The Change MakersSatellite Squad

Satellite is passionate about giving children and young people a leading voice within the organisation; they are the change makers of the future! As such, young people who have completed a Satellite program are invited to join our Satellite Squad, a youth group that gives young people aged 16 and above a voice in Satellite and beyond. We offer many learning and development opportunities, creative projects, and spaces - real and online - to reconnect with friends, forge new connections and friendships, and collaborate with everyone in our Satellite fold and beyond.

Support & AwarenessOur 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.

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

CEO and Co-Founder

Rose Cuff (she/her) 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

Creative Director and Facilitation

*Currently on maternity leave.
Sylvie Meltzer (she/her) 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. 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-five-year-old, planning adventures, and anything that is hot pink.

Madeleine Griffith

Creative Director and Facilitation

Madeleine Griffith (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist and teacher with a background in sculpture, animation, miniature making and illustration. She is passionate about applying creative approaches to build connections and space for people to explore their creativity. She is thrilled to join the Satellite team and be a part of such a wonderful and compassionate organisation. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn from and support children and young people through creativity. Madeleine has three delightful children, two chickens and a budgie, all of which bring her much happiness.

Ben Teng

Operations Manager

Ben Teng (he/him) joins Satellite Foundation with a wealth of knowledge and experience - both locally and internationally - in working with families and children that are facing challenges. He has helped organisations to develop and grow and is excited to be a part of Satellite’s work and to help Satellite make an even bigger impact in the community. Ben loves spending time with his family and trying to keep up with his three children as they learn, play, and grow.

Kelly Way

Program Manager

Kelly Way (she/her) 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.

Louise Malcolm

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Louise Malcolm (she/her/they/them) was thrilled to join the Satellite team in late 2021. They are excited to bring their more than 15 years of administration experience across tertiary, arts, and disability organisations to the lovely place that is Satellite. With extensive experience in events and creative workshops Louise has a strong belief in the power of the arts and creativity to foster connection and have positive impacts on young people’s lives. Outside of work, Louise is enjoying studying furniture making. They also enjoy moving their body in fun ways at retro aerobics classes.

Lotti O'Dea

Social Impact Researcher & Youth Advisor

Lotti (she/her) first joined the Satellite family as a participant in the 2019 Young Leaders program and then in 2020’s It’s a Mad World online exhibition. Now she’s combining her lived experience with her skills in evaluation and data analysis to support Satellite Foundation. Lotti has a background in economics and public policy across projects in the public, not-for-profit and private sector. She is passionate about combining stories with data to help Satellite learn more about the impact it is making and to share this with the world. Lotti is happiest when talking with young people, curled up reading a good book or data-crunching.

Mia Boonen

YOUTH COORDINATOR

Mia Boonen (she/her) joined the Satellite Foundation Team in 2021. With a practice led by access and community, Mia is trained in theatre at the Victorian College of Arts and has taken her artsy habits into work across disability advocacy and youth work fields. She is passionate about finding room for joy and play in everything that she does, as well as building warm, welcoming spaces for young people. Outside of her time at Satellite, Mia makes theatre with the young folks at Dramawerkz Theatre Inc.

Georgia Radford

Community Engagement

Raised on Dja Dja Wurrung Country by her family and community Georgia Radford (she/her) is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman from SA. Alongside her role at Satellite, Georgia (a registered nurse by profession) also works in medical education and curriculum development at the University of Melbourne. Growing up in a family where there was a range mental illnesses and challenges including her own, Georgia feels safe and privileged to share these experiences with other young people, their communities, and the wonderful Satellite team. Her French Bulldog ‘Silvi’, walking or swimming at the beach and camping on Country all make Georgia very happy!

Ned Ryan

Youth Liaison

Ned Ryan (he/him) joined Satellite in 2021 as a volunteer and has since transitioned to placement student, peer facilitator and finally our Youth Liaison. Ned has completed a Bachelor of Youth Work but his passion for the youth sector was sparked by attending, and then volunteering on, a youth camp program himself. It was at these camps where he was able to see the powerful impact organisations like Satellite have on young people. Ned brings fun, health and creativity to his youth work practice through incorporating his passions of sport, photography and engaging with people to everything he does.

Kim Seeliger

Marketing and Communications Manager

Kim Seeliger (she/her) is a communications professional with 15 years’ experience. She has worked in a diverse range of creative industries in South Africa, England, and now Australia including arts and culture, fashion, design, and circus arts. In a previous life she was a dancer and choreographer and is passionate about the transformative nature of the arts. Kim is very grateful to surrounded by the wonderfully creative team at Satellite. When not at work, she spends her time adventuring with her two rambunctious kids and is always on the hunt for new places to explore.

Eman Ezekiel

Content Creator

Eman Ezekiel (he/him/they/them) is a Maldivian-born multidisciplinary artist with a primary interest in writing and photography. Eman grew up with a parent experiencing challenges to their mental health, as well as mental health challenges of their own. He is incredibly passionate about the healing nature of creativity, and advocacy through amplifying direct lived experience. Eman feels very fortunate to be a part of the wonderful Satellite family, and he hopes to be able to contribute some more kindness into the world. When they are not working, they love recreating his mother's recipes in the kitchen, reading, or going for photo walks in nature.

Clare MacDonald

Admin Support

Clare MacDonald (she/her) is a vintage import from the UK. She brings varied admin experience from working at the BBC and as an admin at a SCUBA dive tour operator. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 2018. Working as the first point of contact is a wonderful opportunity to utilise her lived experience and support people by directing them to the best person to chat with about joining a program at Satellite. Clare aims to learn something new every day and volunteers monthly as a walking group leader for women and non-binary people of all sizes on beginner-friendly outdoorsy adventures in Melbourne’s inner west.

Melanie Renwick

Family Liaison

Melanie Renwick (she/her/they/them) came to Satellite in 2021 as a volunteer and then moved into a Youth worker role for our camps programs in 2022. Her background is in supporting young mothers and families facing mental health challenges, re-engaging with communities, and in education. She has always dreamed of working for an organisation that truly celebrates Lived Experience and hopes to empower and advocate for families so that they can make informed choices over their own lives. When they are not working, Melanie loves to enjoy time in the country, bush walking, and sharing new experiences with her four children.

Leanne Vuong

Training and Education Resources Officer

Leanne (she/her) believes everyone has the right to live fully by experiencing the best health and wellbeing possible, and this has shaped a career focused on health promotion, training and education. She has honed these skills across services including youth health, gambling help, suicide prevention, chronic conditions, and alcohol and other drugs. Joining the team in 2023, Leanne hopes to align her experiences of familial mental health challenges with Satellite’s vision and mission. Outside of work she enjoys hitting nature trails on two wheels or two feet, finding cheap and cheerful eateries, and harvesting what survives from the fruit and veggie boxes.

Vision & GuidanceOur Board

Rose Cuff

CEO and Co-Founder

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.

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.

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.

Owen Scott

Chair

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.

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.