The Safeguarding Council of the office for Safeguarding in the Diocese of Parramatta is a newly formed body which will provide strategic advice in the implementation of the revised National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (anticipated to be endorsed in the early 2021) and the NSW Child Safe Standards.

The revised Catholic Standards will include safeguards for adults, as well as for children and young people.

The council consists of:

Kerryn Boland PSM _ Chair and Safeguarding Champion

Kerryn Boland trained as a lawyer and spent a significant part of her professional life working in policy and regulation. She began her career with the Public Service Association and then moved into the NSW Department of Industrial Relations where she advocated for NSW Government submissions in family leave and pay equity test cases. Kerryn then worked at the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, developing the first HIV: Discrimination and the Law community education program.

The final chapters of Kerryn's public service career were dedicated to the Department of Family Community Services, where she worked for nine years in a senior executive role after which she became the NSW Children's Guardian, a role Kerryn held until she retired in 2017.

As the Children's Guardian, Kerryn was known for her dedication and unwavering focus on the rights and interests of children and young people and for keeping organisations accountable. Kerryn played a significant role in building a stronger child welfare system. Karen now sits on several public sector and not-for-profit boards and committees, including on the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW.

Kathryn Greiner AO

Kathryn Greiner has made a significant contribution to a wide range of leadership positions in public and private companies, government bodies and non-profit organisations. In 1995, she was elected as a Councillor to the City of Sydney, a position she held until 2004.

Kathryn currently chairs an investment fund, Bio Tech Capital and Loreto Kirribilli School Council. She has completed the Review of Funding for Schooling on behalf of the Australian Government and her term as Chair of Australian Hearing. In 2012 she was appointed as the Chair of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing.

Kathryn has held Directorships for Pacific Power, John Singleton Advertising, Carlovers Ltd and the Financial Planning Association. She has been a member of the Bond University Council and a member of the Advisory Council of L.E.K. Consulting Ltd. Kathryn's non-profit activities include or have included: Director Bell Shakespeare Company; Chair of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeals; Chair of Save the Children Australia and Chair of Sydney Peace Prize Foundation.

Associate Professor Michael Salter

Michael Salter is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Scientia Fellow at the School of Social Sciences at UNSW. Michael applies critical and feminist theory to the study of child sexual exploitation, gendered violence and complex trauma.

He is leading two national studies: one on multi-sectorial constructions on complex trauma, and the second on the role of parents in the production of child exploitation material. Other current research projects include an analysis of perpetrator interventions in gendered violence and the role of technology in domestic violence.

Michael sits on the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and he is Associate Editor of Child Abuse Review.

Ballina Gee

Ballina Gee is a survivor and the founder of the social enterprise, Housing with a Purpose which is dedicated to addressing housing affordability and property ownership though innovative, values-based partnerships. Ballina has more than 20 years of experience in building communities, advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

She has lead programs and advocacy campaigns for refugee and multiculturalism social cohesion, environmental refugee impact, community safety and mental health related to trauma induced experiences such as the impact of domestic violence , childhood abuse and seeking asylum.

Mary Creenaune

Mary Creenaune has worked in Catholic Education at the Diocese of Parramatta since 1998 and has served as the Head of Student Services since 2012. Previously, Mary was School Principal of two Catholic primary schools in Western Sydney over a 15-year period. She has extensive experience working with students and families from culturally and linguistically diverse and she is highly experienced in working with students with a range of learning support needs.

Mary is currently facilitating leadership programs for new principals and leaders as well as lead a  team of 150 skilled therapists and teachers to response to the diversity of the needs of students in our schools.

Paula Kerr

Paula Kerr is a psychologist and the Director of the Tribunal of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Parramatta. The Parramatta Tribunal is an office of the lnterdiocesan Tribunal of Sydney (NSW and the ACT) and it is responsible for the preparation and assessment of all cases presented to it by people who reside within the Diocese of Parramatta.

Paula heads this office and she also serves as independent psychologist for the Diocese of Parramatta community.

Nathan Khoury

Nathan Khoury graduated from Parramatta Marist High School in 2021, completing 13 years of schooling education at our Parramatta schools. Having thorough involvement within the Parramatta Diocese and it’s schools, he was a student leader and Prefect, part of the Dioceses’ Lifted program, and was a key member of the Marist Solidarity team. Nathan was selected by the Bishop and the Curia to be part of the diverse panel which shaped the Parramatta Way Safeguarding Policy.

Throughout the COVID lockdown period he was a student voice on the Today Show providing the perspectives of youth across the state on segments regarding the HSC, ATAR, vaccinations, lockdown and mental health.

He is currently a student at the Australian National University, based in Canberra, studying a double degree – a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics. Residing at Burgmann College, Nathan holds the position of First Year Village Representative and is an Academic Network Coordinator. He has been recognized for his significant contributions to College culture and life, being awarded the Village Community Leadership Award and the John Dauth Award for First Year Contribution to College.