Natalie Hallett, President

 What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am on the Board and currently serve as President of the Foudnation.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
I was invited to join the Foundation’s board in 2019 and took up an active role in 2020 after finding out more about the foundation.

 Why are you involved with the Foundation?
I was looking for an opportunity to integrate myself and my skill set into my local community to assist people. This foundation and the board are helping people in areas that I am passionate about.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
I am very passionate about small business; I am in the IT field and this enables us to assist so many other businesses.
My other loves and hobbies are my Family (2 small children), walking, archery and fishing.

Tamara Lloyd, Vice President

 What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am on the board and currently serve as the Vice 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.

Tegan Rose, Secretary

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am on the board and currently serve 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.

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?

Since my retirement in 2021 from my role as Professional Accountant and Business Advisor, I have been busy with the renovation of the family home, which is ongoing and an ever expanding project.

My loves and hobbies are my very patient wife and our families. I have been an active member of the Yarra Valley 4X4 club for a number of years, and I enjoy responsible 4WD driving through our beautiful country. Also I occupy my time in the gym, gardening, socialising with family and friends particularly over good food and wine.

Bruce Stewart

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

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
In early 2017 I was playing golf regularly with Daryl Stephens, a former President of the Foundation, and, impressed by what they were doing, offered to help in any way that my expertise could contribute.

Why are you involved with the Foundation
Having worked primarily outside the local community, retirement provides me with an opportunity to make a contribution to Maroondah and surrounds and make a small difference to people in need in our community. It helps that the events we run and people enjoy are also of interest to me. Being involved in the allocation of grants is especially rewarding.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
I remain connected to the international water and climate communities and continue to compile articles and reports on the issue of climate change and water and water resources development.
Noting my involvement in the Foothills Foundation started on the golf course, I still enjoy a regular round of golf and of course involvement with my sons and their families.

Peter Maguire

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 Foundation’s Committee of Management in 2017 and have continued from there.

Why are you involved with the Foundation
The Foundation provides me with a great opportunity to use my strengths to contribute to our community in Melbourne’s outer east in lots of different ways. I have also met lots of terrific community-minded people and enjoy our fundraising events.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
I am on the Executive of Communities of Wellbeing, a local not-for-profit dedicated to improving wellbeing across community, initially in the City of Maroondah. My career has been in human resources management and I am passionate about creating great workplaces.
My other loves are sport – especially AFL (the Bombers) and golf, family, friends and music.

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 approached through the organisation I work for, Anchor. Anchor is a NFP Community Services Organisation in the outer east.

 Why are you involved with the Foundation
The Foothills Foundation is an enormous supporter of the work Anchor does within the community. Being involved with the Foundation provides the opportunity to support them and to utilise my skillset surrounding Partnership work to directly benefit the community.

 What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation?
I am a very proud mum to 3 children outside of the work space. I compete in endurance events in my spare time and enjoy the challenges both Ironman and Ultramarathon training  brings.

Paul McPherson

What is your role at the Foothills Foundation?
I am a Board and Life member, involved with the running of all events and mentoring newer Board members.

How and when did you become involved with the Foundation?
My Sales Manager, Peter Whitworth (Treasurer from 2003-2009) invited me to lunch meetings from 2002 and, I joined the Committee in 2003, Vice-President from 2004-2009; President 2010-2012; member of Golf Day and Grants Committees to 2016; “Footnotes Editor 2004-2013. Involved in all events since 2003.

Why are you involved with the Foundation
Having been a Croydon resident (Mooroolbark & Croydon) since 1974 and, working long hours, inner suburbs – it was time to give to my local community – the commitment to helping those in need, the partnerships, friendships and associations have made it all worthwhile.

What else are you passionate about outside your work with the Foundation? 
A director of a 132 year-old family media business, maintaining industry and client contacts; Committee member (9 years as President) of the Monastery Ridge Group in Maroondah; Philanthropic pursuits; Motorsports Scrutineer with MSCA and, an avid Austin Healey owner and enthusiast; enjoying life with friends and family

Colleen Sinclair

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 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.