Our Team
The Noosa Shire is a unique and special place. Those of us who have the privilege of living and working here know how lucky we are. Volunteering our time and professional skills to Noosa Chances is a way we can give back, and help disadvantaged young people in the area to succeed and enjoy their lives to the full.
Here is a little about each of us and our skills.
tara bell
Tara Bell is the CEO of Noosa Chances, and has lived in Noosa since 2017. Having volunteered with Western Chances in Melbourne, she was inspired to bring together some new friends with a diverse range of professional skills to start an education-focused NFP locally. Tara has worked in the finance industry in Sydney and Melbourne for over 20 years, in various capacities from head of equities, managed fund research, to investment director for global companies.
Georgie Cousens
Georgie Cousens is the COO of Noosa Chances and has lived in the Noosa Shire since 2018. For 12 years she has run a successful design and marketing agency across 3 continents and brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the Noosa Chances table. She looks forward to creating a powerful and self-sustaining not-for-profit model able to transcend borders and continents in the future.
Carena Shankar
As well as being a Director of Noosa Chances, Carena Shankar is an Executive Director of Bangarra Group and Deputy Chairperson of the Bennelong Foundation. Carena is also the Manager of the Private Portfolio, a collection of private assets held by the Bangarra Family Office. Carena has a degree in economics and has worked in areas including hospitality, finance, television production and property. A core part of Bangarra’s goal to drive lasting positive change in the community is via its philanthropic arm, the Bennelong Foundation, which was established in 2002.
Andrew Terlich
Andrew is the Director of Finance at Noosa Chances. Being the first in his family to attend University, Andrew understands first hand the doors that education can open up for a young person. After studying Accounting and Finance, Andrew qualified as a Chartered Accountant and joined the world of banking. Far from his rural upbringing, Andrew and wife Tara started their family in Hong Kong, but after a long stint there it was time to return to Australia's clean air and the beautiful beaches and hinterland of Noosa. By being a part of Noosa Chances, Andrew intends to play a part in helping today's young generation in Noosa with the same educational opportunities that he had as a child.
Oliver Trusler
Oliver is the Director of Investments and Chairman. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Fund Management industry. Prior to becoming an investment consultant and relocating to Noosa in 2015, he worked in both Sydney and London. Oliver qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), has a Diploma in Financial Planning and holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Exeter University in the UK. He specialises in investment advice and strategy and will be using his extensive experience and expertise to ensure Noosa Chances is able to maximise every cent received.
Dr Clare Patterson
Dr Clare Patterson is a Consultant Dermatologist with 22 years of experience. She grew up in the UK and worked for the NHS for many years. She did post graduate studies and worked in Sydney and has now settled in Noosa shire, with an office in Maroochydore.
She is a Board Advisor at Noosa Chances.
Paul Bell
Paul has a background in project finance and property development and currently operates a successful finance brokerage which is based in Noosa and arranges funding for projects throughout South East Queensland and beyond.
Dr Phebe Baker
Phebe is passionate about encouraging children to reach their full potential in their specialist area of interest. She grew up being exposed to the world of performing and visual arts, completing an undergraduate degree in music before her MBBS. Now an Emergency Physician, she is involved in Noosa Chances as a way to contribute to her community and the next generation. She is a Director at Noosa Chances.
Tara Terlich
Tara grew up in rural NSW before venturing to Sydney, London and Hong Kong, where she worked as a recruitment consultant. She is a mum of 3, a self confessed foodie and loves pilates and all things good for the soul.
Sallie Hudson
Sallie Hudson is a marketing and advertising creative director and writer with her own business. She works across many sectors from finance and insurance to educational and behavioural change work for not for profits like Cancer Council and Reachout. She started her career in London in the 1990s before moving to Sydney in 2004. She moved to Noosa Shire in early 2019 and has been volunteering with Noosa Chances ever since as part of the Marketing and Communications team.
Dr Kirsten Baulch
Kirsten is a GP with 21 years of experience. She has served on several boards and in 2003 founded award-winning Medimobile, an Australia and New Zealand-wide provider of workplace and pharmacy influenza vaccination services and primary health care services, the largest provider of private flu vaccination services in the Southern Hemisphere.
She is also a student psychologist, advocate for academic acceleration for gifted children and mentor for Extension Education Programs for Gifted Children. She is a Board Advisor at Noosa Chances.
Michael Baker
Michael is a Commercial Property Consultant based in Noosa and servicing most of the Sunshine Coast. He previously worked in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years and was exposed to many philanthropic organisations associated with community minded listed companies. He saw firsthand the power of giving back when he worked at Bennelong Funds Management and witnessed the superb work of the Bennelong Foundation.
Jim Johnston
Prior to moving to Noosa in 2018 Jim consulted to leading financial institutions in Australia and the UK. He has broad background in design, marketing, business process outsourcing, project management and operational excellence.
Jim is passionate about helping the Noosa Chances team achieve its goals and making a difference in the local community.