Kildare Ministries Welcomes
Our New Leaders
We welcome as the new principal of Marian Sunshine West – Angela Romano whose Commissioning was held on Tuesday 5th March. Ms Romano was previously the Deputy Principal at Salesian College, Sunbury and has taught at Ave Maria College, Essendon, Our Lady of Mercy, Heidelberg and Academy of Mary Immaculate in Fitzroy. Angela has wide ranging experience in faith and educational leadership and before accepting the role of Principal at Marian College, had been Acting Principal on many occasions. We wish her a long and happy association with Kildare Ministries and the Marian College Community.
Maree Feutrill (Pictured center) joined Saltbush Balnarring Beach as the CEO in January. Maree worked many years in the at YMCA Camp Manyung in the Northern Territory to support Indigenous communities. Originally from Mornington Peninsular, Maree has returned with her family to live locally. Maree has committed herself to improving the lives of people from diverse backgrounds to engage with the outdoors and enhance their wellbeing. Welcome to Kildare Ministries Maree and may you enjoy many happy years at Saltbush Balnarring Beach.
Maree with her Team at Saltbush, including the Co-Chairs of the Board
Our Incoming Chairs of Boards
Charles Reis joins Phillip Steele as a Co-chair of the Board of Saltbush, Balnarring Beach. Charles has served on the Board for the past 12 months and accepted the invitation to Co-chair. Charles has had extensive experience in senior commercial roles in the private sector; has worked for the Government sector in policy formulation and began his career in not-for-profit sectors working with child poverty and youth homelessness.
Phillip Steele and Charles Reis – Co-Chairs
Paul Desmond was appointed Chair of the KEM Board in February. Paul was the Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Sandhurst for nine years and its Chief Executive Officer. As an educator for over four decades, Paul is known for his exemplary educational leadership whether a teacher, principal or a system leader. We welcome Paul to the KEM Board, and to the wider Kildare Ministries community, as he embraces this new role. We look forward to his strong and valuable contribution for many years ahead.
We are delighted to welcome Michelle Dixon to the role of Chair of the Board of Brigidine College, St Ives. Appointed as a Director on the Board in 2019, Michelle graciously accepted the invitation from the Trustees to Chair the Board and will commence this significant leadership of the College in 2024. Michelle has brought expertise and professionalism to her Directorship as a qualified commercial lawyer with 23 years’ experience. She also has leadership, commercial, governance and operational experience in public and private companies, and the government sector.
The Trustees invited, and Helen Royan generously accepted, the role of Chair of the Board, which commenced in 2023. As a highly experienced educator with the Brisbane Catholic Education Office, she was appointed Principal to a number of schools across the Archdiocese. Helen taught in two schools steeped in the Brigidine tradition and is imbued in its deep story. Further, she has worked as an area supervisor in the Dioceses of Cairns and Brisbane. We welcome Helen to the broader Kildare Ministries community and look forward to many years of her leadership of the Board.