about us

 

Our Vision

To provide an opportunity for every young person to feel a sense of belonging

Our Mission

To train and support community members as they mentor young people

To partner with schools and the community in providing resource

To ensure the safety of children in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards

Our Values

Integrity - Trust - Respect - Shared Responsibility

The Standing Tall model of school-based mentoring is based on:

• The belief that the benefits of mentoring come from the development of a trusting relationship and all practices of the program are designed to allow this to take place.

• The aim to deliver a program where all participants are valued. 

 
 

Who We Are

The Standing Tall in Warrnambool committee consists of passionate members from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing an opportunity for all young people in our community and tirelessly work together and with our community partners to achieve this.

 

John Harris - President

I’ve been actively involved in Standing Tall, first as a mentor (2014–15), then on the committee (2018–19), and returned as President in November 2024.

My career began as an Accountant with the State Savings Bank of Victoria before spending 45 years at Wannon Water, as Operations Manager.

I’ve held numerous board and leadership roles, including:

  • South West Credit Union (20 years)

  • Water Industry Operators Association of Australia – Chair (2010–12, 2019–23)

  • Government Skills Australia – Chair (2012–15), Audit & Risk Chair (2006–12)

  • Warrnambool City Councillor (2008–12)

  • President of Dennington Community Association (2015–present)

I am married to Sue and we are proud parents of three children, grandparents to six, and great-grandparents to four. I am passionate about helping support our local community.

Pip Norton - Vice President

Pip has been a mentor with Standing Tall since 2017, and recently joined the committee.  Pip has enjoyed witnessing the positive difference mentors can make in a young persons’ life, and would like to make sure that all youth have the support and encouragement to meet their full potential and become confident young adults. 

Pip has been a midwife for over 20 years, working casually at South West Health Care. 

Pip moved to Warrnambool in 2009 with her husband Marcus and 3 kids.

 

Matty Stewart - Program Coordinator

I’ve been involved in Standing tall for the past 9 years one as a mentor and 8 as program coordinator. 

For me becoming a mentor was a way of giving back and I immediately fell in love with the program and the way it really does make a difference in a young persons life. 

I have loved watching the program evolve and develop and to see the wonderful mentors and students do the same. The community support we receive is nothing short of amazing and we can’t thank our local community enough. 

If you really want to make a difference then become a mentor with Standing Tall and be part of a young persons journey through life. 

Lynne Moloney - Secretary

Lynne has worked as a teacher for the past 18 years including over ten years in leadership positions.  Lynne has led a working party in the development of a Nurture Room to support students with diverse learning and well-being needs. Prior to becoming a teacher, Lynne worked for 20 years as a legal secretary and then a conveyancing/mortgage clerk.

 

Ellie McDonald - Treasurer

Ellie joined the committee as treasurer in 2024 after moving to the area. Ellie is an accountant and works at a local firm, prior to this Ellie lived and worked in Melbourne for over 10 years.

Davina Forth

Profile coming soon.

 

Andrew Hardiman

A local family person (3 children) for over 24 years in Warrnambool. Andrew currently works in the education sector supporting schools with secondary education reform. A keen sports person with a strong sense for the role of mentors across all aspects of life. Andrew is keen to travel (post COVID) and learn new models of education internationally.

Nicole Morgan

Nicole Morgan is the Founder and Managing Director of VPM In Home Care, providing high-quality early childhood education for vulnerable children. She is also President of the Australian Home Childcare Association.

Born and raised in Warrnambool, Nicole returned after 30 years in Melbourne with her three daughters. Passionate about community service, she has been actively involved in both paid and volunteer roles. She mentored for Standing Tall in 2023 and volunteers at Western District Foodshare.

 

Paul Watkins

Paul Watkins is a Jack of all trades, pharmacist, property developer, investor and keynote speaker. He lives in Illowa with his wife (a primary school principal), two young boys and everything from chickens to sheep. Paul specialises in the wellbeing space - working with high school students and staff to build strong internal stories and adventurous lives, and with  businesses to build the skills of anti-fragility and the doing of hard things. 

Emma Toleman

Emma Toleman is the Payroll Supervisor for Saputo Dairy Australia. She has over 20 years’ experience in administration and payroll throughout Australia. 

This is her first year of being involved with Standing Tall, having heard of the great work the organisation does within the local schools supporting young adults she has joined the committee to assist in administration. 

 Emma is a passionate Richmond and Warrnambool supporter!


 

Emily Martini

Emily has been a mentor with the Standing Tall program for the last 5 years and joined the committee in 2023. She has a background in marketing and graphic design and is passionate about making a difference within the Warrnambool community. 

Nashi Oakley-Sexton

Nashi joined the program in 2024 as a committee member and mentor after graduating from both high school and the program in 2023. With a strong interest in Criminal Psychology, Nashi aims to focus on early intervention to support young children in juvenile detention centers.

”I joined Standing Tall to give back to the community that helped me so much growing up, and to get a head start in helping young people which is my dream!”

 

Rose Witney

For the past six years, I have worked as a support worker and am currently studying community services with the goal of working in a school setting, helping students stay engaged in learning and supported in their wellbeing. This passion grew from my experience as a mentor with Standing Tall over the past three years.

Beyond my studies, I coach and coordinate the local roller derby and play an active role in managing our skate shed operations. My journey into mentoring began when I heard about it on the radio and thought, “Wow, I would have benefited greatly from that as a teenager.” Realising I was in a position to provide that support to someone else, I signed up—and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience ever since.