Our Team

Chris Hemsworth (Patron)

To many, he is known for his roles in movies such as Thor, The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman and Red Dawn, but to us at the Australian Childhood Foundation, Chris Hemsworth’s most appreciated role is that of committed and proud patron.

Despite his hectic filming schedule, Chris is determined to shine a spotlight onto an issue that remains difficult for many to talk about.

“Child abuse is Australia’s biggest social problem,” says Chris.

“I was lucky enough to grow up in a loving, supportive household, but my parents have been social workers for more than 20 years, and from them I know the lasting damage that abuse and neglect can cause. The trauma of abuse stays with children long after the threat has left them, unless they are helped to heal.

“I am also very appreciative of the work the Foundation does to prevent abuse before it has a chance to occur. Knowledge, information and connectedness are such powerful weapons in the fight against abuse, and the more we make ourselves aware of the issue of child abuse, the better we can support vulnerable children and their families within our community and keep them safe from harm.”

Rosie Batty (Patron)

Rosie Batty, for the past four years has pushed on in an unrelenting pursuit for social change, on the issue of family violence. Rosie’s grief and loss, has been expressed in an incredible willingness to speak out, touching the hearts of the Australian community. After becoming Australian of the year in 2015 her determination to drive reform in responses to family violence, has seen Rosie’s life catapulted into the public sphere. Establishing the Luke Batty Foundation to honor her son, Luke Batty, Rosie launched the “Never Alone” campaign to ensure the victims of family violence like Luke were not forgotten.

“We started Never Alone with a mission to make sure that victims could not be forgotten, putting them at the centre of a national conversation about family violence, we shone a light on an issue that needs to be prioritised.

“I am so proud of everything we have achieved. Together we gave victims a voice and demanded our leaders act.” Rosie says.

The Luke Batty Foundation closed on the 16th of February 2018 to allow Rosie an opportunity to prioritise her own care and wellbeing. The demands of running a National Foundation are considerable and since starting this Foundation in her son’s name, Rosie has had little time to rest.

“I realized, that I couldn’t keep going at the pace I was forever. It is unsustainable and I was tired. I am now prioritising my self-care and working through how I can contribute best toward the protection and care of children.

The funds from the Foundation have been distributed to a number of family violence foundations to help them execute programs and projects.

Over the past four years Rosie has engaged and supported a number of like-minded organisations, focused in on family violence.

“The Australian Childhood Foundation has always held a strong resonance. The Foundation has a very clear focus on children impacted by family violence and abuse, and over the years we have talked about how we might together ensure that children’s voices are heard in the midst of this maddening violence”, says Rosie.

When it became clear that winding up the Luke Batty Foundation was the right choice, I began to talk with the team of the Australian Childhood Foundation, about how my voice and journey could help us continue the fight for children, together.

In November last year, I made the decision to sign on as a Patron, and It feels right. My hope is this move will allow me to find a better balance, whilst being able to contribute and ensure that children like my Luke are not forgotten.

Dr Joe Tucci, CEO of The Australian Childhood Foundation said having Rosie join the Foundation, as Patron, alongside our existing Patron Chris Hemsworth, feels extremely important. Rosie’s personal journey is one of pain, courage and commitment. Rosie’s contribution to the Royal Commission, and the issue of family violence in this country has undoubtedly and significantly changed the way the Australian community engage and view these issues.

We appreciate the incredible demands of running a Foundation as it takes significant ongoing resources, funding and in our uniting forces we hope to able to support Rosie to continue a very important role in this conversation, and the fight for reform and change.

Rosie is such a powerful influencer in this national conversation and a personal inspiration to those struggling with deepest of grief. Says, Dr Joe Tucci.

Together the Foundation and Rosie will continue to work to ensure that the community prioritizes children safety amidst the violence, and to change the life stories for the children impacted by this violence and abuse.

Matty Johnson

Australia’s beloved bachelor Matty Johnson is lucky to have found love and a successful media career, but above anything else he is a devoted father. With strong bonds to his family, Matty chose to champion the cause of children who are not lucky enough to have the fantastic familial support network he grew up with and hopes to provide his daughter with too.

Matty says: “The older I get, the more I appreciate the impact my happy and healthy childhood has had on my life so far. Every child deserves that. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved and have adults in their lives they can trust. The Australian Childhood Foundation has been at the forefront of defending children in Australia for years and it is a privilege to do what I can to further their cause.”

Clint Newton

We are thrilled to announce and welcome Clint Newton, the Chair and General President of the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) as the newest ambassador to join the Foundation.

As a White Ribbon ambassador, Clint has been highly vocal throughout his sporting career serving as an empowered voice. He spent a long time leading the charge against domestic violence in Australia, and now is being the change he wants to see for children who suffer abuse.

“Our responsibility as parents and as a society is to not only look after our own children but all children and keep them safe from abuse, violence and neglect,” he says.

Clint encourages the importance for men to undertake a role of responsibility and leadership and he utilises his standing within the game to help drive social change and awareness. As a committed family man with a young daughter of his own, Clint is motivated to be a positive influence in his community and is honoured to be associated with the Foundation.

Born in the United States and raised in Australia, Clint has played for the Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. Clint represented the United States in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, helping the team progress to the quarter-finals in their first world cup experience.

“Honesty, respect and equality are all part of the rugby league ethos and with these values, players can be a positive asset in society and influence change,” he says “As a community we can help raise awareness, spread the message and continue to make sure that not another child will miss out on their childhood.”

Liam Hemsworth

With movies such as romantic drama The Last Song, the smash hit The Hunger Games, the action extravaganza The Expendables 2 and the new Australian classic The Dressmaker under his belt, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth is tasting the kind of success other actors only dream about.

But despite the glitter and attention that goes hand-in-hand with a successful Hollywood career, Liam remains grounded by the safe, loving childhood he enjoyed with his two brothers, Luke and Chris.

This gives him a strong appreciation for the work the Australian Childhood Foundation is doing to help children reclaim the childhoods that have been stolen from them by the trauma of abuse, family violence and neglect. It is why he is proud to be an ambassador for the Foundation to draw attention to the issue of child abuse in this country.

“I have the best parents you can have,” says Liam. “They have worked in child protection for twenty years and have only ever given me encouragement and support, and I always felt safe and loved. The world is a scary enough place as it is for children.

“It is important that home should always be a safe place for them. If they don’t have that, if they grow up unsafe and uncared for, that causes so much harm. I want the best for the next generations, because they are the future.”

Nadine Garner

Nadine is a much-awarded and lauded veteran of Australian (and UK) film, television and stage, as both an actor and director. Her more recent TV series include City Homicide and The Doctor Blake Mysteries and she received four nominations (winning two of them, including the Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical) for Cabaret in 2003.

Nadine, a parent of two boys, and Foundation ambassador since 2008, has always felt strongly about the importance of protecting children.

“To me, it’s the cornerstone of a civilised society; if we cannot protect our children behind closed doors then we as a society are failing. I want to be proud of how we look after our children and keep them safe.
“I get so frustrated that people find child abuse distasteful and don’t want to talk about it… and so child abuse becomes this invisible evil that they don’t feel they can tackle. I want to help pull the rug off it continually and force people to examine the issues around child abuse because it is the only way we as a society will face up to it and do what is needed to break the cycle.

“I feel very driven to helping the Australian Childhood Foundation raise awareness of the impact of child abuse and, importantly, helping the community to face up to it and understand how we can put a stop to it.”

Nadine’s selfless and committed contribution to the work we do is critical to helping us engage with the Australian public. She has lent her face and voice to fundraising and awareness campaigns and events, and recently, with her husband Cameron Barnett, produced and narrated our Thoughtful Parenting DVD. She is a much loved and respected member of the Australian Childhood Foundation family.

A Special Project

Nadine and Cameron have been involved in a number of Foundation projects. Their most recent project was to produce, direct and develop with the Foundation the Thoughtful Parenting booklet and DVD for our Bringing Up Great Kids and Kidscount parenting programs

“Our reason for getting involved with the production of this DVD was very simple,” says Nadine. “We both feel strongly about protecting and keeping children safe. We also feel strongly about educating adults. We know, only too well, as busy parents, that we don’t always react the way we should. While it’s ok to explain our responses away, we all need to take the time to stop, reflect on what we are doing and be the parents we want to be.
Working on this project was incredibly helpful for us and we hope that other people find it useful too.”

Daniel and Luke Mancuso

“To us having a sense of community around you is the foundation of growing up with a kind heart and a healthy & strong mindset. It’s what has helped us with accepting and moving forward through the trauma and aching heart of losing our beautiful mother to domestic violence.  Being open to your friends and family about your mental health is crucial and makes you a stronger being for doing so. We are honoured and ecstatic to be working with the Australian Childhood Foundation and provide that sense of community everyone deserves.”

Luke and Daniel Mancuso – Yia Yia Next Door

Stefan Dennis

The role of Paul Robinson in Australia’s longest-running TV drama Neighbours is only the tip of the iceberg in Stef’s busy and colourful career. He’s graced our TV screens in shows like Skyways, Carson’s Law, Prisoner, The Henderson Kids, The Sullivans, The Young Doctors and Blue Heelers. He’s also worked on a huge variety of TV shows and theatre productions in the UK, including Blood Brothers which showed in the West End and toured the UK. He also does voiceover work here and in Britain.

And while he plays the devious Paul Robinson very convincingly, Stefan is the Foundation’s good guy when it comes to his tireless and unapologetic dedication to bringing the issue of child abuse to the community’s attention.

“This doesn’t just happen in books and movies – this is happening in our own backyards,” he says.

“One of my dearest wishes is that all kids grow up being loved and nurtured and shown the right way through life, but above all, to be loved. To be loved unconditionally, the same as they do with us.

“And it is every child’s right to go to school and gain an education without carrying the burden of abuse or neglect. Often, their suffering is secret. They are unnoticed and unprotected. I am proud and delighted to contribute in any way I can, to help protect our children.”

Casey Burgess

Casey’s first television appearances included Home and Away and the TV movie Scorched. At the age of 15, she was also a presenter for Girl TV. She was a much-loved member of children’s entertainment group Hi-5 from 2008 – 2013.

She says she jumped at the chance to be an ambassador for the Foundation because she identifies strongly with the anxiety and fear that children feel when not all is well within a family. Although her own mum and dad divorced when she was a baby, Casey says she was very much loved by both parents.

“I didn’t go without and there was a lot of fun in my childhood, climbing trees, making cubby houses, playing with the children in the street and around the corner, and I’m very grateful for that,” she says. “But when you’re in a split family, things are a bit different… with my stepmother, there were times when I was anxious and a bit scared and didn’t want to say anything, so I feel like I understand just a bit about what that is like for children. I would like to learn more about how the Foundation helps children to deal with the anxiety and fear that the trauma of abuse creates for them, through being a part of it.”

Casey firmly believes that children should have childhoods that are free of worry. “There is so much worry, so many things that we have to organise, be responsible for and do when we grow up, that childhood should be the time in our lives when we are free of that, when we are free to imagine, to create stories for ourselves, to have fun and to go to bed looking forward to getting up in the morning and playing,” she says.

Vanessa Low

World record holder and Tokyo Paralympic Gold Medalist, Vanessa Low, was inspired to become a part of an organisation that helps children live their best lives, overcome trauma and create a lasting impact on our society.

“Every child has the right to safety and love. I have immense gratitude for my parents, grandparents and sisters for showing me the value of compassion, love and understanding. I’ve been lucky to have been blessed with support from my family throughout my whole life. Especially when I had life changing accidents at just 15 years of age.

Many Australian children aren’t fortunate to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. So I’m excited to become a part of an organisation that helps children live their best lives, overcome trauma and create a lasting impact on our society.”

Olivia Molly Rogers

South Australian-born Olivia Molly Rogers is making a name for herself as one of Australia’s most in-demand media and digital personalities with her kindness, charm, professional attitude and infectious smile.

Olivia is an author, artist and mental health advocate. She uses her platform to facilitate discussions about mental health and encourage young Australians to speak up and seek support to reach their full potential.

Olivia joined Australian Childhood Foundation as Ambassador in 2022.

“I am very passionate about helping vulnerable children live the best lives they can and reach their full potential.

The work Australian Childhood Foundation does is so incredibly important. I look forward to helping the Foundation support more children to recover from the trauma of abuse and family violence.”

Georgie Parker

Georgie Parker is a two-time Gold Logie award-winning Australian film, television and theatre actress. She is best known for her acting roles in Australian television dramas; as Lucy Gardiner (later Tyler) in A Country Practice; as Terri Sullivan in All Saints; and her current role as Roo Stewart in Home and Away.

She is also a proud parent and knows the importance of protecting children. Australian Childhood Foundation ambassador since 2021, she strongly believes it is important to educate our communities more on the issues and impact of family violence on children. She believes we must provide communities with more opportunities to get involved. By educating and getting involved we can all create lasting impacts.

“I’m so excited to support the work that the Foundation does . I’d like to help amplify the important work they do in helping children to begin their recovery from the trauma they’ve experienced in their lives. Every child deserves to have supportive, caring and loving relationships around them” she explains.

We look forward to working more with Georgie to ensure that children’s well-being is being prioritised in the community.

Rachel Watts

Rachel Watts, is best known for starring in Yummy Mummies—a reality series originating on Australia’s Seven Network before going worldwide on Netflix. Rachel joined Australian Childhood Foundation as an official Ambassador in 2023.

“My decision to become an Australian Childhood Foundation Ambassador was such an easy one. As a parent of two young children this important cause is something I hold close to my heart. All children have the right to feel safe and protected.”

Lorinska Merrington

Lorinska Merrington, a TV personality, businesswoman, and educator, is known for starring in the highly popular reality series ‘Yummy Mummies’ on Netflix, her co-ownership stake in ‘Bub.app’, the leading pregnancy and preconception app and her most recently released robe and baby wrap range, Bub Hood. She is also a qualified primary school teacher who focuses her efforts on early childhood development and integration for children with a range of special needs.

Lorinska joined Australian Childhood Foundation as an official Ambassador in 2023.
“As someone who is heavily invested in education and a primary school teacher, I have unfortunately seen first-hand child abuse and neglect in schools. Abuse robs children of their childhood. Abuse can leave children unable to play in social settings, unable to trust and learn in educational environments.

So I’m proud to partner with Australian Childhood Foundation as it’ll be my goal to stand up for our children and keep them safe.”