about us

 

Our Vision

To provide an opportunity for every young person to feel a sense of belonging

Our Mission

To train and support community members as they mentor young people

To partner with schools and the community in providing resource

To ensure the safety of children in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards

Our Values

Integrity - Trust - Respect - Shared Responsibility

The Standing Tall model of school-based mentoring is based on:

• The belief that the benefits of mentoring come from the development of a trusting relationship and all practices of the program are designed to allow this to take place.

• The aim to deliver a program where all participants are valued. 

 
 

Who We Are

The Standing Tall in Warrnambool committee consists of passionate members from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing an opportunity for all young people in our community and tirelessly work together and with our community partners to achieve this.

 

Ricky Leonard - Co-President

Ricky works in a management role for an energy infrastructure business and his wife Liz, a local midwife at the Warrnambool base hospital. Along with their two daughters, they are passionate about making a positive impact on their local community through organisations such as Standing Tall. Ricky has been a mentor and committee member over the past few years and is extremely excited to take on the president role in 2022 to continue to build on the great work that his predecessors have made.

Kate Lindsey - Co-President

Kate is a Warrnambool local, fiancé to Craig and mum of two to Freddie, 5 year old golden retriever and Billy, 4 year old son. Kate first started as a mentor in 2022, before joining the committee in 2023 and has taken on the co vice-president role in 2024. 

Kate works for the Moyne Shire Council, and also is the Open netball coach for the Warrnambool Football Netball Club. Kate is one of 4 children, with her mum and dad both still living locally. Kate enjoys giving back to the Community that she has grown up in.

 

Pip Norton - Vice President

Pip has been a mentor with Standing Tall since 2017, and recently joined the committee.  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. 

 

Lynne Moloney- Program Coordinator

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.

 

Mel Gorman - Secretary

Mel has been a dedicated community leader in Warrnambool for the past 18 years. She co-founded Bee Cool Refrigeration Services alongside her husband and is a partner in Contrast Electrics Southwest.

Mel has 4 children aged 13-23 and is active in their school communities and local football club. She also volunteers for Meals On Wheels and has been a Standing Tall mentor for the last 2 years, joining the committee in 2023. When not busy with community work, she enjoys caravan trips, reading, cooking, and being there for her loved ones. 

Aime Sandri

Profile coming soon.

 

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.

Davina Forth

Profile coming soon.

 

Nicole Morgan

Nicole Morgan is the Founder and Managing Director of Virtual Personal Management – VPM In Home Care, a service that delivers high quality early childhood education and care to vulnerable children with complex and challenging needs. Nicole is also the President of the Australian Home Childcare Association, the national peak body of the In Home Care sector. 

Nicole was born and raised in Warrnambool and after 30 years in Melbourne returned to her home town with her 3 beautiful daughters. 

Nicole has consistently been engaged in the community sector, in both paid and volunteer roles, and it is this passion for making the world a better place that drives both her personal and professional values.

Nicole was a mentor for Standing Tall in 2023 and volunteers at Western District Foodshare.

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!


 

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. 

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.