Who We Are

Mr Mark J. Horton, Chief Executive Officer

Mark was elected the inaugural President of Sunflower House Inc. following the departure of One Door Mental Health in early 2019. With over 40 years of both commercial and not-for-profit executive leadership, Mark’s stewardship has significantly underpinned the success of Sunflower House. Only months after taking up the role of President, Covid-19 swept the world. In the face of a global economic black hole, Mark worked tirelessly to attain corporate and government funding that would allow Sunflower House the time to transition onto the NDIS funding model and secure its future.

The growth of Sunflower House over the initial years of incorporation was exponential under Mark’s leadership. With the completion of a 3-Year Strategic Business Plan, Mark was appointed Chief Executive Officer, July 2022, and given the mandate of attaining NDIS Registration and the expansion of Sunflower House services across the Riverina.

Mark’s advocacy for mental health spans fifty years, and although he was semi-retired, his admiration for the work Sunflower House does for people struggling with mental health, compelled him to join the dedicated team at Sunflower House.

Before joining Sunflower House, Mark had enjoyed a successful career.

At 24 years of age, he was appointed New South Wales State Manager for Campbell’s Soups Australia. At 27 he was appointed Australasian Groups Sales Director for Campbell’s Soups Australia. Shortly after he was appointed General Manager of Campbell Foods New Zealand and Strategic Sales Director for Campbell’s Asia Pacific.

In 1996 Mark was appointed Executive Director, National Accounts for Arnott’s Limited where he played a pivotal role in the merger between the Campbell Soup Company (USA) and Arnott’s Limited (Australia).

Unfortunately, Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Type 2 Diabetes in the early 1990’s and departed the corporate world late 1998, to establish his own business specialising in change management, strategic planning and leadership.

In 1995 Mark was appointed to the board of MS Australia where he led the organisation through a major restructure, from state-based operations to a national body developing national sponsorships. Mark then took up the role of General Manager, Corporate Affairs, and established their first ever national strategic sponsorship with Dairy Farmers and the MS Readathon, worth 1.5 million dollars over three years.

Mark is also a former Vice President of ParaQuad NSW, former Director of Great Community Transport Western Sydney / Blue Mountains, the former President of Radio Blue Mountains and the former Chairman of Wagga Wagga Community Media Inc. Triple A FM, where he led the largest investment upgrade and rebranding in 40 years.

Mark is the author of ‘Power to Choose Challenge to Change’, which established him as an international keynote speaker, performance coach and mentor to many of Australia’s leading corporate executives.

He is the recipient of the Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award for his hometown, Queanbeyan; a former Australia Day Ambassador for the NSW Australia Day Council and the recipient of a Vocal Scholarship – Performing Arts from the Canberra School of Music.

He was awarded the most prestigious Campbell Soup Company International Merit Award for Outstanding Employee of the Year, and although Mark is not a Rotarian, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International named Mark a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW in 2021 in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

Mark’s philosophy is ‘No one is anyone, without someone.’

Mr Peter Keith, President

I am a retired general practitioner and was principal GP in the one practice in Wagga for 32 years (1981 to 2013). I was for 4 years (1993 to 1997) the part time Coordinator of the Wagga Wagga and District Division of General Practice, one of the precursors of the now Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network. I have been retired for over 5 years. I have served on the Friends of Sunflower House Committee for 4 years. I have broad community interests and commitments, and have additionally held executive positions in Rotary, the Anglican Church, and Community Radio for many years. In the 1970’s I served with my family for 6 years in rural Tanzania in Anglican medical and missionary work.I am passionate about serving in community organisations like Sunflower House which support mental health clients.

Ruth jude, Vic President

I am a Wagga local, and a registered nurse working both in the hospital and community space. I grew up in the mid north coast and relocated to Wagga more than 25 years ago. Professionally I’ve had roles in bone marrow transplant and paediatric haematology research, but most of my work has been in aged care assessment, dealing with the physical and mental health challenges of clients, and structuring options to promote and maintain independence.

From a family and professional perspective I’ve seen both the trauma of mental health issues, and the successes of strong community support that exist across all ages groups. My own resources are my family, gardening and my chooks!

My new passion is to build on the success of Sunflower House and grow this fantastic local resource.

mr Reuben Robinson, SECRETARY

I am a counsellor at Relationships Australia, assisting people to overcome various life challenges. A significant part of my work involves supporting men to end violent and coercive behaviours. I have previously worked as a child protection caseworker, working with families who experience adversity. My purpose is to help people to achieve their needs and goals, tackling adversity and promoting positive change. 

I graduated with the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) through Charles Sturt University in July 2021. While at university, I completed a 500-hour placement at Sunflower House, helping to provide programs and activities for the people attending here. It was a fulfilling experience and I joined the Committee of Management soon after my placement finished. The people at Sunflower House inspire me with their stories of how they adapt to life with mental health challenges and how they promote healing. 

Prior to becoming a social worker, I worked in environmental science for 20 years. I worked with farmers to address environmental issues affecting their cropping enterprises, and as a consultant, completing environmental assessments for various infrastructure projects in NSW and the ACT, including here at Wagga Wagga. 

Mr Damon Smith, Treasurer

I am a Wagga Wagga local who commenced work as a trainee accountant in 2002 at Selby Watson & Co (to present). I graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and was admitted as a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2009. Over the past 10 years I have completed the Committee for Wagga’s Emerging Leaders Program (2014) and began volunteering as treasurer for Friends of Sunflower House in 2013. I was married in 2006 and am raising 4 boys. I am passionate about our local community and am honoured to be able to support community organisations such as Sunflower house.

KEREIN MULLENS

I have lived in Wagga Wagga for over 40 years and have raised three daughters in this wonderful community.

One of our daughters has a disability so I have lived experience as a carer, and this has led me to a career in the disability sector with Intereach, six years ago. In this role, I have gained substantial experience working in the disability sector specialising in accessibility and inclusion for everyone within Wagga Wagga and surrounds. I have worked to link people to community and mainstream services and worked alongside organisations to highlight the need for our community to be accessible and inclusive for all people. As a professional in the disability sector, I work closely with relevant stakeholders, and as such, I have a broad understanding of the challenges associated with people with lived experience of disability.In many ways, I see my role as a Committee Member with Sunflower House an extension to my passion working for inclusion and access towards a time when every member of the community can access our town, and all it has to offer.

I look forward to contributing my personal and professional knowledge to Sunflower House, and in turn continue to assist and improve the lives of participating members to live their best lives.

Ms Sandra kirk, senior mental health officer

I operate in our activity room at Sunflower House, supporting our members with their mental health issues on a day to day basis.  I initiate and facilitate wellness programs such as mindfulness and tai chi.  I support our members with their NDIS application process, accompanying them at appointments for their mental and physical health and compiling their necessary documentation.  In addition to this, I work as a one-to-one mental health support worker both on-site and off-site.  I am also responsible for meeting with people who are looking to become members at Sunflower House.

I am qualified in aged care nursing and diversional therapy.  I worked as a support and activities officer at Edel Quinn Support Services  and then PHaMS (Personal Helpers and Mentors) covering all facets of mental health support.  Prior to joining Sunflower House, I was a one-to-one counsellor at therapeutic program facilitator at Junee Correctional Centre.

I am a ‘‘family first’ person and am actively involved with my children and grandchildren. I enjoy walking, reading, listening to music and the rewarding experience of rehabilitating rescue dogs.