We are proud to have such a passionate and committed team leading Y-House. You can learn more about our committees, community team and ambassador below.
Management Committee
Georgia Retallick
President & Founder
Georgia was the driving force behind the setup of Y-House in 2010 after finishing high school. Sitting on both the Management and Fundraising Committees she devotes her time to managing the foundation and the development of Y-House projects as a volunteer. Georgia has bachelor degrees in both social work and health sciences, and currently works in a Melbourne hospital as a social worker.
Timothy Cherry
Vice President
Tim is a founding member of The Y-House Foundation and has been a part of the Management Committee since inception. Tim’s experience includes working with The Australian Grand Prix, Essendon Football Club, Hockey Australia and The Melbourne Tigers within sponsorship and management roles. Tim has a passion for delivering strong results and in exceeding client expectations.
Lisa Nolan
NFP Development
Lisa has been a passionate supporter of Y-House for many years and joined the Management Committee to become more involved in development. As an experienced Marketing and Communications professional with strong strategic development delivery and project management skills, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Y-House, especially as a mentor to the Fundraising Committee.
Angela Barker OAM
General Member
Angela is the inspiration behind Y-House, having spent time living in aged care at age 16 after a violent attack by an ex-boyfriend resulted in an acquired brain injury. In 2019 Angela was awarded The Medal of the Order of Australia for her advocacy work in both the family violence and disability sectors. Angela joined the Management Committee in 2019 to become more involved in supporting Y-House clients.
Susanne Retallick
Secretary
Susanne is a founding member of The Y-House Foundation and has been involved in the organisation since 2010. Joining the Management Committee to become more involved in the Y-House Project, Susanne's skill base centres around administration, CRM development and maintenance, marketing, business management and event planning, all skills that Susanne brings to her committee role.
Fundraising Committee
Alex Karantzas
Media & Film
Alex has volunteered for Y-House as the multimedia coordinator for over 10 years and joined the Junior Committee in 2012. Alex is a keen videographer and loves making short documentary style videos about Y-House. With a degree in Film and Digital Media from Deakin University, Alex is well known for her original and emotive Y-House videos.
Eliza de Bruin
volunteers
Eliza began supporting Y-House in 2011, volunteering at events and helping with administration. Eliza joined the Junior Committee in 2012 to become more involved in decision making for the charity. Eliza has a degree in Sports Therapy which has greatly aided in her understanding of the rehabilitation side of the Y-House Project.
David Chisholm
Events
David joined the junior committee in 2016. After being a long time supporter of Y-House and attending his second Y-House Ball, David was inspired to get more involved. With experience in hospitality, customer service and management, David is focused on using these skills to assist in growing Y-House and developing brand new initiatives.
Jane Fu
Business
Jane joined the Y-House junior committee in 2013 after being inspired by a Y-House talk she saw whilst at school, and has since become really involved in the Y-House Project. Jane graduated with a bachelor degree in Commerce from Melbourne University and is really passionate about Y-House’s organisational structure and development.
Community Team
Coach Kim Booth
Program Manager
Kim joined Y-House in 2019 as Y-Work program manager. Following 18 years as a business leader in high performance environments, Coach Kim now spends his days helping businesses, charities and individuals achieve success. Kim sees potential for a better future, supporting and encouraging young people living in aged care to pursue truth and meaning with their own individual flair.
Cain Hartung
Program Coordinator
Cain joined Y-House in 2019 as part of the Y-Work pilot program fostering employment opportunities for young people living in aged care. Cain wears his heart on his sleeve and is using his passion & excitable personality to create meaningful change in young people's lives. Always keen for change, Cain has recently harnessed his creativity to assist in developing new Y-House initiatives.
Ambassador
Edwina Bartholomew
TV presenter & Y-House Ambassador
In 2010, I reported on the issue of young people in nursing homes for Channel Seven’s Sunday Night program. I have a Uni friend who was in a serious car accident that left him with an Acquired Brain Injury. His family could not care for him at home so they had no choice but to place him in Aged Care. Jock’s story is not unique – 6,500 young people are currently living in old people’s homes. These are places designed for those reaching the end of their lives, not teenagers and twenty somethings just starting out. When that story went to air that night, 18 year old Georgia Retallick was watching. The Y-House Foundation is the result. When I was 18, I was going on dates, hanging out with my mates, probably spending too long at the Uni bar. I was not dedicating my life to helping others by building a state-of-the-art rehab facility and accommodation for young people in need. I am so proud to be an Ambassador for The Y-House Foundation. Georgia is an inspiration. She is literally helping young people with disabilities get back on their feet and, with your help, giving them the second start they deserve. - Edwina