OUR AMBASSADORS

Camp Quality’s wonderful ambassadors come from every walk of life – yet they are all united in their passion to help us change the cancer story for Australian kids and families.

Meet our latest champion!

Ellie Cole smiling at the camera in a pink Camp Quality shirt

Ellie Cole

“I definitely see the long-term effects that my cancer had on my family. My older brothers and sisters remember what it was like to be at home or in the oncology ward and they certainly carry something with them. Providing joy and fun was overlooked quite a lot when I was younger so seeing Camp Quality bring that to families facing cancer is something I am so excited to be a part of.”

Ellie Cole
Paralympian, Speaker and Disability Advocate

After losing her right leg to cancer at age three, Ellie became Australia’s most decorated female Paralympic athlete in 2021, with a record-breaking 17 Paralympic medals!

At just two years old, Ellie was diagnosed with a life-threatening sarcoma cancer. After intensive chemotherapy, her right leg was amputated. Since then, Ellie has been cancer free and has shown an incredible ability to overcome the odds.

As part of her recovery, Ellie started swimming and found her love of sport. In sixteen years of competing in the pool, Ellie has risen to prolific heights including being honoured as the flagbearer at the Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony and receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia [OAM].

Ellie was drawn to helping Camp Quality after seeing just how much cancer affected her whole family.

“I definitely see the long-term effects that my cancer had on my family. My older brothers and sisters remember what it was like to be at home or in the oncology ward and they certainly carry something with them. Providing joy and fun was overlooked quite a lot when I was younger so seeing Camp Quality bring that to families facing cancer is something I am so excited to be a part of.”

Ellie’s inspiring story, shining positivity and commitment to making a difference, makes her a true Camp Quality champion!

Ellie Cole smiling at the camera in a pink Camp Quality shirt

Our Ambassadors

Casey Donovan

"Camp Quality is such an amazing charity to be a part of, and laughing is definitely the best medicine! The work they do is absolutely amazing from puppetry to Family Days to Camps, all giving kids and their families the support, love and laughter that they need."

Casey Donovan
Singer

Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan got to know Camp Quality when she surprised families by singing at a Christmas Fun Day Cruise in 2017. But while Christmas carols were a huge hit, it was just the start for the bubbly singer, songwriter and actress, who signed on as an official Ambassador in 2019. Having been personally impacted by her stepfather Norm’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Casey has a deep understanding of what our families and kids go through. We love working with Casey to spread the magic of laughter far and wide.

“Camp Quality is such an amazing charity to be a part of – and laughing is definitely the best medicine! The work they do is absolutely amazing, from puppetry to family days to camps, all giving kids and their families the support, love and laughter that they need.” 

Casey Donovan with Camp Quality puppets
Christian Welch smiling in Camp Quality shirt

Christian Welch

“The joy Camp Quality brings to kids and families growing up with cancer is an amazing thing to be a part of. At times I think I get more out of it than the kids do. Their resilience and positivity is inspiring.”

Christian Welch
NRL Player, Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch reached out to Camp Quality in 2017, with the generous offer of free tickets for our families to attend matches, and has been an ambassador ever since. He has since given many amazing sporting experiences to our families – creating memories brimming with light, sound and action that they will never forget!

Christian soon took the next step to become a Camp Quality Volunteer throughout Camps in Victoria, bringing his fun and playful energy to brighten so many kids’ experiences. In 2018, Christian held his own fundraising Dine At Mine event at home, raising over $10,000 to help families dealing with cancer.

“The joy Camp Quality brings to kids and families growing up with cancer is an amazing thing to be a part of. At times I think I get more out of it than the kids do. Their resilience and positivity is inspiring.” 

Christian Welch smiling in Camp Quality shirt
Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson

“Being a Camp Quality ambassador is quite special to me. I’ve seen off plenty of difficult things in my life, but they all pale into insignificance when you see the challenges facing these families. They show incredible strength and character, and with Camp Quality on their side they’ve got the support they need to overcome the impossible. What a fantastic organization.”  

Dick Johnson
Racing Driver

Dick Johnson AM is an icon and legend of Australian Motorsport, having won the famous Bathurst 1000 three times and the Australian Touring Car Championship an incredible five times. He has been a Camp Quality Ambassador since 2019.

Dick rose to prominence throughout the 1970s, before exploding into the national consciousness at the 1980 Bathurst 1000, when he hit the infamous rock whilst in the lead of the ‘Great Race’. The resultant response from the Australian public is now folklore, catapulting Dick and his fledgling team to the front of the pack for years to come.

After his retirement from driving in 1999, Dick continued as the figurehead of Dick Johnson Racing, culminating in more Championships in 2010, 2017 and 2018 for the prestigious organisation.

Dick also faced his own battle with prostate cancer in 2010 and knows first-hand the unknowns and uncertainties in facing a tough diagnosis and the challenges that lay ahead in terms of deciding the right path forward with treatment and care.

He continues to be active within the team, whilst also spending time assisting in causes close to his heart – including Camp Quality.

 “Being a Camp Quality ambassador is quite special to me. I’ve seen off plenty of difficult things in my life, but they all pale into insignificance when you see the challenges facing these families. They show incredible strength and character, and with Camp Quality on their side they’ve got the support they need to overcome the impossible. What a fantastic organisation.” 

Dick Johnson
Emma Alberici smiling in Camp Quality shirt

Emma Alberici

"For these kids, who've often spent more time in a hospital room than a classroom, Camp Quality provides the most awesome relief from the stress and pain of everyday life."

Emma Alberici
Media Personality

Emma Alberici has been passionate about our work at Camp Quality for over 20 years – ever since she became the camp companion of two very special brothers.

In 1998, Jake Lawler was diagnosed with an extremely rare and fatal condition – metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Sadly, just months later, the family learnt that their younger boy, Tom, was also facing this debilitating genetic disease.

When Emma first took six-year-old Jake on camp, she felt the weight of responsibility that comes with being a companion. Jake was still walking at that stage, but he needed a lot of assistance.

Over the next three years, Emma watched as Jake went from a vibrant young boy with plenty to say, to a wheelchair-bound child unable to express himself other than by groaning. The fast, degenerative nature of the diagnosis meant that Tom was also going to lose neural function in a similarly quick manner. A world-first umbilical cord blood transplant for MLD helped stave off the worst of the effects for Tom, who is, today, a happy yet seriously compromised 21-year-old.

Tom’s disabilities and stunted growth are the tragic side-effects of the still largely untested MLD treatments, but keeping both boys alive has been the Lawler family’s mission for two decades. As a result, Tom and Jake have defied the odds and are the oldest known survivors of juvenile MLD.
Camp Quality, Emma and countless other carers, volunteers and medical professionals have played an enormous role in the Lawler family’s lives. In response, Emma and the family regularly share their story at fundraisers and events, being thrilled to champion the Camp Quality cause.

“Being a Camp Quality volunteer has changed my perspective on life. It’s not just about taking kids away on a great camp – it’s about showing kids a fabulous time and introducing them to other kids going through similar tough times. But I think, most importantly, it’s about giving their parents an incredibly important break from the trauma and mental exhaustion.”

Emma worked with the ABC for 18 years, has been a Play School presenter, media personality and Chief Strategy, Government Relations and Communications Officer at Compare the Market Australia.

Emma Alberici smiling in Camp Quality shirt
Jarrod Woodgate smiling at a balcony wearing camp quality merch

Jarrod Woodgate

“Being a part of something like Camp Quality, it's bigger than anything. These families and kids are getting a chance to reconnect, meet new people, and enjoy their time without any stress.”

Jarrod Woodgate
TV Personality

Jarrod tragically lost a young cousin to cancer when he was a child. As such, when he was asked to choose a charity while appearing on game show Family Feud, it had to be Camp Quality. After donating his team’s $30,000 winnings to support our kids and families, Jarrod had a desire to do even more – so he came onboard as an ambassador in 2018.

Since then, Jarrod has been whizzing down the ski slopes on toboggans at Family Camp, promoting Camp Quality in the media, and loudly amplifying our social media campaigns. He has even done a sock fashion show with the Camp Quality Puppets on WB Kids!

“Being a part of something like Camp Quality, it’s bigger than anything. It’s amazing to be able to ensure these kids can find the strength to continue on and have the great lives they deserve.” 

Jarrod Woodgate smiling at a balcony wearing camp quality merch
Kerry Armstrong

Kerry Armstrong

“Watching the wonderful team at Camp Quality, I know that I am witnessing love in action. I feel so privileged to be a part of such a tremendously important cause.”

Kerry Armstrong
Actor

Australian TV star Kerry Armstrong’s experience in hospital when her young son faced a brain tumour means she understands what Camp Quality families go through. And in 2018, we discovered Kerry had named Camp Quality as her charity of choice on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! She was determined to help us ease the enormity of what kids dealing with cancer face – no matter how many bugs she needed to eat! Her support continued after the show as she came on as an ambassador in 2018.

Since her return from the jungle, Kerry has been a strong advocate for Camp Quality through media interviews, at fundraising events, and by making special guest appearances at camp. She also loves sharing a joke with the Camp Quality Puppets at primary schools.

“Watching the wonderful team at Camp Quality, I know that I am witnessing love in action. I feel so privileged to be a part of such a tremendously important cause.” 

Kerry Armstrong
Camp Quality Ambassador, Lee Elliot, stands back to back with a Camp Quality kid

Lee Elliott

“I strongly believe every Australian child deserves to be just that: a child. And a child impacted by cancer should be no different!”

Lee Elliott
TV Personality

As part of Camp Quality’s 2017 #TimetoBroUp campaign, Lee’s incredible enthusiasm helped us get many more male volunteers involved in our programs. With over 500 expressions of interest, the campaign was a huge success, and Lee stayed on as a vital part of the Camp Quality Ambassador and Volunteer family.

Lee regularly supports Camp Quality at fundraising events, including Off the Menu and City 2 Surf, and by actively promoting our social media campaigns to his followers. He and his partner, Georgia Love, are much-loved visitors at Camp Quality, and Lee is a regular volunteer at Kids’ Camps and Family Camps.

“I strongly believe every Australian child deserves to be just that: a child. And a child impacted by cancer should be no different! Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and hearing their laughter was even more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.” 

Camp Quality Ambassador, Lee Elliot, stands back to back with a Camp Quality kid
Maddy Proud standing next to Camp Quality Puppet

Maddy Proud

Athlete Maddy Proud first supported Camp Quality in 2022 with the launch of our new Giggle. Soon after, Maddy helped us create content for the Happiness Hub and read an excerpt of her book ‘Grace on the Court’. Maddy is now on board as our first ever Puppet Ambassador, supporting our Cancer Education Program. 

Maddy Proud
Puppet Ambassador

Athlete Maddy Proud first supported Camp Quality in 2022 with the launch of our new Giggle. Soon after, Maddy helped us create content for the Happiness Hub and read an excerpt of her book ‘Grace on the Court’. Maddy is now on board as our first ever Puppet Ambassador, supporting our Cancer Education Program.

Maddy’s incredible netball career began as the ANZ Championships’ youngest professional player, when she signed with the Adelaide Thunderbirds at just 16 years old. She then went on to captain the Australian 21 & Under Team, leading them to a silver medal win at the World Youth Netball Cup.

In 2016, Maddy made the move to Sydney to play for the NSW Swifts. She is the current co-captain for the team in the Suncorp Super Netball competition and has also represented Australia in the Australian Diamonds Netball Squad.
We are so excited to have Maddy join the Camp Quality team and help us bring fun and age-appropriate cancer education to primary schools and education and care services right around the country.

Maddy Proud standing next to Camp Quality puppet
Matthew Butcher

Matthew Butcher

"My dad suffered from cancer and I know the effect it has on a family, so I can only imagine what these kids and their parents go through. When someone from Camp Quality asked me to join the family, I didn't think for a second. It was a straight 'yes'."

Matthew Butcher
Chef

Top chef Matthew Butcher describes himself as “a lad from the country who had a dream to become a chef, set out to make it happen, and is now living that dream”. And now he has nailed that goal, Matthew is making a difference by helping Camp Quality bring positivity, laughter and fun back to kids facing cancer.

Many of Matthew’s dishes are inspired by his favourite memories as a kid, and this indicates how important a happy childhood is to him. It is also the reason he is dedicated to ensuring kids impacted by cancer don’t miss out on the fun of childhood. Cue Matthew’s inaugural Camp Quality fundraising event Off the Menu, in which chefs from around the country generously donate their time, staff and produce to create a unique five-course menu paired with wine to raise money for kids impacted by cancer.

After three successful dining events raising more than $350,000 in total, Matthew is well and truly creating those happy childhood memories for Camp Quality kids, when they need it the most.

“My dad suffered from cancer and I know the effect it has on a family, so I can only imagine what the kids and their parents go through. When someone from Camp Quality asked me to join the family, I didn’t think for a second. It was a straight ‘yes’. Now, here we are trying to do everything we can to raise funds to keep this charity growing stronger and stronger.” 

Matthew Butcher
Michael Crossland with Camp Quality Puppet

Michael Crossland

“I truly believe that without Camp Quality I would not be alive today to share my journey with the world.”

Michael Crossland
Inspirational speaker and trainer

After facing stage 4 neuroblastoma when he was only 11 months old, Michael’s reason for supporting Camp Quality is deeply personal. At a young age he attended many of our Kids’ Camps, and he remembers them to be truly empowering and life-affirming events.

He says, “I truly believe that without Camp Quality I would not be alive today to share my journey with the world.”

Despite spending almost a quarter of his life in hospital, Michael has forged a highly successful career in the corporate world, represented Australia playing baseball, and is featured regularly in the media. Today, he is one of Australia’s most sought-after inspirational speakers and has shared his powerful story with people from all walks of life, all around the world. Michael has shared the stage with the likes of the Dalai Lama, Richard Branson and Tony Robbins, and spoken to corporates from all backgrounds, elite athletes, September 11 victims and youths in juvenile detention centres. In his role with Camp Quality, Michael gives hope and strength to many people facing a cancer diagnosis.

The award-winning documentary on his life, by the ABC’s Australian Story, has been viewed by over four million people, and in 2016 Michael released his first tell-all autobiography, which is now a best seller across six countries.

Michael Crossland with Camp Quality Puppet
Ryan Story

Ryan Story

“I know the battles facing these strong, brave kids and their families firsthand and want to do all I can to assist in making their day-to-day lives bright and fulfilling. Having been appointed a Camp Quality ambassador means we can directly impact the outcomes of this fantastic organisation. I’m immensely proud to be associated with Camp Quality and the responsibility it brings.”

Ryan Story
Race Team Owner

Ryan Story enjoys life in the fast lane. He is Emeritus Chairman of the record-breaking, championship-winning supercars team Dick Johnson Racing. He has been a Camp Quality Ambassador since 2019.

Ryan’s impressive résumé includes becoming Team Principal of the famous racing organisation, after taking an ownership stake in 2013 alongside the legendary Dick Johnson. Under his leadership as Team Principal from 2013 to 2020 the team achieved immense success, having won 57 races, three Teams Championships in 2017, 2019 and 2020 and three Drivers Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020 with Scott McLaughlin.

Ryan says working with Camp Quality as an ambassador is also a role he holds close to his heart. He has previously faced his own health battle, and grew up watching his parents nurse his baby sister back to good health, as well as his mother having, and then recovering from, breast cancer.

“I know the battles facing these strong, brave kids and their families firsthand and want to do all I can to assist in making their day-to-day lives bright and fulfilling. Having been appointed a Camp Quality ambassador means we can directly impact the outcomes of this fantastic organisation. I’m immensely proud to be associated with Camp Quality and the responsibility it brings.”

Ryan has extensive interests in the business world as well, having founded his first company building and selling computers at the young age of 12! Ryan and his companies later went on to develop bespoke software, proprietary data management solutions, customer research and targeting programs, as well as getting licensed technology to both public and private sector clients.

Ryan Story
Snezana Wood smiling in Camp Quality shirt

Snezana Wood

“My family has been touched by cancer in various ways and we have known people with cancer, young and old. As a mum of three children, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have a child impacted by cancer. The work Camp Quality does to make sure these kids can still be kids, have fun and feel supported is incredible.”

Snezana Wood
Public Figure

Snezana Wood first came to Camp Quality as an ambassador for Camp In 2021, raising much needed funds for kids facing cancer. She is truly passionate about the cause, and we were overjoyed when she wanted to support further as a Camp Quality Brand Ambassador.

Snezana is a truly passionate mother to three beautiful girls and couldn’t imagine what it would be like to deal with a cancer diagnosis. She speaks from the heart about cancer and how important Camp Quality is.

“My family has been touched by cancer in various ways and we have known people with cancer, young and old. As a mum of three children, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have a child impacted by cancer. The work Camp Quality does to make sure these kids can still be kids, have fun and feel supported is incredible.”

After finding love on the Bachelor in 2015, Snezana has gone on to work with brands such as Schwarzkopf, L’Oréal Paris, Target and OMO and is often featured in the media alongside her three gorgeous daughters.

Camp Quality is delighted to welcome her to the ambassador team.

Snezana Wood smiling in Camp Quality shirt
Camp Quality founder, Vera Entwistle

Vera Entwistle

“These children have such a bright outlook on life, despite the fact that they are facing cancer.”

Vera Entwistle
Camp Quality founder

Vera Entwistle had just arrived in Australia from America when she made the decision to dedicate her life to helping kids growing up with cancer. She envisaged a world where children who were living with the daily challenges of hospital visits, missing school, and enduring the physical changes wrought by treatment didn’t feel so alone; where they were able to create and build lifelong friendships, have glorious adventures, and laugh out loud.

Thirty-five years later, we continue to honour Vera’s vision, and to play our part in creating this world for kids impacted by cancer. For Camp Quality today, it’s also about supporting any child who is dealing with cancer, whether it’s their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of someone they love, like a brother, sister, mum, dad or carer.

“These children have such a bright outlook on life, despite the fact that they are facing cancer. The sharing was important because it gave them support. They would often say, ‘I thought I was the only one who felt like that.’” 

Camp Quality founder, Vera Entwistle

How Camp Quality helps

Our ambassadors help us to bring positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer.

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    In 2021 it was estimated 851 kids aged between 0-14 years of age were newly diagnosed with cancer.

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    Approximately 16,000 kids faced a parent’s or primary caregiver’s cancer diagnosis.

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    In 2021, 9,108 kids impacted by cancer registered for our services and programs. 

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    In 2021, 4,114 families impacted by cancer registered for our services and programs. 

Vera Entwistle, founder of Camp Quality

The history of Camp Quality

Can you help kids impacted by cancer?

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