PATRONS AND AMBASSADORS - KIDNEY HEALTH AUSTRALIA

Our Patron in Chief  - Ms Quentin Bryce AC Her Excellency, The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia

On 5 September 2008, Ms Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia’s twenty-fifth Governor-General. As the first woman to take up this office, she remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society and yet one who brings more than forty years of experience in reform, community building and leadership to the role. Her contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children and the welfare of the family, was recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003. In her civic role as Governor of Queensland, Ms Bryce has worked with women, families and young people, while extending her influence across the State’s broad and diverse spectrum, including the rural, regional, aged, Indigenous, migrant, and disability sectors.

We welcome the patronage of Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, who leads our band of Patrons and Ambassadors in the fight against kidney disease in Australia.

Our Patrons - Sir Jack Brabham OBE and Lady Brabham

Sir Jack, who suffers from kidney failure himself, said that coping with failed kidneys had been one of the toughest drives of his life. However, it was important to remain active and get as much out of every day as possible. He urges kidney patients on dialysis not to allow the treatment to take charge of their lives and to live their life to the full by continuing the activities they enjoy.

Jack Brabham is one of the most accomplished - and colourful - racing drivers in the history of motorsport. Now in his early eighties, he was the winner of three F1 World Titles (1959, 1960 and 1966) the only driver to be crowned Champion in a car of his own construction and the first F1 driver to be awarded knighthood. View an ABC Australian Story on this first Australian to win a Formula One World Championship.

Introducing our Ambassador - Mr Tyler Atkins

We are pleased to introduce our newest kidney health ambassador, Tyler Atkins. You may recognize Tyler as a competitor and one of the final team which won Channel 7's The Amazing Race. Tyler also has had a few problems with his kidney function and has had surgery to fix the problem.

Tyler pictured hosting our Kidney Kids Capers at Luna Park in Sydney, where Kidney Kids delighted in comparing their surgery scars to Tyler's.

Tyler's first project representing Kidney Health Australia, was as a key personality when we first presented our Red Undies Week Campaign - it's time for some decent exposure'!

Red Undies Week blends with our kidney health awareness week held annually in the last week of May. It is designed to be playful and a little bit cheeky and give some decent exposure to chronic kidney disease, a disease which has flown under the radar for too long. Tyler joins an impressive list of kidney health ambassadors.

Our Ambassadors

Global Ambassador - Mr Bob Pritchard

Health Ambassadors

Mr Tyler Atkins
Mr Mathew Brabham
Mr Cody Crocker
Mr Robert De Castella
Mr Tim Mathieson
Mr Normie Rowe AM

Children’s Ambassador - Ms Lindi Jane (and companion puppet, Billy the Kidney) 

Our Volunteers

Kidney Health Australia acknowledges the less visible but deeply appreciated support of our many volunteers from every sector of our kidney community in Australia. These volunteers offer many hours of their time and effort to support our mission and vision and include members of our Board, our National and State Consumer Councils and the many health professionals who serve on Committees which support the work of Kidney Health Australia. Their strategic leadership, direction, loyalty and support enable us to strive to make a difference each and every day on behalf of all kidney stakeholders in Australia. Refer to Volunteers webpage for more information.

Our Kidney Community

We also acknowledge the many Australians with some link to kidney disease, who have joined our kidney community and support the kidney cause. We thank you all for giving so generously of your time and resources. Our thanks go out to our thousands of supporters who donate very much appreciated funds, to enable us to continue our vital work on behalf of those with kidney disease in Australia. Refer to our Donations and Fundraising web pages for more information on how you can help us continue our important work.

UPDATED 14 MAY 2012