Senate membership list

The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC

DTS (YTU), BA LLB (UQ)

Chancellor appointed under Clause 20.1 of the ACU Constitution

The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 13 July 2007 to 31 December 2021. He was also President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal from October 2017 until November 2021.

His appointment as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University took effect on 1 January 2022.

Daubney was educated at Downlands College, Toowoomba. He initially undertook studies at the Yarra Theological Union (Diploma of Theological Studies) before attending the University of Queensland from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. After 18 months practising as a solicitor, he was admitted to the Bar in 1988. In 2000 he was appointed Senior Counsel. In addition to an extensive practice as a commercial barrister, Daubney became prominent as a mediator, particularly in commercial disputes. From 1994, he was also admitted to practise in Fiji, and appeared in numerous trials and appeals in that jurisdiction. In 2005, he chaired a Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland thoroughbred racing industry. Before his appointment to the bench, Daubney served on the Council of the Bar Association of Queensland for more than 10 years in various roles, including as President from July 2006 until his appointment to the Supreme Court.

He has served on a wide range of community and philanthropic boards, including two terms on the Senate of the University of Queensland and his current appointment as a member of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees.

Among his awards and honours are the prestigious Australian Insurance Law Association Prize awarded in 2017 and the 2019 Colleges' UQ Alumni Award. He is a Fellow of King's College UQ. In 2018 Daubney was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, to education, and to the community.

Daubney has served the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane on the Archdiocesan Finance Council (since 2011; Chair since 2018). He was National Vice-President and Queensland Chair of the Australian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (2009-2014; 2016-2017).

As Chancellor of ACU Daubney is committed to ensuring effective corporate governance practices and strategic management in leading the ACU Senate and supporting the Vice-Chancellor and President and senior university management. He looks forward to representing ACU across industry and the broader community to strengthen ties and create awareness of opportunities, and working closely with the Catholic Church to ensure that ACU stays true to its mission, strong sense of identity, and distinctive Catholic vision.

Virginia Bourke

BA LLB(Hons) MA FAICD

Pro-Chancellor appointed under Clause 20.2 of the ACU Constitution

As Pro-Chancellor of ACU, Virginia Bourke brings experience as a lawyer and Non-Executive Director across a range of sectors including health, aged care, community services, education, training and publishing. She has particular expertise in the governance of charitable not-for-profit organisations.

Among her Board roles, Virginia is the Chair of Mercy Health, a national health and aged care provider employing more than 10,000 people. She is also a Director of the Mater Group, Catholic Health Australia and Caritas Australia. Virginia was formerly Chair of St John Ambulance Victoria and a director of its national body, St John Ambulance Australia.  She holds an advisory role with the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).

Virginia’s Non-Executive Director career has been complemented by her work as a lawyer and consultant in private practice and senior in-house counsel positions for over 30 years. She is currently a consultant with the national health and aged care industry team at MinterEllison Lawyers.   Through that work she has developed a breadth of commercial experience, business development skill and a deep knowledge of corporate governance law.

Professor Zlatko Skrbis

BPhil (Hons) (Ljubljana), BSocCult (Hons) (Ljubljana), PhD(Flinders), PFHEA

Vice-Chancellor and President appointed under Clause 21 of the ACU Constitution 

Professor Zlatko Skrbis is the fourth Vice-Chancellor and President of Australian Catholic University, a position he has held since January 2021. He joined ACU in 2018 and has also served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Innovation) and Interim Provost. He previously held senior leadership positions at Monash University and The University of Queensland.

Professor Skrbis holds a PhD in sociology from Flinders University and undergraduate degrees in sociology and philosophy from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. As an accomplished sociologist and an active researcher, he maintains an internationally recognised research profile and has made significant contributions in the areas of migration, cosmopolitanism, and life-course studies.

He is the lead investigator on the multi-wave ‘Social Futures and Life Pathways of Young People in Queensland’ research project. Also known as ‘Our Lives’, this large-scale, longitudinal study follows the life pathways of a single age cohort of young people from Queensland as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. The aim of this study is to assess how economic and social changes shape an individual’s educational, employment, family, and housing transitions during young adulthood.

Since arriving at ACU, Professor Skrbis has led an ambitious program of transformational change across the university, while displaying an unwavering commitment to ACU’s traditions, values, and Catholic mission.

As Vice-Chancellor and President of ACU, it is Professor Skrbis’s ambition to ensure that ACU is globally recognised as an institution that adheres to its strong Catholic principles and makes a tangible improvement to the lives of others through excellence in education, research and engagement.

Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP

BA/LLB (USyd)

Archbishop of Sydney

Cleric nominated by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference under Clause 13.2 (e) of the ACU Constitution

Archbishop Fisher received degrees in history and law from the University of Sydney, before joining the Dominican Order in 1985, and becoming a priest in 1991. Later, Archbishop Fisher achieved a doctorate from Oxford and lectured at several universities including ACU, the University of Notre Dame, Australia, and the John-Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, where he was founding Director.

Archbishop Fisher was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney in 2003, Bishop of Parramatta in 2010 and in 2014, became the Archbishop of Sydney.

In 2018, Archbishop Fisher participated in the worldwide Synod of Bishops on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment and was elected Vice-President of the Australian Bishops and Chair of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education. Until late 2018, Archbishop Fisher was Chair of the Bishops Commission for Family, Youth and Life and as Bishops’ Delegate for Youth.

Currently, Archbishop Fisher is Chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Sydney, a Corporation Member of ACU Ltd, a Member of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and an ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Archbishop Fisher has published extensively on ethical, bioethical, legal and theological subjects. He has also published nine books on topics ranging from A History of Solicitors in NSW (1984) to My Dear Young Friend (2018), which is a collection of letters to young people. Archbishop Fisher’s interests include cooking, reading, watching movies, and tennis.

Professor Timothy McKenry

PhD (Melb), MMus, BMus(Hons), AMusA

Chair of Academic Board appointed under Clause 13.2 (d) of the ACU Constitution

On staff at ACU since 2009, Timothy McKenry is professor of music with expertise in music composition, music theory and musicology. Prior to joining ACU he lectured in music at the University of Melbourne for 10 years. At ACU he has undertaken a range of leadership roles including Deputy Head of the National School of Arts and Humanities and acting Associate Dean (Learning, Teaching and Governance) in the Faculty of Education and Arts. He has served on multiple Faculty- and University-level committees, led the development and review of courses, supervised and mentored staff and helped implement a range of new initiatives in ACU’s academic programs. In 2014 he was awarded an Office of Learning and Teaching Citation for Excellence in Teaching and in 2015 he won the ACU Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition to his scholarly and teaching work, he is a composer and organist whose work has been performed internationally.

Annette Schmiede

BEc (USyd)

State Chapter member, appointed under Clause 13.2 (f) of the ACU Constitution (NSW)

Current term to AGM May 2024

Annette Schmiede is a highly respected leader within Australia’s health and aged care sectors. Her leadership and governance roles include public and private healthcare, industry, education and health and medical research entities. She has also contributed significantly to the strategic development of Catholic health and aged care services and Catholic education in Australia through her work with many of the Religious Orders and Catholic Development Funds. Annette has recently stepped down from the Executive Leader of the Bupa Health Foundation, and Deputy Chair of the Northern Sydney Local Health District Board. She is currently Chair of Research Australia with research interests that include mental health, aged care and health system reform. She is an economics graduate and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney.

Alice Bailey

BCom/BEcon (UQ) and GDipAppLaw (UQ)

State Chapter member appointed under Clause 13.2 (f) of the ACU Constitution (Victoria)

Current term to AGM May 2026

An economist by training, Alice Bailey is an established economist and public policy professional with experience that traverses federal and state politics and independent consultancies. Her generalist governance skills stem from her time in parliamentary contexts, where she is well-regarded for her attention to detail and analysis. Alice has worked with leading public and private sector organisations and advised State and Federal Members of Parliament on economic and financial issues.

Alice is now a senior economist providing advice and analysis on wide-ranging issues including the labour market, housing market and competition policy. 

Dr Peter Steer

GAICD, FAAP (AAP), FRCPC (Paediatrics), FRACP (Paediatrics), MB BS (UQ)

State Chapter member, appointed under Clause 13.2 (f) of the ACU Constitution (Queensland)

Current term to AGM May 2025

Dr Steer was appointed Mater Chief Executive Officer in January 2019. Dr Steer has a wealth of healthcare administration experience and clinical expertise.  

In September 2019 Peter was appointed as Group CEO of Mater’s services across Queensland to manage the development of a shared strategy to sustain the Mission of Mater’s ministries in health, education and research. 
 
Dr Steer’s previous appointment was as Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) in London from January 2015 to December 2018.
 
He commenced his medical career at Mater Brisbane in 1982 after graduating from The University of Queensland and worked at Mater until 1987. 
 
After four years of further training in Neonatology in New Zealand and Canada, Dr Steer returned to the Mater Mothers’ and Children’s Hospitals in 1991 and continued as Neonatologist and subsequently also as Executive Director of Mater Children’s Hospital from 1995 until 2002.
 
Peter then spent 6 years at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Canada as President and Chief of Paediatrics at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Professor and Chair, Department of Paediatrics at McMaster University. On return to Brisbane he was charged with the merger of Royal Children’s and Mater Children’s Hospitals and the delivery of the $1.4 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital as CEO of Children’s Health Queensland.

Ross Fox

BE (Mining) Hons (UNSW), BA (PPE) Hons (Oxon)

Chapter member appointed under Clause 13.2(f) of the ACU Constitution (ACT)

Current term to AGM May 2025

Fox was appointed as Director of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn in December 2016. He is responsible for 56 Catholic schools across NSW and ACT with 21,000 students and more than 2,000 staff. He has held senior positions in Catholic education across Australia, including Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission and Director of Policy, Research and Communications in the Catholic Education Office Melbourne. Since 2013, he has been a member of the National Catholic Education Commission and was appointed as an independent director of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders in 2016.

Fox grew up in country Victoria and studied engineering at the University of NSW. Later, he studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University. He is inspired by the great contribution that Catholic schools and educators have made to Australia and shares a passion for seeing every child benefit from quality teaching and learning.

Francine Pirola

BSc(UNSW), MA (Fordham)

Elected by the Members of ACU Limited from a panel of persons nominated by Senate, appointed under Clause 13.2(g) of the ACU Constitution (NSW)

Current term to AGM May 2025

Francine works in a volunteer capacity serving the mission of the Catholic Church in marriage and family life. Together with her husband Byron, they are the directors of the Marriage Resource Centre and cofounders of SmartLoving – a Catholic marriage formation apostolate that serves thousands of couples each year globally through courses (online and in person), coaching and other resources. In this capacity she has served on several national and diocesan bodies to discern and advance the role of marriage in the mission of evangelisation. As convenor of the Renaissance of Marriage conference series and of the Life Marriage and Family Network she brings together leaders in marriage and family ministry across Australia and beyond. In 2007, Francine authored ‘My Faith Diary’ (formerly My School Diary) – a Catholic student planner that grew to serve a hundred thousand students and teachers annually. Francine is the principal author and founder of CathFamily (an online database of resources celebrating Catholic culture) used by parents, teachers and catechists to enrich faith in the home, school and parish. Mother of five and ‘Nonnina’ to three, Francine is passionate about bringing Christ into the hearts and homes of those she serves.

The Honourable James Douglas KC

BA (UQ), LLB (UQ), LLB (Cambridge)

Elected by the Members of ACU Limited from a panel of persons nominated by Senate, appointed under Clause 13.2 (g) of the ACU Constitution (Queensland)

Current term to AGM May 2025

A Queensland Supreme Court judge from 2003 to February 2020, Douglas became a King’s Counsel in 1989, was President of the Bar Association of Queensland 1999-2001 and Editor of the Queensland Reports 1986-1991. Extra judicial positions include memberships of the International Academy of Comparative Law and the American Law Institute. He has also been active in the arts, serving as Chairman, Queensland Theatre Company 1990-1996 and Chairman, Queensland Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board 1989-1996. From 2005-2010 he was President of Alliance Française de Brisbane Inc. Since September 2019 he has been President of the Order of Malta in Australia. In July 2021, Douglas was appointed as a Royal Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Julian Widdup

Elected by the Members of ACU Limited from a panel of persons nominated by Senate, appointed under Clause 13.2(g) of the ACU Constitution (ACT)

Current term to AGM May 2026

Helen Cooney

BA Hons (UniMelb); M Gov+Comm Law (ANU); Grad Cert Org Coaching (Swinburne); GAICD; GAIST

Elected by the Members of ACU Limited from a panel of persons nominated by Senate, appointed under Clause 13.2 (g) of the ACU Constitution (Victoria)

Current term to AGM May 202

Helen Cooney is a highly regarded governance, policy and organisational adviser who put the theory into practice spending a decade as a leader in the child and family services sector. Helen is now a non-executive director, a governance and organisational coach and a principal policy adviser on the topics of superannuation and retail industry training.

Helen’s expertise is in supporting leaders in values-based organisations drive policy and strategy in a way that helps them to achieve measurable outcomes. She has a particular skill in supporting CEOs of entities with limited in-house support and senior administrators working with Boards of large and small government and non-government organisations.

Over the last 20 years, Helen has advised State Governments and Federal Members of Parliament, Vice-Chancellors, and boards across a range of specialisations including early childhood education and care, school education, vocational education and training, and higher education.

Ms Jessica Russ-Smith

Bach Social Work (Hons) UNSW, Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage CSU

Elected academic staff senator, appointed under Clause 13.2 (h) of the ACU Constitution

Current term to 30 April 2026

Jessica Russ-Smith (she/her) is a Wiradyuri Wambuul woman, Senior Lecturer and Academic Developer First Peoples Curriculum at Australian Catholic University, a non-executive Director for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and a Social Worker. Jessica is a highly experienced professional who has worked in some of Australia's most prestigious institutions. Jessica provides invaluable guidance to students and colleagues in decolonising teaching and learning, leads professional development for decolonising social work and education practice, and continues to establish herself as a leader in research and teaching.

Throughout her career, Jessica has been committed to advancing the social work profession, higher education, and promoting social justice. Her passion and focus are on creating decolonising, critical learning and practice spaces for students, staff and practitioners which honour and are guided by Indigenous knowledges.

Professor Elspeth Froude

PhD (La Trobe University), Graduate Diploma (neuroscience) (La Trobe University), Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) (USyd), Graduate of Australian Institute of Corporate Directors (Company Directors Course). 

Elected academic staff senator, appointed under Clause 13.2 (h) of the ACU Constitution

Current term to 30 April 2025

Professor Froude is the Deputy Head of the School of Allied Health NSW and the Head of Discipline in Occupational Therapy and is responsible for the national occupational therapy program across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Prior to commencing at ACU, she was an academic at La Trobe University and Editor in Chief of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. Professor Froude is the Current Scientific Chair of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress (Paris 2022) and is an International board member of ICAN (International Cognitive Approaches Network) which governs the CO-OP Approach of which Professor Froude is also a certified Instructor. Her research interests include childhood disability, and knowledge translation.

Associate Professor Richard Colledge

PhD (UQ), MA Philosophy (Leuven), M.Theol (BCT), Grad Dip Couns (QUT), Grad Dip Teach, Sec (ACU), BA (UQ)
Elected academic staff senator, appointed under Clause 13.2(h) of the ACU Constitution

Current term to 30 April 2025

Richard Colledge is Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) for the Faculty of Theology & Philosophy (since 2020), having previously served as National Head of ACU’s School of Philosophy (2011-2019), and as an elected member of ACU’s Academic Board (2017-21). As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he has a strong focus on collegial academic leadership and quality coursework design, with a cross-faculty focus. A philosopher, with expertise in post-Kantian Continental philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and the history of philosophy, he is past Chair of the Australasian Society for Continental Philosophy (2017-19). He combines extensive experience in academic administration with ongoing dedication to teaching, research and public intellectual engagement. Prior to commencing at ACU in 2010, Associate Professor Colledge taught philosophy for five years at St Paul’s Theological College (then a member School of the Brisbane College of Theology), where he also served as Academic Dean. In a previous lifetime he taught senior secondary History, Economics and English. He has a particular interest in the role of the Catholic university not only to train the next generation of professionals, but to provide students with an authentic higher education experience which opens them to new perspectives that enrich both lives and vocational studies. 

Ms Sarah Beltrame

MInfoStud(Lib) BCreativePrac(Phtg)(Hons) AssocDegMultimedia

Elected professional staff senator, appointed under Clause 13.2(i) of the ACU Constitution

Current term to 30 April 2026

Deanna Uremovic

Elected student senator, appointed under clause 13.2 (j) of the ACU Constitution

Current term to 31 December 2023

Deanna Uremovic is in her 1st year of a Master of Teaching (Primary). Deanna Has previously completed her Bachelor in Nursing at the University and has learnt many valuable skills to aid her in her role of Student Senator. Deanna has held multiple leadership positions within the University including AskACU Service Assistant, ACU National Student Association President and Open Day volunteer. Within the North Sydney Student Association Deanna has held multiple student leadership roles: President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Deanna has many skills and extensive knowledge about the University which will equip her in making decisions and speaking up for all ACU students. Deanna is passionate about bettering the University for all, always wanting to hear and listen to the need of students and figuring out how we can make every student’s time at ACU as successfully as it can be. After completing her studies, Deanna hopes to follow her passion in empowering the younger generation to have a voice and follow their dream as a Primary School Teacher. 

Dr Stephen Weller

BA (Syd), MCom (UWS), MBA (UTS), PhD (VU)

Company Secretary appointed under Clause Clause 18 of the ACU Constitution

Appointed in April 2013

Dr Weller joined ACU from James Cook University where he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (University Services) and Head of the Cairns Campus. He has held positions as Pro Vice-Chancellor of Students & Technology at Victoria University in Melbourne and as Campus Manager of the University of Queensland, Gatton. Dr Weller has more than 20 years experience in tertiary education across five Universities from three states.