Jane Inglis is our Perth Chapter Leader. Jane joined the Australian Army at the age of 23 and served in Transport and as an instructor at Kapooka. After 14 years' service, she was medically discharged in April 2005. 

Jane strongly suggests you keep some connections post-service life through friends or Ex-Service Organisations like Buddy Up. They understand you - get involved. Find your tribe. She says you get those good endorphins when you connect with others, which feels good and motivates you to do more. Her tip is just to do what you can and don't overcommit.  

Tina Innes played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager. Tina brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management to the organisation. Along with her in-depth knowledge of Buddy Up Australia and military background, we are very excited to welcome Tina to the team. Tina will be based in Western Australia. 

Matt is our Team Leader for Adelaide, South Australia. Matt is an enthusiastic ideas man. He has community engagement running through his veins with an entrepreneurial heartbeat! With two decades policing in both hemispheres Matt values the importance of BUA's pillars to support personal growth and family wellbeing. Matt has a keen interest in having fun in the outdoors; from the hills to the ocean but especially it involves water and a bit of adventure!

Eve's background is in social services, having worked for many years supporting the well-being of others in a number of diverse community settings. Eve is also passionate about volunteering and sense of community and purpose that it offers to all involved.

Eve feels privileged to be working with the Defence Force and First Responder community in Victoria and to see Buddy Up Australia continue to grow and flourish for the benefit of our exceptionally valued members and volunteers.

Kris has been working and volunteering in the veteran & first responder space for many years, and Kris helped launch Buddy Up with Megan Davidson back in the early days.

Kris is a husband, father, adventure guide, fisherman and lover of anything active, especially in the outdoors.

Kris resided in Hobart with his family and is looking forward to leading team Tasmania and providing support to our amazing community

Eve's background is in social services, having worked for many years supporting the well-being of others in a number of diverse community settings. Eve is also passionate about volunteering and sense of community and purpose that it offers to all involved.

Eve feels privileged to be working with the Defence Force and First Responder community in Victoria and to see Buddy Up Australia continue to grow and flourish for the benefit of our exceptionally valued members and volunteers.

Bek Milne runs the show in Canberra.

Bek has a military background and is a keen State Emergency Services volunteer. More of a road runner than trails, you can convince Bek to hike if there are some photo opportunities on offer. Bek LOVES parkrun and would love to hang out with you at any of the ACT or surrounding events and grab a coffee and breaky afterwards, preferably with bacon on it. park run offers something for everyone because if you don't run, you can walk or volunteer.

Mark a dedicated volunteer with Buddy Up Australia since 2018, Mark is passionate about fostering community well-being and strong connections. Having had an extensive career in the Australian Defence Force and then transitioning into community services, Mark promotes resilience and active lifestyles. Committed to supporting veterans, first responders, and building a healthier community through teamwork and compassion.

Mark a dedicated volunteer with Buddy Up Australia since 2018, Mark is passionate about fostering community well-being and strong connections. Having had an extensive career in the Australian Defence Force and then transitioning into community services, Mark promotes resilience and active lifestyles. Committed to supporting veterans, first responders, and building a healthier community through teamwork and compassion.

Tina Innes played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager. Tina brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management to the organisation. Along with her in-depth knowledge of Buddy Up Australia and military background, we are very excited to welcome Tina to the team. Tina will be based in Western Australia.

Jess Karnaghan and Rebecca Gallagher are the joint chapter leaders in Forster on the Mid North Coast NSW.

Jess served as a Police Officer for over thirteen years, where her career included being trained as a peer support officer and mental health advocate. In 2015, she completed a diploma of Life Coaching and practitioner training in NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and in 2020 resigned from the Police to work in her own business supporting people with mindset and emotional wellbeing workshops and life coaching. Jess loves adventure, travelling, being in nature, meditation and is excited to be a part of the Buddy Up leadership team.

Rebecca served in the NZ Army as a Medic for 9 years, her career including varied roles in healthcare provision and leadership positions. After leaving the military and moving to Forster in 2020 with her dog for a fresh start, she has worked alongside people with disability and has developed a passion for mental health support. She is also an avid animal lover; working for a local animal rescue and is in training to become a veterinary nurse. Rebecca loves being in nature and is excited to be involved with Buddy Up Australia in order to help support and grow our community.

Tina Innes played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager. Tina brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management to the organisation. Along with her in-depth knowledge of Buddy Up Australia and military background, we are very excited to welcome Tina to the team. Tina will be based in Western Australia.

Matthew Davis has been working as an Ambulance officer in Sydney for 16 years he relocated to Darwin in 1997 - continuing paramedic work until 2005 when he shifted to the public health sector. He's had numerous roles since then, including a 2-year volunteer stint in Lombok Indonesia which culminated in some response work after their major earthquake. Him and gis wife are hooked on the outdoors and have camped and travelled by 4x4 all over the Territory, and they get to share many special spots with whoever is game to tag along. He enjoy's beach walks, mountain biking and getting out in the boat – sometimes the fish oblige, and he love's paddle boarding with the Darwin crew, especially when wet season winds give us something to surf on. His work roles have benefited others, but he believe's social connections are paramount to our wellbeing, and he enjoy's any opportunity to grow those connections while also doing the things that he love's.

Tina Innes played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager. Tina brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management to the organisation. Along with her in-depth knowledge of Buddy Up Australia and military background, we are very excited to welcome Tina to the team. Tina will be based in Western Australia.