Australian Committee Members
Edwina Baily
President
Edwina Baily joined the Australian Committee in January 2023 and assumed the role of President of Zambia’s Child in November 2025. With a degree in Economics and Diploma of Youth and Community Work (Christian), Edwina has worked in Christian not-for profit organisations for over 25 years, serving with both Fusion Australia Ltd and now with Crossroads Prison Ministries. Edwina has worked in a range of youth and community programs, in Christian radio, with local churches and schools, in leadership and management, and more recently in communications and fundraising. She is passionate about seeing lives transformed through education, the alleviation of poverty and the love of Jesus. This passion motivated her to bring her skills and experience to Zambia’s Child. Along with her family, Edwina worships at Turramurra Uniting Church, where she leads a playgroup ministry for local families.
Kim Mukuka (OAM)
Vice President Operations/Founding Member
Kim is a founding member of Zambia’s Child (formerly Blessed to Bless). She graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education in 1998 and has spent 15 years in education, including over 8 years teaching in Christian, public and independent schools in various parts of NSW and over seven years establishing and growing Ipalo Christian Community School in Zambia. She married Zambian man Ralph Mukuka in 2005, and took a break from teaching at the end of 2007 to become a full-time mother (going on to have three children). In August 2012 Kim moved to Zambia with her family to become the Project Manager of Ipalo Christian Community School in Chingola, which was the fulfilment of her vision to see impoverished Zambian children educated. While the school continues to grow, Kim has now returned to Australia where she helps to oversee the work of Zambia’s Child through assisting with fundraising and awareness and also by mentoring and liaising with staff in Zambia.Kim is a founding member of Zambia’s Child (formerly Blessed to Bless). She holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and has over 20 years of experience in education, including 14 years teaching across Christian, public, and independent schools in New South Wales, Australia. She also spent nearly eight years establishing and leading Ipalo Christian Community School in Chingola. Kim married Ralph Mukuka in 2005 and stepped away from full-time teaching in 2007 to focus on raising their three children. In 2012, she relocated with her family to Zambia to serve as Project Manager of Ipalo Christian School – fulfilling her long-held vision to provide quality education to children living in poverty. In June 2025, Kim was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her service to education and her work supporting vulnerable communities in Zambia. Now based in Australia while her own children are being educated, Kim continues to support the work of Zambia’s Child through fundraising, awareness, and ongoing mentoring and liaison with staff in Zambia. She plans to return to Zambia in the coming years to further oversee the continued growth and impact of Ipalo Christian School.
Peter Hutchison
Vice President Administration
Peter joined the Zambia’s Child Committee in May 2014 and serves as Vice President Administration. Peter made his first trip to the projects in Zambia in July 2016. Peter has qualifications in various aspects of management & business and has worked professionally in management consulting and information technology organisations across Asia Pacific in leadership roles for over 25 years. He has extensive experience in Board level governance, risk management & technology. Peter is married to Heather and are raising their three children in East Lindfield and is a member of Living Hope Anglican Church, East Lindfield.
Ros Philips (OAM)
Office Administrator/Sponsorship Program Co-ordinator and Founding Member
Ros Philips is a founding member of Zambia’s Child (formerly Blessed to Bless Inc). She holds a degree in Humanities, in the area of Ancient and Middle Eastern History and Early Christian Studies. Ros spent the first five years of her marriage living in Luxor, Egypt, with her husband. After returning to Australia, she focused on raising their four children while working in flexible banking and administrative roles and supporting the family business. Ros serves as Office Manager and Sponsorship Program Coordinator for Zambia’s Child, where she volunteers full-time. She has visited the organisation’s projects in Zambia on multiple occasions and remains deeply invested in supporting and strengthening its mission. Ros attends Christ Church, St Ives.
David Vernon
Public Officer
David is an Associate of the Governance Institute of Australia, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, and JP with a banking and corporate secretarial background. He worked in Westpac for 25 years from 1970 to 1995. David also worked for twenty years as Assistant Bursar / Administration Manager at Newington College, Stanmore from 1996 to 2015. He is married to Helen with three adult children and five grandchildren and am a member of St Andrew’s Roseville. He hopes to be able to help with the great work that Zambia’s Child is doing to assist the young people and their families in Zambia.
Trudy Lawton
Secretary
Trudy joined the Zambia’s Child Committee in December 2019 having had a growing interest and heart for the organisation as a result of meeting Kim Mukuka a few years previously. She is originally from the UK where she has a background in corporate media operations. Trudy moved to Australia 10 years ago and has since been raising 3 boys alongside her husband Derek. Trudy and her family are members of St David’s Anglican Church in Forestville.
David Abbey
Committee Member
David joined the Australian Committee in November 2022. He has a Diploma in Teaching, Batchelor of Education, a Masters in Educational Leadership specialising in Teacher Professional Development (all from Western Sydney University) and holds a Preliminary Theological Certificate from Moore College. David works as an Early Career Teacher Mentor and Assistant Principal in Western Sydney having previously been a Teaching Principal, Deputy Principal, Consultant as well as 2 years as Headteacher in a one teacher international school in PNG. David and his with Heather attend St Pauls Carlingford and have had extensive involvement as leaders and class members in several Bible study fellowships in Sydney. They have 3 adult sons and 3 grandchildren and are looking forward to visiting Zambia having previously served in 2 mini missions with churches and schools in Uganda.
Bruce York
Committee Member
Bruce joined the Australian Committee in November 2013 and served as President until 2026. He is a Commerce Graduate, CPA and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and JP with a commercial management accounting and corporate secretarial background in major corporates completing his career with Woolworths Limited as National Property Lease Administration Manager in July 2007. He also has an extensive background in not for profit corporates. Bruce was a member of the Mission Team which visited the Zambia’s Child projects in Zambia in July 2014. He is married with three adult children and six grandchildren and is a member of St Peter’s East Lindfield where he has been Missions Committee Chairman.
Peter Baily
Committee Member
Peter has more than 30 years’ experience building and leading franchise and multi‑site organisations, with a strong focus on developing people, strategy and sustainable business growth. He spent a decade with Narellan Pools, joining as COO in 2015 before becoming Managing Director across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. During this time, he led significant expansion, including a merger with North America’s largest pool manufacturer, Latham Pool Products, which later listed on the Nasdaq. Peter’s earlier career included senior leadership roles with Luxottica, Gloria Jean’s Coffees International and Banjo’s Bakehouse. He began his career as a Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ and a Certified Franchise Executive. Today, Peter serves in a portfolio of board, advisory and consulting roles, bringing his passion for strategy, governance and organisational development to both commercial and not‑for‑profit settings. He is committed to supporting Zambia’s Child in its mission to transform communities through Christ‑centred education and opportunity.