Our Team

Many amazing volunteers give generously of their time and contribute in areas such as governance, accounts, websites, fundraising and more. If you would like to join us in our endeavours, find out how you can get involved.

Michael Carter

Co-Founder/ President

  • michael.carter@eaglescorner.org
  • +61 402 252 041

Michael’s driving passion is to help restore the lives of men and their families. His contagious enthusiasm has inspired willing volunteers who have supported the development of Eagles Corner.

Michael grew up in Melbourne. After completing a Diploma of Photography, he established and managed several photography businesses and worked at RMIT as Manager of its photography unit. During this time he also developed a food styling course which resulted in the production of several award-winning cookbooks.

Michael was instrumental in establishing Meals @ the Bridge, a community place in Melbourne’s CBD where a group of volunteers served the homeless, marginalised and socially disadvantaged.

In 2014 Michael helped establish Eagles Corner located on farmland in the greater Albury Wodonga region. Eagles Corner provides a supportive environment with the opportunity to change and develop life skills.

Michael is currently using his experiences working with Impact Recovery to expand their reach so more people can benefit from the Residential program in Bendigo.

What I’ve found in communities in Europe & Australia provided a model which provided a ‘big vision’ for a different way of approaching recovery.

Michelle Matusch

Co-founder / Communications Support Manager

With over 25 years in and around the hospitality industry, Michelle has travelled widely around Australia and internationally, living in and learning from other cultures. This desire to share what she has learnt, led to many rewarding teaching roles, including some within the TAFE system. Eventually she started her own business ’Relishlife’, showing people how to cook healthy simple food at home.

While working for Jamie Oliver’s ‘Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen’, she led a team of food trainers and volunteers teaching over 300 students per week, to prepare easy, nutritious meals and watch how lives were transformed through the power of food and love.

Amazing circumstances led to volunteering at Meals @ the Bridge, using her chef skills to provide healthy meals to those less fortunate. The opportunity arose to attend a week-long international workshop in Italy at San Patrignano, a therapeutic community where relationships and positive experiences bring hope and healing. Many studies have shown that ‘Sanpa’ has a proven model in successfully transforming the lives of thousands.

Bringing that knowledge back home to Australia, Michelle and Michael have combined years of research including what they experienced during the time spent living and learning from Shalom House in Perth, developing the RRR Pilot Program in NE Victoria. As the Operations Manager, Michelle oversaw the establishment and growth of the RRR Program at our property in Yackandandah.

Since the arrival of our first Deaf participant, Michelle has continued to learn the language and culture of the Deaf Community.

Simon Beasley

Cultural Integration Coordinator

  • simon.beasley@eaglescorner.org

As our first intake into the RRR Program, Simon knows from personal experience how effective the program at Eagles Corner can be. Simon had asked for help with addiction but was repeatedly knocked back because he is Deaf. At this time, there was no Recovery options available to a Deaf person.

Eagles Corner accepted him into the program as its first participant. It was a steep learning curve for everyone involved. Simon took every opportunity given to him and is now committed to helping others men transform their lives, especially those in the Deaf community.

Simon is also trained as a Therapy Assistant helping clients to make practical changes in their lives to increase their capacity and participation in the community. Simon uses a range of tools within our Rebuild Restore Renew program, selected Support Services and first hand experience dealing with addictions, mental health and living in both the Deaf and Hearing communities with a long term approach to helping others turn their life around.