Kerryn Boogaard

Kerryn is the co-founder and co-director of TWC. Kerryn is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with a wealth of experience across the multi-faceted arena of nutrition and dietetics. Kerryn has worked in the hospital system, private clinics, sport nutrition, and a nutrition focused cooking school. She found her love of detailed and complex teaching in the field of diabetes education. Her ability to unravel the fear and uncertainty and to instill self-assurance and guidance for people with a health diagnosis has set her role in the community as a trusted, practical voice.

With the gamut of Kerryn’s experience, creating her own business was inevitable to close the gap in hands-on practical cooking and nutrition education in the community. Meeting Mary, while working together in the nutrition department of a hospital was serendipitous. A kindred spirt with the same drive, tenacity and purpose. They shared a vision and made it a reality. The melding of their skills and focus has resulted in an award-winning social enterprise that does meet the needs of a society who is confused about the basic practical skills and knowledge required to care for themselves.

Kerryn’s natural ability to connect, converse and care for everyone she meets with a sparkle in her smile, instantly puts people at ease, no matter the adversities they are currently facing. This innate ability is a reason The Wholesome Collective enjoys a reliable, innovative reputation as a leader in practical nutrition and cooking education.

Mary Wills

Mary is the co-founder and co-director of The Wholesome Collective. Mary is a Home Economist, a long misunderstood term and yet a vital link in cooking skill and recipe literacy education.

Mary’s love of cooking and teaching has led her on a varied career path including working in nutrition in the hospital system, managing two cooking schools, working alongside many food celebrities, recipe development in the iconic The Australian Women’s Weekly test kitchen and a contributor to many publications. Mary has worked in the disability sector showing people trust in their untapped abilities to create meals, including cutting skills, recipe reading, following a sequence of instructions, instilling pride in their creative abilities and reassurance of their place in society as a valued member.

Her ultimate dream came true in the creation of The Wholesome Collective with Kerryn Boogaard. Together they form a team meshing all aspects of nutrition and cooking education. Their unique style of communication and education reaches communities across Australia. The unstoppable drive they share to meet the needs of individuals and communities living in varied social circumstances is a tribute to their aptitude to reach people and offer them a sense of inclusion and self worth.

Her sense of humour and compassion are attributes highly regarded as part of The Wholesome Collective team.

rebecca Beaton

Rebecca is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. She works in the community and private practice alongside people facing many different health conditions and circumstances. Through experience, Rebecca offers practical nutrition information and advice to meet their living conditions. As part of Rebecca’s role with TWC, she works in the indigenous community and is well respected for her understanding and considered conversation.

Growing up surrounded by a family of keen gardeners and home cooks inspired a love of fresh produce and healthy eating. Sharing this love of food and health inspired a career in nutrition.

Rebecca enjoys helping others to achieve optimal health and wellbeing by bringing enthusiasm and positivity to achieve individual goals. Her quiet and calm manner is reassuring and is well suited to clients who may be anxious, especially as they come to terms with a diagnosis or long-term health barrier. When given a task or meeting a new client, Rebecca is prepared having done her research. She is a genuine asset to the TWC team and brings reassurance to clients.

Kate Simpson

Kate is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with over 15 years experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings in Newcastle and the Central Coast.

She completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) at the University of Newcastle in 2007 and has since worked with adults with a vast range of medical conditions and disabilities including diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition, respiratory conditions, neurological disorders including stroke, and critical care. More recently Kate has gained extensive experience in working with clients living with a variety of mental illnesses, including those with disordered eating and body image concerns, and practices from a Health At Every Size lens.  

Kate takes a holistic approach and loves getting to know people (and their teams of supports around them), encouraging them to achieve their individualised nutrition goals, and improve their physical health, mental health, and overall quality of life. Kate is passionate about working with clients to increase their knowledge, skills, and navigate nutrition and all that it encompasses in a person’s everyday life. She listens to and works with people to meet them where they are at, and together overcome any challenges that arise along the recovery journey.

Kate lives and breathes what she preaches to others, embracing each opportunity to nourish herself and her family, and incorporate enjoyable movement into each day. When not working you can find her in the ocean, training for that next running event, seeking out good coffee or a local market, dreaming of Australian travel, and spending time outdoors with her family.