GingerCloud Foundation - Who are we

My husband Anthony and I founded GingerCloud Foundation in 2014 because we wanted to answer the question of where our son Max, who has a learning and perceptual disability, would do life when we are not here anymore.

For a while we had been asking ourselves how we could create a world where neurodiverse young people could live their best life. Where their individual successes would be celebrated, no matter how large or small. Where they could be part of, and contribute, to their community. Where the community would look for and experience what they can do, rather than focus on their disability and what they could not do.

We wanted inclusion, a world where we belong, so we created it and named it GingerCloud Foundation - an inclusive community young people with learning and perceptual difficulties feel safe and secure, belong, are understood and experience real success.

Megan Elliott, Co-Founder and Managing Director

Our Board

Our Board believe in creating a world where young people with Autism and other learning and perceptual disabilies can live their best life!

Our Ambassadors 

Tim Horan AM
MRP Ambassador since 2014

Tim Horan is possibly the greatest centre, rugby union has seen. Electrifying pace, rock-solid defence, an ability to read the play like a book, lethal with ball in hand... he offered it all during his sparkling 12-year Test career with the Wallabies.

Tim earned his first gold jersey as a teenager against the All Blacks in 1989. Australia lost that match but Tim earned the respect of all. Two years later at the 1991 World Cup Tim was crucial to the Wallabies' success, most notably when he gobbled up and scored from David Campese's memorable over-the-shoulder, no-look pass in the semi against New Zealand. No try has been given as much replay time since.

Despite a potentially career-ending knee injury in 1994, Tim made a remarkable comeback at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

In 1999, he became Australia's third most capped player and most capped Australian centre, guiding Australia to its second World Cup victory. He won every award going around, and was announced Player of the Tournament. Tim surprised many the following season when he announced his retirement from international rugby to play out his career with the famous Saracens club in England. Some considered it too soon; Tim knew what he was doing. He wanted to go out a winner. And he did.

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

• Played 80 test caps for Australia
• 114 state caps
• 130 points
• 40 tries
• Inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015

Nathan Sharpe
MRP Ambassador since 2014

“Modified Rugby has been outstanding in creating a community based around those kids that have learning difficulties – it’s a great opportunity for them to enjoy themselves on the football field and for the parents to meet likeminded people who are going through similar situations,” he said.
“I still remember the first training session we had. The kids were out having a run around and loving it, and the parents were in the clubhouse having a beer together which was just as enjoyable to see because they didn’t have that social outlet previously.

“For me, it showcases what rugby is all about, that community of people helping each other out.”

Rugby Union legend and former Wallaby captain Nathan ‘Sharpie' Sharpe is one of Australia's most decorated rugby players. When he retired as captain of the Wallabies in 2012 he was Australia's most-capped forward with 116 tests and the second most-capped player ever. His durability saw him become the most-capped player in Super Rugby history with 154 games for the Queensland Reds and Western Force. Nathan played in three Rugby World Cup campaigns. In his final year of international rugby in 2012, he was awarded the prestigious John Eales Medal. This was the second time he was named Wallaby Player of the Year, after first receiving the Medal in 2007. With his long list of distinctions and awards, Nathan Sharpe has left an indelible impression on the game. While his presence on the field will be missed, Nathan continues to influence and inspire others off the field.

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

• Played 116 test caps for Australia
• 162 state caps
• 40 points

Stephen Moore
MRP Ambassador since 2017

The man known as 'Squeak' was born in Saudi Arabia to Irish parents, but is now playing club rugby in the state he calls home. Moore is the only Australian hooker to have played 100 Tests and is one of the only two players in Australian Rugby history to have earned the rare distinction of 100 Test and 150 Super Rugby appearances (Nathan Sharpe). He is Australia's most capped Super Rugby player of all time. Moore is currently the 14th most capped player of all time, and is second behind George Gregan for Test appearances in Australia.

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

• Australia U21s 2003-2004
• Australia A 2004-2005
• Wallabies Test debut 2005

Andrew Ready
MRP Ambassador since 2016

A promising young front rower, Andrew Ready has steadily progressed through the ranks of the Queensland Rugby pathway over the last three seasons. With a sound grasp of the set-piece and an aggressive attitude in the crucial contact areas of the game, the former Australian Under 20s hooker’s stocks continue to rise at Ballymore.

Ready was named on the Reds’ bench twice in two seasons before finally making his debut in his third match-day squad in 2015 - narrowly beating his forwards coach and mentor Nick Stiles, who sat on the bench three times before making his debut back in 1993.

GingerCloud Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work and recognises their connection to land, sea and community. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging for they are the holders of culture, knowledge, wisdom and leadership that is passed from generation to generation.