Our Founders

The Founders of TLC for Kids, Tim Conolan AM and Ana Darras AM, created the organisation in 1998 after recognising that sick children and their families were often slipping through the cracks of traditional support systems. Guided by lived experience, research, and a commitment to practical care, they built an organisation that responds quickly, offers comfort, and brings relief in moments that matter.

Tim Conolan AM

Over the past thirty years, Tim Conolan AM has dedicated himself to supporting children and families. Along the way, he has drawn on personal experiences from his own childhood and from his early volunteer work.His approach has always centred on compassion, innovation, and the belief that every child deserves support that meets them right where they are.

In 1998, Tim established TLC for Kids with his long term partner, Ana Darras AM, after a moment that changed the course of his life. As a young entrepreneur invited to speak at a cancer support group camp, he met children who were facing serious illness with extraordinary courage. Because of this, their needs, along with the clear gaps in existing services, inspired him to create a charity that could respond immediately and provide practical support and distraction during frightening and uncertain moments.

TLC for Kids was built to help children who are distressed, those who fall outside traditional service criteria, and those with less common illnesses and diseases. Today, the organisation provides immediate relief, comfort, and practical support to sick children and their families, regardless of their illness, condition, or background.

Tim was awarded Australian of the Year Local Hero in 2014 and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for his service to sick children and their families. With passion and unmistakable positivity, he has led TLC for Kids’ remarkable growth, and his mission remains clear, to ensure every child in every hospital in Australia has the support they need when it matters most.

I believe that any sick child, regardless of their illness, has a right to support… and all sick children should have the opportunity to smile”
– Tim Conolan AM

Australian of the Year

2014 Local Hero

In 2014 he was honoured to receive the Australian of the Year Local Hero Award and the Ernst and Young Social Entrepreneur Award for the Southern Region. Tim also is an Australia Day Ambassador. And in 2019, he also became a Member of the Order of Australia. (AM). These platforms have been invaluable in helping Tim do what he loves most – helping sick kids.

Ana Darras AM

To begin, Ana Darras AM brings more than three decades of experience across the nonprofit, media, retail, PR, and political sectors. Her career reflects a clear focus on community service and practical impact. Along the way, her early work in media and communications built a strong foundation in community engagement and public advocacy. As a result, these skills later supported the creation and growth of TLC for Kids.

Over the years, Ana has worked in several key roles. She has been an International Designers Assistant Buyer at David Jones, a Ministerial Officer with the Australian Federal Government across Defence and Foreign Affairs, and a PR and Media Officer for major fundraising appeals at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Through these roles, she developed a deep understanding of public needs, strong stakeholder relationships, and the value of clear communication during challenging moments.

In 1998, Ana co founded TLC for Kids with Tim Conolan AM. From that moment, her empathy, inclusive mindset, and practical approach helped shape programs that are accessible, responsive, and focused on the real needs of sick children and their families. Since then, TLC for Kids has delivered more than 17.2 million moments of care across Australia.

Today, Ana continues to dedicate her time to supporting children in crisis. Through this commitment, she has helped guide TLC for Kids as it provides immediate distraction and relief to children facing distress, regardless of their illness or background.

In recognition of her contributions to children’s health and wellbeing, Ana was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023.

I am passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families facing difficult times.
Working at TLC for Kids allows me to combine my skills and compassion to provide crucial support during challenging medical journeys.
– Ana Darras AM

Ana Darras

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Ana has dedicated numerous years to providing support to sick children and their families during their most challenging times. Her positive and proactive approach is an inspiration to us all, and it's clear that her commitment has played a vital role in our organisation's success.

Get to know Tim and Ana more…

Extensive experience

With over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, Tim and Ana have built strong relationships with hospitals, healthcare professionals, and volunteers.

The Founders of TLC for Kids created the organisation to ensure no child faces distressing hospital moments without immediate support. They have committed to ensuring that every child facing adversity receives the care and assistance they deserve. Tim’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in expanding TLC for Kids’ reach across Australia.

Australian of the Year Awards 2014

Across Australia, more than 3000 public nominations help determine the Australian of the Year Award recipients.

The Commonwealth Bank has been the major sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for 35 years. Chief Executive Officer, Ian Narev, congratulated the 2014 award recipients.

“The Australian of the Year Awards are a great honour, made even more special because everyday Australians nominate their peers for recognition, the award recipients for 2014 represent the very best of us. They are achievers whose passion and commitment bring about change for the benefit of this great nation.”
CBA Chief Executive Officer, Ian Narev

One Nomination is all it takes…

We encourage you to consider nominating someone you might know for an Australian of the Year Award.

Raising Awareness

Through their tireless efforts, Tim and Ana have brought national attention to the often unseen challenges faced by vulnerable children and the families supporting them. As a result, they have become strong advocates for children’s rights. They continue to champion faster and more compassionate responses within hospitals, clinics, and support services. In turn, their work has shifted conversations in the broader community. It has encouraged people to recognise the emotional weight carried by young patients and the need for practical, accessible help during difficult moments.

Beyond this, Tim and Ana’s compassion and determination have inspired many individuals, organisations, and supporters to stand alongside them. Through their leadership, a culture of shared responsibility has grown. Communities now feel more empowered to help improve the experience of children navigating illness or trauma.

Today, the impact of their advocacy is felt nationwide. Today, the programs they built continue to ease stress, reduce fear, and bring comfort to families when support is needed most. In turn, Tim and Ana have shown what is possible when awareness is paired with purpose.

Through their ongoing commitment, they continue to shape better outcomes for children across Australia.