Darren Smith, Chief Executive Officer
Darren has been involved with the program for over 12 years and employed full time by Red Dust. He brings to his role a 10-year career as a professional basketball player and management experience in the fields of banking and fitness. As the Chief Executive Officer, he coordinates the effective delivery of programs throughout Australia and leads teams on the ground while out bush, as well as looking after all other aspects of the organisation.
Darren is married to Simone and they have three daughters – Kalani, Alanna and Andie. . The major goal Darren has for Red Dust Role Models is to raise the organisation’s profile and to visit more communities, more often.
“I love getting out bush and seeing the kids. The experience of being out there never ceases to overwhelm me with compassion and excitement at the work we are doing with Indigenous youth. I feel privileged to be involved in an organisation that works with such great people and provides an essential service to disadvantaged youth.”
Linley Frame, Role Model Coordinator
Linley Frame won the 1991 World 100-metre Breaststroke Championship and an additional two silver medals in the 200-metre Breaststroke and the 4×100 Medley Relay at the same meet.
Linley represented Australia at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
During her career she was a Pan Pacific champion and won three World Short course medals, plus many other international medals throughout a career that spanned sixteen years.
Linley was a member of the Australian Swimmers Commission for 10 years. Since being forced to retire in 1996 Linley has worked as a television commentator for the swimming events at the last three Olympic Games, two World Swimming Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
In parallel to commentating, Linley has worked extensively as a motivational speaker for corporate, civic and educational events.
Post retirement Linley has lived in the USA and Russia for extended periods of time and has been involved with Red Dust Since 2001.
Catherine Skeggs, Business and Communications Manager
Catherine has been at Red Dust since July 2010. Her background in administration and communication has helped strengthen the day to day operations of Red Dust Role Models Head Office in Melbourne.
Stepping out of the world of radio and advertising and head first into Red Dust has been an eye-opening but very welcome experience for Catherine. She brings to the team a passion and commitment to helping Red Dust achieve positive outcomes for youth in remote indigenous communities.
“After visiting Kintore on my first Red Dust tour I now truly understand the invaluable impact Red Dust has on the communities they visit. The trip gave me a greater understanding of life in remote areas and made me even more certain that I am in the right place.”
Catherine has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Journalism and English, and a Masters in Communication and Media Studies. She is a proud Tasmanian but is happy with her second home in Melbourne and in the Red Dust office.
Jonathan Hermawan Tjapaltjarri, Alcohol Education & Men’s Health Coordinator
Jonathan is a fluent Pintupi-Luritja speaking man from the NT community of Walungurru (Kintore). He is a fully qualified teacher/educator and proud advocate for Aboriginal community leadership, youth empowerment and reconciliation. Based in Alice Springs, Jonathan currently works for Red Dust as an Alcohol and Men’s Health Educator and Coordinator, journeying with Aboriginal males (youth & adults) and their families to support them to overcome a broad range of issues he similarly faced growing up – in order to live healthy, informed and culturally authentic lives.
Prior to this role between 2007 and 2012, Jonathan worked for the NT Department of Education and Training (DET) as a Senior Teacher and Education Advisor. He was responsible for schools NT-wide in the area of Health, Drug Education & Wellbeing – policy and curriculum development and the implementation of effective teaching and learning strategies for teachers and student alike. In July 2011, Jonathan was selected by the Hon. Peter Garrett AM, MP as an Indigenous Education Ambassador for the Australian Government.
Samantha Guttridge, Partnerships Manager
Sam has completed a Bachelor of General Studies at Monash University – Majoring in International Marketing in 1999. Then went onto travel the world where she became a snowboard instructor in the USA; snowboarding most of the Northern Hemisphere for a number of years. Once deciding not to pursue professional snowboarding Sam moved to the UK where she lived for a further 3 years; managing her snowboard addiction through frequent visits to the Alps and Pyrenees.
Before Sam returned to Melbourne to kick-start her career in Marketing she had one last stint as a snowboarder at the Victorian snowfield’s of Mount Hotham. She then warmed up on the hot sands of Queensland, as a Manager at Hayman Island Resort. Sam’s previous role before Red Dust was with Treasury Wine Estate (Formerly Fosters Group); where she worked in Brand Marketing on several premium wine brands, including Penfolds, Seppelt and Coldstream Hills, for over 5 years.
During Sam’s time in the corporate world she uncovered a passion for project management and a keen interest in cause related marketing programs. Sam realised she wanted to move her passions closer together and reached out to Darren (CEO), a friend since their first meeting on the 2009 Red Dust volunteer program to Areyonga.
Sam started with Red Dust in February 2013 and is passionate about the Red Dust Healthy Living Program and looks forward to coming to present at your organisation.
“Every partner helps us continue to reach out to remote communities – educating on the messaging of health and well-being – and changing young lives”.