Over the past number of years, zo-ee has donated over $300, 000 towards research for Motor Neurone Disease and continues to raise money by holding events such as our annual cocktail party “MotorOn”.
zo-ee was formed in 2005 by a group of close young professional friends after a committee member’s mother was diagnosed with MND.
Apart from raising funds for research and creating a greater awareness for the disease, zo-ee is dedicated to supporting sufferers of MND and their families by trying to defeat this low profile, but fatal disease.
Click here to view our zo-ee Research Grant funded projects.
Our Volunteers
- Gina Gonis – President & Co-founder of zo-ee
Gina is President and co-founder of zo-ee, and was inspired to join Karen and the team in launching zo-ee after Karen’s mother’s illness with the disease. Gina’s a law clerk in her professional time, but is passionate about people from all walks of life and getting out and about.- Marcus King – Vice President
Marcus has been with the zo-ee team for a few years now, and brings to zo-ee his expertise in business development and stakeholder management to ensure zo-ee can continue to grow successfully. Marcus loves to take new members under his wing to ensure their individual skills and attributes flourish in a team environment.- Karen Mustica – Founder of zo-ee
zo-ee was established in 2005 by Karen following her mother’s diagnosis of MND. Feeling helpless about the prospect of facing a disease which has no cure, Karen inspired a group of friends to get together and raise money in the way they knew best – throw a party! In February 2006, the first MotorOn ball raised an astounding $25,000, and the rest is history. Karen has now stepped outside of the spotlight to focus on having her third child, but attends regular meetings and encourages the team from the sidelines.
Brett Barraclough – Committee Member
Brett joined zo-ee in 2010 after reading Karen’s letter “A Word for Life’ in the MNDA newsletter. Brett’s father passed away in 2007. Brett works as a radiation therapist at the Peter Macallum Cancer Centre and is a highly talented artist.
Carmen Saywell – Sponsorship Coordinator
Carmen recently joined zo-ee after being inspired by a friend’s journey with MND. She’s just moved back to Melbourne after travelling the world and decided she wanted to get involved in something that was rewarding, as well as fun!
Ally Probert – Committee Member
Ally has recently joined the zo-ee team. Motor Neuron Disease has tragically taken the lives of her Father, Grandmother and 3 other family members. Ally is inspired in work of researchers and wants to contribute to ensure we see a cure.
Sammy Botari – Committee Member
Sammy lost his best friend – his father in March 2011. As is often the case, Sammy’s father was mis-diagnosed some time, with the correct diagnosis only coming 6 months prior to his passing. Sammy is a real estate agent which keeps him seriously busy, but nothing keeps him from his real passion passed down from his father, cooking (but not necessarily cleaning up!).
Lisa Kastaniotis– Committee Member
Lisa joined zo-ee because her friend George has been living with MND for years and his fighting spirit inspired her to take action. Lisa works for the Cancer Council as a program manager for donors and bequests and brings this professional experience to zo-ee. Lisa loves 80s music and dancing (badly, but enthusiastically!)
Krystal Sarandis– Committee Member
Krystal’s father, Nick was recently diagnosed with MND, and with little known by her family of the disease has embarked on a journey that so many Australian’s must face each year. Her father is her inspiration and her family a pillar of strength, and with zo-ee hope to help others affected by MND. Krystal works within the fashion industry which helps her ‘explore’ another two passions, shopping and travelling!
Leanne Delis – Volunteer & Co-Founder
Leanne is a co-founder of zo-ee and has a very strong passion for the committee. Leanne’s aim is to create awareness and raise funds for MND by giving her time and encouraging others to support zo-ee through sponsorship and attending events. Leanne was born in Melbourne and has been working in the Recruitment industry for over 8 years. Leanne also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, travelling and looking after her well-being.
Melanie Pasias – Volunteer
Melanie joined zo-ee in 2009 after her father was diagnosed with MND. She was excited that such a group existed and felt that it was important to be able to do something positive and be pro-active during that time. Melanie is committed to raising funds for MND until a cure is found. Melanie works as a lawyer.
Chantal Reigo – Volunteer
James Hayes – Volunteer
James joined zo-ee a few years ago and has focused on acquiring donated items for MotorOn silent and loud auctions – which continue to be a successful contributor to zo-ee’s annual fundraising.