Meet our guest speakers
Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
Dr. Anne Pattel-Gray Ph.D.; D.D.- Key Note Speaker
Professor Anne Pattel-Gray is the Head of the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity, Melbourne Australia, and a member of the Uniting Church in Australia. She previously held the position of Executive Secretary and founded the establishment of the Aboriginal and Islander Commission with the Australian Council of Churches/National Council of Churches in Australia from 1989-1998. She had organised all the Indigenous participation in the 1991 World Council of Churches 7th Assembly in Canberra. She was responsible for the establishment of the Indigenous Desk at the WCC, and she brings a very long history of advocating on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Professor Pattel-Gray has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Sydney awarded in 1995 in the Studies of Religion with the major focus on Indigenous Religion and Spirituality. And a Doctor of Divinity from India awarded in 1997. Pattel-Gray has recently been appointed to the World Council of Churches (WCC), Commission for World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) and historically she worked with WCC from the late 80s through to early 2000s on commissions such as the Program to Combat Racism, Urban Rural Mission, and she twice presented at Central Committee on Indigenous Issues.
During her time as the national administrator with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, of the Uniting church in Australia. She organised the largest Indigenous protest march of over 50,000 people – The March for Justice, Freedom and Hope led by the Rev Charles Harris in 1988 against the bi-centenary. Professor Pattel-Gray has achieved many firsts in her prestigious life, and she is known as a trailblazer, she has opened many doors for her people. She is a recognized scholar, theologian, activist and prolific writer with several publications. Professor Anne Pattel-Gray is a descendant of the Bidjara Nation in Queensland and a renowned Aboriginal leader within Australia – nationally and internationally. She has dedicated her life to the struggle of First Nations people as a strong campaigner, lobbyist towards seeking justice, equity and equal representation for First Nations people.
Alice Cawardine
Alice Cawardine is a teacher in Brisbane Catholic Education and also works for Caritas Australia in the Catholic Earthcare team. She started her 'ecological conversion' journey by going zero-waste for Lent in 2018 and started her own website Overturnthetables.net to share her journey. Cawardine also has a Masters in Theology with a focus on Eco-Theology.
Jane Ward
With more than 25 years’ experience in education Jane Ward serves as the Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching at Kilbreda College. Jane is passionate about continuous improvement and providing opportunities for staff and students to flourish. Since joining the Kilbreda community in 2020 Jane has attained accreditation as a National Teacher Certification Assessor and is currently studying her Masters of Educational Leadership at ACU. Jane enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to design curriculum that provides opportunities to inspire and support learners to thrive in a contemporary world that will enable them to live a life of purpose and make a positive impact in their communities.
Nidean Dickson
The Suspend Judgement Program is a cocurricular program offered at Brigidine College for students in Year 10-12 to engage in extension learning about Holocaust education. This workshop will provide insight into the design of the Suspend Judgement Program and provide an opportunity to engage in understanding the role of the program in promoting empathy and humanity through a unique offering that could be brought into the classrooms at other schools.
Brigidine College, St. Ives
Francis Sullivan AO
Francis Sullivan AO is a teacher, administrator, and leader in health care organisations, who was CEO of the Catholic Church in Australia's Truth, Justice and Healing Council In addition to being the previous Secretary-General of the Australian Medical Association, he was the chief executive officer of Catholic Health Australia from 1994 to 2008. In 2020, Sullivan was honoured for his services to the community as an Officer of the Order of Australia (A0). In 2019, Sullivan retired to act as a board member throughout different Catholic organisations operating within Australia, including Mercy Health.
Fr. Richard Leonard
Fr Richard Leonard- is a Jesuit priest. He has degrees in arts and education, a Master’s degree in theology and has a PhD from the University of Melbourne. Dr Leonard is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Catholic University and a Visiting Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is presently the parish priest of North Sydney. Fr Richard has been published in America Magazine, Eureka Street, US Catholics, is regular columnist with The London Tablet and is often on ABC Radio. He is the author of 13 books.
Dr. Matthew Tyne
Dr Matthew Tyne - is an Academic Facilitator at the National Centre for Cultural Competence- NCCC for the University of Sydney. He worked for over 15 years in international community development in the Indo Pacific region, where he worked on various applied theatre projects with local activists/actors/ teachers and community groups. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (School of Drama), he recently completed his PhD (Theatre and Performance Studies, USYD), a performance ethnography that explores how gay men in Colombo use theatre for advocacy and site of discussion for the issues that are important to them. He is of mixed settler and Kamilaroi ancestry and lives on Gadigal country.
Dr. Robbie Lloyd
Dr Robbie Lloyd- is a professional educator, mental health worker, writer and reform agent in community health, youth, disability & ageing support, and alcohol & other drugs reform. He has worked for over 30 years in frontline community-based mental health and alcohol & other drugs support across Australia, in New Zealand, Indonesia and India. Having taught in schools at all levels since 1972, Robbie has seen the diverse range of challenges young people face. He also specialises in mental health and AOD reform, aiming to strengthen Community Mental Health and Wellbeing by valuing Lived Experience and Peer Support over the domination of the Clinical Medical Model.
Clonard College, Geelong
Sally Neaves
Sally Neaves is the Integral Ecology Animator for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Her role involves overseeing the 7 Laudato Si’ Goals and managing projects like “Slow the Flow – Eugowra”.
Dr. Elissa Roper
Dr Elissa Roper is passionate about renewing the Catholic Church’s understanding of the People of God as baptismal in identity and missionary in discipleship.Elissa is a sessional academic with ACU and working for the Sisters of Mercy has been the Manager of the Program of Theology in PNG & Solomon Islands. Dr Elissa Roper is an Australian theologian specialising in ecclesiology and synodality.
Paul Spence
Paul Gerard Spence is a Spiritual Director, Professional Supervisor, Education Consultant. Paul has been an educator in Catholic Education for 39 years as Principal, Deputy Principal and Religious Education Leader. Qualifying as a Spiritual Director and Professional Supervisor as a second career. Paul has worked in Africa, Bangladesh, Singapore and South Africa as an International Development Manager. Paul works with individuals, schools, faith communities and private enterprise in the areas of Spirituality and Leadership, Vision and Mission, Culture, Governance, Professional Supervision and Spiritual Direction. Retirement is looming.
Kerrin Smith
Kerrin Smith is an innovative leader energised by empowering staff and students to make meaningful changes to their communities. Kerrin has held several leadership positions in teaching, learning, and wellbeing during his twelve years in secondary schools across Victoria. He commits to lifelong learning and holds a Master's in Education and Educational Leadership from Australian Catholic University. He is studying for a Master of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Kerrin describes his greatest passion as contextualising evidence-based practices and building tangible approaches to implementation in educational settings.
Tasneem Chopra OAM
Tasneem Chopra OAM - A Cross-cultural Consultant, Tasneem addresses issues of equity and belonging through an intersectional lens within leadership of government, corporate, arts and community sectors. Tasneem has developed diversity equity and inclusive policies (DE&I), managed projects, curated exhibitions, run leadership programs, and executed engagement strategies for a broad spectrum of clients for over two decades. For her efforts she was appointed the inaugural Ambassador for Women of Colour, Australia, is an Anti-Racism Champion for the Australian Human Rights Commission and was awarded an OAM in 2020 for her work in championing diversity.
Joe McCarthy
Joe McCarthy - is a Catholic leader that advocates for co-responsibility in adult faith leadership. He is also a long time educator, recently the Deputy Principal, Faith & Mission at Santa Maria College, Northcote. Recently, Joe transitioned to Mercy Health in the area of Mission Leadership and Formation for Health Services. Joe is married with three grown up children, the youngest of whom is doing Year 12. He has learnt that storytelling, participation and drawing on the ideas of participants are crucial for a good workshop experience. Joe has degrees in Science and Theology, and a Masters in Theological Studies.
Kildare College, Adelaide
Mr. Leon Furze
Mr Leon Furze is a consultant, author, and PhD candidate with over fifteen years' experience in secondary and tertiary education. Leon has held roles at multiple levels of school and board leadership, including Director of Teaching and Learning, Head of English, and eLearning. Leon is a Non-Executive Director on the board of Young Change Agents and Reframing Autism, and a member of Council for the Victorian Association for the Teaching of English. Leon holds a Master of Education with a focus on student wellbeing, leading schools through change, and linking education systems and communities. He has published dozens of books, articles and courses, with his most recent publications, Practical AI Strategies, Practical Reading Strategies and Practical Writing Strategies reaching an international audience.
Emeritus Professor John Warhurst AO
Emeritus Professor John Warhurst AO- is a noted Australian academic and a prominent leader within the Australian Republican Movement. He currently hold the positions of Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University Previously employed by Deakin University, University of London and the University of New England (1985-1993) and most recently by ANU (1993-2008). Warhurst has been an advocate for Church reform and was foundation chair of Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn (2017-2022) and a member of the Australian Plenary Council and Deputy Chair of the Board of Catholic Social Services Australia, a national advocacy peak body representing 65 Catholic welfare agencies.
Rev Dr Michael Trainor
Rev Dr Michael Trainor is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, South Australia, and parish priest of Lockleys in the western suburbs of Adelaide. Fr Michael undertook post-graduate study in USA (Chicago, and later Boston), Israel and Melbourne, completing a Masters of Arts (in biblical literature and languages), Master of Education and a Doctorate in Theology. Senior lecturer in biblical studies with the Australian Catholic University; adjunct lecturer with the University of Divinity. Fr Michael is engaged in inter-faith and inter-religious dialogue. Within Adelaide, he co-chairs the SA Council of Christians and Jews and the Uniting Church-Roman Catholic Dialogue. Michael has authored several books on theology, education and the Bible. And for a hobby, he regularly flies a glider out of Gawler. This helps him come to a realistic perspective about himself, his world and the university!
Joelle Sassine
Joelle recently graduated from USYD with a BA in arts double majoring in Politics, International Relations and Socio-legal studies. Previously worked for the Justice and Peace Office for the Archdiocese of Sydney where Joelle co-designed and delivered their inaugural Internship and Mentoring program. Joelle is a proud Josephite Action Group Volunteer and a proud committee member of the Karam Saddeh charity association. Joelle has also worked with Sr Josephine Mitchell to co-develop a not-for-profit picture book, ‘The 3 A’s, to raise funds for the Mauraba children’s orphanage in Timor-Leste.
Star of the Sea College, Melbourne
Professer Emerita Gillian Triggs
Professor Emerita Gillian Triggs - is an Australian academic specialising in public international law. In 2019, she was appointed as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations serving as the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. Triggs was President of the Australian Human Rights Commission (HRC) from 2012 to 2017, and is a former Dean of the Sydney Law School, where she was the Challis Professor of International Law between 2007 and 2012. Prior to that she was a professor at the Melbourne Law School. Triggs was also Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner of the HRC from 30 July 2012 to 19 August 2013, and was the Acting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
Laureate Professor Emeritus Cheryl Saunders AO
Cheryl Saunders specializes in comparative constitutional law at Melbourne Law School. She has long-standing interests in constitutional change, in Australia and elsewhere, including the ways in which the people at large can effectively be involved. She has held visiting positions in law schools in many parts of the world and is an officer of the Order of Australia (1994) for services to the law and public administration and a Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur of France. She was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2003, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Cordoba, Argentina in 2005. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.
Professer Craig Hassed
Professor Craig Hassed OAM - has worked with the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University since 1989 but also teaches into many faculties. He is coordinator of mindfulness programs across Monash and is the Director of Education at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (M3CS). Craig has authored 120 papers and published 14 books and 17 book chapters. He is regularly invited to speak and run courses in Australia and overseas in health, educational, government and corporate contexts. He is patron of Meditation Australia, a regular media commentator and co-authored world-leading mindfulness online courses. In 2019 Craig was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Medicine.
Professor Lisa Gibbs
Dr Lisa Gibbs is a Professor of Public Health and Director of the Disaster, Climate and Adversity Unit in Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at University of Melbourne. She leads an extensive applied research program investigating the health and wellbeing impacts of disasters, including a focus on the impacts of disaster and climate change for children, teachers and school communities. She co-develops evidence-informed practical guidelines and resources with stakeholder partners to support optimum health and wellbeing outcomes. She is a sector leader, providing expert advice to leading disaster resilience agencies including World Health Organisation (WHO), Australian Red Cross, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) and Departments of Education.
Kate Kennedy - AM
Chair and Director, is a respected global leader of human rights including anti-slavery, child protection. Strategic Director of World Vision, CEO of Hagar Australia (SE Asia), Program Director of The Pratt Foundation and Managing Director of Freedom Fund, based in New York City. Kennedy has worked in major consulting roles with Prime Minister and Cabinet and the United Nations. Inducted on to the Victorian Women’s Honour roll in 2021 for her extensive global work in complex human rights advocacy. Kings honour list 2023 - a Member of Order of Australia (AM) for leadership in the areas of human rights and anti-slavery
Vikki Petraitis
Vikki Petraitis is a true crime author and podcaster who works for Casefile and is based in Melbourne. Her most recent podcast, The Frankston Murders formed part of the push to keep serial killer Paul Denyer in jail for life. She has written on subjects from Lawyer X to police dogs, and her podcasts have topped charts around the world. Vikki’s PhD fiction novel, The Unbelieved, won the Allen & Unwin Crime Prize in 2022 and was published to much acclaim.
Dr. Katitza Marinkovic
Dr Katitza Marinkovic Chavez is a psychologist and Research Fellow in Participatory Methods Disaster, Climate and Adversity Unit in Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Her research focuses on empowering children and young adults to articulate their strengths in advocating for climate action, and has co-developed with young people the Your Climate Superpowers website.
Phoebe Quinn
Phoebe Quinn is a Research Fellow in Disaster Recovery at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Her work focuses on disaster resilience, community wellbeing and social justice, and the development of strengths-based resources relating to disasters and climate change. Phoebe’s research is firmly oriented towards informing policy and practice, and exploring how democratic innovations using digital technologies can support community decision-making around disasters and climate change.
Michael McGirr
Michael McGirr - is the mission leader and community engagement manager of Caritas Australia. He is a writer, reviewer and educator who has published books and articles on philosophy, literature, spirituality and ethics in The New York Times and The Tablet. He was a secondary teacher for many happy years. He also worked on faith formation with the boards and staff of schools and other organisations. Through all his work, he is motivated to connect faith, culture and community, and to champion an expression of a faith that encourages justice. He is married to Jenny and their twins finished year 12 last year, a character building exercise for all concerned.