Justin grew up on the Gold Coast, where life revolved around surfing, football, and time with mates. He speaks with deep love and appreciation for his parents, who shaped his values of hard work, kindness, and responsibility toward others.

Justin completed a trade as a greenkeeper and later studied theology and psychology. He served in ministry for many years, supporting people experiencing homelessness and children who had experienced trauma and abuse. Thirty years ago, a trip to Thailand with World Vision brought him into contact with deep poverty and the reality faced by many girls at risk of exploitation. That experience became a turning point, shaping a lifelong commitment to prevention and protection work.

Justin started building relationships with organisations including World Vision and Tearfund Australia, as well as schools, churches, NGOs, and local partners across Australia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. He established OTV in Australia and the foundation in Thailand, developing community-based prevention programs focused on reducing girls’ vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

Developing OTV has been difficult and often exhausting. There has been financial pressure, challenging environments, and ongoing real challenges on the ground. It has required persistence over many years. But the focus has not changed: building practical, community-based prevention programs that reduce vulnerability and strengthen protection for girls and families.

Today, OTV continues to work with schools, churches, village leaders, and families across Thailand and the Mekong region to support safer environments for children and strengthen long-term community protection systems.

“As we look ahead, I’m excited about what’s possible. We’ve learned so much, and now we can use that to help even more children and families,” Justin says.