National Director of Catholic Welfare Australia seeks a seachange

Following 19 years of service within the Catholic Welfare sector in Australia the National Director of Catholic Welfare Australia, Mr Toby O’Connor, will be exploring new career opportunities in 2004.

“As I look back over the past few years I have been associated with the Church’s response to social disadvantage, especially those spent in the national scene, I cannot recall having anything other than the greatest enthusiasm for being an active participant in the social welfare sector,” said Mr O’Connor. “However, there is a time when we are faced with new challenges and new directions and I have reached such a time.”

Mr O’Connor has been employed in a number of positions within the Church’s welfare sector: as an employee of various Centacare agencies; as an employee and then Director of the Australian Catholic Social Welfare Commission; and since its inception, as the National Director of Catholic Welfare Australia.

“I have been humbled by the responsibility given to me to represent those less fortunate in our nation,” said Mr O’Connor. “It has indeed been a very great privilege and honour and one that will have an enduring formative affect on me personally.”

Chairperson of Catholic Welfare Australia, Fr Joe Caddy, said, “Toby has given us nineteen valuable years of service. Over those years his name has become synonymous with Catholic welfare. Through his vision, his good judgement and his sharp intellect Toby has positioned Catholic Welfare Australia very strongly to move with confidence into the future.”

“All associated with Catholic Welfare Australia are enormously grateful for the legacy that Toby leaves, we will miss him immensely and we wish him every blessing for the future,” said Fr Caddy.

For an interview please call: Jackie Brady, Communications Officer, 0417 220 779