Our governance

Samaritans is governed by the Board of the Newcastle Anglican Corporation. Samaritans is an agency of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. As such, the general purpose and direction of Samaritans is responsible to the Diocese of Newcastle.

Dr Peter Stuart became the Bishop of Newcastle on 2 February 2018 after having served as Assistant Bishop from 2 February 2009. He has administered the Diocese on two occasions (2013 and 2017).

Bishop Peter has considerable experience in not-for-profit governance, risk management, policy development, communication and financial administration. He has previously served on the Board of Anglicare Tasmania Inc, Glenview Nursing Home Inc (Tas), Julia Farr Services (SA), the Julia Farr Association (SA), St Peters College (SA).

Bishop Peter has previously been a member of the Diocesan Council in the Diocese of Tasmania and Adelaide as well as member of the Long Service Leave Board of General Synod. In Newcastle, he has served as the chair of each of the Diocesan Schools, the Samaritans Foundation, the Trustees of Church Property and the Diocesan Council.

Qualifications

B.Com, B.D, M.Management, Ed.D, GAICD

Mark is a Finance Executive, a CPA, with a track record in heading up finance and treasury roles in large listed organisations in addition to holding non-executive roles in NGOs and Professional Associations. He has expertise in financial markets, particularly corporate funding, FX, commodity risk and working capital management. Mark has proven judgement and understanding of risk as well as consistent high-level contribution to strategic thinking. He chairs the Risk Committee of a community credit union and he chairs the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of a major charity.

Qualifications

Master Applied Finance – Macquarie University Senior Executive Programme- London Business School Master of Business Administration- Macquarie University Bachelor of Business Studies (NSWIT), majoring in Accounting and Operations Management. Member of CPA Australia. Fellow Finance & Treasury Association GAICD

Michelle is an experienced governance professional who has operated in an executive level in the fields of education, banking and professional services. Her key skills include risk management, regulatory compliance, internal audit, financial management and business policy and practices and she has successfully implemented governance practices and frameworks for a number of organisations.

Qualifications

B Com (University of Newcastle), CA, FIIA, FGIA, CPRM, MAICD

Helen is currently a partner in the Newcastle office of Sparke Helmore, a national law firm. As a practicing solicitor for more than 35 years, Helen approaches her work with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, pragmatism and with due consideration of community and reputational aspects.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney Accredited Specialist Property, Law Society of New South Wales

Wayne commenced his audit and assurance career with accountancy firm Coopers & Lybrand which along with accountancy firm Price Waterhouse formed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Wayne’s career progression led to his admission to partnership with Coopers & Lybrand which resulted in Wayne being and was an audit and assurance partner with Coopers & Lybrand/PwC for 20 years. On his retirement from PwC, Wayne was invited by Pitcher Partners to join them. He was also invited to join the board of Greater Bank and was elected Chairman on joining.

Qualifications

B.Com, CA, GAICD, MIIA (Aust)

After leaving school in 1970, Richard worked for the CBC bank achieving the role of head teller. In December 1975 he joined the RAAF and served for 20 years as an Aircraft Technician. During this time, Richard worked as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, an Instructor and was trained as a Novell Network Engineer.

Qualifications

AICD Foundation of Directorship Course Certificate IV in Vocational Instruction Associate Diploma Aircraft Engineering

Graham (with wife Anne and sons Stephen and Simon) arrived in Newcastle a week after the 1989 earthquake to take up a position as Area Director of Community Child Health Services for the Hunter Area Health Service and Professor of Community Child Health at the University of Newcastle, the first chair of its kind in Australia. He made a significant contribution to the development of child protection services not only in the Hunter but more generally in NSW, finishing off his clinical and policy career as a senior clinical advisor in child protection for NSW Health and a provider of clinical services for children, many Indigenous, in out of home care in Tamworth and Inverell.

Qualifications

MBBS PhD FRACP FAFPHM

Fiona has over 20 years’ leadership experience across a range of industries including Not for Profit, Health, Education, Rail, Manufacturing, Insurance, Travel and Local Council. She has a strong strategic planning and business acumen focus and is motivated by seeing organisations achieve their vision and mission. Her career foundations are in the people and culture space and she has worked closely with Boards, Senior Leaders, employees and volunteers to build positive and rewarding workplace cultures.

Qualifications

Company Directors Course, Graduate AICD Certificate IV Training and Assessment, MRWED Certificate IV Workplace Safety, NSW TAFE Bachelor of Business: Human Resource Management, Newcastle University

Bishop Charlie Murry was appointed Assistant Bishop of Newcastle – Coastal Episcopate on 10 May 2018.

He has served on the Diocesan Council and the Clergy Emoluments Board since 2011. Whilst the Rector of Singleton 2010 – 2018, he was for periods Area Dean and then Archdeacon for the Upper Hunter. He is also the Chair of the Council of Lakes Grammar, an Anglican School.

Qualifications

BMus, BTh, MAICD

Bishop Sonia has ministered in the Diocese of Newcastle both as a lay person and then in ordained ministry following her ordination in 1995.

Since ordination she has served as an assistant in the parishes of Gosford and then Singleton, and as Rector of Windale, Cessnock, and Morpeth. She has also been the Archdeacon for Ministry Support and the Diocesan Archdeacon. During this time she competed the Australian Institute if Company Directors course as a graduate.

Qualifications

B.App.Sc, BD, MMin