I have had close ties with Woodleigh, with Peta, my wife who is a past student and an active member of the PFG, as well as sending our three children to Woodleigh over the last ten years. I joined the Board just over a year ago and was motivated to join because our children have received so much from their time at Woodleigh that I wanted to give something back. I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity of serving the Woodleigh community and participating in the Board activities, and particularly looking forward to some of the exciting initiatives that the school is putting into place.

Curiosity and passion ignite the ‘Adventurous Mind’ to explore in areas previously undiscovered, enabling vigorous learning and growth.

These schools all offered IB programmes so I am very familiar with these. I am now a part-time consultant leading Senior Leadership searches for international schools in Africa. It is an honour to return to Woodleigh as a Board member.

To me, an “Adventurous Mind”, is an open and interested outlook on life. It involves taking risks and being resilient.

I am also a Board member with a philanthropic trust set up to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and homeless children, access educational opportunities. It is a great privilege to be involved at the Board level at Woodleigh and to Chair such a dynamic, cohesive and forward-thinking Board. Woodleigh is well placed to meet the challenges that our students face in the future. It embraces change which enables it to continue to be a leader in education.

An ‘Adventurous Mind’ is not afraid to stand out. It is a mind that is willing to take journeys, follow new paths, that are sometimes unchartered but always lead to discovery and possibility. It can swim against the tide and strive to achieve goals that at times seem unattainable. It is innovative, willing to explore, lateral thinking but above all is happy in its own skin.

My three children were destined for “traditional” private school education until my wife and I discovered Woodleigh and thought about how best to equip our two daughters and son with the values, energy and skills they will need for an exciting, but uncertain future. It is a pleasure to be involved with the passionate and skilled team on the Woodleigh Board as we manage the present, chart the way forward and continue to develop and deliver the best possible academic, social and experiential education for our children’s futures.

An ‘Adventurous Mind’ is energetic, not bounded by convention, courageous, strategic, passionate, analytical and collegiate. Change is not a threat, it is stimulating and an opportunity.

Melanie’s vision and passion was, and still is, to help people feel better, and in turn, live more fulfilled lives. The ethos of the endota brand was fueled by her personal belief in the power of connection. 20 years on, endota is an iconic Australian brand, with more than 100 day spas nationwide, over 2000 employees, 3 training campuses with 300 students per annum, distribution in overseas markets, manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand and online wellbeing platform.

The values Melanie built the business on were Intent, Connect, Truth and Balance.

Melanie believes in cause and effect and that there must be balance with nature and humanity within our own relationships. We need to connect with the community, with each other and importantly with our own needs.

As a recognised wellness entrepreneur, Melanie is regularly featured in print and broadcast media. Melanie’s profile in Australia and overseas has contributed greatly to the growth and success of the endota Group.

Melanie is a regular speaker and contributor to knowledge in the wellness industry and on heart-led leadership. Melanie holds board positions in numerous businesses in the wellness industry.

Melanie is a proud ex-Woodleigh student who holds the 3Rs close, her two boys are current students.

An ‘Adventurous Mind’ is a mind that questions everything and understands it can shape its own way in this world.

An 'Adventurous Mind' loves learning and is not afraid to ask questions. Adventurous minds are innovative, dreaming new solutions for the future, with the agency to challenge conventional thinking and effect change.

I have 20 years experience in the People, Culture & Safety industry, with the past ten years in senior leadership positions across organisations with a strong public service and community impact. I have a daughter at the Senior Campus, and many friends who passionately describe the positive impact that their Woodleigh experience has had on them. I am proud to be part of a Board committed to supporting this exceptional school to continue delivering a holistic education and experience to help our young people thrive now and into the future.

An 'Adventurous Mind' describes someone willing to embrace all life throws at them. To be curious, to question the status quo, to try new things, to push their boundaries, to be brave enough to see what they are capable of. These are the people who inspire you when they succeed but just as much when they fail spectacularly and pick themselves up to give it another go.

I am a Sales & Marketing Professional with over 30 years of experience in Travel & Tourism. I took time out during the Pandemic to sidestep into the SaaS industry, which through my role in commercial partnerships, enabled me to gain a firm understanding of the importance of effective Governance. Lured back into Tourism, I now work with an organisation that facilitate immersion programmes, connecting people with Indigenous Australians on remote Homelands.

I am passionate about learning beyond the walls of a traditional classroom, likely sparked by the opportunity to embark on a 12-month exchange programme at a boarding school in Sri Lanka as a wide-eyed 15-year-old. Woodleigh was, therefore a natural choice for our two children, who are currently at the senior campus and enjoying the incredible array of opportunities that a Woodleigh education offers. I have a keen interest in community relations and am delighted for the opportunity to join the Woodleigh board.

An Adventurous Mind embraces challenge, is brave, curious, and open to new ways of thinking. They look left when everyone else is looking right.