Our Board
Geelong Youth Engagement is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, representatives of a cross section of community interests, including industry, commerce and the professions.
Giving freely of their time, the Board Directors contribute a wealth of business knowledge and experience.
Aaron Pritchard
Aaron is joint founder of local apparel retail and wholesale company Stage Two which was established in Geelong over 15 years ago with now over 50 retail stores trading as Edge and Elm Lifestyle throughout Australia and New Zealand. Stage Two employs many local staff with its head office, warehouse and multiple retail stores based in the Geelong region.
Educated at St Joseph’s College, Aaron has always been involved in local sport and is an active member and volunteer of junior sporting clubs.
Stage Two have been a major sponsor of the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program for the past seven years sending several staff each year to be mentors of the program, along with supplying uniforms and equipment for the trekkers as well as supporting local Papua New Guinea villages on the track with clothing.
“After being lucky enough to be involved with the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program for the past seven years including walking the track on three separate occasions, I have experienced first-hand the great outcomes for the young people. G.Y.E allows this important work to continue along with new initiatives where our young people are supported, educated, and encouraged to be better. G.Y.E is about making a difference. What an opportunity!”
Robert Costa
Robert has a long established business connection to the Geelong region starting back when he joined the family’s wholesale fruit and vegetable company and then establishing Costa Asset Management with his brother Anthony.
Robert has always had a strong link to the Geelong community through his involvement as Director on numerous boards including Barwon Health Foundation, Anthony Costa Foundation and Wheen Bee Foundation as well as being a past Mayor of West Geelong.
As an inaugural mentor participant on the 2013 Geelong Kokoda Youth Program, Robert has been an integral advocate of the program and contributed greatly to the growth and success it is today.
‘When we realise that for very many young people, a bit of support at the right time can create real opportunities in their lives, it is easy to see that GYE is the ideal platform to deliver that support and make a real connections for everyone involved.’
Fiona Taylor
Fiona is the current Principal at Western Heights College a role she has had since 2017. Prior to this role Fiona was Assistant Principal at Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College for 9 years after a short stint as acting Principal at Heywood Secondary College and Derrinalum P-12 College.
In recent years Fiona has completed her master’s in educational leadership. Fiona’s career in education started at Casterton Secondary College where she was employed as a Physical Education and Science graduate teacher in 1998. Fiona studied a Bachelor of Education – Physical Education, at the University of Ballarat and grew up in Port Fairy.
Fiona has a love of sport, physical activity and health and always kept herself busy and heavily involved in community sport in years gone by as a player in both basketball and netball and more recently administration executive roles. Fiona is the Vice President of School Sport Victoria and also volunteers on the board of the Sweethearts Foundation as she have a keen interest in music and the arts and is passionate about the opportunities this program offers for young women in the music industry.
‘I value any program that provides opportunities for Geelong’s young people to reach and explore their potential. As an avid supporter of the Geelong Kokoda Youth Project since day 1, I have formulated a belief that as a community we need to reach out and support our kids to unpack the obstacles and speed humps that they face on a day to day basis. To support them to be optimistic, not just positive as life is not always perfect and positive. Optimism is a belief that you can find a way forward and to learn and develop strategies to deal with the highs and lows of life and to learn the skills needed to manage and cope when things do go wrong. G.Y. E’s core business is all about learning these skills around resilience and optimism whilst ‘managing hard things” and that is why I am so passionate about the program.’
Michael Reid
Michael joined Victoria Police in 1996 and is currently working in Geelong as the Divisional Tasking and Coordination Inspector, of which one of many of his portfolios is Youth.
Michael has worked in various areas within Victoria Police from tactical policing, public order management, emergency management and information technology.
It was Michael’s experience of working in the North Western suburbs of Melbourne with youth that he saw the benefits of a Kokoda program. In 2012 whilst working with Andy Brittain they transitioned a previous youth program into the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program. Whilst Michael has been involved in number of high-profile operations and deployments with Victoria Police, it is the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program and now being on the board of Geelong Youth Engagement that he is most fond of.
“Growing up in Geelong in the suburbs of Norlane, Newcomb and Thomson and being the youngest of six children, I understand and appreciate the challenges some young people can have. If we can make a difference to one child by having them experience something that is normally out of their reach and they use that experience to guide them through the next few years, to make the right decisions, then this is all worth it.”
Stella Garcia
Stella has worked with young people in the TAFE sector for over 13 years. At the Gordon Institute of TAFE she held senior executive positions including; Head of Student Services and Director of Organisational Development. Stella has run her own consulting company and is committed to Health and Wellbeing and a strength based approach to all facets of life. Currently holding the position of a Director in the disability sector.
Stella is from Geelong, was educated at Sacred Heart and The Gordon, and holds an Advanced Diploma in Business. She completed the Kokoda track in 2016, and her commitment to the program has continued, assisting as an independent on panels and providing GYE with specialised administrative support.
“After walking the Kokoda trek, I saw first hand the difference the program makes to young people involved in the program. As a strong believer in the power of education and health and wellbeing, I embraced the opportunity to continue supporting a program that mentors and develops future leaders. It is a privilege to join the Board as we continue to build new GYE programs.”
Our Staff
Meet the dedicated team who drive Geelong Youth Engagement
Andrew Brittain
Andy has just recently left his role as Youth Resource Officer for the Geelong Region with Victoria Police where he has served for 32 years to become the CEO of Geelong Youth Engagement
It has been his years in the police force that has driven him to have an impact on young adults who are facing challenges and help them improve their futures which will keep them out of the justice system and also positive influence their surrounding communities.
Andy has been recognised by the police and local communities with awards such as Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Police Officer of the Year, “Policeman of the Year” by Highton Rotary, “Worker of the Year” by the City of Greater Geelong, as well as a Victoria Police Commendation for successfully working with a multitude of at risk young people.
‘Whilst I have performed many various roles within Victoria Police over the past 32 years, the past 14 years I have been actively focused on creating better outcomes for young people in our community. Throughout this time I have worked with hundreds of teenagers and their families who have faced some serious challenges in their life and am very proud to have provided support and guidance and to watch their growth and development into adulthood.’
Kelly Taylor
Kelly has spent over 20 years in the wholesale and retail apparel industry specialising in international production, buying and retail planning with extensive travel to countries such as China and India.
Kelly’s involvement with Geelong Youth Engagement began as a mentor on the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program in 2017. Taking on a volunteer role in 2020 Kelly has since studied Youth Services and is now the GYE Program Coordinator.
“I felt very privileged to be a mentor back in 2017, building relationships with the young people and other mentors over the 12 months of the program has given us a connection for life. To see the young people’s confidence and self-belief grow over the course of the program and then flourish while walking on the trek is unbelievable. I am looking forward to what else the GYE can do for the youth of Geelong.”
Sam Davison
Sam recently owned her own Real Estate business for the past 17 years which she recently sold to follow her dreams and passion in the Health and Wellness industry and to help people in need. Sam lives down the Coast with her husband and two young children, they are a very active family, always doing some kind of sport and going for hikes on the beach. Their downtime is travelling in their caravan, exploring this beautiful country, and getting back to nature.
Sam was a mentor in 2018 for the Kokoda Youth Program, since then she has always been involved in the program and is now employed as a Program Administrator for Geelong Youth Engagement.
“Majority of my working life I worked in a demanding and high-pressure industry where I learnt a lot about myself and people in general. After completing Kokoda in 2018, I felt it was time to follow my dreams and passion and to give back to the community and help people in need. I saw how the program changed the kids’ attitude and made them become more resilient and confident. I feel very blessed that I was involved in the Kokoda program, I was fortunate enough to meet so many amazing people which has now formed into lifetime friendships.”
Anne-Marie Brennan
Anne-Marie joined the GYE team in April 2022. After being involved with the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program, as a mentor in 2019. Annemarie also previously volunteered as the coordinator of the Bunnings fundraising BBQ’s and helping where possible.
Anne-Marie is married with 2 adult children and has been a contractor for many years in the Window Furnishing business.
Annemarie supports GYE will the administration support of the programs and staff.
“I am very honored to be involved with GYE and looking forward to enhancing the lives of many young people.”
Margi McDonald
Margi joined Victoria Police as a mature age recruit in 2010. Margi was stationed in Western Region encompassing Geelong, Bellarine, and the Surf Coast where she predominantly performed general duties. Whilst in this region Margi was fortunate to do secondments within a High-Risk Youth Unit.
Margi has completed her Undergraduate Certificate in Mental Health from Monash university and is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts through The University of Tasmania as part of the Police Manager Qualifying Program. She is currently undertaking Cert 4 in Training and Assessment.
Margi has been involved with the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program since 2016. In 2023 Margi has taken on the role of Program Coordinator for one of the Kokoda groups, where she is looking forward to supporting more inspiring, resilient young people.
Crystal Muir
Crystal was a student participant on the 2019 Geelong Kokoda Youth Program. Since being part of the program Crystal completed her secondary education at Newcomb Secondary College and furthered her education with a Diploma of Community Services at Gordon TAFE. While studying her diploma Crystal did work placement back at Newcomb Secondary where she has been employed since supporting young people in the Student Support Team.
Crystal has continued to support GYE since she completed Kokoda and is now employed part-time in Program Support for the STRIVE and Spring Back Geelong programs.
“I am passionate about G.Y.E because I was one of the young people whose life changed for the better because of Geelong Youth Kokoda Program. In 2019 I was lucky enough to complete the Kokoda Trek alongside amazing mentors and other young people who I could lean on for friendship and support. Now G.Y.E has given me the opportunity to give back to my community and help support today’s young people who are facing the same challenges I did. “
Our Patrons
Peter Hitchener OAM
Peter Hitchener began his career in the mid-1960s at 4BH Brisbane and the ABC radio and television network; Peter joined the Nine Network in 1973 presenting news in Sydney and, moved to Melbourne in 1974 to join the news team. In 1998 he was appointed chief presenter of Nine News Melbourne on the retirement of Brian Naylor.
Peter Hitchener OAM is a supporter of a range of charities and animal welfare groups and is a proud patron of GYE.
Peter has supported Andy Britain’s youth work in Geelong for many years and is proud to be a patron of Geelong Youth Engagement. Peter believes GYE will further Andy Brittain’s already successful efforts to support young people achieve their goals, while also promoting road safety in a separate initiative.
Livinia Nixon
Livinia has worked at Channel 9 for 22 years on a variety of television shows, including 9News, Getaway, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Today, Carol’s by Candlelight, National IQ Test and Temptation, while also involved in radio program for TT-FM, Nova, 3AW and Magic 1278.
Livinia is an ambassador for World Vision and Brainwave and excited to take on the role of Patron for Geelong Youth Engagement.
‘It’s imperative that we all look after and help the next generation of young people, so they can thrive and be happy.’
Tony Jones
Tony began his lengthy broadcasting career in regional radio newsrooms, before moving to Melbourne’s 3AW. In 1986, he joined the Nine News team, where he now presents sport and Nine News Melbourne during summer. Tony hosts The Sunday Footy Show and is a presenter on the Nine Network’s Australian Open coverage. Tony Jones is also heard as Neil Mitchell’s fill-in on 3AW.
Tony has been a supporter of Geelong youth initiatives headed by Andy Brittain and was delighted to accept an opportunity to be become a patron of Geelong Youth Engagement.
Our Ambassadors
Geelong Youth Engagement are thankful for the loyal support of our Ambassadors
Keith Fagg
Keith’s family business of Fagg’s Mitre 10 is a well know entity in Geelong in which Keith first began working in 1969 as a school student and is still involved today as a Board Adviser.
Not only has Keith been involved in the family business but has also held positions with the Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers, Uniting Church in Australia, and Australian Resources Development Bank.
Keith’s involvement in the Geelong community is unquestionable, awarded OAM for service to the Geelong Community in 2018.
A past Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong; having long been involved with the Rotary Club of Kardinia as well as involvement on the boards of The Salvation Army Geelong, Samaritan House, Geelong Advertiser Music Trust, Read the Play Board, Northern Bay College Challenge & Hope Bereavement Care Inc.
Keith has been a supporter of the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program since the beginning and been integral in the growth of building into Geelong Youth Engagement.
‘Working alongside, encouraging and building up young people of Geelong, especially for those at risk, is one of the most fundamentally beneficial things we can do not only for those young people themselves but also for our whole community.’