2026 STAFF TEAM
Anna Winneke
Interim Director
I’m from: Castlemain (25 years just gone), many places prior to that and Burrowye (NE Victoria) as a kid.
My connection to Mittagundi is:
A serial volunteer and all-round pest over the past 30 odd years.
My favourite Mittagundi moment is:
Early morning with the mist in the valley and knowing someone else is lighting the stoves!
My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“Relish 10 days in this wildly beautiful place, and remember it is possibly the last valley in Victoria that doesn’t have mobile phone reception! (one day you will remember the pertinence of this!).”
3 things I love are:
★ Cold water swimming.
★ The smell of sweaty horses.
★ Walking over Will’s paddock as the sun is setting.
My best adventure yet has been: Having 4 days of saying yes to the directorship, throwing my life in my car…and the drive back into the hills of NE Victoria.
“Anna is committed to Mittagundi like a river is to it’s course. She is equally happy asking for help and having a crack at something herself. She loves a swim in the river and thrives on productivity and getting the job done. Anna wants everyone to thrive at Mittagundi for the the year and get the most out of their time here.”
Jarvis
Leader
Hey, I’m Jarvis!
I’m from: The Mornington Peninsula.
My connection to Mittagundi is: I'm a second-generation young person who fell in love with the farm from day dot.
My favourite Mittagundi moment is: sitting around the campfire and stargazing all night.
My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“come in with an open mind, and the more you give to Mittagundi the more that you’ll get out of it.”
3 things I love are:
★ Working on cars.
★ Taking photos of our beautiful home.
★ Non-stop quoting movies and shows.
My best adventure yet has been: a solo adventure from Wollangarra back to Mittagundi and confirming that we have the better farm.
“ “Jarvis can always be found with a big smile on his face. He is always up for an adventure and truly brings such a fun, silly energy to everything we do. He loves cars and anything engine related but is also incredible with a camera. He is so kind and caring, always there for chat and a big belly laugh””
Annabelle
Leader
Hey, I’m Annie!
I’m from: Castlemaine.
My connection to Mittagundi is:
I came to Mittagundi as a young person and came back because I loved it so much,
My favourite Mittagundi moment is:
Sitting around the kitchen table in the morning or late at night, and watching the trees emerge from the mist in the early mornings. My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“Say yes to everything and give it a go, you might just love it!”
3 things I love are:
★ Good chats around the campfire.
★ Exciting adventures.
★ Eating delicious food.
My best adventure yet has been: Making amazing friends who also love wild places.
“Annie is charismatic, silly, and endlessly fun. She knows exactly how to spark up a fun time for those around her. She’s just as quick to show up for her horses as she is to bring the team soup in bed if they need it.”
Louis
Leader
Hey, I’m Louis! I’m from: I’m from Albury, but I’ve been living in Sydney for the past few years finishing my science degree.
My connection to Mittagundi is:
I came to Mittagundi a young person in 2019 (where I met Caitlin for the first time!) and haven’t been able to stay away since!
My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“Mittagundi is such a fun place to spend time when you embrace it for everything that it is. Getting the chance to disconnect from everything is so rare, and when you get to do it alongside a bunch of other young people, even boring jobs like doing the dishes are so fun! …also, bring one more pair of warm socks than you think you need.”
My favourite Mittagundi moment is: Finding time for a shower before dinner, when the view out into the bush is all soft and golden, and the air is a little crisp and smokey, and the water is piping hot!
3 things I love are:
★ Mountains in summer when the wildflowers are out;
★ Clouds that are super dramatic and catch the light in interesting ways.
★ being sent photos from a disposable camera that a friend took ages ago, and I forgot all about.
My best adventure yet has been:
A two-night horse ride in the high plains a few years ago, sleeping in a swag under the stars.
“Louis is caring, hilarious and ridiculously clever. He’s always able to captivate you with his endless knowledge of anything and everything. His dry humour and quick wit will never fail to make you laugh!”
Caitlin
Leader
Hey, I’m Caity!
I’m from: The Yarra Valley
My connection to Mittagundi is:
I first came on my 10 day in 2019 then I came back on as many follow ups as possible, once I turned 18, I volunteered quite and a few times, and now after completing my cert 4 in outdoor leadership last year I feel so ready to finally be staff, Mittagundi has always been such a special safe place for me.
My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“Enjoy every moment, even the hard ones, you’ll remember these 10 days forever.”
My favourite Mittagundi moment is: Sitting around the dining room table with a group of new people sharing laughs, good food, and stories.
3 things I love are:
★ Swimming/ anything water related.
★ Hiking, having everything you need on your back and just putting on foot in front of the other.
★ cooking for my loved ones.
My best adventure yet has been: Lots of little adventures on hot afternoons trying to find the best swimming spots on the Mitta Mitta.
“Caity is a loyal, caring friend who has the most contagious smile and laugh. She loves adventures, cooking and never turns down a swim (I think she may be a fish). She also has some of the best dinner performing skills and she’ll be bringing them back this year so watch out!”
Isabella
Leader
Hey, I’m Bella!I’m from: Melbourne and Barnawartha.
My connection to Mittagundi is: I came for the first time in 2024 on a boy’s 10-day program for my placement during my cert 4 in outdoor leadership. I fell in love with Mittagundi from the first moment I sat in the dining area and looked out on the Knocker. I came back again as a volley and that solidified my enthusiasm to work here at this beautiful place!
My advice to the young people coming on program this year is:
“Slow down and enjoy the simplicity of the Mittagundi pace. My hope is that every young person soaks up the Mittagundi magic and takes away a few new lessons and findings about themselves. ”
My favourite Mittagundi moment is:
Getting to look out my window each morning at the beautiful trees behind our cabins, sometimes amongst the morning fog or is the golden sunrise light.
3 things I love are:
★ Creating! I love to paint, doodle, sew, crochet and journal.
★ I love food! Food is just so good, isn’t it?
★ Hiking! I am a pretty big fan of the way walking for hours lets your thoughts wander and how conversations arise with people which you’d never have anywhere else but on the trail.
My best adventure yet has been: I traveled to Europe in September last year. Specifically, the incredible time I had solo hiking the Tour Du Mount Blanc trail through the Italian, French and Swiss Alps over 9 days. I’ve never seen anything more incredible in my life. The TV cannot capture what it’s really like to stand amongst those mountains, go see for yourself!
“Bella is the bundle of sparkle and joy on our team. She’s always the one to bring up the mood, Bella’s sweetness and kindness is always there when we need it most. She also has a beautiful artistic touch (as you’ll see in the summer newsletter!), and an eye for the small details that has the farm feeling a bit like a boutique bush retreat! I’m so excited to work with Bella this year, because she’s the last piece of the puzzle that locks our team together”
Heather Tottenham
Bookings & Communications Coordinator / Accounts
Heather is your go-to person at Mittagundi for bookings and communications and any accounts enquiries.
Heather and her family live in Mount Beauty and get to enjoy the year-round beauty of living by the bush and mountains.
When not tripping over her three boys ski boots and cricket bats or her dog Cupsie, Heather loves to travel, speak Thai, read, ski and laugh with friends.
