To register for a Diocesan Leadership Workshop(s), please complete the online registration form below. Registration will close one week prior to each workshop date, or when a workshop has reached capacity, whichever occurs first. Final details of your workshop and a unique Zoom meeting link (for online workshops) will be shared prior to the workshop by email.
Please register for no more than 10 units to ensure that other participants also have the opportunity to enrol. Please also note that there are plenty of other professional development opportunities available beyond the below workshop calendar, including the one hour PD Lunchtime Sessions (2 units each) which do not require registration, the pre-approved online courses (between 4-10 units each) or any other relevant external training which can be assessed to see if it is eligible for credit through a Recognition for Prior Learning application.
If you have any questions, or if you need to cancel your enrolment for any reason, please email [email protected] as there is a limited capacity for each workshop and if you are unable to attend, your registration can be allocated to another person. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for any workshop that has reached capacity, please email our team with “Waitlist: (Workshop title)” in the Subject line.
If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding team at [email protected], or call us on (02) 4222 2428.
This workshop is designed to provide a foundational understanding of key safeguarding and professional standards principles for those working and ministering in the Diocese with children, young people and vulnerable persons. The module will deliver a comprehensive overview of the legislative obligations and relevant diocesan requirements, to establish a foundation preceding the attainment of specialised skills in the area of safeguarding and professional standards.
Leaders who are new to the Diocese or have recently taken up a leadership position are encouraged to complete this induction workshop or a similar alternative foundational workshop. This workshop is also appropriate for anyone seeking a refresher on foundational child protection principles and the associated diocesan policies.
Presenter:
Michelle Scobie
Integroe Partners Partner
A recognised expert in complex and sensitive workplace investigations, Michelle has handled matters involving bullying and harassment, sexual harassment, performance and conduct issues, and serious misconduct.Michelle has extensive experience in conducting investigations of current and historical child protection matters. Further, she has experience working with regulatory frameworks, including investigations into disability reportable incidents under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission.Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Labour Law and Relations from the University of Sydney Law School, with a focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Michelle has successfully supported religious institutes in navigating transitional challenges by facilitating strategic planning initiatives that address evolving operational and regulatory landscapes while maintaining alignment with their values and mission.
Hazard Management and Risk Assessment (6 units)
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Date:
Thursday 18 June 2026
Time:
10:30am – 2pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong
Description:
Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. This practical workshop focuses on equipping all pastoral workers with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, manage, and mitigate workplace hazards effectively. By understanding the fundamentals of risk assessments, participants will foster safer environments for parishioners, staff, children and the wider community. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to apply hazard management principles tailored to their unique contexts.
Presenter:
Cassandra Hayden CatholicCare Wollongong Strategy Implementation Lead & Aged Care Reforms Lead
Cassandra is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in the aged care and disability sectors, particularly in community care settings. A Registered Nurse by background, Cassandra has held diverse roles spanning operational management, business development, service model design, clinical care, policy development, quality, and service improvement.Currently serving as Strategy Implementation Lead and Aged Care Reforms Lead at CatholicCare Wollongong, Cassandra is passionate about driving meaningful change and improving care outcomes. Her expertise lies in crafting innovative solutions and fostering continuous improvement to enhance service delivery and support vulnerable people.
Cultural Learning Journey – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (8 units)
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Date:
Tuesday 21 July 2026
Time:
10:30am – 3pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong
Description:
Cultural Learning Journeys provide organisations and participants with opportunities to
deepen their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their diversity, and their histories—both past and present. This training emphasises the importance of delivering respectful, culturally safe services through knowledge-building and reflection.Curijo’s collaborative and transparent process creates a safe environment for participants to expand their knowledge and develop practical strategies for working positively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, communities, and organisations. The training is interactive, reflective, and grounded in real-life experiences shared by Aboriginal trainers, allowing participants to connect with the content, ask questions and gain meaningful insights.From learning the history, and the impact into the present, and strategies to working with Aboriginal colleagues and clients, participants will be able to reflect on their own knowledge, understanding, values, bias, and privilege through humanistic approaches.
Presenter:
Tina McGhie
Curijo Co-CEO & Senior Aboriginal Consultant
Tina has extensive experience within the employment, social and community services sectors and is well known for her leadership and managerial skills. Tina has worked at a state-wide level with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities in service delivery, community development, organisational development. At a national level, Tina has worked with the Human Rights Commission as a key representative body, whilst maintaining Federal and State government guidelines with comprehensive understanding of government operations, policies, and practices. Tina’s qualifications as a Trainer and Assessor has allowed her to deliver to Corporate and Government agencies in cultural awareness, Cultural Safety, and Trauma Informed Care. Tina specialises in working with both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal children, young people and adults within the Out-of-Home Care and Family Support fields.
Trauma Responsive Leadership – Self as Leader (10 units)
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Date:
Thursday 13 August 2026
Time:
9:30am – 4:30pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong
Description:
This training focuses on the foundational work of a leader in understanding themselves as
leaders and developing a secure base for their team to work from. This workshop will explore and apply trauma-informed leadership principles and provide strategies to develop a greater self-awareness. From this basis, participants will better understand the importance of modelling healthy regulation in the workplace and the impact this has on the wellbeing and attachment styles of their team. This training will equip participants in building safe organisations and creating trauma-informed workplaces.
Presenter:
Rosemary Mackey
Blueknot Foundation Social Worker & Trainer
Rose is an accredited Social Worker and member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, with over two decades of experience supporting vulnerable children and families within child protection, out- of-home care, and adoption settings. Rose has held positions in correctional settings, drug and alcohol fields and working with clients who have traumatic brain injuries. Her career reflects a strong commitment to leadership and relational practice with a therapeutic lens. Furthermore, Rose extends her expertise to practitioners through supervision and specialised training programs. Recognising the importance of family connection, she provides restoration services to birth parents striving to rebuild relationships with their children. Rose’s work consistently emphasizes a child- centred care and trauma-informed approach, recognising the significance of connection and attachment in healing and growth.
Diversity & Vulnerability (6 units)
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Date:
Thursday 27 August 2026
Time:
10:30am – 2pm
Location:
Zoom (ONLINE)
Description:
Diversity and vulnerability are often intertwined since the most vulnerable in our communities
tend to have diverse needs and backgrounds. In this workshop, participants will explore hidden
vulnerabilities and disabilities among children, the elderly, the LGBTQI+ community, and abuse survivors. This workshop will unpack diversity from both civil and canonical perspectives, highlighting that these sectors are not in competition.Any one of us could be vulnerable at any given time and so this training is designed to equip participants with knowledge and empower them to approach vulnerability and diversity with confidence and compassion.
Presenter:
Dr David Treanor
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd Director, Safeguarding & Compliance
Dr David Treanor joined ACSL in November 2021 with an extensive background in leading and managing the delivery of qualitative human services. David has worked in both government and non-government services across Australia. His previous role was as the National Leader for L’Arche Australia, where he was responsible for forming rigorous engagement strategies to develop and exceed regulatory compliance standards. His focus is on continuous improvement and finding innovative ways for everyone to live flourishing lives supported within a safe community. David holds a PhD in Philosophy; his dissertation presents a revised and richer philosophical understanding of friendship. David also holds qualifications in social work and religious education.
Safely Navigating Conflict Dynamics (6 units)
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Date:
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Time:
10:30am – 2pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong
Description:
Navigating conflict is rarely linear. Learning how to respond to and resolve conflict is a vital
skill, and this workshop will focus on skills development for a variety of contexts including the workplace, schools, parishes, and the community. Workshop participants will learn to view conflict as educative rather than inherently negative. By taking into account the different behaviours, attitudes and perspectives that influence conflict, we can respond in a way that listens and attends to individual and collective needs. Participants will learn how to identify and manage high-risk behaviours, and apply conflict prevention and mitigation strategies.As leaders in the workplace, we are called to face challenges with patience and courage. This workshop is designed to support participants with getting comfortable with the discomfort associated with conflict. This workshop will also utilise case studies that relate to all pastoral works, providing the skills and resources needed to understand what options are available to address conflict effectively.
Presenter:
Michelle Scobie
Integroe Partners Partner
A recognised expert in complex and sensitive workplace investigations, Michelle has handled matters involving bullying and harassment, sexual harassment, performance and conduct issues, and serious misconduct.Michelle has extensive experience in conducting investigations of current and historical child protection matters. Further, she has experience working with regulatory frameworks, including investigations into disability reportable incidents under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission.Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Labour Law and Relations from the University of Sydney Law School, with a focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Michelle has successfully supported religious institutes in navigating transitional challenges by facilitating strategic planning initiatives that address evolving operational and regulatory landscapes while maintaining alignment with their values and mission.
Navigating Today’s Online World Safely (6 units)
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Date:
Tuesday 10 November 2026
Time:
10:30am – 2pm
Location:
Zoom (ONLINE)
Description:
In today’s connected world, being online isn’t optional – it’s essential. The rapidly changing
landscape of technology and online environments calls for increased awareness and understanding of cyber safety and professional boundaries. This is especially relevant in the context of safeguarding in the Diocese of Wollongong. This training will focus on the importance of digital literacy and adapting to new technologies in relation to our work and ministry. Some other topics that will be covered include: Artificial Intelligence, cyberbullying, social media, technology for personal use, hacking, and risky online behaviours. Engaging with the online world poses unique benefits and challenges which with the right skills and training can be navigated safely and effectively.
Presenter:
Kendra Bosworth
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd
Kendra has significant experience in the adult education field, specialising in compliance, instructional design, academic and learner support, and quality and project management. Kendra has developed integrated quality management systems for education providers as well as conducting numerous compliance audits within the sector. Recently returned from Ireland where Kendra worked extensively within the international women’s community; she has also worked in the Australian non-for-profit sector, including teaching primary school scripture and assisting newly arrived refugees into our community. Kendra’s commitment to social justice, diversity and ensuring learners are supported, enabling equitable learning environments, has underpinned her wide-ranging background and career.
Register for Diocesan Leadership Workshops
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Us and we and our means the Catholic Development Fund.
You means the customer(s) who signed the direct debit request. Your financial institution is the financial institution where you hold the account that you have authorised us to arrange to debit.
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you or your account may be charged a fee and/or interest by your financial institution;
you or your account may be charged a fee to reimburse us for charges we have incurred for the failed transaction;
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If you believe that there has been an error in debiting your account you should call us on (02) 4222 2444 and confirm the details in writing with us as soon as possible so that we can resolve your query quickly.
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You should check:
with your financial institution whether direct debiting is available from your accounts offered by financial
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with your financial institution before completing the direct debit request if you have any queries about how to complete the direct debit
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Disclosure statement
The Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Wollongong (the Fund) is required by law to make the following disclosure: The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). Investments in the Fund are intended to be a means for investors to support the charitable, religious and education works of the Diocese of Wollongong and for whom the consideration of profit are not of primary relevance in the investment decision. The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and any investment of the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed at www.cdfwollongong.org.au or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is bluerepresenting the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is greendepicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
