Monique is an ex-university Griffith University graduate, academic within both the RTO and university sector across Queensland, experienced homestay provider of 10 years, and current commercial model. Monique is the sole Director and entrepreneur behind Diversity Models, Australia’s first NDIS Registered Provider modelling agency which still specialises in managing disability models. With a passion for integrity and innovation, she is also Founder of Diversity Models Academy.

Monique is the property owner of the Supanova Superheroes Community Care Diversity Retreat located in the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Monique manages both NDIS and non-NDIS respite accommodation stays for disability models at the Retreat, which she has been doing for two years. She enjoys supporting the community and creating unique employment and educational experiences for disability models.

Kalinya Cosplay is a passionate Australian cosplayer and community advocate who has been bringing beloved characters to life since 2015. With a special love for The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, and Disney, Kalinya loves creating detailed cosplays that inspire and bring happiness, using her craft as a way to give back and support the community.

As a two-time Best Craftsmanship winner at Supanova in 2023 and 2024, and the Canberra State Champion for the Australian National Cosplay Championships at Oz Comic-Con in 2023, Kalinya is recognised not only for her exceptional skills, but also for her dedication to uplifting the cosplay community. She also shares her experience as a cosplay judge and mentor to cosplayers, helping to foster new talent.

Beyond the spotlight, Kalinya is deeply committed to giving back, volunteering at charity events like Brickbuilt and Dreamnight at Taronga, where she brings joy and wonder to children and families through fun magical visits from beloved characters, creating unforgettable moments that brighten the community.

As a cosplay ambassador, Kalinya champions creativity, inclusivity, and kindness, using the power of fandom to make a positive impact and inspire others to embrace their unique stories.

Phillipa has lived in the Shoalhaven region of NSW for 17 years. Prior to that, she lived in Sydney and grew up in Newcastle. She has also lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for 18 months.

Phillipa has worked since she was 16 while finishing school and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She was recruited by Westpac Banking Corporation into a graduate trainee scheme in commercial banking, but left the bank to take up a position as an Office Manager & PA for a chemical company, responsible for 6 employees.

When Phillipa was 26, she spent 18 months living and working in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she maintained a full-time and 2 part-time jobs at the same time.

Upon returning to Australia, Phillipa worked for an international membership organisation for chief executive officers, where she was responsible for organising speakers for meetings and PA to the CEO. Phillipa left this role to work with her husband for 5 years as consultants responsible for running a world pilot corporate alliance program, and running fundraising events for Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.

Phillipa left Sydney for the beautiful South Coast of NSW, where she and her husband have successfully been running several retail businesses. She has had her current ladies’ fashion boutique in Berry for nearly 17 years.

Phillipa’s interests include volunteer and fundraising work for Shoalhaven Superheroes, and playing both tennis and cricket for Merewether High School and the University of Newcastle.

Daniel grew up, eventually in his estimation, and went to UNSW for his degree. Before that he spent his life accumulating copious amounts of pop culture information in the fields of comics, cartoons, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, toys, anime and more! He was so good at it that in 2000 he was encouraged to create what eventually became, Supanova Comic Con & Gaming; an event that now tours Australia annually entertaining like-minded fans.

And it’s been since 2015, when Shoalhaven Superheroes Festival made its first appearance at Supanova in Sydney, that has compelled Daniel to increasingly team-up with the amazing crew at Superheroes Events Limited; in seeking to keep building on the legacy that’s already delivered so many wonderful events, recognition awards and fundraising.

Ellen has been in the workforce since she was 15, and has had many roles from owning her own Country Wares Store in Penrith to owning a car detailing business also in Penrith. Ellen also works for Maxi Buses in Penrith, doing special needs transport for school children as a driver and carer. She moved to the Shoalhaven with her husband David about 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back.

David and Ellen own Shoalhaven Maxi Buses in Worrigee, and Maxi Buses in Penrith, and is proud of their achievements over the past 25 years.

Ellen is very family oriented, with two beautiful children that blessed her and David with nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“We are honoured to be a part of Shoalhaven Superheroes, and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

David has lived in the Shoalhaven area for 15 years, having moved from Penrith NSW. David both owned and ran Redback Automotive’s workshop for the last 30 years, and together with his wife Ellen, has also owned and operated a bus company in Penrith called Maxi Buses, with operations expanding with the introduction of Shoalhaven Maxi Buses 5 years ago.

David also has previous work experience with state government in transporting special needs children, and has always enjoyed helping others in need.

Soon after starting Shoalhaven Maxi Buses, David met some of the Superheroes Community Care volunteers, and subsequently became a corporate sponsor of the Superheroes Raffle Car, and got involved with helping to fundraise. David looks forward to continue being a sponsor of Superheroes Community Care and its’ charity work helping those that require benevolent assistance.

“I am proud to be associated with this fantastic volunteer charity, and am very honoured to contribute and be part of the Director team.”

Founding Director of Superheroes Events Ltd (SEL)
Founder and Organiser of the Shoalhaven Superheroes Festival (SSF)
Founder of Superheroes Community Care

David is an established business owner in Berry, NSW. David is married lives together with his wife Phillipa in the Shoalhaven.

In November 2014, David established Superheroes Events Ltd, and has volunteered his time to develop a vision that is the unique pop culture Shoalhaven Superheroes Festival, bringing it to the reality it is today.

SEL is the SSF organiser, with the Mission of making the Shoalhaven the Superheroes Capital of NSW/Australia, through creating fictional pop culture POP Worlds, and unique pop culture events and activities.

SEL has already pioneered not only Australian pop culture firsts, but also world-first achievements. SEL is a volunteer not-for-profit company, and David is a Volunteer Director.

Six years since inception, having previously fundraised for other charities and community causes, SEL has evolved and has now reached the exciting stage of applying to ASIC and ACNC to change its legal structure to becoming a Charity, Public Benevolent Institution with Deductible Gift Recipient Status.

This structure change will substantially enhance SEL’s own Charity plans, and the company’s Superheroes Community Care (SCC) and Shack Shoalhaven Superheroes River Retreat (River Retreat) with the opportunity to manage and provide short-stay accommodation for families with chronically ill kids and/or families requiring benevolent assistance. The River Retreat is situated on the beautiful Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads, NSW.

David’s experience includes;

• Corporate and International Banking career with National Westminster Bank PLC and NatWest Australia Bank in London, UK, and Sydney, Australia
• Senior Business Development Manager, CitiGold Priority Banking, Citibank Australia
• Executive Manager, Strategic & Corporate Alliances, Citibank Australia
• National Corporate Manager, Rotary Down Under Australia
• National Corporate Manager, New Zealand Rotarians Corporate Alliance Program
• CEO, Australian Rotarians Corporate Alliance Program (World First Rotary Corporate Alliance Program approved by Rotary International USA). Program later extended to New Zealand

David’s roles included being the sole negotiator for over 30 Corporate and Community Alliances, and raising over $5 million in sponsorship and securing Program Patrons;

• Governor General of Australia
• Governor General of New Zealand
• Premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia
• Prime Minister of Australia
• Prime Minister of New Zealand

David’s other achievements include;

• Managing Director, AAA Alliances & Promotions Pty Ltd
• Business Owner, It’s Berry Necessary, Berry, NSW
• Originator & Organiser of Community and Charity Events, including;
  • Rotary’s Great Australian Tie Auction
  • Australian Rotarians Premier’s Cup National Golf Series
  • Australian Rotarians Prime Minister’s Golf Cup Tournament
  • New Zealand Rotarians Prime Minister’s Cup Golf Series
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Premier & Premier’s Cup Golf Charity Tournament
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Volunteer “Service & Beyond” Awards
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Schools “Capes for Community” Awards
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Speaker’s Garden Volunteers Recognition Reception
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Kidditch World Cup Tournament
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes Bomo-lympics Galaxy Games
  • Shoalhaven Superheroes ShoalPOP Pop Culture Charity Expo