Team1

SAY HELLO TO OUR STAFF

Meet the People Behind the Work

Our team of chaplains and qualified volunteers are dedicated to continuing and expanding our charitable mission. We are a family of diverse individuals who focus our different skills and expertise on a singular goal of serving and supporting all those going through the court system, this includes victims, offenders, and their families.

Read more about our individual team members below.

PAUL O'KEEFE

Chaplain and Training Facilitator

Paul studied Theology through Moore Theological College at Newtown then completed a Diploma in Chaplaincy through the Salvation Army’s Booth College at Stanmore.

He holds a Parish Lay Minister’s Authority by the Anglican Church of Australia, Dioceses of Sydney and has a wide experience in many streams of Chaplaincy

ALAN STAINES

Board Chairman

Alan has received the highest recognition for community service, (OAM) Order of Australia Medal in 2003 and received (OF) the highest order of the Salvation Army for his service to the marginalised, those bereaved by suicides and young people for many years. He set up the Salvo Care Line, Oasis (youth homelessness) and Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Services.

Alan has been involved with ministry for over 40 years and has been associated with the same Church for 82 years. He has been a Chaplain at St.Vincents Hospital for 20 years and Co-Founder of the NSW Court Chaplains Association.

SHARYN WIDDOWSON

Court Chaplain/Team Leader

Sharyn has been as a Court Chaplain working predominately in the Downing Centre Law Courts for the past 20 years. This has offered a powerful opportunity to come alongside individuals and families at what is often the worst time of their life.

Sharyn is co-founder and Team Leader of the NSW Court Chaplains Association. She is co-ordinator of the Positive Lifestyle Program (PLP) in the Courts and she is excited to be leading up a team of dedicated Chaplains who are currently appointed to a number of Courts in NSW. Looking ahead she would like to see an increasing chaplaincy presence in more courts in NSW and she is excited to be a part of this growing Association.

Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Tod has been part of our Parramatta Local Court team since February 2022 providing support to people interacting with the Court and as a one on one facilitator of the PLP Program at Parramatta. Tod has completed training in pastoral care and theology subjects and continues his professional development in Chaplaincy through ongoing study.

Tod Anderson

Chaplain - Parramatta Law Courts

Ken started volunteering as a Positive Lifestyle Facilitator in late 2016 at Downing Centre Law Courts. After retiring from civil engineering, Ken found it rewarding to find a new challenge in sitting with men of various ages he would otherwise not interact with, who are before the courts and struggling with life difficulties. He finds it a fulfilling experience to spend this personal time with men and challenge them to gain a better understanding of themselves and of their life, and give them the opportunity to address the issues that hold them back from living life in the best possible way.

Ken

Positive Lifestyle Program Facilitator | Secretary

Allison has been involved in court work for 6 years. She enjoys the PLP Program and the opportunities it gives to sit with people as they examine their lives and choices. She finds it a humbling experience because every human being is flawed and it takes courage to change. Allison has been a high school teacher previously and particularly enjoys leading spiritual retreats which she has done for over 20 years.

Allison Bennett

Chaplain- Downing Centre Law Courts | Spiritual Retreat Coordinator

Born in Egypt but grew up in Australia. Worked for the government all my professional career and retired as a maintenance engineer.
I enjoy networking, and community volunteering and have a deep passion for helping people of all persuasions to develop self-awareness, a positive lifestyle and life transformation.

John Gohari

Chaplain - Parramatta Law Courts

Recently retired accountant with over 40 years’ experience in industry and commerce. Passionate about engaging in gospel conversations one-on-one. A parishioner at Auburn Anglican. Married with two adult daughters. Enjoy travelling, bushwalking, watching sports and eating foods from all over the world.

Tom Teh

Chaplain- Downing Centre Law Courts

I'm a Christian, born in the Philippines and my wife is Korean. I have three children, and enjoy watching movies, basketball and love listening and playing music.

I work full time in retail, volunteer for the SES and also volunteer as a Community Care Representative, assisting the Chaplains at the Downing Centre. I am a trained Facilitator of the PLP Program.

Robert Evangelista

Downing Centre Law Courts | Web Designer

I am a trained Chaplain and welfare worker, who has worked in a variety of contexts. I am passionate about supporting and helping people change or help them find solutions to problems they encounter. I am a tragic AFL supporter following the Sydney Swans, and love to fish. I am a Chaplain at Parramatta courts, where I support people through going the court process, when people are often feeling anxious and frightened.

Tim Ralston

Chaplain - Parramatta Court Courts

Hi, I’m Lynne I have a passion and strong ability in mentoring those who are facing challenging situations in any area of life to foster personal motivation, dignity, growth, and empowerment. I love God, people and community.

I have worked in pastoral care and Chaplaincy roles for many years my qualifications are:

Diploma in Community Services - Case Management
Diploma Community Services -Mental Health.
Cert IV Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care
Cert IV Counselling & Communication Skills

Lynne McGrath

Chaplain- Wyong Local Court

I like to travel and do crossword puzzles. A mother of 5 children and a grandmother of 13 grandchildren. My life is quite busy as I'm also involved in my church as well as currently working at Hornsby Court as part of the Court Chaplaincy team.

I am also a trained Facilitator of the PLP program for NSW Court Chaplains Association

Joan Stanton

Hornsby Local Court

Elisepa Fililava

Chaplain- Sutherland Court

Phillip semi-retired in 2013, following business and career success in financial services, financial markets, software development and education.

Phillip was encouraged in his volunteering from a young age by the example set by community-minded parents. He enthusiastically serves the community including long periods of service with St John Ambulance Australia, as a director and chairman of a Christian school, as a foster carer, as a financial capability coach for a national charity, and now as a part of the NSW Court Chaplains Association. Phillip enjoys the satisfaction that comes from helping others and as an expression of his Christian faith.

Phillip's other interests include the Korean martial arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido, tinkering with technology, playing guitar and bass, swimming, walking and reading. He lives with his wife and two children who are both at university.

Philip Thomas

Chaplain - Penrith Court

Chaplain- Sutherland Court

Bernadette Redford

Chaplain/ Financial CounsellorSutherland Court

I am a Registered Nurse and Midwife with a strong background in critical care. For the past 13 years, I have been working as a Flight Nurse for NSW Air Ambulance.

I recently joined NSW Court Chaplaincy Association and am thoroughly enjoying my volunteer work at Penrith Courts. I am passionate about walking alongside people as they face challenging situations.

PLP Program provides an opportunity to engage with participating individuals and throughout the process, it is a blessing to see change and growth.
I also enjoy working alongside my wife Lyndy.

Adam Waddington

Penrith Court

I am a South African-born Australian from early 2001. Life has taken me to many countries, places and through many experiences which have prepared me for where I am now. I love animals, nature and food from different cultures, but my passion is people, especially the vulnerable, lost and those in need.

As a qualified counsellor, Chaplain, life coach and facilitator of the Positive Lifestyle Program, I have the privilege to come alongside people on their journey of discovery of their true self, change, growth and healing. I believe in True Hope and that gives me the strength, loving-care and courage to do what I do.”

Currently I am Facilitating the PLP Program for NSWCCA with guys who have matters before the Court and who are participants of Connect Global Rehabilitation Centre at Swan Bay.

Mariki Venter

Chaplain

I have been in ministry for 12 years, working on staff at my church for the past 5 years. I hold degrees in Rehabilitation Counselling, Social Work and a Masters in Chaplaincy.
I have worked in a variety of areas including aged care, prisons, hospitals and community chaplaincy.

I consider it a privilege to be invited into people’s lives as they share themselves with you.
I enjoy the PLP Program as it provides a supportive, non-judgemental, collaborative space where people can reflect and explore their growth options and continue to develop their capacity to learn from their experiences.

Lyndy Waddington

Chaplain - Penrith Court

I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana and migrated to Australia to attend university.

Upon graduation, I worked for different organizations but currently work for NSW Department of Education.

Volunteering has been my passion for many years and now I volunteer with NSWCCA and part of the Court Chaplaincy team at the Downing Centre Law Court

Travelling, literature, dancing, driving, walking, shopping and singing are my favourite things to do aside from work and I am a member of the Good Vibrations Choir.

Ethel-Terra Clottey

Downing Centre

PLP Facilitator

Garry Jones

Downing Centre Law Courts

I have a real passion for mentoring people in active addiction or those that are transitioning into recovery. I have experience in working in outreach and connecting with outreach organisations and I am committed to supporting vulnerable people and their family members.

I am a father of three boys who worked in sales and property development for 25 years.

I'm currently working as a Chaplain at the Downing Centre Law Courts and is trained in the PLP Program.

Rob Haigh

Chaplain -Downing Centre Law Courts

Shirley has been an active volunteer for many years as a Pastoral Carer in her local church and in Age Care facility. She is passionate about caring for others especially walking alongside and supporting people who are going through challenging times in their lives. Shirley has completed training in Pastoral

Counselling and embarking on her journey as a Chaplain and PLP Program Facilitator. Shirley currently works as part of the Chaplaincy team at Parramatta Court.

Shirley Teh

Parramatta Court

Anna’s husband is a pastor and they have been in parish ministry for over 40 years.

In June 2023, she completed a Diploma of Ministry and retired from paid work. In October 2023, she joined the NSW Court Chaplains Association and is working with the Chaplaincy team at Parramatta Court.

Anna values opportunities to show the hope and love of Jesus by caring for and supporting those who are dealing with the court system.
She is a trained PLP Program Facilitator and considers it a privilege to walk alongside people exploring important life issues.

Anna Davidson

Chaplain- Parramatta Court

Daniel currently serves as a First Nations Gospel Worker with the Baptist Mission Australia and serves among First Nations people in urban and regional NSW.

Daniel is also serving in NSW Court Chaplains Association with the heart to help the First Nations people by sharing the love of Jesus through practical, emotional and spiritual support provided in court settings

Dr Daniel Sze

Parramatta Court

My passion is showing God’s love through helping people of all ages, including Special Religious Education in a local primary school, driving people to medical appointments through LinC (Love in the name of Christ), chaplaincy work at Hornsby Hospital and Hornsby Court, and being a PLP Facilitator.

I have a husband, three daughters and ten grandchildren, and I enjoy doing something creative for leisure.

Kerry Wills

Chaplain - Hornsby Court