Our Aims
| Our Vision A world where the strengths of all Asperger autistics are celebrated, realised and valued Our Mission Aspergers Victoria inspires, empowers and supports Aspergers autistics, and other neurodiverse profiles, to be themselves and realise their ambitions through social connection, employment inclusion and advocacy across their lives. Our purpose is to provide individuals, families, businesses and professionals with opportunities to connect, be part of communities and share knowhow - with a focus on inclusion, strengths and respect. We want to empower Aspergers to have the confidence to realise their own strengths, abilities, dreams and ambitions - and with that independence - while managing challenges across their lives. This empowerment comes from our community of peers, and educating the communities in which we live. This mission is based around four key pillars:
These pillars are supported by our focused advocacy on our community's behalf. We are the only for purpose organisation focused on the specific needs of Aspergers. |
Our Board
Our Board all have lived experience of autism either being an Asperger, has a close family member that is Aspergers autistic or is a professional working closely with the autistic Community. Our Board are also volunteers who contribute their own time to support social change and support our Aspergers autistic community.
Tamsin Jowett - PresidentPreviously a lawyer, Tamsin is a governance and coaching professional who has worked internationally with BP in Corporate Affairs/CSR and with London brand agency LSW. Tamsin is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, an ICF Coach, qualified Patient Advocate and holds a Masters in Marketing from London, as well as her Law-Commerce degree from Melbourne University. Tamsin is passionate about driving change for our community and regularly advocates for our community at government levels and through her extensive networks. Tamsin has enjoyed life surrounded by interesting neurodiverse family and friends and has a strengths view of differences. Tamsin is passionate about empowering our community and has been supporting AV for over 10 years, with recent years as President driving organisational evolution. Tamsin is also a pennant golf player with passions for skiing, tennis and extensive reading. | JEFFREY HANLON - SECRETARYJeffrey is an experienced, well-seasoned CFO and Company Secretary, with a wealth of skills, gained from working at the coal face for SME ASX listed companies and Australian companies with international operations. He has excellent financial, operational and management skills gained from direct involvement with businesses from startups, pre and post IPO, during periods of high growth, under financial stress or requiring restructuring. Jeffrey is experienced in ASX reporting, compliance with the Listing Rules, capital raising, financial analysis and modelling, board reporting, corporate governance and secretarial duties, risk management, commercial contract management, setting policies and procedures, human resources and employment functions. Jeffrey has Aspergers lived experience within his family. | David Cox - treasurerDavid Cox is a Qualified Chartered Account with nearly 30 years experience. After originally qualifying in South Africa he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He has worked in numerous organisations and industries (large and small) across South Africa, the UK and now Australia and is currently heading up the Finance Department at Open Universities Australia. David is married with two children, one of which is on the Autism Spectrum. He has always endeavoured to give back to the community wherever possible, either through Round Table in South Africa and the UK, or through Aspergers Victoria in Australia and is passionate in working to ensure a financially sustainable future for organisation. |
ROO HARRIS - BOARD MEMBERRoo Harris is a life and business coach, consultant and lawyer. Before her transition to coaching and consulting in 2017, Roo was a lawyer for over 15 years, specialising in international commercial transactions. During this time, she was dedicated legal counsel to a member of the royal family in a foreign country, advising on his domestic and cross-border investment transactions. This remains the focus of her consulting and advisory work, in which she provides project founders with start-up strategy and commercial advice, while working to facilitate investment into their projects. In her coaching work, Roo supports professional women with career transition. Increasingly, she is working with the Aspergers community, for which she is a passionate advocate, having extensive lived experience through family and friends. She is also on the Board of Kilmour Investments, which among other investments, holds a major share in Australia’s largest forestry and timber processing company (for sustainable, softwood plantations). Roo has a combined Bachelors in Arts and Law and a Masters in Commercial Law. |
 | We rely on donations and memberships to provide specialised support, advocate for change and fill the gap in the specific services our community needs. |
