Meet the Board
Fostering Hope is a registered Australian charity and has a Board and an Advisory Group. The Board provides the strategic, financial, and governance direction of the organisation with the support of an Advisory Group of people passionate about the work of Fostering Hope.

John Morse - Board Chair
John had a decade as a Baptist Church pastor, including caring for people on the edge of society. After this he developed courses in ministry and counselling at Hobart’s Bible College. He currently mentors Christian leaders. John attends Wellspring Anglican Church in Hobart. He currently enjoys playing clarinet, table tennis, and time in his garden.

Mark Patmore - Treasurer
Mark is a qualified accountant with years of experience working in government, the private sector, and now for an NDIS provider. He’s enjoyed being on various board and giving back to the community in this way. Mark enjoys spending time with his daughters and in his garden.

Alistair Bain
In the past Alistair worked as a lawyer in the areas of Family Law and Child Protection. He is now the Pastor of St John’s Presbyterian Church in Hobart. He enjoys reading, photography, ad playing/watching sport.

Tony Cohen
Tony has over thirty years’ experience working in the community services sector, including managing a state-wide foster care program. He has a deep desire to help people move forward in their journey and where needed find healing. Tony attends Gateway Church in Devonport. He enjoys tractors, dirt bikes, and time on farms.

Rebecca de Jong
Rebecca is on the Fostering Hope Board. She has spent much of her career in the legal industry, Christian education and in both State and Federal Politics and is studying a Diploma of Counselling. She enjoys planning and hosting events and playing and watching sports and attends the Southern Presbyterian Church in Launceston.

Jenna Hesp
Jenna is a family lawyer based in North West Tasmania. She has represented parents whose children have entered the care of Child Safety Services and through this experience has caught a glimpse of the deficiencies in the system as well as the significant struggles faced by children. She is passionate about the need for great foster carers who will love, care, and provide a safe place for children. Jenna attends The Rock church in Penguin. Jenna loves socialising and anything food related, whether that’s flicking through cookbooks, cooking or eating.

Sandy Whight
Sandy is on the Fostering Hope Board. She has experience in strategy, governance and administration in the Public and Not-For-Profit sectors. Sandy has both Non-executive Director experience and Senior Executive Experience. She enjoys bushwalking, reading, cycling and travel and attends Wellspring Anglican Church in Sandy Bay.