A Message to Our Community

Peter Bennett (Board Chair), Frank Daly (Board Director) and Jemma Iles (CEO) attending a Business News function in 2025.

I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, but also with an immense sense of pride in the resilience of the Family Centre and the community that surrounds us.

The unexpected passing of our Board Chair, Peter Bennett, has been a shock. Peter was a true champion for those living with type 1 diabetes - a cause he advocated for every day through his own lived experience with his son and nephew.

Since joining as CEO eight months ago, I worked closely with Peter. We met up regularly and spoke multiple times a week. We spent many hours discussing the Centre, the evolution of our programs, and our future. I valued his guidance deeply. Navigating this loss is difficult, but in doing so, I have found myself reflecting on the incredible strength that defines our Family Centre.

While this is an undeniably tough time, I want you to know that we are finding our feet through the very people we serve. I am so proud of our Family Centre team, who have continued to show up since this news with unwavering dedication to ensure our services and programs remain a constant for you, our community. Our Board has also stepped in with incredible support, working alongside me to care for our team and ensure we have the stability to keep moving forward. It is this shared purpose that is pulling us through.

Strength Through Connection

My priority as CEO is to work with our Board to ensure the Family Centre remains a steady, supportive environment for our staff and our families. I am pleased to share that Rob Towner has generously offered to step in as our Interim Board Chair.

Rob is a long-standing friend of the Family Centre and served as our Family Centre Chair prior to Peter. Many of you will also know him through his generosity as our major event partner for our Flametree Wines fundraising luncheons. He steps into this role with a clear understanding and belief in our mission. I am grateful for his partnership as we transition into this next chapter.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

We are moving forward with a clear vision and a focus on the impact we can make together. We have so much to look forward to this year:

• Flametree Wines Luncheon: We have made the decision to move our key fundraising event to Friday, 21 August 2026. This shift gives us the breathing space to deliver an event that truly celebrates those living with T1D and the community around them. It will also be a vital opportunity to raise the funds that will power our new 2030 Family Centre Strategy, which our Board and Leadership team have been developing over the last few months. I look forward to sharing more on this with you shortly.

• New Support for our Youngest Members: We are thrilled to introduce new programs specifically for young children and their parents and carers. Keep an eye out for more information on our T1D Kidz program, which is being proudly supported by Telethon.

• Navigating the Journey Together: Midyear, we will be launching our new T1D Care Navigator service. Supported by the Department of Health, this will be a free service for Western Australians designed to help those living with type 1 navigate the often-complex world of T1D support with ease.

These initiatives are just the beginning of what we are delivering for our community this year. Peter’s leadership of our Board over the last four years has strengthened our foundation, and I am dedicated to moving us forward with that same sense of confidence and purpose.

Thank you for being the community that sustains us. We know that your resilience isn’t a choice - it is found in the 24/7 management, the sleepless nights, and the quiet advocacy you do every single day for yourselves and your loved ones. That strength is what drives me and the team to keep pushing for a brighter, more supported future for everyone living with type 1 diabetes.

With kindness,

Jemma

CEO, Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre