Board of Directors
Bernadette Black
Bernadette Black has overcome much adversity in her life, from the death of her father at a young age, to the life-altering effects of a teenage pregnancy, but throughout it all, somehow she has never lost hope.
Today, a mother of three and Registered Nurse, Bernadette is married to an amazing man, and shares her message of hope with thousands of people as she speaks around the country. She is in high demand as a speaker, and her message of hope carried her all the way to the Australian of the Year awards in 2008, of which she was a finalist.
Since its inception, Brave Group have published the book, Brave Little Bear (2006), and today there are many of these books in the hands of young mums, schools and health services throughout Australia.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but the concept of Brave Foundation was being conceived as I walked out my journey in the year's following my son's birth.“
The vision is much more than just a book. Brave Foundation seeks to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure that unexpected pregnancy is not a life-ending or education-less predicament. “Where hope isn’t out of the question and dreaming of a great tomorrow is made possible.” Bernadette says.
Bernadette has featured in all forms of media; including guest appearances on all the national breakfast and morning shows, as well as National news, and national radio Broadcasts. She has also featured in national print media.
She regularly speaks around the country, notably and recently with esteemed organizations Women’s Forum Australia and the STEP to the Future Foundation, as well as in private and public Secondary Schools and TAFE training colleges across the nation. ernadette also speaks regularly at women’s conferences nationwide. She has also featured with CHOICEZ media, and spoken in many local communities and Rotary Clubs – a highlight of which was the opportunity to address thousands of young people at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.
In March 2009, Bernadette was thrilled to be named ‘Tasmanian Mother of the Year’ after her son, Damien 15, secretly nominated her. In May 2009, Bernadette was awarded ‘Australian Mother of the Year’ for her role as a mum to her three children and her work with women facing unexpected pregnancy.
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Steven Black
Steven Black was born on a farm in Country Victoria, where he found a love of music and song-writing at a young age, in a town which mostly revolved around sports. Although Steven’s sporting skills saw him winning numerous Best and Fairest awards for football, it is his music that has been his burning passion and excitement to date.
Steven has been a Registered Nurse for nine years and is currently working in Occupational Health and Safety. He is the father to three children, and believes parenting is one of the greatest experiences of his life. Steven is a strong ambassador of social justice and is a very proud Director of Brave Foundation.
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Jonathan Cavagnah
Jonathan completed four years of study in 2002 with the University of Tasmania and has held varied community based positions in the course of the last eight years as a volunteer. This could be better said as the following: "After four years of study at the University of Tasmania, Jonathan has volunteered his time in many community-based positions alongside his work in the finance sector.He is currently a bank manager with the National Australia Bank. His work in the community flows to his keen interest in Inspirational Music. He has served as Music Director for C3 Church in Hobart and has played in varied events for the past fifteen years stretching from Hobart to Nashville. He has been the treasurer of varied commitees over the years and has been recognised as a man of integrity who will always "tell it like it is".
Jon's strong heart for seeing people set free from their circumstances aligns directly with the purpose of The Brave Foundation. Brave Foundation provides solutions to those who may have lost their dreams, feel isolated and without hope, in particular, teenage mums. His strong financial experience alongside his community/people experience provides a highly valued voice to Brave Foundation.
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Sakura Oddie
Sakura Oddie, BCom (Acc), CPA, has broad professional background which includes experience within private, public, tertiary education and not-for-profit sectors, providing her with insight into many of the opportunities and challenges faced by these sectors.
Currently, Sakura manages the benchmarking project for Tasmania’s community plan, Tasmania Together 2020, a world leading system of goal setting and measurement of progress. She liaises with government, business and community organisations to develop, maintain and report on its suite of 150+ social, environmental and economic benchmarks. Sakura also operates a consulting business which delivers strategic development, mentoring and coaching services to community and business leaders; she is Treasurer elect for the Tasmanian Branch of the International Coaching Federation; and is involved with various not-for-profit organisations to help facilitate focused growth in their activities. As a Director of Brave Foundation, Sakura works with the Board in its strategic
development processes and assists in building Brave’s strong national presence.
“At a professional level, I enjoy seeing purposeful change in people and organisations – and the flow on effect in the wider community. My greatest delight is in helping individuals confront limiting beliefs and reach for success – to work with their strengths and help them create strategies to rise above their greatest challenges. This stems from the invaluable support and encouragement I receive from family, friends and mentors who have helped me overcome my own challenges – including the unexpected reality of becoming a mother at age 18.”
Originally from the northern beaches of Sydney, Sakura and teen sweetheart, now husband, moved to the beautiful State of Tasmania to raise their three children, return to study and give back to their community. Their children, now young adults, bring them great joy as they watch them create their own exciting futures. Sakura
loves nothing more than to enjoy life with her family and friends and makes sure she takes the time to nurture mind and body, heart and spirit – her own and those around her.
“Given the right support, and with strong determination, unexpected and/or teen pregnancy can indeed result in healthy and happy families. The thing I love about working with Brave Foundation is that it aims to provide some of the essential tools and opportunities that I would’ve valued so very much when I was starting my family.”
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