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Our Advisory Council

Our Council of qualified professionals volunteer their time and expertise to help us achieve our mission.

They bring extensive governance, risk, finance, legal and strategy experience and work in accordance with the Constitution.

Most Reverend Ken Howell Bishop Most Reverend Ken Howell Bishop Born in 1958, Bishop Ken Howell was educated at St James College, Fortitude Valley, and joined Queensland Rail after his school years working as a clerk in the Chief Engineers Office.
In 1977, he entered Pius XII Regional Seminary, and he was ordained a Priest on 24 June 1983. From 1983 to 1994, he worked as Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Noosa Districts, Burleigh Heads and the Cathedral, Brisbane.
Between 1994 and 1997, he completed a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy at the Pontifical Institute Sant’Anselmo in Rome. He served as Secretary to the then Archbishop John Bathersby from 1997 to 2010. During this time, Bishop Howell served at the Cathedral as Associate Pastor and Director of Worship from 1997 to 2005, Dean of the Cathedral between 2006 and 2012 and as Vice Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary between 2002 and 2008. In 2009, he took on a concurrent appointment as Administrator of St Mary’s Parish, South Brisbane.
In 2013 he became the Parish Priest at Burleigh Heads. The Bishop has been a long-standing member of the Council of Priests and Chairman from 2008 to 2013. He is also a member of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, which he was chairing at the time of his appointment by Pope Francis on March 29, 2017.
Bishop Howell’s Episcopal Ordination was held on June 14, 2017. On 1 February, 2021 Bishop Ken was appointed to the position of Vicar General of the Archdiocese.
Bishop Howell’s episcopal ordination as the seventh Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba on 11 July 2023.
Peter Selwood Council Chairperson Peter Selwood Council Chairperson Peter Selwood held the role of Executive Director, Centacare in the Archdiocese of Brisbane from 2001 until 2025. The operations of Centacare included disability services, community aged care, childcare, domestic and family violence services as well as chaplaincy support across south-east Queensland. Peter’s former directorships include Catholic Social Services Australia Ltd, Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund, Yourtown, Mercy Health & Aged Care Central Queensland Limited and Xavier Children’s Support Network. Currently, Peter is the chair of the Marist College Ashgrove Advisory Council and deputy chair of St Rita’s College Limited. Peter holds a Diploma in Financial Planning, a Bachelor of Business degree in Accounting, a Graduate Diploma in Health Administration and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Peter is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tom Cranitch Council Member Tom Cranitch Council Member Tom Cranitch is a corporate construction and infrastructure lawyer with a multinational contractor. Tom previously ran his own law firm working with clients across a range of industries and practice areas, predominately in building and construction matters. Tom has had a long involvement with the social services sector including periods running housing and community developments programs in the Beenleigh area. He has founded and volunteered for organisations and clubs in the community and sporting sectors. Tom has extensive experience working for and with Catholic organisations, including a period as Chief Executive Officer of Jesuit Communications Australia, the publisher of Eureka Street and Australian Catholics magazines. A descendant of the pioneering Cranitch family in the Allora-Clifton district, Tom is a direct and honest communicator motivated by his personal faith and the social doctrine of the Church.
Mary Goodwin Council Member Mary Goodwin Council Member Mary Goodwin is a strategist, governance adviser, and board director who is naturally curious about how organisations work, why things sometimes don't work, and what might be possible if people are prepared to ask different questions. Mary’s career has taken her across government, business and community organisations, but she is most energised by bringing people together around complex challenges and helping turn good intent into meaningful action. Today, her portfolio includes serving on several boards and advisory boards, chairing and serving on Audit, Risk and Improvement Committees, co-chairing a peer advisory community for board professionals, and being Founding Partner of One People, Mary’s strategy, governance and organisational consultancy. She is also Chair and Co-Founder of Keystone Commons, a not-for-profit bringing government, industry and community together around shared challenges. Mary believes good governance isn't just about compliance. It's about asking the right questions, understanding risk, creating space for different perspectives and ultimately helping organisations achieve what they exist to do. A practicing Catholic, Mary was particularly drawn to CatholicCare because of its mission and its connection to people and community. She believes strongly in meeting people where they are, approaching situations with curiosity rather than judgement, and never losing sight of the human beings behind the strategies, services and numbers. Outside the boardroom, Mary is a wife and mother, loves good conversation, has an enduring curiosity about people and ideas, and is usually happiest when she's connecting dots that others haven't yet connected.
Genyese Fry Council Member Genyese Fry Council Member Growing up in South-West Queensland and attending St Ursula’s College as a boarder, Genyese Fry has a strong connection to regional Queensland and an enduring appreciation of the importance of community, education, service and supporting people and families. Genyese now lives in Kingsthorpe with her family. Throughout Genyese’s career, she has worked in leadership roles across Defence and the public sector, with experience spanning governance, organisational reform, performance, workforce planning, financial management and strategic advice.  Along the way, Genyese has valued opportunities to contribute to schools, sporting organisations and other community groups. Genyese’s governance experience also includes the Military Catholic Archdiocese, community organisations and school committees. She holds a Master of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Bachelor of Business and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Joining the CatholicCare Toowoomba Board is particularly meaningful to Genyese as it brings together her faith, connection to regional Queensland and desire to give back to the community. She is privileged to be part of an organisation that puts faith into action by supporting individuals, families and communities and helping people through challenging times. Genyese not only looks forward to bringing her experience and practical approach to CatholicCare, but also to listening, learning and contributing alongside the many people who make such an important difference to the lives of others.
Tom Jolley Council Member Tom Jolley Council Member Tom Jolley was born in Wagga Wagga NSW.  Having been raised as part of a large family, Tom developed a good understanding of family life and the issues to be faced by being part of the community. He has now lived in Toowoomba for more than 30 years. Tom and his wife have been blessed with a loving family of children and grandchildren. Tom maintains current Graduate membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He previously held long-standing membership of the Governance Institute of Australia and, as a trained and qualified Accountant throughout most of his career, was a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants. Tom’s professional life and work experience is grounded in post‑secondary study, holding a Bachelor of Business Degree (Accounting). Previous work experience includes: Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba Financial Administrator, Management and Budget Accountant at UNE, Accountant, Catholic Education Office Townsville, Cost Accountant, Queensland Alumina Limited, Hunter Brothers Administration Manager, and Lay Missionary Bursar of Nulungu College Broome, WA
Darlene Dreise Council Member Darlene Dreise Council Member A proud Torres Strait Islander woman with matrilineal connections to Keriri (Hammond Island) in the Torres Strait, Darlene Dreise is a wife, mother of four and Aka (grandmother). Building strong, healthy and connected communities has been a consistent focus of Darlene's leadership across health, education and community services. Darlene is National Director of Reconciliation with St Vincent's Health Australia, Australia's largest not-for-profit provider of health and aged care services, where she leads enterprise-wide reconciliation, cultural safety and strategic initiatives.  Her career spans more than 30 years across Catholic health and education ministries, including almost two decades in senior Mission leadership roles with St Vincent's. She has served as a Mission Executive, led formation and organisational culture initiatives across healthcare settings, and previously worked as a teacher, diocesan education consultant and university educator. Darlene is a member of the QATSIF Board of Advice and the inaugural Anglicare Southern Queensland First Nations Advisory Council. She is an experienced governance leader across the health, education and community sectors and has chaired national reconciliation committees. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Education, Master of Learning Innovation and Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Catholic Culture and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Father Ray Crowley Council Member Father Ray Crowley Council Member Father Ray Crowley has served on the CatholicCare Board since 2016. Originally a student of St Joseph’s and St Mary’s in Toowoomba, Father Ray was ordained in 1972 and served in Parishes in Warwick, South Toowoomba and Roma.In 1982, Father Ray was entrusted to initiate the Counselling Departments in two of our Diocesan Colleges, building and supporting the departments of Counsellors and Chaplains across the Catholic Framework.Today, Father Ray provides support to Chaplains in Catholic Education and is still ongoing Chaplain for St Mary’s, St Joseph’s, and St Saviour’s secondary colleges. Father Ray also has a wider involvement in the community, particularly facilitating groups for those affected by grief and walking with those who are dying.

Our Leadership Team