WHO WE ARE
Zoe Support Australia is a not-for-profit Community Service Organisation that has operated in Mildura, VIC and surrounds since 2013. We are dedicated to the benevolent relief of social isolation, poverty, ill health, destitution and distress of young mothers aged 13-25 and their children in order to re-engage mothers in education, employment and social programs. We offer a culture of Connecting, Inspiring, Learning.
Our staff and volunteers will support you on your journey into motherhood. We believe that when you are connected and inspired you can learn and achieve great things.
Our services and programs are open to all clients in celebration of race, language, marital status, country of origin, cultural background, political affiliation, religion, sexual and gender identity, disability, or those involved with the criminal justice system, except where specific service and/or program criteria are established.
OUR AIMS
Zoe Support Australia’s primary objectives are for mothers to break cycles of welfare-dependence, increase mother-child attachment and family stability, improve mental health and physical wellbeing, decrease incidents of family violence and substance abuse, engage in higher education, and find employment.
We offer clients a wraparound, holistic and place-based service. We provide advocacy, practical support, and assistance to enable higher education and employment outcomes and develop confidence, self-esteem and personal skills. Our services aim to increase social connection, inspire mothers to achieve their goals and create opportunities for learning.
COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
Zoe Support Australia is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Under the Children Youth and Families Act (2005), Zoe Support Australia provides support to vulnerable children, young people and their families.
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We want children to be safe, happy and empowered
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We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers
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We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children
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We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures
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We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously
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Zoe Support Australia is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.
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Zoe Support Australia has robust human services and recruitment practices to reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing board members, staff and volunteers.
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Zoe Support Australia is committed to regularly training and educating our board members, staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.
We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
We have specific policies and procedures in place that support out board members, staff and volunteers to achieve these commitments.
COMMITMENT TO CULTURAL SAFETY,
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Zoe Support Australia is committed to ensuring cultural safety, diversity and inclusivity are embedded throughout our organisation for the benefit of all clients, volunteers and staff.
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We believe our people are our greatest asset and by supporting and incorporating their culture, diverse talents, knowledge, perspectives and experiences, we can strengthen our relationships with the communities we work with.
Our focus is to create a more just society which means eliminating discrimination in the services we deliver and the workplace we provide. Being a diverse and inclusive organisation goes to the very heart of our work, and supports our strategic intent to transform the future of vulnerable children and their families.
Why embracing cultural safety, diversity and inclusion is important to Zoe Support Australia
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest living cultures in the world. Cultural factors, such as identity, language and spirituality, as well as connection to Country, to family and to community, can positively impact on the lives of Aboriginal people.
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Providing a culturally safe environment supports all clients, volunteers and employees to feel safe and to be their authentic and true self.
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Supporting diversity and acknowledging that our differences in relation to age, sex, gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation or physical ability helps develop strong and sustainable relationships.
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Equality and equity are upheld by implementing policies, procedures and guidelines that ensure that our clients, volunteers and employees are offered opportunities and are supported with exercising their rights.
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Understanding that where clients, volunteers and employees may belong to a number of diverse groups (i.e. religion, gender, sexuality, age, physical ability, cultural heritage), that this intersectionality can pose additional challenges that we need to be responsive to.
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Encouraging consultation and collaboration helps us to gather feedback that guides improvement in our services and work environments to ensure we are meeting the needs of clients, employees and volunteers.
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Providing awareness training for employees and volunteers facilitates self-development and strengthens our workforce capability.
This commitment enables us to gain a better understanding of one another, cultivate greater respect and nurture deeper connections to strengthen our services and workplace and ensure we are inclusive.
AWARDS
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Finalist HESTA Team Excellence Awards in Community Services
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Finalist Learn Local Pre-Accredited Program Award
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Winner HESTA Impact Awards – Outstanding Organisation
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Winner Community Achievement Awards for Regional Victoria - GOTAFE Community Education Award
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Winner VicHealth Victorian Health Promotion Award – Driving Health Equity category
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Winner Victorian Early Years Awards 2021 – Supporting Parents to Build Their Confidence & Capacity
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Winner in Family Day Care Australia Excellence Awards - Regional Educator, Simone
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gary Green
Chair
Gary has a strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people and schools. He worked in the education sector for over 30 years in various roles since completing his bachelor and diploma in Education. He was State Councillor for over 10 years with the Victorian Principal Association, a Chair of the Sunraysia Primary Principal Association, Network Chair of the Sunraysia Mallee SSS Network, and a Primary School Principal for over 20 years. He has also volunteered with local sporting groups in administration roles for 35+ years. Most recently, Gary was the Youth Engagement Services Coordinator at Mildura Rural City Council, providing strategic leadership of Youth staff and programs. As part of this role he assisted the implementation and coordination of the FLO Connect Reengagement Centre, an innovative partnership between education and local government, to reengage young people 12-18 who have not attended school for 3+ months. Gary continues to be an advocate for innovative local programs that support young people at their point of need.
Philip Webster
Director
Philip is a GP serving the Mildura community for more than 45 years. Having grown up in Red Cliffs, he has a deep and abiding love for the region and its people. He graduated MB.BS. (Melb. Uni 1977) & has post graduate qualifications in obstetrics Dip. Obs. RACOG, and general practice FRACGP & FACRRM.  He has a Grad Cert in Clinical Medical Education. He is involved with teaching and supervising undergraduate students, registrars in the Australian GP Training pathways and International Medical Graduate doctors. Philip has always committed to community work in parallel to his medical work. He been a School Council member and Chair for Mildura Senior College. He has served as a Director and Chair on several NFP Boards and on Audit & Risk Committees.  He is a graduate of the Australian College of Company Directors. Philip brings extensive governance skills as well as his medical and community knowledge to the board of Zoe.
Jenny Garonne
Director
Strong community has been a passion of Jenny Garonne and this has been instilled from childhood, growing up being involved in many supporting organisations within the region. Jenny has contributed over twenty five years in North West Victoria in managing and facilitating programs that influences businesses, communities and regional development through management positions held within government and not for profit organisations. At the same time, she has been involved with Rotary for over thirty years and many other committees to support the Mildura community’s welfare aspiration.  Jenny is currently Managing Director, Mallee Sustainable Farming and prior to this, CEO of Princes Court Homes.  Jenny has held many board and leadership roles in economic, community and business advancement. Her formal qualifications include an Executive Masters in Public Administration, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Graduate Diploma of Education and a Fellow CPA Accountant and will contribute governance and financial skills to advance the organisation. 
William Trimble
Director
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Will is passionate about community development and that appropriate services are accessible for all community members. He was employed at Department of Human Services predominately in the Community Services field for over 10 years. Recognising that education is often the key in improving people’s lives leading to greater choices. Will transitioned to the Department of Education and Training and worked within the Adult Community and Further Education area for 4 years based in Bendigo before moving to Mildura to take up an opportunity with SuniTAFE as a Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships. Will has since transitioned back to the Department of Education and is currently the Strategy Manager for the Mallee.  Will has a strong social justice focus with particular interest in gender equity and indigenous affairs.  
Bethany Scholar
Director
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​With a unique blend of creativity and legal expertise, Bethany is a multifaceted professional who has been involved with Zoe Support since its inception. As a graphic designer, Bethany holds a degree from La Trobe University and has applied her skills to create the branding for Zoe Support, including websites, print media, and photography. Her design expertise has been instrumental in elevating the organisation's visual identity. In addition to her design work, Bethany is a qualified lawyer, having graduated with distinction from Deakin University and admitted to legal practice in Victoria in 2023. Her legal expertise has equipped her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of law and its applications. With a unique blend of design acumen and legal insight, Bethany continues to contribute meaningfully to Zoe Support's mission, underscoring the power of interdisciplinary expertise in fostering positive change.