Most Reverend Robert McGuckin DD MCL JCL Bishop Most Reverend Robert McGuckin DD MCL JCL Bishop Bishop Robert McGuckin was born in 1944 in Marrickville, Sydney. His parents John and Gladys are now both deceased, as is one of his four siblings. His family comprises his eldest sister Janice, his elder brother Edward and his younger brother Patrick and their children.
The Bishop received his early education at St Pius Primary School in Enmore and later at De La Salle College in Marrickville.
After he left school, the family moved to Jannali in Sutherland shire where he became a foundation member of the Como-Oyster Bay-Jannali Catholic Youth Organisation. He worked for several years in banking before entering the seminary at Saint Columba’s College in Springwood in 1967 and then to Saint Patrick’s College in Manly as a candidate for ordination for the Archdiocese of Sydney and was duly ordained in 1973 by Archbishop James Carroll. In the Archdiocese of Sydney, he served in the parishes of Matraville, Dulwich Hill and Mascot and was appointed to the Regional Tribunal of Sydney in 1975. He undertook post graduate studies in Canon Law at the University of St Paul Ottawa Canada.
On the division of the Archdiocese of Sydney in 1986, he ministered in the Diocese of Parramatta where he was incardinated in 1993. Whilst appointed to the Tribunal, he assisted in the Parish of St Michael in South Blacktown. He was Vicar for Religious 1990-2010 and Diocesan Administrator in 1997. He was Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia through 1997 until his appointment to the diocese of Toowoomba.
Bishop McGuckin obtained degrees in theology and church law and has taken an active role in the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand, including lecturing in the School of Law at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
In 2011, the Bishops of the Province of Sydney and Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn appointed him as Judicial Vicar of the Regional Tribunal for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and he was named by Pope Benedict XVI as a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.
Bishop McGuckin’s episcopal ordination as the sixth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba on 11 July 2012.
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.
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.
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.
Wendy Agar Member Wendy Agar Member Wendy has served on the Catholic Care Social Services Board since 2018. She holds a Diploma of Teaching (Primary), a graduate diploma of human resources management, a diploma of tourism management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company directors.

With a personal purpose of ‘creating change for good’ Wendy Agar is passionate about making a difference in our communities.

Her strong cross secretarial background includes leadership experience in education, agriculture, banking and regional development. It is this broad skill set, combined with her strategic and purposeful leadership and a drive to innovate and collaborate, that has allowed her to transform Toowoomba’s Sunrise Way Rehab. Named the 2018 national OPTUS ‘Not For Profit Business of the Year’, Sunrise Way is supporting stronger and healthier communities through helping individuals impacted by addiction to rebuild their lives.
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.
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.
Dr Lachlan Rathie Member Dr Lachlan Rathie Member Dr Lachlan Rathie joined the board in late 2018. He currently works as Senior Staff Anaesthetist at the Toowoomba Base Hospital, and has spent the last ten years serving tenures as Departmental Director and Deputy Director as well as the Supervisor of Training.

Lachlan has a proven track record in providing high-quality services in regional areas within a cross cultural environment and strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams within a consultative environment.
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.

Leadership Team