*meet our training staff

Ken & Robyn Mulligan

Role: Directors

Ken and Robyn Mulligan left their small rural farming community in central New South Wales to work as full time volunteers with YWAM. In 1992, after several years serving in Brisbane, the Mulligans, along with their 2 children Nathan and Carla, moved to Townsville to re-pioneer the work of YWAM – Reef to Outback.

Ken, Robyn, and their small team came with a hope in their hearts to help young people throughout North Queensland and in the rural areas in northern Australia. Coupled with this was a hope to see young Aussies trained up and equipped to be able to help serve in Asia and the Pacific Islands from a hub in Townsville.

The early days began with a small group of people living in an all-in-one house, office, and training centre, all serving as full time volunteers. Nearly 20 years later, many people know the big warehouse on Ingham Road – the YWAM Reef to Outback training centre, and to hundreds of kids around Townsville, YWAM is a place of inspiration, hope, and love.

Ken and Robyn have been full-time volunteers in the Townsville community since the early 90′s and are currently directors of YWAM Townsville where 80+ volunteer staff from around the world serve alongside them. Ken was honoured for his efforts as Townsville’s Citizen of the Year in 2008.

In addition to serving as the Director of YWAM Reef to Outback, Ken also serves in a number of other roles:

YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director
ARMS International
YWAM Australia Executive
YWAM Queensland & Northern Territory Director

Joanne Blaik

Role: Training Director

Joanne Blaik trained as a secondary English/Geography teacher and worked within the Queensland State Education system before beginning a career with YWAM.

Joanne joined YWAM in 1995, initially involved in administration, communication, and PA to the State Director. During that time, she kept her hand in teaching as a TESOL trainer and ESL teacher at various times. In addition, she was guest lecturer for a number of different training programs within YWAM.

Transferring to YWAM Reef to Outback in 1999, Joanne has spent the past 12 years focussing on training and training development. This has included the establishment and management of our Registered Training Organisation, accreditation of course curriculum, and the day to day running of our training courses.

“My passion still lies in the area of teaching, and I have had many opportunities to teach on our training programs and at other locations, seeing the lives of young people challenged and equipped.”

Helen Middleton

Role: Discipleship Training School Leader

Hailing from the UK’s beautiful Channel Islands, Helen was formally trained as a physio. Though she still loves to provide health care and health training, she subsequently developed a love for travel and for ships working aboard Disney Cruise Ships. Landing in Australia, she took that passion to the next level with a commitment to develop young leaders by pioneering the very first YWAM Medical Ship DTS.

Kim Close

Role: Discipleship Training School Leader

Kim has an incredible heart for justice and the nations and is passionate about bringing hope to the broken-hearted. Originally from Canada, Kim has received formal education in counselling. She loves her job helping to mentor, develop, and train young leaders and is looking forward to combining her passion for discipleship and justice through our ‘Not For Sale’ DTS. Kim also serves on our Training Development Team.

Mena & Shey Tuibua

Role: Discipleship Training School Leaders

Mena and Shey Tuibua have pioneered and are currently leading the Pacific Discipleship Training School. They met here at YWAM Townsville, Mena is from Fiji and Shey is from the Gold Coast, Australia. They have two beautiful children, Resina their oldest daughter and their son Viliame. They have a passion to see the indigenous youth of the Pacific Region empowered.

Naomi Emerson

Role: Discipleship Training School Leader

Naomi is practically a local girl, growing up in rural North Queensland, making her one of our best Reef to Outback DTS leaders. With a desire to impact the youth of her own country and beyond, Naomi has a gift of helping individuals find their purpose in life and helping to equip them in that. Naomi also oversees our Immigration Team and assists with the Training Development Team.

Fiona Saxby

Role: Discipleship Training School Leader

In 2003, Fiona, a local Aussie girl, jumped at the opportunity to be a part of YWAM Townsville. Passionate about seeing youth live their lives to the fullest and with a belief that everyone has something to offer, she has focussed her energy into developing young people and championing them to make a real difference with their lives. Leading YWAM Townsville’s youth ministries and the July Youth DTS, her heart and desire is to make missions fun, impacting and real.

Ben Bishop

Role: Discipleship Training School Leader

Ben is from out west in Queensland and has a drive to learn what it is to walk with God. He has an adventurous spirit that does not settle for “normal” and loves to challenge people to get the most out of their lives. Ben loves being a part of people getting breakthrough in their lives with the purpose of taking that personal breakthrough and using it to further the kingdom of God.

Chrissie Willker

Role: Bible Core Course School Leader

Originally from Northern Germany, Chrissie has always loved travelling and other cultures. But even more so is her passion for people deepening their relationship with God. Chrissie loves to come alongside people in their journey and seeing them live up to their potential. As part of that, her heart is for young people to understand the context of the Bible and develop a love of reading and studying God’s Word but also applying the principles to their lives.

Casey Unruh

Role: Introduction to Primary Healthcare Course Leader

Coming from the west coast of the United States, Casey loves a good adventure. She has a huge heart for the poor and needy and has her hand in leading clinics in the ships ministry. Casey has a passion for training and developing health care in the nation of PNG and loves that she gets to train and equip young people in health care so that they can take their skills to the nations.