BUDDY UP AUSTRALIA WAS CREATED BY EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR CURRENT/EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL & FIRST RESPONDERS.
The team at Buddy Up Australia believe that every person who has provided service in the military or emergency services has the right to feel valued and connected in their local community.
The effects of leaving the service can impact both physical and mental health and for some it is a big adjustment to life after service. We want to keep our buddies in the ‘well zone’ of mental and physical health.
Buddy Up Australia offers a way for people who have served their country, either domestically or overseas, to connect with like-minded people and feel that sense of purpose again. That’s through physical fitness and volunteering for worthwhile projects.
Founded in Perth, our goal is to run chapters Australia-wide which meet the needs of serving and ex-serving personnel just like us (police, fire, ambulance and military). Let’s keep our buddies in the well zone.
MEET THE BOARD
MEGAN DAVIDSON (Founder & Chairperson)
Megan served 11 years in the Australian Regular Army, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). Megan is a senior consultant and coach with Integral and a trek leader for Back Track Adventures, which have given her the capacity and support to launch Buddy Up Australia. She has seen the need for an organisation which helps current and ex-service personnel reconnect with their local communities, find a new purpose and avoid the mental impact of service. Experienced in both the Not for Profit and corporate sector, she also holds qualifications in business, training, leadership and project management. As the founder, Megan wants to see a member driven organisation where we look out for each other whilst undertaking fitness and purposeful volunteering activities and thus keeping everyone in the ‘well zone’ of physical and mental health.
Megan is an active person, spending her free time on activities like trekking, mountain biking and yoga.
ELEANOR CHAPPELL (Executive Director)
Eleanor served in the British Army Reserves before embarking on a career as a Police Officer in Nottingham, England. Over the course of a decade, Eleanor served in both the UK and WA Police Forces, before leaving in 2017 to start her own company.
Eleanor founded ‘The Entrepreneur Experience’ (TEX), a creative events company focusing on lifestyle events and activities for time-poor professionals; the focus being on self-care and positive experiences to support mental health and wellness.
Sports and physical activities are Eleanor’s ‘go to’ for not only overall fitness, but for mental health, relaxation, socialisation and healthy competition. Eleanor is Captain of a Volleyball Team, a keen swimmer and loves kickboxing! One of Eleanor’s goals is to one day compete in 100m Butterfly.
MIKE SCHUMAN (Board Secretary)
Mike served 8 years with U.S. Army Signal Corps, in satellite communications and also served WA Police as their Chief Information Officer. He has a keen focus on cybersecurity, privacy and risk, having earned a certification in Information Security auditing.
Mike has a degree in classical guitar and still enjoys writing and performing. For many years, he was an avid triathlete and served as Vice President of Triathlon Western Australia.
GARTH CIVIL
One of the lucky few to have a job that is a passion, Garth has nearly 20 years of service as a career firefighter. During that time, he has seen how the job can create mental health stresses and understands the importance of assisting each other to stay healthy.
As a father of two awesome young men, Garth has had his own challenges affecting his mental health. He credits most of his resilience to his ability to always be actively doing things, particularly with friends.
When he’s not a firefighter, you’ll find Garth in a kayak or on the water participating with others in an event. The sense of belonging to a likeminded group gives him the impetus to continue on, even when the challenges seem insurmountable.
MICHAEL KITZELMANN
Michael served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 17 years, culminating his career as an internal management consultant working with Management Services Agency. After being medically discharged, Michael commenced his civilian career as Principal Consultant with Internal Audit, Risk and Evaluation at the Department of Premier and Cabinet QLD.
As a member of the Redbank Plains RSL Sub-Branch, Michael lead a team of volunteers providing emergency relief to impacted residents of the devastating floods of 2011. He was recognised with a Disaster Flood Heroes Award and an Australia Day Award for his support to the community. Michael went on to become the CEO of three Councils and brings a wealth of knowledge to Buddy Up where he is proud to continue to support his fellow Veterans and First Responders and their families.
Michael is a JP (Q) and holds a MBA, MNLP, Grad Dip PSEM, CISA, CRMA and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Michael has a passion for early Holden cars, with his favourite being the 1962 EK Holden Special. His wife of 28 years often jokingly refers to the car as his mistress due to his dedication.
