Jim McEwan – Chairperson

Jim established CareSouth, formerly Shoalcare, in 1994. He has played a pivotal role in the development of the organisation. He was a director/cofounder of a Nowra manufacturing company and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Mathematics) from the University of NSW. He also has many years of experience as a foster carer.  In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for services to Youth and Community.

Appointed to the Board in June 1994. 

Deputy Chair/Executive Director 1994-2010, Chairman 2011-2014, CEO 2014/15, Chairman July 2016, Retired from the Board 26 July 2017. 

Reappointed to the Board on 27 October 2019. 

Appointed Company Secretary 9 December 2019 – 25 October 2021. 

Appointed Deputy Chairperson on 25 October 2021. 

Retired in October 2023. 

Appointed Chairperson on 2 October 2024. 

Rebecca Keen – Deputy Chair and Executive Director     

Rebecca has over 20 years of Finance and Accounting experience and was the CFO of a large private company predominantly based in the Illawarra. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong. She is CPA qualified. 

Appointed to the Board in April 2014.

Deputy Chairperson April 2014 – 25 October 2021.

Appointed Deputy Chairperson on 2 October 2024. 

Appointed Executive Director on 23 January 2025.

Margot McEwan – Director and Company Secretary

Margot has extensive experience in corporate and research governance, policy development and business process engineering. She has had a lengthy career in management roles in the not-for-profit, university and medical research sectors with experience in the management of both large and small organisations. 

Appointed to the Board on 30 October 2023.

Appointed Company Secretary on 2 October 2024.

Theo Boyle – Director

Raised in foster care himself from the age of 8 until 15. He has lived in Nowra since 1969 and has operated a bicycle business since 1980. 

Appointed to the Board in April 2004.

Leo Fitzpatrick – Director

Leo is a proud Wiradjuri man based in Hay, NSW. As a Registered Nurse and Aboriginal Senior Support Officer in Palliative Care, he brings a background in child and adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, and lived experience in Out-of-Home care.

In recognition of his community leadership, Leo was named Hay’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2024.

He is a passionate advocate for culturally responsive care and better outcomes for Aboriginal families and young people.

Appointed to the Board on 25 June 2025.

Susan Price – Director

Susan brings valuable experience in NFP and corporate governance and has a passion for social justice and empowerment, with a focus on women and girls.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws. She is currently Assistant Principal Solicitor at the NSW Working Women’s Centre. 

Appointed to the Board in August 2025. 

Toni Bolte – Director

Toni brings over 25 years’ experience working across child protection, family and domestic violence, Out-of-Home care, and family support. Her career has spanned both frontline and senior leadership roles.

Toni is currently General Manager, Practice Quality and Service Excellence at Outcare, and a Consultant/Partner with Strengths and Solutions Consultants.

Toni holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology and Community Development).

Appointed to the Board in July 2026.