MAKING CHILDREN HAPPY WHEN THEIR SKIES ARE GREY….
About OSWA
Operation Sunshine WA is a volunteer run, Perth based charity. Established with the objective of providing a positive impact in the lives of children and young people in out-of-home care, Operation Sunshine’s primary focus is the Sunshine Pack initiative. This initiative quickly extended to support the needs of children and young people escaping family and domestic violence, along with an annual Christmas Appeal providing gifts to children and young people in care and crisis across Western Australia. Working closely with many out-of-home care agencies and women’s shelters the team at OSWA make continual improvements to ensure the Sunshine Packs are meeting the needs of the recipients to a high standard. Through consultation with women’s shelter front line staff, the OSWA team developed the Courage Kit in response to identified need for women escaping domestic violence. Read more about Sunshine Packs, Courage Kits, and more on our Initiatives page.
Our Team
Leah Atkinson
Founder and Chair
With a Bachelor of Social Science and Graduate Certificate in Human Services; Child and Adolescent Welfare, Leah has worked in the child protection sector for a number of years and serves as member of the Lived Experience Advisory Group on domestic violence for the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing.
Erin Tan
Secretary and founding member
Erin holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Business Law. Specialising in Risk and Compliance Erin has worked in the finance industry for 18 years and serves on a number of diversity and inclusion committees
Catherine Turner
Treasurer
A Chartered Accountant with Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts degrees, Cathy has a background in social services, auditing, and business administration. Cathy believes in community service and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of women and children.
Helen Coles
General Member
Helen has a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, and has contributed as co-author on numerous published midwifery journal articles. Helen is passionate about caring for women and their newborns and has spent over 10 years working in Western Australia’s largest specialty hospitals.
Karen Leggett
General Member
Having obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in English Literature in the UK, Karen completed a Diploma of Education after migrating to Perth. Karen has been employed as a teacher with the Department of Education for 16 years and has taught in a range of primary schools.
Melissa Boag
General Member
Melissa is a Certified Professional Project Manager with experience in stakeholder engagement, estate and master planning, design coordination, and procurement, contract, and construction management. With 18 years in the construction industry, Melissa brings her problem solving and well-developed communication skills to the team.
