Our People

Bruce Morcombe OAM

“Our objectives in establishing the Daniel Morcombe Foundation are far reaching. We must protect our children! We can and will make a difference, ensuring that our communities are a safe place for them as it should be. Your support will assist us in providing an effective child safety awareness program and where required assist other victims of crime, especially where children are involved.”

Denise Morcombe OAM

“We have formed the Foundation not only to keep Daniel’s innocence alive and to honour our son, but to help other families from ever having this nightmare happen to them and our objectives are to keep an ongoing awareness program for child safety, help other victims of crime where children are involved and to keep the community vigilant on crimes against our children. Children are our future and must be protected. With your help we hope we can make a difference.”

Daniel Morcombe

Daniel was abducted and murdered on the 7th December 2003. He was last seen waiting for a bus on Nambour Connection Road, 2km north of the Big Pineapple, Woombye Queensland.

The predator was arrested and charged on the 13th August 2011 with numerous serious offences including child stealing and murder. Daniel’s remains were found in bushland near the Glasshouse Mountains on the 21st August 2011.

A public funeral service was held for Daniel on the 7th December, 2012.

The predator was found guilty on the 13th March 2013 on all charges and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years before he is eligible for parole.

Patron

Kay McGrath, Channel 7 News Presenter

A friend from the very beginning, Kay McGrath has been a Patron and passionate supporter of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation since its establishment. Kay is a mother, an award-winning journalist and presenter with the Seven Network, alongside being an active advocate for child and family safety.

“The tragic disappearance of Daniel Morcombe touched the heart of every parent. An innocent, promising young boy cruelly snatched from his family with no explanation. A genuine desire to protect and educate other young people is now the driving force behind Daniel’s family. I strongly encourage you support the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in continuing their son’s legacy and creating a safer world for our children.”

Together, let’s support the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.”

Committee Members

John Pearce,
Dr. Lara Christensen,
Jo Bryant, Al Upton,
Bruce Morcombe,
Denise Morcombe,
Dean Morcombe,
Chris Austin,
Jon Rouse,
Tim Ryan

Ambassadors

Daniel Morcombe Foundation Team

Cheryl

General Manager

Fun Fact: My favourite holiday experience was landing a helicopter on top of Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand and playing in the snow.

Cheryl brings extensive experience as an executive leader to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, along with a passion for community services. She enjoys building high-performing teams and creating a positive organisation culture underpinned by values of respect, quality, integrity and excellence.

Brenda

Business Operations Manger

Fun Fact: My favourite character in a sitcom: Moira Rose from Schitts Creek

Brenda has qualifications and a solid background in Human Resource Management. She has consulted to large and small businesses on the Sunshine Coast. Brenda is inspired and grateful to be working with a talented and committed team at the Daniel Morcombe Foundation

Andrea

Financial Controller

Fun Fact: Seinfeld over Friends

From the Snowy Mountains to the Sunshine Coast, Andrea has over 20 years experience in finance (but she’s only 28!), and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the Foundation. Loathes snow, loves coffee!

Debbie

Accounts and Administration Officer

Fun Fact: Love spending time with family and friends

Worked in Admin/Finance for the past 30 years in small businesses. Moved to the coast Jan 2024 Debbie is looking forward to contributing to a meaningful foundation

Susan

Community Engagement Officer

Fun Fact: Loves gardening

Building strong relationships is at the heart of Susan’s role as our Community Engagement Officer. She ensures that our supporters, sponsors & volunteers feel truly valued. With a background in Sales & Marketing management in international hotels, Susan brings exceptional hospitality skills to the team.

Tegan

Senior Communications Officer

Fun Fact: Friends over Seinfeld

Tegan has more than 10 years’ experience in news and media, working as a journalist, news director and editor throughout Queensland. Now a keen storyteller for the Foundation, she oversees social media, content and media relations to share its narrative.

Bek

Senior Graphic and Multimedia Officer

Fun Fact: Documentaries and Paint-by-numbers go together like peanut butter and raspberry jam

Bek is passionate about using her creativity to impact lives positively. With years of experience in marketing, communications, and design for local businesses and nonprofits, she brings her Fine Arts background and flair for detailed visual communication to the Foundation.

Naomi

Events Officer

Fun Fact: Master yurt builder

After earning a Communications degree, Naomi worked in marketing for 10 years, then shifted to Teaching for the next 10 years after studying Education. She also founded and ran an events business, supplying to a number of high-profile, iconic festivals.

Maddie

Marketing Assistant

Fun Fact: I live on a ginger farm!

After graduating high school, Maddie began a career in real estate while studying digital marketing online. Her experience in admin and marketing led to a role in DMF’s marketing and communications team, where she manages email marketing and supports events, social media, and graphic design.

Emma

Education Project Manager

Fun Fact: Favourite colour is yellow

Emma started with the Foundation volunteering in 2013 and officially joined the team in 2020. She is excited to make a difference for young people and apply her expertise to help the Foundation in their commitment to Keeping Kids Safe.

Amanda

Educational Resources Officer

Fun Fact: Amanda is a keen photographer and spends her time outside the foundation exploring the Sunshine Coast.

Amanda has over 25 years’ experience designing and creating communication tools and multimedia content to support learning and development for the health, disability, child safety, education and community engagement sectors. Amanda’s passion lies in storytelling and creating content that supports community learning and celebrates collaboration and achievement.

Beth

National Education Manager

Fun Fact: When not at work, you can find her at home hanging with her pig friends, Margaret and Patricia, who are both fluent in food.

Beth is a qualified social worker who lives and works on beautiful Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi & Jinibara country. She has worked in violence prevention for 18 years, specifically in the areas of child sexual abuse and domestic and family violence.

Mia

Bright Futures Project Facilitator

Fun Fact: Has lots of chickens!

Mia is a psychosexual therapist and medical doctor who works from a strong sense of social justice. When not at work, she enjoys time with her family and drinking lots of tea!

Nat

Research and Communities of Practice Officer

Fun Fact: Adores her 2 pugs and true crime podcasts

I started with the foundation early 2023 as a volunteer Criminology and Justice Uni Student. I am now employed as the Communities of Practice Officer and love the primary prevention work after working in education as a speech language pathologist.

Holly

Bright Futures Administration Officer

Fun Fact: Holly has been fortunate enough to visit 42 countries.

Originally from Melbourne, Holly relocated to the Sunshine Coast to embrace the coastal lifestyle. With experience in childcare and tertiary education conference coordination, combined with her passion for keeping kids safe, she’s thrilled to contribute to the Foundation and its meaningful cause.