Tibetan Village Project Australia

Project Members

Don Cullen - Chairman

Don Cullen established Tibetan Village Project Australia in early 2005. He has been actively involved in Tibetan culture for the past 48 years and has travelled there many times over the past decade. He developed a great empathy for the Tibetan people who are trying to maintain their Culture, Religion and quality of life. Tibetan Village Project Australia works closely with TVP International on all projects.

Vicki Teschke - Secretary

Vicki Teschke became interested in Tibet and the Tibetan people in 2006 when she heard about the work that Don Cullen was doing with Tibetan Village Project. In 2007 Vicki & her husband Stan joined Don on a Conscious Journey to Tibet to learn more about its people as well as to visit and assist with the humanitarian projects that TVPA continues to support today. Establishing TVPA in Australia will give us the opportunity to be champions of our own projects. Vicki has been in the hospitality industry for many years, franchising a group of restaurants.

Barbara Richards -Committee

Barbara Richards ( a past President of Rotary) is a Retired Nurse of 40 years, who went to Tibet on a Conscious Journey in 2007.
The warmth and generosity of the people there has touched her heart and Barbara still continues to support projects by Tibetan Village Project.

Linda Margrie - Committee

In 2003 I first visited Kham and the Minyak area. I have been going back ever since. It is safe to say I have fallen in love with the people and the beauty of the area. In 2005 I pestered everyone I knew and eventually raised $10,000 and returned to Lhagong to help set up the Khampa Cultural Centre. I guess my commitment to the area comes from meeting the locals and realising that this unique culture is in danger of disappearing. I hope that through showing people that the rest of the world values their culture they will then become proud of their heritage and realise that they can still "get ahead" and "be modern" while also valuing and showcasing their culture to others.

Paul Hilder -Committee

Married with 4 children. Worked in Health Care and Management at the coal face for the past 20 years. I travelled to Tibet with Don Cullen in 2009 where I treated patients in remote villages. Along with an interest in Tibet, I am also a cycling and fitness fanatic. I also have an unhealthy fascination with the Kennedy family!!