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Who We Are
SCAI COMMITTEE
Sunrise Children’s Association Incorporated (SCAI) Australia was inspired and founded by Emma Taylor along with Michaela Killips and Sarah Kemp after they worked as volunteers at a locally run orphanage in Kathmandu in early 2004. After experiencing first-hand the poor conditions in which these children lived and the limited future ahead of them, they developed a partnership with Nepalese friends Sangita Bhandari and Tulsi Mainali and team and opened Sunrise Orphanage in July 2005, providing a safe, loving home for orphaned and abandoned children and youth.
Urmila Cuganesan joined the SCAI committee in mid 2006, followed by Rajan Bhattachan and Angus Sobels in January 2008.
After tremendous dedication and contribution, Michaela, Sarah and Urmila ended their terms on the committee in mid 2008 to pursue other fulfilling areas of their lives including work, study, family and babies, but still kindly remain involved as members and sponsors. Rajan, along with friend Rakesh Shrestha, continues to assist SCAI with IT support.
An all new committee of Lia Jenkins, Sarah Thom and Moira Fogarty came on board to fill these roles in 2008, with the latest addition to the team being long term supporter and volunteer Kumaran Yogaranandan in November 2009. Kumaran replaced Lia as Secretary after Lia gave 18 months of dedicated service to SCAI.
SCAI is a volunteer run, not- for-profit, non government organisation which through its sponsors, donors and members now supports 77 children at Sunrise Orphanage in Nepal, as well as various training, development and income generating programs within the local community.
Emma Taylor
Emma Taylor (President):Emma completed a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) in 1993, then worked in both Australia and overseas in various advertising/media agencies primarily as a Media Strategist for almost 10 years. Emma first went to Nepal in February 2004, volunteering for a period of 3 months in a very poorly run orphanage. She was so inspired by the spirit of the children despite their poor living conditions, she returned shortly after and in partnership with Sangita Bhandari and her team of dedicated Nepali people, established Sunrise Orphanage.
Emma has dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy into the development of Sunrise and has a very close relationship with the children and carers. In March 2007 Emma moved to Nepal full time to be with the children, enabling her to fulfil her role as 'Aamaa' (meaning 'mother'), ‘Didi’ (‘big sister’) and ‘Saathi’ (‘friend’). Emma's Nepali name is "Maya" which means "love", given to her by the local community, representative of her love and dedication to the children.
As well as working hands on with the children at Sunrise, Emma is actively facilitating the development of SCAI's other projects in Nepal.
In July 2008 Emma was the winner of the Marie Claire/Garnier “Take Care/ Taking Care Of The World Around You” competition for her commitment to taking care of the needy children in Nepal.
Kumaran
Kumaran ( Secretary): Kumaran has volunteered at Sunrise Orphanage Nepal every Christmas and New Year period since Christmas 2006. Over this period, he has formed close relationships with the children and staff at Sunrise Orphanage and has a sound understanding of the evolution and intended future direction of the orphanage. Kumaran is a Principal of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd and has worked within the Retirement, Risk and Finance department for over ten years. Prior to this, he graduated from the University of Melbourne with a first class Honours degree in Commerce. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, qualifying in early 2003. Kumaran is currently undertaking postgraduate study in Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Australian Studies.
Kumaran migrated to Australia as a refugee. His interests include the situation of migrants and asylum seekers and he has volunteered in and contributed to this area through a variety of organisations and forums.
Moira Fogerty
Moira Fogarty (Treasurer): Moira is located in Melbourne working for a multinational infrastructure and investment company. Moira’s current role is the position of Strategic Investment Manager, predominately working on corporate acquisitions and operational structuring. Her strengths lie across all commercial aspects of corporate transactions, the activities which range from strategic valuation development to contractual and governance issues. With a financial and accounting background, Moira's main focus within SCAI is to assist the organisation in the role of treasurer and fundraising. Moira has previously been the Treasurer for a social committee so brings with her some historical knowledge and experience.
Sarah Thom
Sarah Thom (Volunteer Co-ordinator): Sarah has worked in the advertising industry in Australia and the UK over the last 13 years. During this time she has worked across a wide range of clients in industries ranging from automotive, telecommunications to government. She currently works as a Strategy Director at Australia’s largest media buying agency. In her current role she works across the Victorian Government account, where she enjoys making a difference on social issues. Sarah has been involved with SCAI over the past few years helping with fundraising and has travelled to Nepal in 2005. She has sponsored a child for the last 2 years and is looking forward to visiting again in November 2008
Angus Sobels (Committee Member): Angus Sobels is an Adelaide businessman whose interests span environmental consulting, commercial property development, commercial landscape contracting and property investment. Angus' strengths are in the business management and financial growth sectors of these industries which he has specialised in over the last 10 years. Angus joined the SCAI committee in January 2008.
INDEPENDENT ADVISORS TO SCAI
Ian Martens (FAC, FAICD): Ian is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Directors. He retired as a Partner of BDO Chartered Accountants in December 1999 having been a partner of the firm for 33 years.
Ian is a Director of a number of ASX listed entities and Chairman of their Audit and Compliance Committee. He is also Chairman of a significant non-listed public company in South Australia and a number of other private entities.
Ian recently retired as a Board Member of the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia after 20 years service including 7 years as Chairman of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and 6 years as Chairman of RAA Insurance Ltd. He also retired last year from the Board of Variety SA -the Children's Charity after 17 years including 4 years as Chairman and 10 years as Chairman of its Appeals Committee.
Ian has been assisting SCAI in organisational matters and will act as the initial Independent Chairman of the SCAI 'Public Fund' on a pro-bono basis. The Public Fund has been established under the rules of SCAI to receive all donations and disburse the monies in accordance with its Rules.
Ben Owens (ICAA, MIIA, B.Comm): Ben is a Chartered Accountant and assurance professional who has over 12 years experience in providing consulting and value added services to client organisations. He specialises in internal audit, risk management, corporate governance and strategy setting. Ben's clients have included charities, not-for-profits, state and federal government agencies and corporations of all sizes. Ben has worked in the UK and across Australia and is presently employed by Oakton, an Australian listed professional services firm who provide IT and business consultancy services. Ben acts as an independent advisor to SCAI, providing advice and assurance around organisational structure, corporate governance and financial controls and reporting, on a pro-bono basis.
Emily Yarwood: Emily has been employed in an accounting position since September 1991. She has completed the Advanced Diploma in Accounting at TAFE and is currently working through a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of South Australia part time while working full time for DFK Gray Perry in Adelaide where she has been employed since 2001.
After visiting Nepal briefly in March 2008 while on her honeymoon, Emily feels honored to be assisting SCAI by volunteering her time by doing the bookkeeping for the organisation. She also looks forward to going to Nepal again one day with her family and to incorporate a visit to meet the children and carers of Sunrise .
