The Butterfly Kids Founder & Reference Group Members

The reference group of Butterfly Kids is made up of dedicated hardworking people who generously donate their time and efforts with the goal of wanting to help those less fortunate than themselves by promoting inclusive practices within our community and raise the profile of Butterfly Kids.

Founder - Leanne Walsh

Leanne is the Founder and Manager of Butterfly Kids. Leanne's devoted commitment towards creating equality and inclusion for people with a disability in the Noosa Shire, has led to the organisations development in becoming a disability service provider.

Leanne has a proven passion for community service and community spirit.  She has held positions on a number of committees, including Protecting Noosa, and Rainbow Club and has also worked tirelessly to fundraise money to purchase equipment and resources for Special Education Units in the Noosa Shire as well as campaigning to have the new Special Education Unit at Noosaville. Leanne is also a dedicated Business Woman, and mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy. Leanne's spirit, her generosity, support, dedication and hard work have been invaluable to the Butterfly Kids evolution.
(Photo courtesy of the Noosa Journal)

Joan Scotcher

Joan is a Professional Clinical Therapist who has over twenty five years experience at the coalface of Crisis Response and Intervention in areas of counselling, support and debriefing, drug abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, grief and loss.

She brings a wealth of experience  and knowledge to the Board and is highly qualified in mediation, relationship counselling and effective parenting and has for many years helped to develop Personal Development and Effective Communication for high school students. Joan was the Co-ordinator of a large government funded neighbourhood centre and has assisted in the education and support of staff and volunteers. Joan and her husband relocated to Noosa in 1992 and is  currently in private practice.

Brian Hayes

Brian is a Real Estate Agent who is currently the owner and Principal of Noosa Hot Properties. Brian's years of expertise in the Real Estate market provide great professional advice and support to our agency. Brian has sat on a number of different community boards over the years, and has been a generous benefactor to the Human Services Sector.

Kylie Jackat

A self employed Graphic and Visual Artist. Kylie has over 14 years experience in all forms of art and has used her expertise to make art accessible to children with and without disabilities. She has designed, co-ordinated and ran children's workshops at Noosa Regional Gallery her Mural designs can be found in Child Care Centres through the Sunshine Coast.

Kylie is responsible for the fantastic logo design and all other graphic art for Butterfly Kids and Coastal Networks. She has always been generous with her time and talent and supports various fundraising organisations in Noosa with donations of her work.

Kylie exhibits regularly and still manages to find time for her three children aged between 15 and 3.

Mario Camerlango

Involved in volunteer work with not-for-profit organisations in Brisbane such as Westside Community Services and Compass Employment Services which is aimed at providing physically and mentally disadvantaged people the necessary skills to enable them to live and work independently and integrate into society harmoniously.

Mario has had thirteen years experience in retail management, most notably as an ANZ Branch Manager for the past two years and currently a Finanaial Advisor was the main driver behind the Sunshine Coasts regional campaign  ANZ- national Blue Week initiative aimed at raising funds in support of local charities of each branchs choice.

Melissa Isles

Melissa is a community-minded parent and a great supporter of local organisations. Melissa holds a number of Executive position on local sports and arts committees.

Dallace Menchin

Dallace is a former school teacher who now indulges in her passions of community service and real estate. Dallace who identifies with her indigenous community has spent the last 16yrs as a foster carer, and is a strong advocate for education, especially for indigenous children.

Susan Grogan

Susan has established a retail outlet to service local residents in Noosaville and surrounding areas.   Sue has played a variety of roles and held a number of positions on the Executive.  She has been on the board since it was established.Susan Grogan and her husband have established and operated various businesses in the service and retail industry sectors here on the Sunshine Coast, most recently establishing a retail outlet to service local residents in Noosaville and surrounding areas.   She has volunteered time to her childrens local state schools and sporting groups and has played a variety of roles and held a number of positions on the Executive.  Susan is a concerned parent, who is aware that local services need improving in order to provide facilities to assist families raising children with disabilities.

Megan Phipps

Megan Phipps is A self-employed bookkeeper as well as business owner of “Cooloola Tile Company” that she shares with her husband Rob. Megan has been fortunate to have lived in the community for over 20 years and has three children all being active boys aged from 3 – 14. Megan lives by the rule - "that when and where she can help – She Does, and when and where she can’t – She Tries”.

Megan and her husband have been a great asset to the development of both Butterfly Kids Charity and Butterfly House.