The Mind Connections Foundation was established in August 2020 with the purpose of improving mental health and wellbeing of the Hills community through awareness programs and research.
Through good governance, connecting with the community and recognising the complex issues of mental health we seek to strive and support minds of every kind.
Our core objectives are
We seek to minimise misinformation about mental health in the hills. We seek to engage with the community and increase awareness that will challenge those stereotypes.
We seek to increase the connection and collaboration of health professionals, those affected with mental health and the wider community and business in order to better connect the right understanding and mindset.
We seek to target young people in the Hills District to innovate and engage them in new approaches and solutions
The Foundation’s activities are supported by the generous contributions of our donors and benefactors. Mind Connections Specialist Health Services supports some of the operational costs including an annual mental health award to medical student at WSU, administrative support, and office facilities.
The Board
Dr Padmini Howpage MBBS FRANZCP is a clinical and academic psychiatrist with a wealth of experience spanning more than three decades. She founded sustainable charity projects primarily focused on mental health. As the Mind Connections Foundation chairman, she shares her passion with a like-minded, skilled, passionate group of professional leaders committed to the course.
Dr Howpage highly values social consciousness and is passionate about community-based grassroots initiatives. She is known as a thought leader, and her work has inspired young and old. Her strategies are practical; ‘choose to do something, say something, behave in some way that motivates everyone to enjoy better feelings’. Her work has attracted significant recognition, including the Western Sydney University Woman of the West Community Award 2019 and The Hills Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year Finalist 2020 award.
She is the author of the children’s book Mindful Coco, all-ages book 7 Magic Minutes for Today and the journal Today I will live happily and well. For more information about Dr Howpage, visit www.padminihowpage.com.
Dr Howpage highly values social consciousness and is passionate about community-based grassroots initiatives. She is known as a thought leader, and her work has inspired young and old. Her strategies are practical; ‘choose to do something, say something, behave in some way that motivates everyone to enjoy better feelings’. Her work has attracted significant recognition, including the Western Sydney University Woman of the West Community Award 2019 and The Hills Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year Finalist 2020 award.
She is the author of the children’s book Mindful Coco, all-ages book 7 Magic Minutes for Today and the journal Today I will live happily and well. For more information about Dr Howpage, visit www.padminihowpage.com.
Daya Howpage is that rear breed who excelled in both science and business. Daya had a distinguished carrier as an academic, completing his Master’s degree in Canada and PhD degree in Pollination Biology and honey bees in Australia. His business interest led him to have a practice management diploma and MBA. He worked in the Federal public sector for more than a decade before he embarked on his enterprise. He is a mentor and business leader in Specialist Health Care service delivery in private settings.
Daya, who is passionate about social conscience, is a founding director of the Mind Connections Foundation. Since 2011 he has been instrumental in sustainable, community-based prevention programs, Pawsitive Steps Mind, Doggy and Spirit festival in the Hills Shire. In his spare time, he loves baking, beekeeping and spending time with the family.
Sonja Palic is a Hills based business owner and Co-Owner of Entrax Commercial Interior Fitouts with her husband. For over 5 years Sonja served the Board of the Sydney Hills Business Chamber and was the first female Chairman of the Sydney Hills Business Chamber in its 28-year history.
Sonja is Chairperson and Co-Founder of the “AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership” along with the Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia H.E Betty Pavelich. An organisation to bring women with Croatian Heritage from across all Australian States and NZ to connect and leave a legacy for the next generation of leaders.
Sonja was named “Baulkham Hills Woman of the Year 2021” for all her Community contribution and work that she does and brings over 30 years business experience and community engagement to the foundation.
Sonja says surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you and never stop learning and educating yourself!
Cynthia has over 30 years executive and board experience. She is currently Board advisor to Total Construction and recently stepped down after a 4-year term as Director with the National Heart Foundation. Cynthia holds a MBA and provides management consulting into the aged care sector for governance, compliance and management. As Managing Director of Anchor Excellence, she brings a wealth of knowledge and practice. Mental health in the hills district is a compelling reason to join the Mind Connections Foundation.
Director at the Madison Marcus Group of Companies managing the Parramatta Law Practice. Theresa was admitted as a Legal Practitioner in NSW in April 2004, in addition to completing a Bachelor of LLB and Bachelor of Commerce (Majoring in Accounting).
Theresa joined the Madison Marcus Group of Companies in 2002 and was appointed Director in 2009. Certified in 2010 as an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury by the Law Society of NSW, Theresa spent a significant part of her legal career in insurance litigation for the first decade. As a result, Theresa developed a skill set across several areas of law. Today, Theresa leads practice teams specialising in Family Law, Estates Planning & Probate, Wills & Will Disputes and Compensation Law.
Theresa is a passionate campaigner around the areas of mental health, female leadership and community. Her service and contribution towards her community are unparalleled, with an ongoing commitment to various associations, charity and fundraisers. Theresa was named a finalist in the 2014 Women Lawyer of the Year Awards by the Women Lawyers Association and more recently recognised as a finalist in the category of Executive of the Year in the 2019 Women Lawyers Weekly Awards.
With experience in the legal industry for over two decades, frequent dealings with highstress situations are part of the job. The mental health of stakeholders has always been at the forefront. Through Theresa’s experience and exposure, Theresa has developed tools to assist and support both clients and lawyers in navigating and handling stress. Yet, Theresa maintains her composure in a relatable and empathetic manner whilst encouraging others to make healthy choices. Committed to driving awareness and making a difference,
her contribution to the Mind Connections Foundation is fundamental to reducing social stigma and championing a generation of healthy minds.
Andrea is a full-time University student studying a Bachelor of Nursing with Bachelor of Business Administration at Australian Catholic University. She currently works in a part-time Executive Support role at Anchor Excellence which strives to enable fellow leaders in the Aged Care industry.
Andrea has a passion for mental health. Through her role with Mind Connections Foundation, she strives to help change the stigma on mental health and create a positive change for all young minds.
Robert Craig, known as Bob, has been a psychologist for more than 40 years. He originally worked for the Department of Education as a teacher and then as a school counsellor. He served in the Mount Druitt area for 10 years and then the Hills area for more than 20 years.
After achieving his master’s degree, through Macquarie University, he further developed his professional skills in private practice and eventually joined Mind Connections in 2011.
Bob has had an interest in addressing wider systems as well as individual therapy. He has shown a commitment to social justice issues and he has been working for many years with inter agency organisations that have had a focus on mental health.
In his spare time, Bob spends time with his family and his young grandson.
