Mission Australia is fortunate to have the support of our dedicated Ambassadors. Their efforts help us to raise awareness and funds so that we can continue to transform the lives of Australians in need. In alphabetical order...

JONATHAN COLEMAN

“I’ve always felt that Mission Australia was a fantastic organisation because of all the work they do for homeless no matter what age or race.  We are only ever a few degrees of separation from being homeless ourselves.”

Now living back in Australia, Jonathan Coleman has been credited as being one of Australia's most successful exports to the UK. Jono created a name for himself in the 80s through Simon Townsend’s Wonder World, and as one half of The Jono and Dano Show, a popular program on the TripleM network. Since late 2004, Jono has been the host of the nationally syndicated weekly radio series My Generation for MCM Entertainment syndicated to 105 stations around Australia on the Gold Network every weekend.  It is the second biggest syndicated show in Australia and will continue to grow in 2008.

Jono and his family made the decision to return to Sydney in December 2006 after 16 years in London. Together with MCM (Producers of My Generation) Jono has created a new Radio show called The Jonathan Coleman Experience co-hosted by Julia Zemiro.  The show airs on The Classic Hits Network (ARN) in drive time. Jono also appears weekly as Entertainment Reporter for Mornings With Kerri-Anne on the Nine Network.

TANIA MAJOR

Tania Major is a Kokoberra woman from the remote community of Kowanyama in Cape York Queensland.  She holds a degree in Criminology from Griffith University, and at 21 became the youngest elected regional councillor in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).  In 2006 Tania was announced as the Queensland Young Australian of the Year, and was further honoured by being named the Young Australian of the Year in January 2007. She was also voted as “Young Leader of the year” for the 2007 Deadly Awards. Since 2002 Tania has publicly addressed many national and international forums, speaking on Indigenous and Youth affairs as these relate to remote communities, particularly those in Cape York.  Along with her mentor, Noel Pearson, she has tried to bring the realities of life in many of these communities to the foreground of wider Australian thinking and to engage mainstream Australians in the collaborative challenge of seeking solutions to long standing problems.

After 4 years with the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, Tania is now working to establish a private consultancy and advocacy business, and to set up a youth foundation to support other young indigenous people with the potential for leadership. She is currently completing her Masters degree in Public Policy at Sydney University and working on her business part time.

KATIE NOONAN

Katie Noonan has topped both the pop and jazz charts, blown away opera fanatics, performed alongside countless luminaries of myriad fields, and backs it all up by being an incredible songwriter, producer and keyboardist in her own right. In addition to a successful solo career, she sings in the bands george and Elixir, and also duets with her mother, Maggie Noonan. Katie founded the band george with her brother Tyrone.

After a series of successful independently released EPs, they signed to Festival Mushroom Records, and released the debut album Polyserena in 2002, which entered the ARIA charts at #1. george won the Best New Artist ARIA award in 2003, performing Breathe In Now at the ceremony. This facet of her musical education has never been more evident than in Katie's new album and her first outing for SonyBMG, Blackbird - the music of Lennon and McCartney. Katie is married to Isaac Hurren, her longtime partner and collaborator in Elixir. They have two young sons, Dexter Reed and Jonah Atticus Roc.

CATRIONA PETTIT (nee Rowntree)

"My involvement with a number of Mission Australia youth services has given me an amazing opportunity to see first hand how these programs can really help to turn lives around.  The results are incredible but without support, these programs simply wouldn’t exist."

Catriona studied journalism before working as a researcher with Business Review Weekly and Prime Television. In 1991 she moved to FM radio as a newsreader and music program host, first in community radio and then with the ABC's youth FM radio station, Triple J, for which she presented until 1996. Former host of the Nine Network's series Wonder World, she is best-known as a presenter for the network's highly successful travel series, "Getaway". In 2006 she authored a travel book, Catriona's Australia: My Favourite Aussie Locations, published by Harper Collins.

In 2008, Catriona married James Pettit. Since the marriage, Catriona has chosen to adopt her husband's last name

MYLES POLLARD

"Having had a son recently, has given me a very different perspective as a father; family is absolute and my sensitivity to families doing it tough has probably been heightened.   Being a Mission Australia Ambassador therefore is an honour and I welcome the opportunity to give the more unfortunate people in Australia a chance to be everything they wish to be."

Since graduating from NIDA in 1998 Myles has acted in many productions on Australian television including "Water Rats", “Home and Away", “All Saints", Wildside”, "Double Trouble"  “Packed To The Rafters” and most recently “Underbelly 2”. He recently shot scenes in “Wolverine” staring Hugh Jackman which comes to theatres in 2009. Myles secured a place in the hearts and minds of many Australians as Nick Ryan in the successful series "McLeod’s Daughters"

ALBERT TORRENS

Albert Torrens, a former rugby league star whose career lead him to play for Australian clubs the Manly Sea Eagles and St George Illawarra and the Huddersfield Giants in the UK.

Since retiring from the game, Albert has been working as the Indigenous outreach worker for Mission Australia, driving the Missionbeat van around the streets of Sydney, helping those in need.

DANIEL WIDDOWSON

“Mission Australia is caring for those who are often forgotten about, it’s loving those who are often unloved, and it’s placing hope in those who are often feeling hopeless. What’s not to love about a mission such as that?”

Daniel Widdowson wakes Sydney up each morning via the airwaves on Australia’s largest Christian radio station FM103.2. He hosts and writes the breakfast show with co-host Aaron Wright. Though Daniel is Nationally recognised as the friendly face to wake up to on Australia’s highest rating children’s television program, Saturday Disney.  Daniel began hosting, writing, and segment producing Saturday Disney in 2000. From 2000-2007  he reported across globe, met some a mazing people, and hosted over 350 shows. He also found himself joining the writing team for Home and Away, the National no.1 Drama.

His role at Network Seven became even more diverse when he contributed to backyard renovations around Australia on Ground Force.  His face was first Nationally recognised in the Fox Studios Australia commercials in 1999 as he welcomed Australians aboard the Titanic.  Working at Channel 7 has given Daniel the chance to present and be part of the Good Friday Appeal, Perth Telethon and Carols in the Domain over the past six years.

Daniel also works as the youth and young adults Pastor for Coast Community Church on the Central Coast.