Rosy Symons is a SCARS Patron, our organisation’s historian and a champion of fundraising and community engagement for SCARS. Rosy first walked into the shelter in 2000 to offer help in placing a food donation bin at Coles Mooloolaba and 25 years later she is still here! Rosy was first recruited to help wash up in the dog kitchen and ended up helping in all areas with the dogs including cleaning, walking and re-homing. Her love of SCARS saw Rosy sit in nearly every role we had to offer and she is currently our longest, consecutive volunteer.

Over the past 25 years Rosy has also fostered cats, volunteered in the office, joined the management committee and sat in the President role for a total of six years.  After seeing a growing need for income to keep the shelter running, she helped set up many of SCARS past and current fundraising activities and formed long lasting partnerships in the community. Rosy is our Queen of Raffles, she ran our historic garage sales and helped set up what is now the SCARS Market. Alongside Penny she was instrumental in creating our flagship events Furball and Paws for a Cause Long Lunch.

Rosy worked in education for her entire career and remains a passionate advocate for the animals.

Penny Brischke is a SCARS Patron and our volunteer Marketing, Networking and Partnerships lead.  Penny first started volunteering at SCARS in 2006 in the dog area. In her 19 years with the shelter she has worn many hats. Penny worked as our Operations Manager for five years, was a volunteer in the dog kennels, a dog rehomer and is one of our dog foster carers. Penny was also on the SCARS Management Committee for many years and held the roles of Vice President and Treasurer and most recently retired from the President role in 2023.

In her recent and current volunteer roles Penny is the designated SCARS spokesperson and marketing manager (volunteer). She has project managed and helped raise vital funds to upgrade aging infrastructure at SCARS, particularly through community engagement, business sponsorships / partnerships, grants and the flagship events Furball and Paws for a Cause Long Lunch. Locals would recognise Penny’s face or voice from many years of radio, tv and newspaper interviews as she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of SCARS and rescue pets on the Sunshine Coast.

Penny is a trained Emergency Nurse and continues to work in health care alongside her significant volunteering commitments to SCARS. She has managed hospital wards and emergency departments and led the planning and building for hospitals such as the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Raelene Boyle is a retired athlete who successfully represented Australia at three Olympic Games. She has been named as a National Living Treasure. Raelene also has a passion for dogs and helps raise awareness of SCARS cats and dogs.

Grant Smith is one of the most successful real estate agents on the Sunshine Coast. He is a passionate supporter of SCARS and helps raise much needed funds for our rescue kids.

Caroline Hutchison is a much loved and dynamic radio announcer at Mix FM on the Sunny Coast. Renowned as the Peoples Queen of Charity, we are blessed to have her support our SCARS cats and dogs.

Sammi Muirhead is a much loved radio announcer at Mix FM on the Sunny Coast. Her passion for SCARS and our cause started in 2014! She has teamed up with her radio buddy Todd, to raise awareness and find homes for rescue animals on the Sunny Coast.

Todd Widdicombe is the other half of the dynamic MIX Fm duo with Sammi. Todd adores his dog Pepper and brings much fun and support to SCARs at our events such as the annual Paws for a Cause.

Tam Wrigley is a successful business woman on the Sunny Coast. She has adopted a cat from SCARS and shares a love of animals with us!