About Us
Our Charitable Objects
FOUNDER
CONTACT US
Our Story
Originally set up as a private trust fund in year 1999, the Mudgeeraba Foundation has evolved to now be a Public Benevolent Institution, registered with the Australian Charities and Not For Profits Commission (ACNC) with more targeted charitable objects.
Our Foundation’s present charitable objects are more discriminating against for-profit businesses hiring our hall, rather favouring vulnerable and disadvantaged groups who need a hall and/or mediation centre, but cannot afford market rates to pay for them.
What We Do
Safe Space
The acquisition, maintenance and provision of safe and comfortable spaces where community members can receive appropriate services from relevant charitable organisations.
Engagement
Engaging in or participating with other charitable organisations in the creation, development, maintenance and operation of programmes that deliver benevolent assistance and relief to community members.
Responsiveness
Responding and working with government and other organisations to improve supports and services offered to community members.
Improve
Engaging in fundraising, education and research to improve and broaden the services offered by the Trust, and in the dissemination of knowledge and information designed to improve the lives of community members.
With Your Help, We are Making The World a Better Place
We do all acts and things directly or indirectly necessary or desirable to enable the Mudgeeraba Foundation to fulfil its charitable objects.
What’s On
Tracy Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Tracy Lee is the CEO of the Mudgeeraba Foundation which operates the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre.
She holds degrees from the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology, is a retired pharmacist and practising accountant.
Tracy was born and raised locally. Her Kretschmar (or “Krets”) family heritage stretches back several generations in the City of Gold Coast.
Ross Lee
Director
Ross Lee is the Governing Director of the Mudgeeraba Foundation which operates the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre.
He holds degrees in Economics from the University of Queensland and Laws from the Queensland University of Technology. Ross is the principal solicitor and notary public at Lee Lawyers. He is a nationally-accredited mediator, trained as a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) Member.
Ross was born in Southport and raised locally. His Peters and Lee family lines go back some generations in Gold Coast City.
Jan Grew
Director
Jan Grew is a Non-Executive Director of the Mudgeeraba Foundation which operates the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre.
Jan has had many years working with the community in her role as a Gold Coast City Councillor from 1994 to 2016. During this time she had the privilege of working on a number of boards including Screen Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, the Gold Coast Arts Centre (now HOTA), the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and as a founding member of the Gold Coast film festival (then Film Fantastic.)
Ms Grew also served on several advisory committees including the Council of Mayors Economic Development committee, the Regional Mosquito Management Committee and the Local Government Arts and Cultural Reference Advisory Group.
As a Councillor Jan chaired a number of Council committees including the Health, Cultural and Community Safety Committee, the Economic Development, Commonwealth Games and Tourism committee and the Corporate Governance and Finance Committee.
Jan holds a Master’s degree in Film and Television at Bond University, a Diploma in Event Management from TAFE and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Grew very much enjoyed her time in Council and looks forward to supporting the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre
Andrew McConaghy
Director
Andrew McConaghy is a Non-Executive Director of the Mudgeeraba Foundation which operates the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre.
He holds degrees in Science and Commerce from the University of Queensland. Andrew is the principal chartered accountant at McConaghy Chartered Accountants.
Andrew was born in Southport and raised locally. His McConaghy family line stretches back several generations in Gold Coast.
Lisa Hughes
Reference Group Member
Lisa is a Member of the Reference Group to the Mudgeeraba Foundation which operates the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre.
Lisa has a diverse and unique legal background spanning over 20 years, and over three jurisdictions. She studied law in South Africa, requalified in New Zealand, and practiced on both sides of the ditch-in New Zealand, and Australia. Lisa’s legal background is in criminal prosecutions. Lisa worked with the Crown Solicitor’s office as a Prosecutor in New Zealand, and in Australia she was employed as a Legal Officer and Crown Prosecutor with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Lisa played a role in the establishment of the pilot of the rehabilitative Drug and Alcohol Court in New Zealand both as the Court Coordinator for the court and then as a solicitor.
Lisa’s experience extends to both sides of the legal fence. She was employed as a lawyer with the Public Defence Service in New Zealand and as a defence lawyer in Australia. During her career Lisa’s practice has extended to estate planning and estate administration.
Lisa believes authenticity, integrity and honesty are the key to good client relationships and these attributes are the cornerstone of her practice. She is a passionate supporter and protector of the underdog. Lisa regularly undertakes pro-bono work, particularly in the area of Domestic Violence. She believes that as lawyers we have the platform to make a difference and we should be using it to do so.
Our Charitable Objects
The object of the Trust is to provide public benevolent relief for members of the Australian community suffering from poverty disability, misfortune or distress (community members) by:
1. the acquisition, maintenance and provision of safe and comfortable spaces where community members can receive appropriate services from relevant charitable organisations;
2. engaging in or participating with other charitable organisations in the creation, development, maintenance and operation of programmes that deliver benevolent assistance and relief to community members;
3. responding and working with government and other organisations to improve supports and services offered to community members;
4. engaging in fundraising, education and research to improve and broaden the services offered by the Trust, and in the dissemination of knowledge and information designed to improve the lives of community members; and
5. to do all acts and things directly or indirectly necessary or desirable to enable the Trust to fulfil the above objects.
Founder Born
Our Founder the late Peter Ochsenbein was born to an engineer father and artist mother in the alpine town of Meiringen, Switzerland.
Swiss Army
A young Herr Ochsenbein was conscripted into the Swiss Army during the midst of World War II. Peter would serve his country for several years.
An Intellectual
Being honourably discharged by the Swiss Army, our Founder proceeded to study chemistry, culminating in a PhD degree from Bern University, magna cum laude.
Emigration to Australia
Dr Ochsenbein having risen to great hights in the pharmaceutical industry with Ciba Geigy and UN intellectual property offices, our Founder retired to Mudgeeraba, Australia.
Trust Established
After considerable information-gathering, the the charity operated by Mudg Pty Ltd atft Mudgeeraba Foundation Private Charitable Trust Fund is established.
Designed and Built
The acquisition of land, development application for rezoning, design and build procedure for the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre would end up taking several years.
Operations Commenced
After a long, difficult and expensive series of challenges, the Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre as we now know it commenced operations.
Founder Passes
After an extended battle with cancer, our founder the late Dr Peter Ochsenbein passes, leaving a local legacy spanning a quarter of a century.
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