Reunited! The Coolaroo Foundation team, left to right: Rachel Ross (Executive Officer), Olivia Hicks (Director), Fiona David (Director), Janie Forrest (Chair) and John Morrison (Director) and Chino, the resident Marema.
3 APRIL 2026. Last week, the Coolaroo Foundation board came together for an in-person, two-day strategy meeting.
With directors spread across Australia and overseas — including Canberra, Melbourne and Amsterdam — this was a special opportunity to reconnect as a team for the first time since 2021, reflect on what we've learned, and look ahead as we continue to grow the work of Coolaroo Foundation.
There's something magic that happens when people get together in person, and this couple of days was no exception. Together, we gathered on Dharawal land in the Shoalhaven LGA, where we reviewed and discussed our focus areas — consolidating them from seven to three, and adding a brand new focus area along the way.
Our vision and mission remain unchanged, as do our two broad pillars of care: People and Place — with a new focus area bridging the two.
Pillars of Care & Focus Areas
We have two key pillars of care: Caring for People and Caring for Place. Within these, we're looking to support organisations working toward change across the following focus areas:
PEOPLE PILLAR
Safety for Women, Children and Families: Preventing violence and harm, supporting those at risk, and strengthening the systems and communities that enable people to live safely and thrive.
Strengthening Futures for Regional Children and Young People: Every child and young person deserves to enter adulthood with confidence and purpose, built through increasing access to education, opportunities, leadership and employment, and nurturing a deep sense of wellbeing, connection and belonging — the foundations of a thriving life.
PLACE PILLAR
Protecting Biodiversity and Habitat: Safeguarding and restoring ecosystems, species, and natural processes — particularly by addressing the underlying drivers of environmental degradation such as land use, agriculture and resource management.
CONNECTING PILLAR
NEW Food for People and Planet: Supporting food systems that deliver healthy, accessible nutrition while regenerating the natural environment and reducing harm to ecosystems.
Our Caring for People pillar will continue to focus on the Shoalhaven region, while our Caring for Place pillar will consider projects and causes Australia-wide.
Time flies when you're having fun! We came away with a clearer focus and a more refined view, as we continue to learn, adapt and evolve our giving practice at Coolaroo Foundation.
👉 Explore our focus areas here.
👉 And if you haven't met our wonderful board yet, check out their profiles here.
