Meet the Team
Barry studied Chemical Engineering and Economics and has worked in the hydrocarbon and related industries for almost 40 years, 35 years of which was as a manager of capital projects, process plants and industrial sites. For the last 18 years, Barry was Managing Director of LyondellBasell Australia, serving terms on joint venture and industry association boards.
Sustainability of organisations and work-groups, within their local community, and managing change forthrightly, truthfully, and respectfully (demonstrating Christian compassion) have been key motivations throughout his career. He worked with many operations in Asia and South America and been energised through engaging with and learning from the approaches taken to develop sustainable solutions within the varying local community contexts.
Born in Roma (country Queensland, not Italy) Barry grew up in Brisbane. After graduating, he moved to Sydney, (where he married his wife, Pauline, in 1984). Together, they have lived and worked in the UK (where their 3 children were born) and the Netherlands. Barry and his family moved to Melbourne in 2003 when he took on his MD role. Melbourne is as far south as he will go!
In one of life’s symmetries, Barry attends St Columb’s Anglican Church, Hawthorn, where Pauline’s father commenced his ministry career, almost 60 years earlier. Additionally, Barry & Pauline’s extended family has been involved in missionary service for many years.
Barry is therefore pleased to join MMA, aligning his Christian, personal and business interests in developing and promoting local community sustainability.
David Bock studied chemical engineering at the University of Sydney, during which time he was converted. He spent his career in the chemical and plastics industry, retiring in 2010 when his employer closed operations. He and his wife Jenny have one adult daughter. He has a Bachelor of Theology through Ridley College and spent several years at a previous church ministering to overseas students. He joined the Committee of Management of MMA with Jenny in 2017. David’s main leisure interests are sailing, which he took up quite late in life, and reading. During retirement, he and Jenny have cruised the east coast and Tasmania.
Brenton has a life long passion for improving the lives and outcomes for people living in remote and vulnerable communities. Brenton’s background in critical care nursing and health promotion led him to understand the importance of sustainable healthcare in achieving these goals.
Brenton completed a Masters of Public Health which developed his understanding of health policy and health administration. He has lived in Lautoka, Fiji where he completed a quantitative research project understanding adherence to medication regimens amongst people with Rheumatic Heart Disease. Brenton has spent much of his career coordinating international research projects including clinical trials where he has worked on successful grant applications and overseen ethics and research governance requirements. More recently, Brenton has been completing a post-graduate diploma of theology and enjoys the challenge of running a small business.
Brenton is married to Amanda, an obstetrician with a passion for International Health and together they have three daughters.
Jenny trained as a nurse, becoming Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, and Maternal and Child Health nurse. She nursed full and part time for 42 years, which included one year in the US, following a year studying in a discipleship school there, and a year in a mission hospital in northern India.
Jenny worked in door-to-door cross cultural mission in inner Melbourne high-rise blocks and in running fellowship groups for overseas students. She is married to David and has one adult daughter.
She is particularly interested in the training of nurses in rural areas overseas and would like to see this work expanded.
Jenny enjoys gardening, choral choir, reading and sailing.
Catherine has spent most of her career working as a Radiation Therapist, primarily at Alfred Health. Several years into her career, she undertook a Master of Public Health and during this time an opportunity came up to volunteer for 3 months at Papua New Guinea’s only cancer centre in Lae. This was to train the 3 local radiation therapists in new techniques after the country’s only radiotherapy machine commenced operating again after 10 years out of service. During this time she also worked with the University of Technology PNG to assist in setting up a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy course to train more radiation therapists. Since this time Catherine has travelled to PNG many times to teach the student Radiation Therapists.
Catherine grew up in a Christian family whose beliefs centred around actions, in helping those in need, and this has led to Catherine’s work in PNG.
Over the course of her Radiation Therapy career she has also specialised in an area called brachytherapy, a focussed form of radiation therapy, particularly for prostate cancer.
This has led to brachytherapy teaching and training locally as well as international including running a training course in Malaysia and, with a couple of colleagues, assisting the team to commence a prostate brachytherapy programme at the National Cancer Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
When not at work Catherine is passionate about sailing, and has competed locally on Port Phillip as well as overseas in the UK and Sweden, often with an all women crew.
William Milton is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in computer applications and extensive experience in the financial services industry. Having worked in major investment banks across Europe, West Asia, and the Caribbean Islands for nearly two decades, William brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Throughout his career, William has held positions as a Business Analyst and Manager of Projects, accumulating close to 22 years of valuable experience in these fields .
He has a Masters in Computer Applications and Masters in Business Administration.
In 2016, William relocated to Melbourne with his family and has been an active member of the Anglican Church in Melbourne, serving in Parish Council, actively contributing to the mission and community.
William’s passion extends beyond his professional and religious endeavors. He is deeply committed to volunteering and giving back to the community. William feels privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the important work of MMA and is dedicated to making a positive impact.
Lara is a long term supporter of MMA, first hearing about the work they do in the 1990’s whilst participating in CMS Summer Conferences. Lara was drawn to the work of MMA, having a background in allied health and a desire to see quality healthcare provided to all as a outworking of her Christian faith.
After completing her training as a Radiographer, Lara has worked across a number of organisations including large public hospitals and the corporate sector. She brings skills in organisation, training, strategy and marketing, with nearly 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector.
Lara has been actively involved in churches throughout her life, in many various roles as diverse such as Summer Beach Missions as a teenager, through to Service leading and Children’s Ministry.
Lara, with her husband, is kept busy parenting two teens and enjoys the enthusiasm and energy they bring to all that they do. Lara has a passion for hospitality and loves bringing people together over great food and thought provoking conversation.
Excited to join the MMA board, Lara looks forward to contributing to the continuing work of MMA and promoting the organisation locally to encourage the next generations to become active supporters of MMA.
Committed to making a difference in the world at an early age has afforded me a diversified career. My work ethic has a foundation of integrity and responsibility to individuals and organisations which emanates from my values of loyalty, honesty, reliability, consideration and generosity.
An acknowledged history of devising innovative creative ways to project manage the most complex turnkey projects domestically and internationally in multinational manufacturing and retail environments including the world’s leading retailer. Business and technical experience has enabled me to forge continuous improvement providing sustainability at these blue-chip companies. Areas of expertise include packaging, print reproduction, budgeting, legal, training and procurement.
Using my greatest strength of being a relater, I embrace people from all levels and diversities, producing ambitious results through my commitment to the development and training of people a nation’s most valuable resource. Empowering people to understand their passions so that they can live a life they love and work in a career that fulfils their dreams. Principle and owner of NOW Professional Coaching.
I have volunteered since 13years of age mainly around children and the disadvantaged through the church. Prior to going overseas, and her death supported a returned SIM missionary for 7 years. Currently attend Christ Church Hawthorn.
Meryl is married to John with 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren, and is a committed Christian with a heart for others reaching out in Christ’s name.
She attends St Mark’s Anglican Church, Forest Hill where she leads an English program for recent immigrants, a craft program and is also involved in a community meal program. She leads a Bible study group with her husband and has held various roles in the church.
Meryl was involved with Scripture Union as a participant and then as a leader on camps and beach missions. She has lived and worked in both city and country Victoria, Tasmania, Egypt and Switzerland and has been involved in Christian ministry and education in all these places.
A trained teacher with post graduate qualifications in Education and Administration, Meryl has an interest in textile arts with a qualification from City and Guilds (UK) and currently teaches at U3A Nunawading. She worked across various education sectors including TAFE, Special Education, Adult Education, ESL and regular schools and was founding principal of St Andrews Christian College Melbourne, a role she relinquished after 17 years to move overseas when her husband was transferred in his role as an engineer. She worked with the Diocese of Egypt for 6 years in cross cultural ministry, working with refugees, the poor and disabled.
A past board member of Scripture Union Victoria, Meryl is currently a board member and board secretary for Anglican Relief and Development Australia and MMA.
Liz Potter has been providing bookkeeping services to MMA since 2020. As Founder and Director of Business Answers & Support, Liz brings a wealth of experience from many years’ work supporting a wide range of organisations including commercial, social enterprise and not for profit. Liz has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Melbourne, is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board as a BAS Agent, and is a Member in Practice of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Liz is a skilled project manager who combines high level communications with reliability, bringing a positive presence to each of her client organisations. Through Business Answers & Support, Liz provides a range of services including finance, board support, administration, policy preparation, governance and strategy. Liz lives in Geelong and is an active member of St Johns Anglican Church Highton.