about us

Davina Forth - President

Davina has been involved with Standing Tall through her commitment to improving outcomes for young people across the Great South Coast. She joined the committee because she believes strongly in the power of mentoring to build confidence, connection, and belonging for young people.

Davina is the Executive Officer of Beyond the Bell, a regional organisation working with schools, communities, and partners across South West Victoria to improve educational opportunities and life outcomes for children and young people. Through this work she brings together education, community, government, and philanthropy to strengthen support systems around young people.

Davina has a background in teaching, research, and leadership, with a focus on creating opportunities for young people in regional communities. She is passionate about ensuring young people feel supported, heard, and able to reach their full potential.

Davina lives in Warrnambool and values being part of a community that works together to support the next generation. 

Pip Norton - Vice President

Pip has been a mentor with Standing Tall since 2017, and has been part of the Standing Tall committee for the last 4 years.  Pip has enjoyed witnessing the positive difference mentors can make in a young persons’ life, and would like to make sure that all youth have the support and encouragement to meet their full potential and become confident young adults. 

Pip has been a midwife for over 20 years, working casually at South West Health Care. 

Pip moved to Warrnambool in 2009 with her husband Marcus and 3 kids.

Matty Stewart - Program Coordinator

I’ve been involved in Standing tall for the past 9 years one as a mentor and 8 as program coordinator. 

For me becoming a mentor was a way of giving back and I immediately fell in love with the program and the way it really does make a difference in a young persons life. 

I have loved watching the program evolve and develop and to see the wonderful mentors and students do the same. The community support we receive is nothing short of amazing and we can’t thank our local community enough. 

If you really want to make a difference then become a mentor with Standing Tall and be part of a young persons journey through life. 

Rose Witney - Program Coordinator

For the past six years, I have worked as a support worker and am currently studying community services with the goal of working in a school setting, helping students stay engaged in learning and supported in their wellbeing. This passion grew from my experience as a mentor with Standing Tall over the past three years.

Beyond my studies, I coach and coordinate the local roller derby and play an active role in managing our skate shed operations. My journey into mentoring began when I heard about it on the radio and thought, “Wow, I would have benefited greatly from that as a teenager.” Realising I was in a position to provide that support to someone else, I signed up—and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience ever since.

Lynne Moloney - Secretary

Lynne has worked as a teacher for the past 18 years including over ten years in leadership positions.  Lynne has led a working party in the development of a Nurture Room to support students with diverse learning and well-being needs. Prior to becoming a teacher, Lynne worked for 20 years as a legal secretary and then a conveyancing/mortgage clerk.

Ellie McDonald - Treasurer

Ellie joined the committee as treasurer in 2024 after moving to the area. Ellie is an accountant and works at a local firm, prior to this Ellie lived and worked in Melbourne for over 10 years.

Andrew Hardiman

A local family person (3 children) for over 24 years in Warrnambool. Andrew currently works in the education sector supporting schools with secondary education reform. A keen sports person with a strong sense for the role of mentors across all aspects of life. Andrew is keen to travel (post COVID) and learn new models of education internationally.

Nicole Morgan

Nicole Morgan is the Founder and Managing Director of VPM In Home Care, providing high-quality early childhood education for vulnerable children. She is also President of the Australian Home Childcare Association.

Born and raised in Warrnambool, Nicole returned after 30 years in Melbourne with her three daughters. Passionate about community service, she has been actively involved in both paid and volunteer roles. She mentored for Standing Tall in 2023 and volunteers at Western District Foodshare.

Paul Watkins

Paul Watkins is a Jack of all trades, pharmacist, property developer, investor and keynote speaker. He lives in Illowa with his wife (a primary school principal), two young boys and everything from chickens to sheep. Paul specialises in the wellbeing space - working with high school students and staff to build strong internal stories and adventurous lives, and with  businesses to build the skills of anti-fragility and the doing of hard things. 

John Harris

I’ve been actively involved in Standing Tall, first as a mentor (2014–15), then on the committee (2018–19), and returned as President in November 2024.

My career began as an Accountant with the State Savings Bank of Victoria before spending 45 years at Wannon Water, as Operations Manager.

I am married to Sue and we are proud parents of three children, grandparents to six, and great-grandparents to four. I am passionate about helping support our local community.

Emma Toleman

Emma Toleman is the Payroll Supervisor for Saputo Dairy Australia. She has over 20 years’ experience in administration and payroll throughout Australia. 

This is her first year of being involved with Standing Tall, having heard of the great work the organisation does within the local schools supporting young adults she has joined the committee to assist in administration. 

 Emma is a passionate Richmond and Warrnambool supporter!

Emily Martini

Emily has been a mentor with the Standing Tall program for the last 5 years and joined the committee in 2023. She has a background in marketing and graphic design and is passionate about making a difference within the Warrnambool community. 

Rachel Wilks

Rachel joined the Standing Tall committee through her commitment to strengthening opportunities for young people across the Great South Coast and her belief in the powerful role mentoring can play in helping young people stay connected and confident in their education journey.

Rachel is a Projects Coordinator at Beyond the Bell, where she has worked for the past five years supporting initiatives that improve equity and engagement in education for young people across South West Victoria. Her work focuses on youth engagement, research and partnerships that bring together schools, community organisations and young people to better understand what helps students stay connected to education and feel supported in their learning pathways.

Rachel is also an active youth advocate and has contributed to national conversations on youth employment and education through national advisory roles with youth-led initiatives. She is passionate about ensuring that young people in regional and rural communities are meaningfully involved in shaping the programs, policies and opportunities that affect their lives.

Rachel brings a strong commitment to youth voice and works to ensure young people’s experiences and perspectives are reflected in the systems designed to support them.