Our board

The Venny is governed by a voluntary Board of Management. Their role is to provide strategic direction, ensure we are financially viable and comply with relevant legislation.

Our Board are representative of the community and bring a broad range of skills and experiences to their role.

Lauren Green – Acting Chairperson

Megan Davison – Vice Chairperson

George Tansley – Treasurer

Charlie Carpenter – Treasurer

Zakaria Farah – General Member

Alyese Arnold – General Member

Our team

The Venny’s staff are its greatest asset and provide safe attachment figures for the children and young people they engage with. Our staff use trauma informed frameworks and reflective practice principals in their work and maintain current best practice approaches with professional development and training, predominately with the Australian Childhood Trauma Group. All staff at The Venny have current Working with Children Checks and are thoroughly screened prior to appointment.

The Venny’s operations are run by a small core team of staff. Our programs and services are supported by our larger Play Team.

Children and volunteers building a play structure outdoors.

  • Carolyn Webster – Chief Executive Officer

    Carolyn has over 20 years’ experience in managing not for profit community organisations. Her strengths are in finance, grant writing and juggling multiple balls at once. She loves the diversity that this role brings and starts every day by opening up the chicken coop and chatting to our feathered friends.

  • David Kutcher – Honorary Principal and Business Development Manager

    David serves as Business Development Manager, building on his extensive leadership experience as former General Manager and Board member. His major milestones include, transitioning The Venny into a registered charity, securing sustainable funding and expanding amenity and play space for children. With global playwork insights and a strong child-first approach, David has helped shape The Venny into the thriving, child-focused community it is today. He also serves as Vice Chair at Play Australia (IPA).

  • Danni von der Borch – Director of Community, Play and Wellbeing

    Danni has been part of The Venny community since 2001.  With a Master’s in Therapeutic Art Practice and a Playwork Practitioner, Danni weaves together play and therapeutic approaches to support each child and young person to express themselves freely — especially those who need it most. She is a passionate advocate for every child’s right to play and to belong; to take risks, try new things, and experience the joy of discovering what they’re capable of.

  • Lloyd Greenland – Assistant Director of Community, Play and Wellbeing

    Lloyd grew up playing at The Venny, and that experience inspired him to return at 17 as a youth mentor. Over 12 years, he’s led programs, supported teens, and helped activate Cubbies, all while drawing on his own lived experience in public housing. Passionate and driven, Lloyd champions young people with a play-based approach that supports resilience, wellbeing, and growth.

  • Hala Nur – Play and Programs Lead

    Hala joined The Venny in 2016 and brings a Master of Social Work plus qualifications in Play Work, Youth Work, and Counselling. As an experienced Play Worker Lead, she runs our Boys Group+ and Girls Group+ programs in Kensington. She thrives on staying busy and is happiest connecting with kids, young people, and families—whether in play sessions or at big community events.

  • Gabe Smith – Play and Programs Lead

    Gabe is a fun loving Kensington local who has been coming to The Venny since he was a kid. He has a Graduate Diploma of Youth Mental Health. A keen cyclist and outdoorsy person, Gabe also enjoys painting, building and cooking. Find Gabe hanging out by the fire, or at The Venny To You. Say hello: he’s friendly!

  • Yuto Hayasaka – Play and Programs Lead

    Yuto joined The Venny team in 2023, swapping the corporate world for youth work, and he’s been loving every minute of it. After completing his Foundation Play Worker training last year, he’s been bringing energy, creativity, and plenty of laughs to the team. With a great sense of humour and even the occasional stand-up comedy routine, Yuto keeps everyone smiling!

  • Tracie Overstead – Garden and Maintenance

    Tracie has been an active member of The Venny community for 38 years and has worked at The Venny for 20 years. Tracie is an experienced play worker and performs yard and garden maintenance work at The Venny.