FOUNDATION

“CREATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.”

The Heartwell Foundation, after seventeen years of services, ceased its operations in May of 2023.

For more information, contact admin@heartwell.com.au.

About Heartwell Foundation

The Heartwell Foundation was ratified as a registered children’s charity in 2006, superseding the Heartwell Fitness Scholarship program which had been initiated a decade before, in 1996.

We offer programs to children, young adults and families who, without funding support, would otherwise not have access to our specialist physical education and rehabilitation services.

MISSION STATEMENT

“It is our vision that Australian children, living with illness, disability, or disadvantage can access rehabilitation and movement education programs that will unlock their physical potential — fully enriching them and the communities in which they live and so challenge them to climb mountains they never dreamed of climbing.”

donate

our Roots

“We have an unshakeable belief in the value of exercise, motor skill development and long-term activity in the lives of all Australians.”

History

impetus

Over three decades ago, we met a little girl who changed our life. She was an active and happy seven-year-old, with the brightest smile any parent could wish for. Then she began to suffer from headaches.

She was referred to us shortly after her diagnosis of a brain tumour.

After surgery to remove the tumour, she experienced extensive disability and weakness throughout her body. Despite these increasing difficulties, she always looked forward to her activity sessions with us. She attempted any physical challenge we set her, overcame obstacles and made gains, step by small step.

Her last session was no different and was just four days before she passed away.

familiar stories

We have subsequently seen her courage, determination and the simple joy of being active mirrored in thousands of the special people we have worked with in the years since.

Today, the Heartwell Foundation through its various programs assists children and young adults living with diverse needs to achieve their goals and improve their health and wellbeing — thus enabling a more active and fun-filled life while participating and contributing within the wider community.

Origin Video

philosophy

“access to exercise is even more important for those with specific physical, emotional and cognitive needs, those who are marginalised, those who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those lacking in access and opportunity.”

our board

Gary Pert

CEO of the Melbourne Football Club

Gary Pert is a former athlete who played over two hundred league games for Fitzroy and Collingwood in the Australian Football League (AFL).

He was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Football Club in 2018. This followed a successful CEO period at the Collingwood Football Club from 2008, where he over saw the club’s first premiership in twenty years.

Prior to these roles, Gary held senior positions at Austereo and Channel 9 in Melbourne.

John Gillam

former ceo of bunnings

A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, John Gillam joined the board of Heartwell in 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia and is qualified as a chartered accountant.

John worked for twenty years within the Wesfarmers Group where he was the CEO of Bunnings from 2004 until 2016, and Chairman of the Board of Officeworks from 2008 to 2016.

John is currently Chairman of CSR Limited, Chairman of NuFarm, Chairman of Bluefit Pty Ltd, a Board member of Clontarf, a former Chairman of Trinity Grammar School, and a former Board Member of Ruyton Girls School and the Western Australia Cricket Association.

Julienne Espenschied

director and co-founder of the Heartwell Foundation.

Julienne has worked in the field of education for thirty years. Upon graduating with a degree in Applied Science majoring in Physical Education, Julienne worked extensively overseas in the area of special education.

With partner Scott Taylor, Julienne established Heartwell Fitness in 1993. Together, their philosophy was to create an organisation which specifically catered for people who faced daily difficulties and needed to access quality programs to enhance their general well-being, health and physical skills.

It was witnessing the inequalities in available health care services that led Julienne and Scott to create a not-for-profit extension, now known as the Heartwell Foundation.

Scott Taylor

director and co-founder of the Heartwell Foundation

With a degree in Applied Science majoring in Physical Education, Scott Taylor worked as an NBL fitness adviser for the Eastside Spectres between 1987 to 1989, and then in the AFL with Fitzroy (now Brisbane Lions) from 1994 to 1996.

However, it was while working as a teacher in various secondary schools in Melbourne where Scott discovered his real passion.

It was there he observed the lack of quality physical education programs available to disadvantaged children, specifically ones living with disability.

Sharing a vision of access, opportunity and equality for all Australians, Scott and Julienne created Heartwell Fitness to even this disparity, and together later founded the Heartwell Foundation.

Testimonials

“JAY’S IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN AMAZING. HE HAS LEARNED HOW TO KICK AND THROW, SHOOT HOOPS AND RUN IN A STRAIGHT LINE, BUT BEST OF ALL HE HAS GAINED THE CONFIDENCE TO JOIN IN WITH HIS MATES. IT’S AN AMAZING GIFT THAT WE COULD NEVER REPAY; JAY IS FINALLY JUST ONE OF THE BOYS.”

— APRIL, JAY’S MUM

“HANNA IS NOW STRONG ENOUGH TO PUSH HERSELF UP OUR COURT TO GO PLAY WITH THE OTHER KIDS. SHE WANTS TO PARTICIPATE, NOT JUST SIT AND WATCH ANYMORE. HANNA WILL LEAVE HEARTWELL WITH A LOVE OF BEING ACTIVE — AND SHE WILL HAVE THE STRENGTH AND SELF-CONFIDENCE TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT.”

— KATRINA HARTLEY, HANNA'S MUM

our programs

The Heartwell Foundation programs are goal-based, functionally driven and have measurable outcomes.

range

We design our programs around identifiable needs of the individual involved, and tailor them in consultation with other health, education and community services.

Our services are directed to preschool, primary and secondary school aged children and young adults. Particular emphasis is given to early intervention, providing targeted services at an early age which are fundamental in realising or maximising future life opportunities.

goals

Initially, we conduct a comprehensive test battery of fitness components and motor skills. This forms a framework for devising an individualised plan, and includes aims and objectives, resources needed to achieve those aims, a timeline and activities to be undertaken.

The aims for an individualised plan could include activities around:

Improving cardiac function
Improving flexibility
Decreasing body fat / Increased muscle mass
Improving muscular strength and endurance
Improving balance and agility
Increasing knowledge and execution of fundamental motor skills
Increasing self-esteem and feelings of ‘can do’.

“we thank all the staff for their support and sincerely hope that the Heartwell program and sponsors will continue forever so that other children and their parents may experience this warm, fun and genuinely caring atmosphere that cannot be found in any other clinic.”

— Andrea & Gavin, Stephanie-Ann’s parents

Volunteers

There are so many ways to help us here at the Heartwell Foundation.

Reality

As a small, service-based community organisation, our resources are often stretched despite having a dedicated and committed staff.

Volunteers are welcome in the following areas.

Fundraising

Funds are crucial to enable us to continue to provide our services. An interest or background in marketing, sponsorship, event management, fundraising or submission writing is beneficial, but not essential.

Office/Admin Assistance

This could include, newsletter production, mail outs, collating information, data entry.

SOCIAL MEDIA OR IT DESIGN

Technology skills in brand design, IT, social media, photography and videography.

Field Experience/Placement

University degrees in areas such as Allied Health, Education, and Disability regularly require students to complete periods of industry experience.

The Heartwell Foundation has strong links with major universities and offers placement opportunities.

“We are so grateful to our wonderful sponsor. Without them, there is no way that I could afford the cost of ben’s Heartwell program. We cannot thank our sponsor enough for their contribution this year. It has made the biggest difference in Ben's life, and bought so much happiness to mine.”

— Kristie, Ben's Mum

supporters

As a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, we are constantly on the lookout for funding opportunities to increase the possibility of deserving children and adults accessing our specialist programs.

history

Since inception in 1997, the Heartwell Foundation, with no government funding, has independently raised over $3,000,000 via sponsorships and donations from a wide range of sources. These include large corporations, smaller companies and businesses, community-based clubs and hotels, philanthropic bodies, schools and individual donors.

Without the support of our fantastic supporters who have assisted us now and in the past, Heartwell simply would not exist — and thousands of people would have been denied equal opportunity to participate in our life-changing programs.

A thank you

This small acknowledgment does not capture our gratitude, but we are indebted to all our supporters, large and small, and thank them sincerely for helping us to help those in need.

Should you wish to personally donate, or know of a business or organisation that may wish to be involved, then please contact us directly.

Thank you, from the Heartwell Foundation.

“Evan's participation in the Heartwell Program would be beyond our means without the financial support of key corporate sponsors. We are so grateful that compassion and consideration for those less fortunate is part of Melbourne's corporate culture.”

— Christina, Evan's Mum

We need your help

Your support impacts the lives of vulnerable australians.

Donate Today

The Heartwell Foundation is an income tax exempt charity with deductible gift recipient status endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office.

All donations $2.00 and above are tax deductible.

To donate online with your credit card, please click the button below. Donations are made through the PayPal website which will open in a new browser window.

Make A Donation