Board Directors
The Circle Foundation is a registered non-distributing cooperative and a registered health charity with tax deductible status.
It is governed by a Board of Directors which was established at its Foundation meeting in May 2021.
Kathryn Shugg
Chairperson
Kathryn Shugg, a retired professional residing in Moruya since 2017, boasts a distinguished 34-year career in the Australian Public Service (APS). Initially trained as a primary school teacher in the early 1980s, Kathryn transitioned into the APS, where she focused on pivotal policy areas such as Early Childhood Education, Vocational Education, Adult Literacy, and Indigenous Affairs.
Throughout her tenure, Kathryn led national consultation processes, crafted strategic policies, managed large funding programs, and negotiated COAG agreements, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to effecting positive change on a national scale.
Her advocacy is deeply rooted in personal experiences as a caregiver for family members with chronic conditions, driving her passion for systemic improvements in healthcare and social support sectors, particularly in underserved regions like Eurobodalla.
Since retiring, Kathryn has dedicated herself to community service, volunteering with the Cancer Council and providing support to elderly family members navigating cancer treatments. Her ongoing commitment underscores her belief in the urgent need for cohesive, wraparound services for vulnerable individuals in Moruya and beyond. Kathryn Shugg continues to be a driving force in championing accessible and inclusive support systems for those in need.
Dr. Belinda Thewes
Secretary
Belinda is a clinical psychologist, founding Board member and resident of the Eurobodalla for more than 20 years.
She has previously worked in disability, community mental health and chronic disease management in diverse settings including government services, tertiary and regional hospitals, academia and private practice.
Whilst working in Europe, she had the opportunity to visit many inspirational community-based centres, including the Bromley By Bow centre (London, UK) which have helped shape the vision for The Circle Foundation.
Her advocacy work is rooted in experience working with rural people living with cancer and chronic disease and her own lived experience as a carer for older residents of the Eurobodalla.
Wendy Law
Treasurer
Wendy has spent decades passionately educating in Mathematics, Statistics and Finance across Faculties at the University of Wollongong. She was a founding educator at the local Eurobodalla campus when it opened in 2000 and has taken on many roles over the years as the campus has grown. She combines this with her passion for the Surf Life Saving movement, where she was the secretary of a local Club for 15 years and now competently fills the role of Far South Coast Branch Director of Finance.
Over the past couple of years she has taken on the role of Board Treasurer with The Circle Foundation and now coordinates one of their local programs; Singing for Health, in Moruya.
Philip Brown
Board Member
Social Policy Consultant and Former Senior Commonwealth Public Servant
Philip (or Phil) is a highly experienced and passionate social policy practitioner, with over 30 years experience in the Australian Public Service (APS), including nearly 20 years in the Senior Executive
Service.
In the APS, his experience ranged from policy analysis and development, implementation, research and evaluation, service delivery, audit and compliance, and regulatory and legislative reform. His APS career included working in remote and regional settings, as well as at the national policy level. His expertise encompasses social security; youth affairs; Indigenous community and family safety; early childhood and family policy; disability employment; and women’s economic participation. Most recently, he led the Try, Test and Learn program, as well as initiatives around social impact investing and social enterprises.
He has a strong record and reputation for successfully delivering results. Since retiring from the APS in April 2020, Phil has established a new career that utilises his skills, experience and capabilities to design and deliver a range of projects across government and non-government organisations. His ambition is to make a discernible positive impact for vulnerable Australians.
Karen Patterson
Board Member
Registered Nurse and Midwife
Karen is has worked on the Health Executive for NSW Health leading state-wide portfolios focused on healthcare safety and quality. She has experience in co-designing and evaluation of integrated models of care, practiced as a clinician and manager in NSW rural and regional health services for over 20 years. Karen has a key interest in health and well-being for all, strengths-based coaching, health management and leadership as well as skills in health service management. Karen has facilitated the Bega Valley Health Service NSW Health Leadership Program as well as local Collaborative Pair participants to progress their vision for reform and improvement of health services in the Eurobodalla.
Get Involved
The Circle Foundation is looking for passionate volunteers to work with us and help us spread the word about our work. We welcome new Board members and volunteers for projects.
If you have skills in any of the following areas we would love to hear from you:
Social media, marketing or communications
Information technology
Legal skills and governance
Secretariat
Project management
Get in touch to find out more.
Note: these are volunteer roles.
secretary@circlefoundation.coop.org.au