Our Organisation
New Mornings is a Christian, not-for-profit, volunteer mental health support service based in Ulverstone, Tasmania. Our core volunteers include experienced doctors, teachers, teacher aides, nurses, counsellors, business managers, church ministers, chaplains and pastoral carers.
New Mornings is unique: a professional team with a proven track record; a catalyst within the Christian community; equipping individuals and churches to promote mental, emotional and spiritual health in their local community from a Christian worldview.
For more information please download a copy of our current New Mornings brochure.
Our Board
John de Jong (Acting Chairman)
“As Managing Director at UCI Tasmania & De Jong and Sons Constructions, John brings extensive leadership experience to the New Mornings Board. He is the current Board Chairman at Respect Aged Care, and a past Board Chairman at Leighland Christian School. John is committed to improving community health and well-being. His interests include the education and wellbeing of young people, mental health throughout the community and the elderly in our community. He values and supports the important contribution of volunteers in our community and especially in these areas of service.”
Sandra Ayton (Treasurer)
Sandra Ayton is the General Manager of Central Coast Council and has extensive experience in governance, strategic planning and staff management. She is the public officer at Switch Tasmania, treasurer at Ulverstone Gospel Hall and a strong advocate for community and business development in the Central Coast.
Christine de Ruyter (Secretary)
Christine is a primary school teacher who has taught in the public sector for many years. She enjoys working with children and loves being involved with her local church – Christian Reformed Church of Ulverstone. Christine loves walking her dogs on the beach. She has been challenged by her involvement in New Mornings as a board member and has witnessed the impact of the mentoring program with former students.
Mike Vos
After 25 years as a bureaucrat, including 10 years managing Centrelink offices, Mike studied education, graduating in 2009. He taught at schools in Ulverstone and Arnhem Land, was principal at Devonport Christian School and is now State Executive Officer for Christian Education National in Tasmania. He chairs the Pathway to Life Church leadership team, is in love with Carla and barracks for Hawthorn.
Ken Collyer
I have loved being involved with New Mornings since 2016. My continuing work as a student mentor has been a rich experience. As a New Mornings board member I get to support a community organisation which has a preventative focus on mental health. My work as a counsellor and school chaplain dovetail into some of the things that New Mornings wants to champion.
Staff & Program Coordinators
Dr Alison Whishaw – Program Manager
After 12 years in General Practice, Alison changed her focus to mental health. She was a founder of New Mornings in 2006, and has been involved ever since. Alison is passionate about connecting with children and their families, and also working with them to help overcome challenges which may limit their future opportunities.
Penny Clark – Mentoring Coordinator – Ulverstone
Penny was working in high schools across the state for 5 years as an Art and English teacher before travelling internationally, becoming a Chaplain and then a Mum and foster Mum. Penny’s passion and interest for nurturing and children extends to her home and in New Mornings. She is thrilled to be able to educated and support mentors to help school aged children thrive.
Kay Penney – Mentoring Coordinator – Burnie
Kay is a retired Child and Family Health Nurse and midwife. She has an energy and tenacity which is truly infectious and invaluable in her role as a mentor and Mentor Coordinator. Kay practiced midwifery for many years then trained at University as a mature student studying Health Science and Family and Child Health. Kay then practiced in child health and parenting, dealing with family issues and parenting. Kay has a passion for children and families who struggle in life for many reasons. She believes we all need to be accepted just as we are and be cherished as children of God. Kay would call herself a seed planter and encourager
Wendy Cunningham – Community Outreach Worker
With a background in community development and youth work, Wendy has taught at TAFE for many years in community service work, women’s programs and assisting people to return to the workforce or study. Her focus is to build community through genuine relationships, bring hope and see people reach their potential.
Annie King – First Steps Lounge Coordinator
Annie has a background in mentoring and pastoral care & has a passion for supporting and encouraging people. Over the years Annie has undertaken training in the area of mental health through YMIS QLD as well as MH First Aid, Grief & Loss, Mentoring, Youth MH First Aid, Suicide Awareness & Prevention and Pastoral Care
Pam McCulloch – Volunteer Coordinator
Pam is enjoying her re-engagement with New Mornings after a period of ill-health. Having a work background in several fields – nursing, childcare, school chaplaincy and administration, Pam enjoys a mix of office work and pastoral care. For many years Pam has had a passion for walking alongside and helping people to work through life’s ups and downs.
Support Team
Sharon Corbett – Office Manager
Sharon has volunteered at New Mornings for over 10 years in administration, board and financial roles. She mans the office on Wednesdays and is excited to be stepping out into a new mentoring role with a young person from our local primary school after completing the appropriate training.
Anne Brewer – Administration Support
Anne has been a student mentor with New Mornings since 2016. She is usually in the office on Tuesday mornings to provide administrative support: data management, weekly prayer points and keeping volunteers up to date. A former Teacher’s Aide, Anne is interested in the education and welfare of children & their families
Duncan White – IT Support
Formally Microsoft trained (MCSA), Duncan also enjoys using alternative open source solutions such as pfSense and Samba. In 2018 Duncan keenly volunteered to assist New Mornings with IT consultation and after hours support. You can read Duncan’s blog at https://dunconomics.blog where he pens his thoughts on the modern interaction of technology, economics and ethics.
