As the year draws to a close, we reflect on all that has taken place over the last three months since our last newsletter was distributed.
16-year anniversary of Mercy Partners
On 17 November 2024 it was 16 years since Mercy Partners was established as a pontifical and ministerial PJP to provide sponsorship and governance for Catholic ministries. Since our establishment, we have had the privilege to welcome 13 ministries into the Mercy Partners family.
We are thankful for the foresight and vision that the Sisters of Mercy Queensland had in establishing Mercy Partners back in 2008. Mercy Partners is forever grateful for the trust that the founding Congregations and Orders have in allowing us to work in partnership for the mercy of God.
Mercy Partners Updates
Caroline Thompson
At the end of January 2025, Dr Caroline Thompson will be concluding her role as Mercy Partners’ Director of Formation. Over the past decade, Caroline has made an exceptional contribution to shaping our Formation program, ensuring it is deeply rooted in theological and spiritual foundations for mission. She has facilitated numerous forums, workshops, and spiritual retreats tailored to the diverse needs of our ministries, regional communities, and individual faith journeys. Through her development of high-quality resources and her commitment to educating our ministries on Catholic identity, mission, and charisms, Caroline has played a crucial role in providing ongoing access to formation opportunities.
In addition to her work within Mercy Partners, Caroline has fostered valuable collaborations with other Public Juridic Persons (PJPs), organisations, social justice initiatives, and networks, advancing formation and mission dialogue both regionally and nationally. Her passion, leadership, and dedication have made a lasting impact on individuals and groups within our ministries, the Australian Formation movement, and the broader Church.
Mercy Partners extends its heartfelt gratitude to Caroline for establishing the foundations of our formation program and for her tireless commitment to our mission. We wish her every success in her future endeavours.
Vicki Ward
Vicki Ward’s contributions to the Mercy Partners Formation Committee reflect her deep faith, exceptional leadership, and transformative vision for mission, formation, and education. Her ability to inspire those around her and her dedication to faith-based education have been invaluable to the committee’s mission of fostering holistic formation and unity in service of the Gospel.
As the past-principal of Mount Alvernia College, Vicki brought the richness of a Franciscan lens, which was a significant gift to our committee. We extend our profound gratitude for Vicki’s contributions and bid her a heartfelt farewell, thanking her for the inspiration and talents she has so generously shared with us over the last 10 years.
Geoff Gowdie
Geoff Gowdie brought a wealth of expertise and deep commitment to the Mercy Partners Formation Committee, drawing on his lifelong association with mission and formation. His ability to integrate theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and practical wisdom enriched the committee’s work, ensuring a strong foundation for its ongoing mission and a lasting legacy of formation excellence.
We are deeply grateful for the gifts and talents Geoff has shared with us and for being our regional representative for the past 7 years, and we bid him a warm thank you and farewell, wishing him every blessing in the future.
Ministry Board Updates
In September this year, the Board of Mercy Partners as the sole member of St Rita’s College approved the appointment of John Fraser as the College’s new Board Chair. John commenced on the Board in August 2020 and then was appointed as the Deputy Chair/Interim in November 2023.
The Mercy Partners Board would also like to acknowledge and thank the following ministry Board Directors who have kindly agreed to extend their tenures on the respective ministry Boards over the last three months.
- Brian Bissaker – Chair, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College
- Julie Payne – Board Director, St Ursula’s College
- Ally Hannon – Board Director, Mount Alvernia College
- Chris Foley – Board Director, Mercy Community
In addition, Mercy Partners is greatly appreciative of the following ministry Board Directors for their important contribution serving on our ministry Boards. We note that your tenures have now concluded, or you have chosen not to continue to on the ministry Boards, and so we thank you for your dedicated service.
- Sr Sandra Lupi – Board Director, Mater Misericordiae Ltd
- Ivan McDonald – Board Director, All Hallows’ School
- Jayne Maresse – Board Director, St Ursula’s College
- Katie Lyndon – Board Director, Mount Alvernia College
Ministry Staffing Updates
St Patrick’s College – Amber Hauff
After serving four years as the Deputy Principal and five years as Principal at St Patrick’s College Townsville, Amber Hauff has accepted the position of Principal at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe commencing in 2025.
Over the last nine years at St Patrick’s, Amber has breathed life and energy into the College through her strong, creative, innovative and future-oriented leadership. As a truly inspirational educator, Amber has combined her vast knowledge of current educational trends with highly developed competencies in community engagement, strategic capability and staff development.
We wish Amber all the very best for this exciting new chapter in her career.
Mater Health Group – Dr Peter Steer
The Mater also recently announced that Dr Peter Steer has decided to step down as their Group CEO after six years in the role. Peter originally began his career as a paediatric neonatologist at the Mater before taking on the role as Executive Director of the Mater Children Hospital. After lead roles at hospitals in Canada, Queensland and London, Peter returned “home” to Mater to take on the Group CEO.
Over the last six years, Peter has been instrumental in the growth and success of Mater. Peter led the successful consolidation of Mater Brisbane with Mater Central Queensland and North Queensland, the growth of facilities and clinical capacities at all the Mater’s regional centres and the successful negotiation with the state government for funding of Catherine’s House and the new public hospital being built at Springfield. Peter also managed Mater through the covid-19 pandemic and has overseen the extraordinary growth of Mater Education and further national and international recognition of Mater Research and the success of Mater Foundation.
We thank Peter for this service to the Mater and wish him all the very best.
Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College – Mr Glenn Ollerton
After an incredible 12 years of service at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, Glenn Ollerton, Director of Finance and Resources and Company Secretary has made the difficult decision to resign from Monte and commence a new exciting journey.
We thank Glenn for his service to the College and in particular for his support during the transition of Monte into the Mercy Partners family.
Congratulations
St Patrick’s College Townsville
St Patrick’s College Townsville is thrilled to announce that Ms Kathleen Little has been appointed as the new College Principal, effective in 2025.
Kathleen joins the College from Mount Alvernia College in Brisbane, where she serves as Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning. With over ten years of experience in middle and senior leadership within independent schools, Kathleen is recognised as a collaborative and innovative educator. Her passion for all-girls education aligns perfectly with the College’s mission, and she is well-acquainted with the Mercy values and traditions that are at the heart of the College community.
Under Kathleen’s leadership, St Patrick’s College Townsville is set for a bright and exciting future. Congratulations Kathleen on your appointment.
