Meet the Team

Michelle Davis OAM – Co‑Founder, ROADwhyz Michelle Davis is a mother of three whose passion for road safety stems from the tragic loss of her two teenage sons in a fatal crash at Morpeth in 2005. Their deaths, caused by speeding and loss of control, led Michelle to dedicate herself to preventing other families from experiencing similar heartbreak. She joined forces with Dave, Simon, and Paul, who were already delivering road‑safety education in the community, and together they strengthened the ROADwhyz program.

Michelle shares her personal story with young drivers in a way that is honest, relatable, and deeply impactful. Rather than telling students what to do, she speaks about the consequences left behind—supporting her sons’ friends, navigating grief, and the realities families face after a fatal crash. Her ability to connect with teenagers makes her message both powerful and memorable.

In addition to her work with ROADwhyz, Michelle founded the HOPE Support Group, offering guidance and compassion to parents who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child.

http://www.hopesupport.org.au/

See more of Michelle's story in the documentary 'Out of Tragedy - A Mother's Story'

Paul Alexander – NSW Ambulance Service (Co‑Founder, ROADwhyz) Paul is an was an experienced NSW Ambulance Paramedic with over 20 years of service across Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Hunter Valley. Paul was deeply committed to community road‑safety education, with a strong focus on supporting and guiding young drivers.

Throughout his career, Paul had attended every level of trauma, from minor injuries to severe and fatal crashes. This firsthand experience drove his passion for prevention and education. Prior to his passing, he presented at numerous high schools, speaking to thousands of students about the consequences of risky driving behaviours such as speeding, drink driving, and dangerous decision‑making.

Paul's goal was that every student to leave a ROADwhyz session with a stronger understanding of road safety and the real‑world impact of poor choices behind the wheel. The ROADwhyz team continues to honor Paul's legacy by spreading the message "choice & consequence" , road safety is in your hands!!

Simon Thomas – formally, NSW Police Force (Co‑Founder, ROADwhyz) Simon Thomas, a founding member of the ROADwhyz program, joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1996. Throughout his career he served in general duties and worked across a range of specialist teams, including the Riot Squad, SWAT, and multiple strike forces and special operations units. His extensive frontline experience exposed him to the harsh realities of road trauma and shaped his commitment to early intervention and education.

Simon’s vision for ROADwhyz has always been clear: to help young drivers understand the mistakes that can be made on the road, the true cost of those mistakes, and the importance of addressing risky behaviours before they lead to tragedy. Reflecting on his police work, he once shared, “I have handled the dead; I have searched their clothing and removed their valuables from them. I have tried to dignify the people in an impossible situation; there is nothing dignified in death caused in accidents.”

Although Simon is no longer serving in the Police Force, he continues to hold a strong belief that education is the key to keeping our young drivers safe—a belief that remains at the heart of ROADwhyz today.

Dave Collis – Former NSW Police Force (Co‑Founder, ROADwhyz) Alongside Simon, Dave was an integral part of the beginnings of the ROADwhyz program. At the time, he was a Sergeant in the NSW Police Force with over 16 years of service, including 11 years as a Highway Patrol Officer across the greater Hunter and Central Coast regions. His extensive frontline experience exposed him to the devastating consequences of poor decisions on the road, shaping his determination to help young people make safer choices.

From the very start, Dave’s mission has been simple but powerful: to encourage young people to embrace life—make it great, and make it last. He has always been a staunch advocate for education as the key to keeping young drivers safe, believing that informed choices lead to safer roads and stronger communities.

Today, Dave continues this mission as a learner‑driver instructor, where he takes great pride in raising road‑safety awareness and helping young drivers develop the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to stay safe behind the wheel. His commitment to protecting young lives remains at the heart of everything he does

Peter Birch – Driving Instructor and Former NSW Police / Highway Patrol Officer Peter brings a deep passion for young driver education and a strong commitment to keeping young people safe on our roads. With his background in the NSW Police Force and Highway Patrol, he has witnessed firsthand the consequences of poor decisions behind the wheel. These experiences have shaped his belief that without the right education, young drivers may not fully understand how to protect themselves and others.

Peter is a firm believer in respect on the road—respect for yourself, your passengers, and every other person sharing the space with you. He sees this as the foundation of safe driving and responsible decision‑making.

Now working as a driving instructor, Peter channels his experience into guiding young drivers with patience, clarity, and genuine care. He is an extremely active supporter of ROADwhyz and presents at almost every school session, where his relatable approach and strong safety message leave a lasting impact on students.

The following people are also regular presenters at ROADwhyz

Rodney Minter Jeanine Bond Senior Constable Adam Nathan Langham Scott Hardes

Newcastle Highway NSW Ambulance Scott NSW Police Force Air crewman Westpac paramedic

Patrol Traffic & Highway Patrol Westpac Rescue

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