Ecology & Economics: Everything is Related
Speakers
9:45am: Laudato Si’: The evolution of Religious Life and implications for today
Anne Boyd CSB
Anne Boyd is a Brigidine Sister with many years experience in Catholic Education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
From 2002 – 2017 she was Coordinator of the EarthSong Project, exploring ways of adult learning in the light of the story of the evolution of the Universe and our planet Earth. This story offers a new understanding of human identity and of the magnificence and immanent creativity of Divine Mystery. During this time, she also edited the EarthSong journal offering perspectives on ecology, spirituality and education.
Anne was recently elected as leader of the Brigidine Southern Cross Community which be launched in July this year.
She enjoys bush walking, is a keen gardener and an avid follower of the Western Bulldogs.
Sally Neaves
Sally is the Integral Ecology Animator and mission, ministry resource coordinator of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. She has a background in leading ecological theology programs, facilitating retreats and teaching permaculture. Her current role involves leading the Institute’s efforts in implementing the 7 goals of the Laudato Si’ Action platform.
11.10am: All things in balance: Laudato Si’ and new economic models
Michelle Maloney
Michelle is a lawyer, governance expert and systems change/social change maker. Michelle is the Co-Founder & National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), an organisation that works across disciplines to promote the understanding and practical implementation of Earth centred governance - with a focus on law, economics, ethics, education, spirituality and the arts (www.earthlaws.org.au). Michelle manages AELA’s Earth Arts Program, and regularly collaborates with visual, sound and performance artists, celebrating the Rights of Nature. Michelle is also Co-Founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (www.neweconomy.org.au) and Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia, a not-for-profit organisation created in partnership with First Nations Elders, aimed at building cross-cultural ecological knowledge and creating an Earth centred society (www.futuredreaming.org.au).
1.15pm: Towards ‘doing no harm’ - early steps: ecological economics within religious institutes
Kate McPhee SM
My name is Kate McPhee, a Marist Sister in Sydney, Australia. I was Born in Melbourne, Victoria and was educated by the Marist Sisters. After some years of working in the Bank, I joined the Sisters in Sydney in 1983. After profession I trained as a teacher and have been involved in secondary education here in Sydney. I have also ministered with our Sisters in Mexico and Papua New Guinea and in Western Queensland was involved in pastoral ministry. For many years I have served our Congregation in its financial administration both here and overseas. Currently I oversee our Congregational finances for our communities here in Australia.
Chris Hill
Chris Hill is the Environmental Sustainability Manager for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea and provides specialist leadership and technical expertise on environmental sustainability strategies across the Institute. Previous to this role, Chris was the Director of Environmental Sustainability at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, where he led the development of environmental strategy to support the hospital’s environmental sustainability platform and Mater was recognised with numerous awards, most notably, The Queensland Premiers Award for Sustainability in 2016.
Andrew Biddle
I began working as the Business Manager for the Trustees of the Marist Fathers for the Province of Australia in January 2014. As Business Manager, I have the responsibility for the financial and accounting functions and for the provision of strategic advice to the Provincial Council. In addition, I work with Marist communities and individuals to assist them in anything business related. In addition, I am involved in the two charities of the Marist Fathers - Australian Marist Centre for Overseas Aid (AMCOA) and Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM).
2.10pm: Regenerating Communities of Life
Kathy Daini
Kathy Daini has been the Business Manager for the Presentation Sisters Victoria for the past 20 years (will be 21 years on 20 May 2022). She is a member of the CRA Stewardship Committee and has held this position for the past 4 years. Kathy has recently accepted the position of Director on the Board of Religious Institutes Central Investment Fund ltd and looks forwarded to the challenges that she will face in her new role.
Stancea Vichie MSS
Stancea is the Congregational Leader of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) and is a member of the MSS Stewardship Council. She was involved in setting up the Sisters’ mission entity Highways & Byways that now continues the long history of the MSS supporting small communities in remote and regional Australia. Highways & Byways provides funds to support small local groups in these disadvantaged areas to lead their own projects that build connections between the people and the land.
Stancea has worked amongst people from many different backgrounds and cultures in urban, rural and outback regions of Australia, as well as overseas. Her work has included pastoral work, leadership formation, human rights, advocacy and support with asylum seekers, and working towards the elimination of human trafficking through her membership of ACRATH.
Stancea feels a strong connection to this land, acknowledges the continuing story of its First Peoples, and stands with them and people of goodwill in the journey of seeking justice through voice, treaty and truth-telling.
Jane Collopy
Jane leads Highways & Byways in restoring connections between people and the land in remote and regional parts of Australia. Highways and Byways is the mission entity of the Missionary Sisters of Service. The Small Grants Program and ongoing projects are set up as partnerships where we can provide support to local leaders who develop their own events and projects. Over the last five years Highways & Byways has funded over 160 small grants across every state and territory in Australia.
Jane’s passion for this work is inspired by the generosity and groundedness of the MSS sisters, and their history of going out to the highways and byways to support and connect those who are disadvantaged and disconnected.
Jane has always felt a strong connection to the land. She has been a naturopath for over 10 years and has always encouraged her patients to recognise their connection to the land is crucial for their health in all dimensions; spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. The ecological breadth of the Highways & Byways mission to Heal the Land Heal Ourselves Together provides fertile ground on which to nourish and support the health not only of ourselves as individuals, but as part of the greater ecosystem that we belong to.
Sue Martin
Sue is currently the co-chair for the CRA Ecology Alliance committee. Sue lives in Kenthurst, NSW, a member of St Madeleine’s parish, in Parramatta Diocese. Since 2009 Sue has been part-time with the Australian Jesuit Province assisting the ecology journey and currently the Reconciliation with Creation project officer for the Australian Jesuit Province and Catholic Earthcare coordinator within Caritas. In 2021 the Jesuit Care for our Common Home committee undertook a ministry wide Jesuit Laudato Si’ Action Plan framework process. Sue has a commitment to ecology and Ignatian spirituality being active with the Pacific Climate Watch group, the Faith and Ecology Network and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. Sue has worked closely with the Being with God in Nature Ministry team since its inception. Sue has an agricultural science degree with a post graduate teaching qualification and a Cert IV in carbon management. Sue was fortunate in 2011 to become a Climate Reality Leader being trained by Al Gore in Jakarta. Sue also volunteers with the Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation, amazing women from Mt Druitt. It is about responding to Laudato Si’, connecting people to their local place, finding God in the other and caring for our common home together.