Guided by a dedicated Board and senior management, the spirit of caring is delivered by an organisation of exceptional local professionals and volunteers.
The Board and management team has significant experience in providing successful operational leadership in aged and health care.
Underpinned by a commitment to the wellbeing of older people, accountable decision-making, and leadership to drive high quality performance, the governance and performance of our organisations is impeccable.
The senior management team is strongly supported by experienced departmental and clinical managers demonstrating the necessary skills to implement policies, procedures and a caring framework within the evolving model of wellbeing for care recipients.
Our spirit of responsibility extends from those who guide us, to those who work with us.
Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS DD
was ordained in Poland on 29 September, 2020
In 1987 he entered the novitiate of the Society of the Divine Saviour in Bagno near Wroclaw, where he undertook philosophical and theological studies.
On the 28th of May 1994, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Trzebinia near Krakow, he was ordained a priest by His Eminence, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski.
In the years 1994 – 1997 he served in the Salvatorian Vocation Centre, and in 1996 he became the director of this Centre.
In 1997, he received the consent of the religious authorities to continue his priestly and religious ministry in the Salvatorian community in Australia.
In the first few months he attended a language school, and later was assigned to pastoral work as an assistant priest in the parish of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Esperance (WA).
In 1999-2000 he was assigned to the Willetton parish, where he served as an assistant priest.
In 2001 he was appointed parish priest of Merredin parish. During this time, he served as chaplain at Chisholm Catholic College in Bedford (Perth).
In 2005, he was appointed parish priest of St. Anthony’s Parish, Greenmount, where he served until 2009, when he was elected Superior of the Australian Region of the Salvatorians.
During his term as Regional Superior, he also served as chaplain at Prendiville Catholic College in Ocean Reef, as assistant priest at St. Simon Peter’s Parish in Ocean Reef and was a board member of the Archdiocesan Committee “Catholic Outreach” in Perth for 6 years.
In 2018 he was elected vice provincial of the Polish Province of the Society of the Divine Saviour and returned to Poland.
Our Board Members have been carefully chosen for their individual and shared expertise to provide organisational governance, ensuring strategic direction that provides stability for quality outcomes and viability.
Their experience is both significant and complementary, with a deepened understanding of the aged care needs for this region.
Paul Thomas
Non-Executive Board Member – Chair
Anthea Pavy
Non-Executive Board Member – Assistant Chair
Richard Ralston
Non-Executive Board Member
Kaye Walkington
Non-Executive Board Member – Clinical Advisor
Fr. Chris Kowalczyk
Non-Executive Board Member
Maggie Penney
Non-Executive Board Member
Donna Preston
Non-Executive Board Member – Clinical Advisor
Current Vacancy
Board Member
Cosimo De Cianni
Executive Board Member
Diocesan Business and Finance Manager MAICD, Bishop’s Assistant Aged Care Operations.
Cosimo De Cianni
Diocesan Business and Finance Manager MAICD.
Bishop’s Assistant Aged Care Operations
Cosimo’s key responsibility as a qualified chartered accountant is the oversight of financial operations, under the authority of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese. He also holds a Bachelor of Management, Fellow Governance Institute of Australia. Cosimo has over 30 years’ experience as Financial Controller and Commercial Manager in aged care, education and business enterprises.
Sharon Ley
Residential Services Manager
I was born in Adelaide, My family moved to Port Pirie where i completed Secondary schooling at St Marks.
i have worked at the Port Pirie Hospital where i completed my studies as a Registered Nurse in 1993
Also in 1993, I was married in the St Benedict’s Chapel at the St Marks School.
Later that year we moved to Canberra as my husband Trent had been successful in his application to join the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Over the next 17 years we were posted to Bangkok, Athens, Colombo and Noumea.
While overseas I was able to work with the Australian Embassy to support Australia prisoners in Bangkok and provided consular support visits to Australian Citizens who were hospitalised while travelling.
I have worked with Greater Southern Health service until I decided my calling would be to care for the elderly, which I have been doing since 2008, working in Canberra and Sydney in various roles.
My most recent position was with BaptistCare in Canberra and during my tenure assisted commissioning a 160-bed aged care facility.
Therese Johnson
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Therese commenced her nursing career in 1979 working as an assistant in nursing. She then completed her 3 year psychiatric Nursing Training at Kenmore Hospital in Goulburn, NSW. Following this she completed her transition training to general nursing. Therese has worked across a number of areas during her career including Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing and Aged Care. Therese moved to Port Pirie in 2011 to commence a role with the Mid North Community Mental Health Team working with all age groups but primarily with people over the age of 65. Therese’s role as Clinical Nurse Consultant at St Joseph’s House is to ensure that the care our resident’s receive is exceptional and she is dedicated to improving the lives of the residents.
Marra Pearn
Lifestyle Manager/Resident Liaison Officer
Commencing her role at St Joseph’s House as a personal care worker in 2007, Marra has taken on further responsibilities during her tenure and is currently the Lifestyle Manager and Resident Liaison Officer, along with Volunteer and WFD Co-ordinator.
Karren Bourke
Resident Admissions
Karren was originally employed at St. Joseph’s House in 2006 as a personal care worker. Since that time, further study has earnt Karren her Diploma as an Enrolled Nurse. Karren is currently responsible for resident admissions and continues to work as an Enrolled Nurse.
RESIDENTIAL CARE
Tania Venning
Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC)
I have been nursing for over 20 years in the acute, GP and aged care sectors. I am a conscientious advocate for all consumers at the Star of the Sea. My passion is working with the elderly and palliative care, providing a continuous high standard of care to consumers.
We can’t alter the destination but we can have a huge impact on the journey.
COMMUNITY CARE
Mel King
Community Care General Manager
Mel has been working in aged care management for over 25 years previously in residential aged care facilities and is enjoying the change into the community care space as the Community Care General Manager. She is passionate about supporting our clients in the community and ensuring their needs are met with dignity and respect by the team.
