiopia.

Sarah Fowler

Director
Sarah is passionate about removing the stigma of mental illness and creating a sustainable future for our children. She has diverse, valuable experience as an executive in the not-for-profit and higher education sectors. Sarah runs her own boutique consultancy focused on fostering respectful, inclusive and productive workplaces.

Binda Gokhale

Director
Binda is an experienced senior director in finance, strategic planning, and governance. She was the General Manager of Planning, Forecasting and Performance Management at Telstra Corporation, and held senior executive roles within Telstra’s Corporate Finance and Treasury operations.

Gill Greenstein

Company Secretary

Gill has a background in working with small and medium size businesses in the public and private sectors, designing and administering financial solutions. Gill is passionate about supporting the development of a sustainable organisation that is pivotal in empowering young people to transform their lives.  In her spare time, Gill volunteers as a cook at the Darebin Community Kitchen.

Verena Merry

CO-FOUNDER and DIRECTOR
Verena is doctor of clinical psychology and a doctor of medicine and surgery. As a clinical psychologist Verena had 20 years of experience working with children and families affected by mental illness. More recently her propensity for early recognition and intervention has seen her seek a career in obstetrics where she hopes to work closely with women affected by mental illness during the perinatal period.

Kerry Proctor

Chair
Kerry is a psychologist and family therapist with many years in community mental health, The Bouverie Centre, Juvenile Justice and most recently, the out-of- home care sector. Kerry is committed to empowering young people and their families who are often silenced in our system and know there is strength and hope in 'sharing our experiences in life’.

Niru Ramasamy

Director
Having trained in Social Work and Human Services, Niru has held various roles within the Community Sector, working with children and young people both in Melbourne and abroad. When she's not interacting directly with people, Niru enjoys spending time in nature, creating art and playing field hockey.

Owen Scott

Treasurer
Owen works in Investment Strategy at Australian Super and brings an analytical, evidence-based perspective to Satellite Foundation. He recognises that mental illness is a complex issue and is passionate about working towards change. Owen is a Melbourne local supporting North Melbourne FC.

Tara Stark

Director
Tara is a lawyer at Slater and Gordon and a long-term mental health advocate. Tara's mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia before Tara was born; the experience of having a mother with a mental illness drew Tara into this area of work and she has been involved with Satellite Foundation since 2010.

Dom de Stefani

Director
Dom has a background in marketing and hospitality, and currently works in the marketing team at Slater and Gordon Lawyers. He brings extensive commercial marketing experience to the Board. Dom enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, cycling and values spending time with friends and family.

David Wu

Director
David is a career banker and strategic thinker with experience in the Banking & Finance, IT & Telco sectors. He brings to the not for profit community extensive experience in roles including Chair, Treasurer, Non-Executive Director and General Board Member with his focus on Sustainability and Good Governance.
 

LeadershipOur Patron

Beth Wilson AM

On 1 May 1997 until December 2012 Beth Wilson was Victoria’s Health Services Commissioner.  She is a lawyer by training and has worked mainly in administrative law.  Beth has had a long-standing interest in medico/legal and ethical issues. Prior to becoming Health Services Commissioner, Beth was the President of the Mental Health Review Board, a Senior Legal Member of the Social Security Appeals Board and WorkCare Appeals Board and a past President of the Victorian Branch of ANZAPPL (Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law).  From 2007 until 2012 Beth was a member of the Disability Services Board.  A member of Breacan Advisory Group (now called Counterpart) from 2013 until 2018,  Beth has a longstanding  interest in women’s health issues, particularly reproductive health and cancer.

Beth is currently a Legal Member, Mental Health Tribunal, Victoria and Patron for the Continence Foundation of Australia, The Satellite Foundation and Acting Chairperson of WildatHeart.. Beth is Ambassador for Kindred Clubhouse , Chair of the Safer Families CRE Advisory Group (Melbourne University Centre of Research Excellence) and Independent Chair of the Travancore Royal Children’s Hospital Community Reference Group .  She is a partner in a health consultancy business Wilson and Webster and sole owner of Lawfully Funny.

Beth has received several important awards in recognition of her achievements.  These include:

  • 2002 - Monash University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding professional achievements and inspirational leadership
  • 2003 - Centenary Medal for services to health
  • 2004 - An Honorary Doctorate from RMIT for contributions to health education
  • 2008 - Induction onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for services to women’s health in Victoria
  • 2013-Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community of Victoria through the provision of dispute resolution in the area of health services.

Beth is a public speaker providing seminars, lectures and classes for consumers, carers, health service providers, business and others.  She loves humour, story telling, art and music and her favourite topics are inspirational leadership, promoting positive culture change in organisations, the importance of team work.  Beth is a keen, active supporter of community based arts programmes.