ELNA Board Hub
Informal meeting Monday 14th July with Coffee and Cake 68 Easton Road, Chandlers Hill
Fill out the registration info at the bottom.
Can't make it? Fill out the form below for a chat over zoom!
Hi and thank you for your interest in becoming a founding board member of ELNA. This space is just for you to explore more about what the role involves and decide if you'd like to join us officially. I’m so grateful you're here.

To summarise the video:
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I'm Vanessa
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I have a Bachelor of Education + Diploma Early Childhood Education
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Certificate IV in Youth Work, Equine Assisted Learning and Sport (Coaching) Equestrian.
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I am the founder of Alkira Adina Equestrian http://www.alkiraadinaequestrian.com.au
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I am a licensee holder for Horses Helping Humans (more info here: https://www.horseshelpinghumansaustralia.com/ )
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I am wanting to create a charity to support children to access the services Alkira Adina Equestrian provides.
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I have developed the program WildQuest Education along with my co-teacher Brylee http://www.wildquesteducation.com.au
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We have other programs in the pipeline such as The Feathered Storyweaver, teaching children confidence and understanding in other settings (where horses can't attend).
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Helping children access the services Alkira Adina Equestrian provides, no matter who they are, is my goal.
What We’re Building
Experiential Learning Network Australia (ELNA) is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people who are disadvantaged or disengaged from traditional education. We provide them with meaningful learning experiences through hands-on, experiential activities that nurture confidence, communication, and practical skills.
ELNA works closely with Alkira Adina Equestrian and WildQuest Education — two organisations founded to bring education to life through connection with horses and nature. By partnering with these established services, ELNA creates opportunities for children to access tailored educational programs that blend literacy, numeracy, social development, and wellbeing in a supportive environment.
Our vision is a community where every child, regardless of background or ability, has access to inspiring learning experiences that empower them to thrive.
Why Join the Board?
Joining the ELNA board means becoming part of a passionate team dedicated to making a real difference in children’s lives. Your involvement helps shape a new charity that will provide innovative educational pathways for those who need it most.
We hope to build a strong, values-driven organisation with a collaborative spirit, where every board member’s voice matters. Together, we can guide ELNA from its beginnings into a sustainable, impactful charity that supports children, families, and educators alike.
If you care about education, inclusion, and community, and want to contribute your skills and heart to a meaningful cause, ELNA is the place to be.
Role of a Board Member
As a board member of ELNA, you will help oversee and guide the charity’s development and operations. You don’t need to be an expert in everything — your experience, perspective, and willingness to support are what matter most.
Your main responsibilities will include:
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Helping to finalise the charity’s registration and governance documents
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Attending regular board meetings (about 3 to 4 times a year) — these can be online or in person
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Supporting strategic planning and setting goals for ELNA’s growth
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Advising on funding opportunities and helping with grant applications if you can
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Being a positive ambassador for ELNA in your networks
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Ensuring the charity acts legally, ethically, and transparently
You will be part of a friendly, flexible board that values collaboration, learning, and progress — not perfection.
Expected Commitment
We understand everyone’s time is valuable. ELNA board members are asked to:
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Attend 3 to 4 board meetings per year (these can be online, in person, or hybrid to suit your availability)
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Join one informal gathering annually — a chance to connect in a relaxed setting with horses and coffee!
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Stay in touch via email or messaging between meetings to keep updated and provide input when possible
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Occasionally support fundraising or networking efforts, if you are able and interested
Our priority is to make participation manageable and enjoyable so we can focus on moving ELNA forward together.


What's next?
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“About ELNA”
Experiential Learning Network Australia (ELNA) is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting disadvantaged or disengaged children and young people by providing education through experiential learning activities.
ELNA’s mission is to engage these young people in hands-on, real-world experiences that promote personal growth, practical skills, and a renewed love of learning. By focusing on active participation and reflection, ELNA helps learners build confidence, develop essential life skills, and reconnect with their educational journey in a meaningful and empowering way.
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Timeline
We understand that everyone has busy lives and many commitments. To make it as easy as possible for our founding board members to participate, meetings can be held online, in-person, or as a hybrid of both. If you can’t make a meeting live, recordings (anyone good with tech?!) will be available so you can stay up to date at your convenience. Our goal is to keep things flexible and inclusive, so we can move ELNA forward together without adding extra stress to your schedule.
June 2025 Finalise board expressions of interest
July 2025 Host an informal welcome gathering (horses + cake!)
Aug 2025 Hold first board meeting – approve mission, constitution, charity application
Sept 2025 Submit application to ACNC
Oct–Nov 2025 Charity approval + apply for ABN, TFN, bank account
Dec 2025 Identify grant opportunities and prepare funding submissions
Jan–March 2026 Start delivering funded services via Alkira Adina and WildQuest
April 2026 Evaluate and expand!
What’s Expected of Board Members - More Detail
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Support the charity’s establishment and registration (e.g. reviewing documents, signing forms)
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Attend 3–4 board meetings per year (in-person or online)
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Participate in one informal gathering annually (e.g. coffee, horses, cake!)
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Help shape ELNA’s mission, values, and strategic direction
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Provide advice and oversight on funding applications and partnerships
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Use personal or professional networks to raise awareness or make connections
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Ensure ELNA operates in a legal, ethical, and transparent way
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Review and approve key documents (e.g. constitution, budget, policies)
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Contribute your skills, time or experience in education, community, governance, or wellbeing (as relevant)
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Act in the best interests of ELNA and the children it supports
ELNA Founding Board Timeline –
✅ 2025
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Monday 23 June
→ Deadline for Board Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
→ Finalise initial board members -
Monday 14 July
→ Informal Welcome Gathering (coffee, horses, cake!)
→ Share ELNA’s vision, timeline, and build relationships -
Monday 4 August
→ First Formal Board Meeting-
Approve ELNA’s mission, constitution, and charity application paperwork
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Monday 1 September
→ Submit application to ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission) -
Monday 21 October
→ Second Board Meeting-
Update on charity registration progress
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Begin funding strategy discussion
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Assign any action items (e.g. grant writing support)
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Monday 3 December
→ Strategic Planning Mini-Session (Optional/Informal)-
Reflect on the year
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Map out goals for early 2026
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Hot drinks, relaxed setting, possibly in person
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✅ 2026
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Monday 2 February
→ Third Board Meeting-
Focus: Finalise governance documents, funding plan, target programs
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Monday 27 April
→ Fourth Board Meeting-
Focus: Review any grant submissions
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Begin outlining the launch phase for ELNA-supported access to Alkira Adina/WildQuest
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