Colleen Sinclair, Vice president

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am a board member and current serve as the Vice President.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I became involved with the Foothills Foundation in 2021 after being invited along to a board meeting by Peter Maguire.

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
As my girls were growing up I loved being involved with their school and sports activities, contributing through my roles in committees. Now that they are all grown up I was looking to get involved in the community and wasn’t quite sure what that looked like until Peter introduced me to the Foothills Foundation. I’m excited to work alongside a great team of people and make a difference in our community.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?I’m passionate about building connections, living my best life and supporting other to do the same. Outside of working as a business coach and in our family business I facilitate introductions and support small business in the building industry.  My favourite moments are wining, dining and adventures with my amazing family and friend.

Martin Lane, Treasurer

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am a Board Member, a Trustee and the Treasurer for the Foundation.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the Foundation’s Board in 2017 and took up an active role soon after.

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
I had been looking for several years for an opportunity to get involved in an organisation that engaged with less fortunate members of the local community.
The Foundation has given me an opportunity to utilise my skills. This foundation and the board are focused on helping people in areas that I believe are very important to the community and close to my heart.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
I am very passionate about small business; in my daily life I am a professional Accountant and Advisor to small and medium sized business and our advisory business allows us to assist many business clients.
My other loves and hobbies are my wife and family, responsible 4WD. I am a self-confessed gym junkie; I enjoy gardening and spending time with friends over good food.

Michelle Bannigan, Secretary

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am the Secretary.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the Foundation’s Board in 2023.

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
In the past year, I’ve been exploring various charitable organisations and foundations that unite to offer assistance and contribute to the local community in various ways. I was uncertain about how I could personally contribute but after attending several events hosted by Foothills Foundation and witnessing the difference they could make on a community, I knew I wanted to contribute in some form. I felt extremely fortunate when the chance to join their board presented itself.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?

My biggest passion would be my wonderful three girls and husband especially when we are able to travel together. I love working as an Events Manager as every day is different and I am exposed to so may wonderful people at very significant times in their lives. Hobbies include playing tennis as well as cooking for friends and family.

Tegan Rose

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am on the board and formerly served as the Secretary.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the Foundation’s Board in 2018 not long after setting up my own small business locally.

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
I enjoy being able to contribute to the community and am passionate about supporting those who are disadvantaged. Running a small business locally provides so many opportunities for connection and the Foundation is a great way to ensure those connections can work for the broader community too.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
Enjoying what life has to offer – whether it be hiking the incredible trails in the Dandenong ranges, socialising with friends and family, or in my business working with clients to achieve their business dreams through great people management.

Tamara Lloyd

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am on the board as well as being a Trustee and formerly served as the President.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the foundation by Peter Maguire in 2019.  Peter and I have known each other for about 15 years, originally meeting through BNI – I trust him and like the way he does business so was happy to see how I could help the local community

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
I had been looking to assist a local charity,  and when I went along to my first board meeting and met the board members the idea of what they were doing just felt right to me.   I believe that I can really use my networking and marketing skills to help raise funds and help those in our community that need financial assistance of some sort to get back on their feet or make their life easier or more enjoyable if they have fallen on difficult times.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
Being a real estate agent, I do love working with people (& of course I love real estate).  I love being with family and friends relaxing – particularly if it’s near the beach or a pool.  I have 12 year old twins (boy and girl) so they keep me pretty busy when I’m not working.  I do love owning my own business and helping my team grow as people and professionals and it’s is wonderful to be in a business where people appreciate your efforts to get them the best result.

Lauren Gordon

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am a board member.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the Foundations Board as a Not For Profit and Community Services sector representative.

Why are you involved with the Foundation
Being a funder of last resort, the Foothills Foundation works tirelessly to connect with and support some of our communities most vulnerable people and the organisations supporting them. Sitting as a member of the Foundation Board provides an insight into the sector and the needs of the community, connection to organisations and community members, and partnership and foundation development opportunities.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
Im heavily involved in local football as the Head Trainer with Healesville Football Netball Club for the past five years, an endurance runner and Ironman athlete, and mum to three gorgeous humans.

Charles Ampt

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am a board member.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I became involved with the Foothills Foundation in 2023 after I am learning about the many wonderful ways the Foothills Foundation helps the community.

Why are you involved with the Foundation?
I have been searching for a way to give back to the community for some time, and when I was introduced to the Foothills Foundation, I knew it was something that aligned with my core beliefs and was something that I could truly get behind and achieve for both myself and the Foundation at the same time.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?

I am passionate about giving back and as such have undertaken various pro bone matters including historical child sexual abuse claims as well as varied disability discrimination matters.

I am keenly focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for my clients and resolving disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner. I take an advisory role for many of my clients and take great pride in being their trusted and steadfast advisor.

In my spare time I enjoy sports and looking after the health and wellbeing of myself and my partner. We love to travel and explore with our three dogs.