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.
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.
Damian Bell
Chairperson
Damian Bell
Chairperson
Appointed Chairperson in January 2022
Damian joined Wagner Corporation in May 2019 and is an experienced management professional with a background ranging from financial and legal advisory to whole-of-business management and accountability. He has worked on projects ranging from on and offshore oil and gas, power plants and transmission, technology, weaponry, and transport infrastructure as well as general corporate and commercial projects.
Damian branched out into commercial roles in banking and finance, initially working with the utilities & infrastructure and natural resources teams within the Corporate Finance division of a major international bank. He further fulfilled offshore leadership roles in Asia as Country Head/CEO.
Damian grew up in Toowoomba and moved back home to the Garden City where he currently resides with his wife and three children.
Damian joined Wagner Corporation in May 2019 and is an experienced management professional with a background ranging from financial and legal advisory to whole-of-business management and accountability. He has worked on projects ranging from on and offshore oil and gas, power plants and transmission, technology, weaponry, and transport infrastructure as well as general corporate and commercial projects.
Damian branched out into commercial roles in banking and finance, initially working with the utilities & infrastructure and natural resources teams within the Corporate Finance division of a major international bank. He further fulfilled offshore leadership roles in Asia as Country Head/CEO.
Damian grew up in Toowoomba and moved back home to the Garden City where he currently resides with his wife and three children.
Ariane de Rooy
Deputy Chairperson
Ariane de Rooy
Deputy Chairperson
Appointed as Member in May 2020, Appointed as Deputy Chairperson in May 2022
Ariane is a versatile, commercially focused business advisor with extensive experience partnering with business leaders to achieve commercial and operational success.
She has direct experience in a range of industries including not for profit organisations, health, government, oil and gas, infrastructure, hospitality and sport in Australia, the UK and SE Asia.
Her experience extends to strategic reviews and planning, governance advisory, forecasting and budget management, management accounts, risk management, investment cases and contracts management. She is well known for her collaborative nature and providing fresh ideas.
Ariane is a versatile, commercially focused business advisor with extensive experience partnering with business leaders to achieve commercial and operational success.
She has direct experience in a range of industries including not for profit organisations, health, government, oil and gas, infrastructure, hospitality and sport in Australia, the UK and SE Asia.
Her experience extends to strategic reviews and planning, governance advisory, forecasting and budget management, management accounts, risk management, investment cases and contracts management. She is well known for her collaborative nature and providing fresh ideas.
Father Ray Crowley
Member
Father Ray Crowley
Member
Father Ray Crowley has served on the CatholicCare Social Services 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 has a wider involvement in the community, particularly facilitating groups for those affected by grief and walking with those who are dying.
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 has a wider involvement in the community, particularly facilitating groups for those affected by grief and walking with those who are dying.
Vince Hede
Member
Vince Hede
Member
Appointed as Member in September 2020
Vince is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and a Director of Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers, with offices in Toowoomba, Roma and Warwick. He regularly deals in all areas of Family Law including parenting, property, domestic violence and child support matters. He is a strong advocate for Family Law dispute resolution services, such as those offered by CatholicCare’s Family Relationship Centre.
Vince holds degrees in Law from QUT and Science (Human Movements) from UQ.
He was born and raised in Toowoomba and has strong ties to the local community.
Vince is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and a Director of Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers, with offices in Toowoomba, Roma and Warwick. He regularly deals in all areas of Family Law including parenting, property, domestic violence and child support matters. He is a strong advocate for Family Law dispute resolution services, such as those offered by CatholicCare’s Family Relationship Centre.
Vince holds degrees in Law from QUT and Science (Human Movements) from UQ.
He was born and raised in Toowoomba and has strong ties to the local community.
Julia Payne
Member
Julia Payne
Member
Appointed as Member in February 2022
Julie holds the position of Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Information Services at the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office.
Her role is responsible for Toowoomba Catholic Schools strategic and operational financial, infrastructure and information services including school finance support, risk management, facilities development, ICT technical and system support and maintenance and the Toowoomba Catholic Schools' fleet of vehicles.
Julie holds the position of Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Information Services at the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office.
Her role is responsible for Toowoomba Catholic Schools strategic and operational financial, infrastructure and information services including school finance support, risk management, facilities development, ICT technical and system support and maintenance and the Toowoomba Catholic Schools' fleet of vehicles.
Andrew Ward
Member
Andrew Ward
Member
Andrew is a respected accountant, specialising in finance and risk management. He is currently employed as a Senior Chartered Accountant for the Horizon Accounting Group.
Andrew brings a wealth of financial expertise, not just on a local level but on an international level. He has international experience in financial professionalism from 11 years of corporate finance experience within multiple industry-leading multibillion-dollar companies, across the banking and agricultural industries.
Andrew is known for his knowledgeable financial insight and control and analysis skillset. His experience extends to risk management, policy development and evolving controls & efficiencies within businesses and organisations, making him a valuable talent to our CatholicCare board.
Andrew brings a wealth of financial expertise, not just on a local level but on an international level. He has international experience in financial professionalism from 11 years of corporate finance experience within multiple industry-leading multibillion-dollar companies, across the banking and agricultural industries.
Andrew is known for his knowledgeable financial insight and control and analysis skillset. His experience extends to risk management, policy development and evolving controls & efficiencies within businesses and organisations, making him a valuable talent to our CatholicCare board.
Helen Nolan
Helen Nolan
Helen brings extensive management and business operational experience combined with excellent networks and a substantial track record in stakeholder relations across government, business and not for profit sectors.
Helen has extensive experience in national & regional roles within large and complex service organisations. Helen is passionate about leadership and management and delivering on strategy
Areas of strength include:
* Designer of business strategies, practical operating models, marketing campaigns and business development programs;
* Communicator of complex concepts;
* Leader and collaborator of teams;
* Driver of transformational change; and
* Delivers of revenue growth and productivity across multiple disciplines, geographies and business units.
Helen has held a number of executive roles within higher education and has a strong focus on widening participation in regional, rural and remote areas.
Helen has extensive experience in national & regional roles within large and complex service organisations. Helen is passionate about leadership and management and delivering on strategy
Areas of strength include:
* Designer of business strategies, practical operating models, marketing campaigns and business development programs;
* Communicator of complex concepts;
* Leader and collaborator of teams;
* Driver of transformational change; and
* Delivers of revenue growth and productivity across multiple disciplines, geographies and business units.
Helen has held a number of executive roles within higher education and has a strong focus on widening participation in regional, rural and remote areas.
Call 1300 477 433 to reach
CatholicCare directly.
Call 1300 348 248 to reach our
Family Relationship Centre directly.
Call 1300 338 277 to reach our
Business Resilience Centre directly.
Let us acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, live and work and recognise to whom it belongs. We pay our respects to the Elders, past and present for their connections that were never ceded, to country, land, sea and sky. We know they hold the wisdom, traditions, culture and hopes of First Nations Peoples, which are vital to healing our Country.