Our Committee is made up of skilled and enthusiastic people. The 2019 Committee have set goals and have achieved even more in their time with APRDA.
APRDA Committee Members 2021-2022
Lee Patterson / Role – President
I have been involved in volunteer work in the community for over 20 years now and I have loved my time volunteering at APRDA since 2014. In 2016 I was asked to join the committee as Secretary and at the 2020 AGM was voted in as President. I have a background in Office Management and Admin Management. I have my own online business and hold qualifications in Work Health & Safety and Training & Assessment.
Position Vacant / Role – Vice President
Rebecca Coleiro / Role – Secretary
Rebecca has a background as a long term bureaucrat working across the three levels of government in the Health, Community Services and Justice portfolios. Extensive management experience has been complemented by training as a Community Development Worker and with working in community focused programs. After a move from Victoria, Rebecca has worked on the Gold Coast as the Gold Coast Elder Abuse Prevention Worker and the Eagleby Transport Development Worker. Then working as the Manager of the Gold Coast Mobility Office (Volunteering Gold Coast) working with the public and paid & volunteer drivers. After that Rebecca worked with Drake International in a range of short term contracts at Gold Coast Council in administration roles. Rebecca’s last role before retiring in March 2019 was with the Southport Chamber of Commerce undertaking all of the administration of the Chamber – membership services, finance, event planning & execution, funding applications and Board of Management support.
Position Vacant / Role – Treasurer
Leone Gye-Collishaw / Role – General Member
My introduction to APRDA was in 2011 with vocational placement while studying Community Services at Ashmore Tafe. I held the position of Committee President between 2013 and 2018 and with all its challenges it was a wonderful journey that has been shared and supported by many people. Since stepping down as committee president, due to accepting the role of Center Manager, I have taken on a role as a general committee member.
Lesley Lewis / Role- General Member
I first became involved in APRDA when i came over to help present a sponsorship cheque from the Southport Flying Club. That led to my becoming a volunteer sidewalker for the last several years.
As i had little to do with horses, but heaps to do with kids of all shapes and sizes during my career teaching in PNG, this was the most suitable job for me.
This year I joined our committee and hope to make a small contribution to this worthy organisation.
Samantha Gray / Role – General Member
I began as a Volunteer at APRDA back in 2014 when I first arrived from South Africa, and never left! My background was in Equine Assisted Play Therapy and I am now a qualified RDA Coach but am currently studying a Bachelors of Communications. I joined the committee because I believe in everything APRDA does and stands for. I want to ensure that it’s legacy outlasts the tests of time, and over the years APRDA has been tested. However, the resilience and passion found in every volunteer, staff member and participant is inspirational, and the horses make every challenge worth it
Cherrie Viloria / Role – General Member