Board of Directors

The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Lismore, have appointed a Board of Directors who take responsibility for the implementation of the new governance structure for delivering Catholic education.

 photo of Hon John Hannaford AM

Hon John Hannaford AM (Chair)

About
John was formerly NSW Minister for State Development, Health and Community Services, Industrial Relations, Justice and was also Attorney General of New South Wales. John was also leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. John is currently a Company Director and Chairman of Wentworth Higher Education, the NSW Mine Safety Authority and the Coal Services Group. John was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia 2017 for significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales through a range of senior ministerial roles, to law reform, and to the community. After a successful law career and decades in public service, John retired to Woolgoolga ten years ago. He has been enjoying his retirement by planning and advocating for improved aged care and community services for the Woolgoolga community. John and his three children all received their education in Catholic schools. John is a Parishioner of the Coffs Harbour Parish.
photo of Ian Baker

Ian Baker

About
Ian is a Senior Research Fellow with CSNSW and former Secretary of the Catholic Secondary Schools Association NSW. He is a member of the Dunlea Centre Engadine School Board (Boys’ Town). Ian is a Barrister on the Roll of the Supreme Court NSW. Ian commenced his teaching career with Catholic schools in 1975 at Mary Immaculate College, Sutherland. He is former Director of Policy & Programs, Catholic Education Commission NSW, former member NSW BOS & BOSTES, Ministerial Not for Profit (Schools) Advisory Council and the Australian Education Council, Copyright Advisory Committee. He has held NSW representative roles with NSW Education Standards Authority and NSW Ministerial Education Act Section 83C Non-Government Schools Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee. Ian is married with two adult daughters both of whom were educated in Catholic schools. Ian and his family have been active members of Holy Cross Parish Helensburgh, Diocese of Wollongong since 1979.
photo of Pam Betts

Pam Betts

About
Pam was born and grew up in Brisbane attending primary school at St Elizabeth’s School, Tarragindi and then Our Lady’s College, Annerley for secondary school. On leaving school she attended Griffith University and completed Bachelor of Science and then went on to complete her Diploma in Education at University of Queensland, Masters of Education Leadership; Master of Religious Education at Australian Catholic University and Master of Theology, University of Newcastle.

She is currently engaged in part-time work as a consultant after retiring as Executive Director, Brisbane Catholic Education at the end of 2021. She is a member of the panel that conducted a review of the Catholic Education Commission Victoria and previously a member of the panel to review CSNSW. She is also in the process of completing a review of the Broome Regional Office for CEWA.
photo of Jim Longley

Jim Longley

About
Jim Longley lives on the northern beaches of Sydney with his wife Sally who is a Spiritual Director, Giver of the Ignatian Exercises, and regularly leads Retreats including for Marist Schools Australia Formators. He does strategic consulting in disability and aged care and finance, as well as mentoring, while also co-pastoring at Avalon Baptist Peace church. His qualifications include B.Ec., M.Ec., M.Div., FCPA, FAICD, FIML, having worked in the banking industry, Parliament, the NFP sector, and government. Jim enjoys music especially violin and recorder, swimming at local beaches, and is an avid reader.
photo of Bruno Ivan

Bruno Ivan

About
Bruno is a northern rivers local and a former St John’s College, Lismore (Woodlawn) student. He is an active member of the Alstonville Parish, member of the Parish Finance Committee and the Standing Committee on Finance for the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd. Bruno also audits the school building and maintenance records. He volunteers his time as treasurer for LINK, a local community transport service in Alstonville and Ballina. Bruno, his wife and his three children all received their education in Catholic schools.
photo of Anne O'Brien

Anne O'Brien

About
Anne commenced her career in Catholic education in 1979 at St John’s Lakemba and in the Diocese of Lismore since 1981. Anne’s School leadership roles have included positions as Assistant Principal, Campus Principal and Principal at St Joseph’s Regional College and MacKillop College, Port Macquarie. In 2013 Anne commenced a term as the School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Consultant with the Catholic Schools Office before her return to MacKillop as Principal. Anne currently holds the position of Director of Mission Integration, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, Port Macquarie where she has been an active member for 40 years.
photo of Fr Michael Roohan

Fr Michael Roohan

About
Fr Michael is Parish Priest for the Camden Haven Parish in Laurieton. Prior to joining the Priesthood, he had a successful career in management. Fr Michael is a member of the Camden Haven Parish Finance Council.
photo of Fr Paul McDonald

Fr Paul McDonald

About
Fr. Paul has been a priest of the Lismore Diocese for 40 years and holds a Bachelor of Theology. He is parish Priest of St. Anthony’s, Kingscliff and currently chair of the Council of Priests, a Trustee and Consultor in the Diocese. He is a former Chair of St Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore.

Fr. Paul is also a member and orchestral player with the Lismore Symphony Orchestra.
 photo of Adam Spencer

Adam Spencer - CEO

About
Adam has been in the Diocese of Lismore for 25 years and has also worked in private enterprise and with Catholic Education Western Australia. His early roles in the Diocese of Lismore were in Catholic Education (including 10 years as Principal) before moving into broader roles in Aged Care, Community Services and other Ministries.

In recent years Adam has held the role of Chief Executive Officer of two Port Macquarie Parish Companies being St Agnes’ Assist Ltd and St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle Ltd.

Adam holds qualifications from the University of Queensland and Australian Catholic University respectively, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne and training in “Building Strategic Innovation Capability” from the University of California, Berkeley and “Strategy and Innovation” from the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany. Adam is also a graduate member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Adam has been a member of the Diocesan Catholic Schools Council, President of the Diocese of Lismore Principals’ Association, Executive Committee member of National Technical Colleges Association and is currently an Executive Director of St Agnes’ Assist and St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle.
photo of Emma Fountain

Emma Fountain - Company Secretary

About
Emma commenced with the Catholic Schools Office in April 2021 and has 15 years of legal, compliance and risk management experience in both the public and private sectors including higher education, early education and local government. Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Graduate Diploma (Legal Practice) and is admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Emma worked for many years as an in-house lawyer and legal consultant before completing a Graduate Diploma (Applied Corporate Governance) with the Governance Institute of Australia and enhancing her career as a governance specialist taking on roles in corporate compliance, enterprise risk management and business continuity management. Emma has experience working with boards and committees and is enrolled to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.