Melanie Tate, an Icon of Change in Australia

Icons of Change International Awards 2026
International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development

Melanie Tate
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Social Entrepreneur | Community Impact Leader
Australia

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Changemaker for Vulnerable Children, Social Inclusion, and Volunteer-Led Community Impact (Australia)

Melanie Tate is a purpose-driven social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader whose work has transformed the lives of vulnerable children and young people across Australia. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Puddle Jumpers, Melanie has spent more than a decade building a values-led organisation dedicated to one simple but powerful belief: all children matter, and every child deserves joy, belonging, and opportunity.

At the heart of Melanie’s impact is SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Puddle Jumpers focuses on children and young people who do not live with their birth parents—many of whom face systemic disadvantage, trauma, and social exclusion. Through carefully designed programs that prioritise fun, adventure, emotional safety, and personal growth, Melanie has created inclusive environments where children are empowered to recognise their strengths, build resilience, and believe in what is possible for their futures.

Melanie’s leadership model is intentionally human-centred. Puddle Jumpers’ programs—often described as helping children “jump over puddles” and “jump in all the puddles”—combine play, challenge, and connection to support social development, emotional wellbeing, and self-confidence. These experiences are not add-ons; they are strategic interventions that restore childhood, foster belonging, and reduce long-term inequality by addressing emotional and social needs early.

A defining feature of Melanie’s work is volunteer mobilisation and leadership development. Through Puddle Jumpers’ “Ripple Effect,” she has created meaningful pathways for volunteers—particularly young adults—to engage in community service with purpose. Volunteers receive training, mentorship, and ongoing support, enabling them to grow as socially conscious leaders while forming genuine, life-changing relationships with the children they support. This volunteer-first model multiplies impact, strengthens community cohesion, and builds sustainable social capital.

Prior to founding Puddle Jumpers, Melanie served for nearly nine years as Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Camps SA, where she led life-changing residential and day programs for children and young people facing adversity. This experience shaped her strengths-based, relationship-led approach—meeting people where they are, recognising potential over circumstance, and delivering support with empathy and dignity.

Melanie’s leadership and impact have been recognised nationally, including the Pride of Australia Medal (South Australian Winner and National Editor’s Choice), the Joy Noble Medal awarded by the Premier of South Australia.