Travis Boak
Travis Boak grew up in Torquay where he started his football career with the Torquay
Tigers and Geelong Falcons. His AFL debut was with Port Adelaide in 2006. He has
had an outstanding career winning many awards, Port Adelaide Best and Fairest,
selection for the All-Australian Team and has polled consistently well in the AFL
Brownlow medal.
Travis’s father passed away when he was a child and with this lived experience,
appreciates that it is a difficult time for any young person. Travis was fortunate to
have the support of his family and football community, however for many
children/young people there is no support available. “It means a lot to me to be able
to work closely with Wombat’s Wish as an ambassador. After experiencing the loss of
a parent at a young age, I want to be able to help those going through a similar
circumstance. Connecting, sharing stories and assisting each other get through a
tough part of our life”.

Tom Hawkins
Tom grew up in Finley where he started his career with the Finley Football Club
before moving to boarding school in Melbourne where he played for the
Sandringham Dragons. He commenced in the AFL with Geelong in 2007 and during
his outstanding career has won numerous awards including selection for multiple
AFL All-Australian teams and most recently played his 300th game at the Cats.
Tom’s mother passed away in April 2015. Tom said “I had the support of my family
and football community, however for many children/young people there is no
support available. Wombat’s Wish is an amazing charity that can provide ongoing
support to children after the death of a parent. I am so proud to be an ambassador
for Wombat’s Wish”.

Emily Mannix
Emily Mannix, Vice-Captain of Melbourne Vixens learnt of the organisation when
Wombat’s Wish relocated to Drysdale. The organisation touched Emily as she had
lost an important person in her life, her Grandfather, and reached out to offer her
support as an ambassador.
“I think this is an amazing organisation. It is a very worthwhile cause to support and
to promote as no child should have to go through the death of a parent alone.”
“Wombat’s Wish is just so important for children to understand that there is no right
or wrong way to grieve and that what they are feeling is allowed. It is also amazing
that children can connect with other children who are going through a similar
situation, so they don’t feel alone or misunderstood.”

Brian Cook
Brian Cook the former CEO of the AFL clubs the Eagles and Geelong Cats, currently
CEO of Carlton has been involved with Wombat’s Wish for many years as an
ambassador and has recently been appointed Patron of Wombat’s Wish). Brian has
been a valuable supporter of Wombat’s Wish since its inception.
Brian was nine years old when his precious mum Shirley died, and he was plunged
into a complex world of inexplicable grief. Brian says “now I am the patron for
Wombat’s Wish, I can identify with the particular pain the children/young people
might be feeling and that my involvement with Wombat’s Wish may help in
supporting a child in some way.”