Meet the Team

Marc Renai - Director

I was born on the Gold Coast in 1974 with a passion for life, people, business and sport.

I have been very lucky to be a part of very successful Companies and events. This has led me to start up my own business Healthy Lifestyle Clinic.

HLC has been running for 5 years and deals with the health of corporate companies, people and events.  As a part of our business vision, giving back to the Gold Coast is a chance to invest into the lives of less fortunate people and the future of the Gold Coast.

Deb Smith - Events

With a background in paediatric nursing, I have experienced a lot of the highs and lows that families experience when an illness is diagnosed. On a personal level, my 28 year old sister-in-law lost her battle with renal failure. My now 17 year old niece is a survivor of cancer after she was diagnosed with a tumour of the eye at the age of six.

Prior to having children, a lot of my time was spent fundraising when I was involved with the Crippled Children’s Association in South Australia. I raised over $70,000 in one year.

After chatting with a friend four years ago, we discussed how blessed our lives are. We felt that we would like to do something to help others that weren’t as lucky as ourselves. This was the first seed of an idea. One year later, Dream Workers started with a small group of like minded people.

Since the time of our first fundraiser, which was a car rally, with Paradise Kids being the recipient of funds raised, Dream Workers is now my big passion in life. I have met so many fantastic people since we began, and seen the difference we are making in so many lives.

It’s a great feeling to know that in a small way, you are helping others. My dream for Dream Workers is to raise $1 million to help out our community. Imagine how many lives this money would make a huge difference to. 

Karen Singer Dunne - Liason with Individuals and Families

I became a member of Dream Workers after the passing of my 21 year old daughter Jessica in 2010.  Jessica and I had been on the receiving end of Dream Workers help and support when I contacted the group at the time of a crisis in my life. My world had turned upside down when Jess a beautiful 19 year old girl was struck down with Menningitis and was left unable to eat, talk, breathe unsupported or move. I needed support emotionally and financially if I was to bring my daughter home to care for her instead of placing her in an aged facility.

Dream Workers went to work and made my dream a reality by renovating my home and making it suitable for a wheelchair plus so much more!  Funds were raised for treatments and equipment and a caring person to hear my thoughts and feel my anguish was always available to me.

                                                                      Tragedy can strike when you least expect it.

Now it is my turn to be a Dream Worker and I take great pride in being able to support others whom come to us for help. I have learnt a lot   in dealing with government departments and in the medical areas and i hope to be able to put my knowledge to good use. Fundraising plays an important role in alleviating the stress families face when tragedy stikes. To be able to purchase items required for a quality of life for an individual becames a neccessity and thats how Dreamworkers can lighten the load.

Rose Matulin - Founding Member 

Having been married for over 20 years, and the mother of three teenage children, I thought it would be great to put something back into the community at this stage in my life.

I work at Pindara Hospital and love to play tennis whenever I can. There is a fierce rivalry between my husband and I.

I became involved with Dream Workers when we first began in 2005, so that I could be involved in raising funds and making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, specifically Gold Coast charities and individuals.

This year has really been a great year in watching Dream Workers come together in the direction that we have wanted to be heading. It gives me a great deal of pleasure in watching this culminate into making such a difference in the lives of others. 

Marina Ruyssenaers - Member

I was fortunate to see the team of Dream Workers in action when I attended a fundraiser for a family that I knew was in need. They made such a difference in this family’s life.

I think it is so important to be able to answer the needs in our own community and the ripple effect goes out to the needs of the world.

I have had some humbling experiences in my life where the support of people I did not even know helped me to find my inner strength. One such experience was a contest with breast cancer and chemotherapy, a battle that was fought and won.

I have two teenagers who amaze, inspire and challenge me and a wonderful husband who nourishes and humours me. It is with the gratitude of these great gifts that I feel inspired to try to help others.

I am looking forward to working with the team of Dream Workers because “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”