Farewells

Vicki Ward

KM Trustee

Kildare Ministries farewelled our Trustee Vicki Ward at the last meeting in early December. Not only was Vicki an inaugural member of the Trustees but also part of the Implementation Committees leading up to the launch of Kildare Ministries.  It is true that she was ‘borrowed’ from the Board at Brigidine College, Indooroopilly before agreeing to join the Trustees.   Her vast experience in Catholic education and governance was enormously helpful as each committee discerned the best model for the governance of Kildare Ministries and for the setting up of the Office of the Trustees. 

Kildare Ministries has been enriched by Vicki’s passion and commitment for Catholic education, her depth of spirituality and wide knowledge of educational trends and developments. We have valued Vicki’s wisdom and intuition and particularly her own deep faith in shaping the narrative and bringing the KM values to life. Her participation in the Finance Committee and commitment to building relationships with the ministries within Kildare Ministries has been indicative of her great generosity and deep sense of service.

Kildare Ministries is deeply appreciative of Vicki’s contribution to the work of establishing our new ecclesial entity over the past six years. We miss here dearly and we wish Vicki every happiness for the future and know that closer to home many groups will benefit from her faith-filled service, wisdom and generosity. 

Andrea Grant

KM Mission Leader

We farewell Andrea Grant who has been with us for 3.5yrs as Mission Leader.  In her time with us we have seen the deepening of our KM narrative, the development of our values and a focused direction in terms of our formation programmes. Andrea has enjoyed the spiritual dimension of her work, especially the Founding Grace retreat and the Pilgrimage to Ireland, which she has successfully lead on two occasions.

Andrea has made strong connection with the Faith and Mission Leaders of our schools and has provided guidance and advice to the Justice Co-ordinators.  Through her work and writing we know that Andrea enjoys reading, especially theological readings and she has been most generous in sharing her reflections and insights.  Her absence will be felt in our Office, as will her many skills and talents. We also recognised in Andrea her own deep faith and commitment and her need now to direct her energies to the young people at St Joseph’s.   

We wish her the very best of everything as she begins her new position at Mt St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona, a place where she began as a new teacher some years ago. Go Well, Andrea.

Rachel Connor

Board Chair - Presentation Family Centre

After three years as Chair of the Board and a term as Director before that, Rachel has passed on the baton to Phillip Steele as Chair.  Rachel will continue on as Director for a while and we are all grateful for that!

Rachel has brought to the Board a strategic outlook and a contagious energy and belief that Presentation Family Centre will thrive. She has supported the development of Kildare Ministries and has made herself available to give presentations at the Conference and at network meetings. 

Rachel will be remembered as a people-orientated leader who approaches each situation with a methodological and well-thought out approach. The Board has enormous respect for the way Rachel leads the centre and she will be greatly missed.  Thank you for all that you have done for PFC and KM Rachel.  It has been noticed and appreciated.