Our Team
We’re working for the working animal
Our amazing team is made up of passionate, hardworking animal lovers.
We have people stitching wounds in the field, organising a fundraiser, or coordinating volunteers. They are all committed to making a difference.
Animal Aid Abroad Committee
Janet Thomas - OAM
BA [Education], BEd, Grad DipSc
Founder & CEO
[Started AAA in August 2007]
The sight of an injured and exhausted horse on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt was the final catalyst that brought me back to Australia in 2007. I was a teacher, living and working in Alexandria and was intending moving to Islamabad to teach, when I witnessed this horse, injured and bleeding hauling a cart overladen with heavy iron rods in the hot sun, it was the final straw. The horse was struggling and the driver oblivious to its pain and suffering - it was one of those sights and moments that changes your life. I flew home to set up Animal Aid Abroad that same year. When not teaching or running this special group, I enjoy spending time with my menagerie of farm pets, dogs and garden.
Yvette Price - B Bus, FCPA
Treasurer & Secretary
[Joined AAA in 2021]
After retiring from a busy corporate career, I was fortunate to be introduced to Janet and the wonderful work that AAA undertakes. Apart from spending time with my horses, I'd always seen myself taking up a volunteer role after retirement, but, for me, it had to be something that I felt passionate about. Animals have always been a huge part of my life and like many people I am absolutely shocked and sickened by the way some animals are treated. So, it was an easy decision to join the AAA team where I can combine my experience in accounting and risk management with my passion for animals.
Dr Kirsten Jackson - B Sc, B VMS (Hons), PhD, MANZCVS (Equine Dentistry)
Committee Member
[Joined AAA in 2014]
I grew up with horses and have been passionate about animal welfare from a very young age. This led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and now run a busy equine veterinary dentistry practice when I'm not volunteering for Animal Aid Abroad. I first became involved with Animal Aid Abroad in 2014 when I began volunteering and helping run free veterinary clinics on the Gili Islands in Indonesia to treat the working ponies there. I have since joined the committee and provide veterinary advice and assistance to partner groups around the world.
Jenny Grant - B Sc, Grad DipSc, RVN
Deputy CEO
[Joined AAA in 2017]
Early on in my time with Animal Aid Abroad I joined several other members on a trip to visit our partner groups in India and I haven’t looked back. I met amazing locals who were changing the lives of so many working animals, I watched vets functioning on a shoe string budget and visited centres providing sanctuary for so many of these animals. So, when I knew we could do things from our safe, quiet places in Australia to help these struggling and suffering animals working so hard in so many developing countries around the world, there was no way I could NOT help.
With a background in science, veterinary nursing and animal welfare it gives me the greatest of joys to do whatever we can to assist the many animals who do the work of trucks, tractors and machinery in an effort to relieve at least some of their suffering and improve the environments in which they work.
I now post AAA merchandise to our supporters who generously visit the AAA shop online, and also co-ordinate the delivery of donated bandages and the like to our partner groups helping so many animals in developing countries.
For me, AAA is all about remembering the animals who are not in the spotlight, who are never the centre of more well-known international campaigns and who are rarely on the receiving end of financial assistance and welfare improvements even though their need is just as great.
Colleen McKenney - Ed Cert (TAFE)
Committee Member
[Joined AAA in 2013]
I have been a committee member for the past 5-6 years with Animal Aid Abroad and enjoy immensely being connected with this group. I travelled to India/Nepal in 2015, with AAA to visit some of the sanctuaries which we support – this really showed me where our efforts were going and what amazing work the groups are achieving. I have also been a volunteer at Native Arc for the past 12 years. This is a wildlife rescue centre in Bibra Lake where I enjoy a hands-on experience with the animals.
Admin / Operations Team
Dianne Lawrence
Bookkeeper & Admin Support
Joined AAA in 2007
I’ve had the pleasure of being a member, volunteer and treasurer of Animal Aid Abroad since it started in 2007. In 2021, I retired from the Treasury role however in 2022 re-joined the AAA team to assist the current treasurer and help with other admin duties. In my time with AAA, I have met many wonderful supporters of AAA and seen the charity grow from zero. I was honoured in 2021 to have a donkey stable in Tanzania named in my honour.
Ellie Herodes - B NMA (Media Design), G Cert UX & Web Design
Digital Communications and Social Media Manager
Joined AAA in 2024
I have been involved in animal advocacy for several years, working with various animal rights groups in Melbourne through protests, outreach and raising awareness about animal cruelty. Wanting to extend my advocacy globally, I joined Animal Aid Abroad in 2024. Being involved with AAA has allowed me to support international efforts to protect and care for working animals and I’m proud to be part of a dedicated team making a difference worldwide. My adopted greyhound, Lance, is my best friend and a constant reminder of the importance of compassion.
Renate Homburg - B ASc, G Cert
Project Partner Updates
Joined AAA in 2015
I have always been passionate about animal protection and joined Animal Aid Abroad in 2015 after seeing a harrowing photo of a broken working donkey who had collapsed on the road. In 2017, I travelled to India with AAA to witness the work of our partner groups first-hand, which was an incredibly humbling and memorable experience. Volunteering with AAA has involved everything from fundraising stalls in Adelaide to assisting with social media, writing the newsletters for a few years and now helping to coordinate our Global Giving campaigns. It is a privilege to be part of a dedicated team who are making such a difference for suffering working animals around the world.
Graeme McElligott
Sponsorship Reports & Gifts that Give Certificates
Joined AAA in 2016
I am a retired public servant living in Canberra. In 2016 my wife and I joined the local Canberra committee for Animal Aid Abroad and became part of the information and fund raising team for the ACT. We attended various markets and shopping centres handing out flyers, selling merchandise and talking to people about Animal Aid Abroad's work. In 2020 I became a volunteer helper maintaining the AAA website where I focus on providing feedback to people who buy Gifts that Give as well as memberships and also assist in general website support activities.
Lyn Board
Merchandise
NSW Fundraising Team
Paul Sillato - Enrolled Nurse, Zookeeper & Youth Worker TAFE NSW
Joined AAA in 2013
I've been involved with AAA for over 10 years, after having been given a pamphlet about the Charity.
I cannot remember a time when I didn't like Animals (both Wildlife and Domesticated). As a child I generally read books about animals. I had pets growing up, including dogs, mice and fish, plus I was a regular helper with my father and his aviary full of Budgies. Even as a child I'd had a pull towards Animal Welfare. I initially began by sponsoring a few animals (Elephant and Donkey) which I did for many years. Early on, I took over the Role of NSW Chocolate Coordinators role which brings in a small, but steady amount of funds (I work at a major Hospital, so I have a good customer base). I also help MarieCrilley with Stalls and other activities like fundraising walks. I even had a fundraising darts day at my local Darts Club. Other fundraising has included recycling drink containers, which has included giving $1,570 to AAA. I really admire AAA for being a hands-on charity and helping where it's needed with these often-neglected working animals.
I've also been involved with other animal charities including the Animal Welfare League NSW and spent two years on the Board of Directors (2010-2012) and have been involved with Free the Bears in NSW for over 15 years.
Volunteer Hall of Fame
Dianne Lawrence
We would like to extend an extra special thank you and pay tribute to DIANNE LAWRENCE. Dianne has been an integral part of the AAA administration team since its inception in 2007. Throughout her 14 years with Animal Aid Abroad, Dianne devoted many evenings and weekends to managing AAA’s finances and keeping on top of them every step of the way. Her dedication, professionalism and attention to detail has always been second to none and she has done an absolutely amazing job! In honour of Dianne’s long-standing service to AAA, we included a small presentation at our recent AGM. She has also had a new donkey stable named after her at our AAA-TAHUCHA Donkey Sanctuary in Tanzania! Thankfully, we are not losing Dianne completely, as she is still planning to use her skills to help us out as and when necessary. We are grateful that Dianne will remain an important member of the AAA team.
Elaine Goode and Elsie Daxon
This mother and daughter duo are tireless in the creation of their amazing crafts and running stalls raising much needed funds for our animals. Thank you so much!
“We have been volunteering for a long time in various ways. For many years now it has been our pleasure being involved and supporting Animal Aid Abroad.
We enjoy contributing and it’s great to see people purchasing the items we make and giving us feedback.
We love to hear people enjoy displaying their bed quilts and table runners. It's our special way to give back to the animals and Animal Aid Abroad.”