Our current Advisory Council members are listed below.
Dr Damian Spruce (Chair) |
Dr Damian Spruce is a policy professional with experience managing complex and demanding political environments, developing policy and implementing reform. With a background as a lawyer, as chief of staff, ministerial adviser and senior public service executive he has successfully delivered more than 40 legislative reform packages handling policy development, parliamentary process and media strategy. He has effectively implemented government strategies and priorities across multiple portfolios including environment, emergency management, justice, counter terrorism and international aid, dealing with diverse stakeholders and contentious issues. He has also worked as a political party campaign manager and information unit director, as well as running NGO campaigns and alliances at regional and global levels. |
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Ms Liesl Centenera
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Liesl Centenera is a currently sole practitioner consultant who has advised on projects in the public and private sectors on legal and compliance issues; probity and conflict of interest; strategic and connected decision-making; organisational culture; executive recruitment and performance; HR/IR; and effective complaints management. She also has a particular interest in corporate governance and sit on a number of boards and committees. Ms Centenera has also held senior executive roles in government (ACT) and has strong networks in Government but also other networks. Of particular note (given the importance of Safeguarding in ERCS) is her current role as Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Institute of Professional Standards and Safeguarding, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. |
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Mark Cody CFC |
Mark joined the Congregation of Christian Brothers in January 1987 living at Mulgoa. He then moved to the Novitiate in Dutton Park in January 1988 and completed his Novitiate in December 1989. Mark has been a professed member of the Congregation for the past 36 years. He has taught in primary and secondary schools in Goulburn, Burwood, Waverley, Lewisham, Walgett, and Zambia. For the past 8 years, he has been working in Zambia on funding applications and House Finances. This was part of the Our Way into the future initiative begun by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Mark’s current positions include Part of the Cluster Leadership Team Age Care, and Brothers representative at the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education. |
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Mr Zaki Haidari |
Zaki Haidari has a long history with the Edmund Rice Centre and started with the Centre working as a volunteer. He is a 2020 Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Hero, an Ambassador for leading refugee legal centre Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) and currently works at Amnesty International Australia as a Refugee Rights Campaigner. Zaki is also a respected commentator in the media on refugee rights. As a refugee himself, Zaki fled Afghanistan after being targeted to be killed by Taliban. He survived a terrifying boat journey and arrived in Australia seeking protection in 2012. Since then, despite social, legal and financial obstacles, Zaki has thrived. First he learnt English, then he transformed into a human rights advocate, courageously sharing his experience with schools and the wider community, speaking out about the cruel regime of permanent temporariness faced by people like him who came to Australia by sea seeking safety. |
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Pastor Ray Minniecon
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Ray has founded and worked with multiple community organisations that serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: he is Director of Bunji Consultancies, which provides strategic analysis, advice, and services to improve achievement of environmental and organisational developmental goals; he is a founding member of two corporations dedicated to supporting members of the Stolen Generations (Aboriginal children who were removed under government policies) – the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, and the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home. He is a founding member of the Coloured Digger Project (which seeks to give recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who contributed to the defense of Australia) and the private Gawura Aboriginal Christian School. He is also a founding member and Board member of Red Dust Role Models which builds educational opportunities for youth in the Northern Territory. Ray is also Co-Chair of Australia’s Indigenous Peoples Organisations that advocates for human rights and climate justice issues among the world’s Indigenous Peoples. He is currently Community Chaplain and Vice-Chairman for the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship of Australia, which operates nationally across Australia to support Aboriginal Christian leaders and local First Nations Church fellowships. Ray is a musician and song writer. Ray has a BA in Theology. Dip.in Christian Ministry. Grad. Dip. Theology. Dr of Divinity (Hon). |
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Uncle Frank Pearce
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Frank is Uncle to thousands of young Australians. He recently retired after an exemplary career in Catholic education. He achieved the remarkable distinction of being awarded the Br John Taylor Award for his contribution to education. His talents are now directed towards building communities and championing projects which will bring benefit to all Australians. His achievements span education (preschool to university), employment and welfare. He was a member of several Advisory committees including the NSW Board of Studies and the Dusseldorp Foundation. Through his work as lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Frank has greatly influenced the lives of young teachers empowering them to teach with greater understanding of perspectives in Indigenous education. |
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