Having grown up on a country farm, Julie-anne knows firsthand the life-changing impact regional camps have on a young person’s faith journey. Along with having prior board experience, she brings over 20 years of dedicated ministry experience with Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) to the team. When she’s not serving, you’ll likely find her Tesla camping, enjoying the outdoors, or spending quality time with her family! 

Steve Dickins is based in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne and has spent most of his life in Victoria, with a strong personal connection to regional communities. Through his wife Wendy’s involvement in ESA camps at Marysville in the 1980s, and later through his children attending and leading at camps in Anglesea, Swan Hill, the Grampians and Taggerty, Steve has seen firsthand the impact of ESA across country Victoria. He has also been directly involved in the Taggerty Dirt Bike camps, previously leading a ride and now serving as cook and location host.

Steve is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus and is particularly excited by ESA’s mission to support young people and pastoral workers in rural communities who may have fewer resources than those in metropolitan areas. Working as an Orthotist/Prosthetist, he joins the board with previous governance experience through serving on the board of a chaplaincy/Christian Religious Education (CRE) organisation, including its audit committee. He has served in youth ministry, taught CRE in primary schools, and currently coordinates an annual father/child camp at his local church. Outside of work and board life, Steve enjoys bushwalking, riding, surfing, spending time with family and church community, and working on the family property in regional Victoria.

Hans and his wife Kim live in Maffra in East Gippsland, where they have long been active members of their local rural church. Over the years, they’ve served in multiple capacities—from Sunday School and youth to men’s and women’s ministries, Bible studies, and community outreach. Their four children have all enjoyed ESA camps, and Hans has served alongside past and present ESA workers.

With qualifications in Missional Leadership and Ministry, Hans brings significant experience from many years on his church board and two decades on school councils, with a passion for strong governance that supports strong organisations. He is passionate about the role of camping ministry in building healthy families and communities for the Kingdom. In this new season as grandparents and carers for their own parents, Hans and Kim look forward to seeing what God does in and through them next!

April attended a couple of ESA camps as a teen and loves ESA’s heart to create space for people to encounter Jesus in meaningful ways. Passionate about kingdom impact and raising the next generation in faith, she resonates deeply with ESA’s focus on relational evangelism and local mission.

With a background in healthcare and now leading a marketing agency for purpose-driven businesses, April brings a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and strategic skill to the ESA Board. She loves being outdoors with her kids, soaking in God’s creation, and reading to grow in wisdom, faith, and leadership.

Cameron and his wife moved their family to regional Victoria 10 years ago, drawn by a slower pace of life and a closer connection to nature. Having seen the impact of ESA firsthand through his own children’s camp experiences, he values the way ESA creates faith-building moments and community for young people—especially in country communities.

With qualifications in Business Psychology (Masters), Social Work, Front Line Management, Leadership, and Ministry, Cameron brings expertise in strategy, leadership, change management, and not-for-profit governance. He is passionate about using these skills to strengthen ESA’s mission and vision. Cameron enjoys spending his free time doing anything that gets him outdoors, like mountain biking, hiking, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Katelyn (our previous Finance Manager) is passionate about ESA’s vision, governance and financial management. She loves the vision of ESA to impact lives with the Gospel, and her focus on the Board is to ensure our compliance with legislation and our financial sustainability as we look to all God might do through us in this new season. 

Over the years, Mark has attended ESA bushwalking and rock-climbing camps and has served in camp parent roles as well. He loves ESA’s heart for country people and that our ministries provide support, community and the hope of the Gospel to those who are isolated or doing it tough. Mark loves capturing the beauty of God’s creation with his camera in his spare time. 

Julia’s involvement with ESA began 10 years ago. Over those years she has directed and led countless ESA camps. Julia has a background in youth ministry, has studied theology and has a massive heart for ESA’s Gospel impact. She was appointed Board Chair in October 2023.