Our people

CloseMarg CaseyChairpersonMarg Casey has a background in parish and school administration, vocations ministry at state and national levels, health ethics, social services and homelessness. She has a varied background working in Church organisations, as an administrator, editor, executive director and volunteer program co-ordinator to name a few. She says, ‘I am looking forward to my role on the Board of Highways and Byways.

Close Martin AllenDeputy ChairpersonMartin has a wealth of business experience, implementing solutions for national and global clients. His experience includes senior client relationships, contract negotiation, business development and technology. He says:  Highways and Byways offers me an opening to contribute my time and energy to support and develop the ongoing mission of the Missionary Sisters of Service.”

Close Jeff Byrne Director Jeff is a qualified Company Director with extensive experience in government board roles He has a background in public sector leadership, organisation governance, risk management as well as financial and economic management.

CloseBernadette HoganDirector – CPABernadette was born into a farming family in Birchip in North Western Victoria, she went on to study Accounting and Business Management at University in Melbourne and worked for a number of years as a Tax Accountant. Bernadette married Birchip farmer, Chris Hogan, and moved back to the Mallee where they welcomed four children Bridgette, Molly, Thomas and Rosie. Bernadette set up her own accountancy practice in Birchip, where she often found herself acting more in the capacity of a Counsellor than a Business Advisor during the harsh millennial drought years. Very active in her local Parish, Bernadette is a Lay Leader and was instrumental in developing and running a Religious Education Program for primary school children following the closure of the Catholic School. She has taken on many executive roles in local and regional sporting clubs and community organisations including volunteering as a member of the local shire Audit Committee and serving as a Shire Councillor. She is passionate about supporting small regional communities towards strength and resilience and sees very real opportunities for Australian farming communities to lead the way in developing and promoting sustainable, climate-friendly solutions and practices. “I am looking forward to being involved in Highways and Byways as it continues the work of the Missionary Sisters of Service in valuing and supporting those in the regions whose struggles are often not seen.”

CloseBernadette MaddenDirectorBernadette has worked as a social worker and teacher across Australia. She has many years experience in indigenous communities. Bernadette has also worked with vulnerable families and communities. For Bernadette: “Highways and Byways is an opportunity to continue the vision of our Founder, John Wallis, to reach out to those beyond. It was this vision that inspired me some 30+ years ago to join the Missionary Sisters of Service. Today I see Highways and Byways as an on-going expression of the mission.”

Close Cheryle Royle Director Cheryle has an extensive background in healthcare management having been the CEO of a number of hospitals in Victoria and prior to retiring/semi-retiring was the CEO of St Vincent’s Hospital Brisbane (SVHB).
She has served on a number of Boards throughout her career including a National Board, local Government Boards and Health Services in Rural Victoria. Her achievements include being a previous winner of the Telstra Business Woman’s Award (VIC, 1998) for the private sector with greater than 100 employees. During her time at SVHB, the hospital became actively involved in caring for the Homeless, providing Nursing & Medical Staff to MICAH projects at their purpose built facility accommodating 140 Homeless people. In addition, the hospital in conjunction with The Mater Hospital also provided support for Refugees & Asylum Seekers. As a member of the Highways and Byways Board, she will bring her leadership skills and knowledge along with her desire to assist the MSS with their ongoing Mission.

Close Clare McShane Clare is a woman of vision and energy, who conceived and developed a successful business creating wool products from the family’s fine merino wool property. She is recognised widely for her business and community contributions. Clare was born in Sydney and moved to Tasmania with her family when she was 17 years old. She attended Conservatory of Music High School in Sydney then St Michael’s Collegiate school in Hobart before obtaining her Diploma of Teaching and Tasmanian Teachers Certificate. Clare was posted to Oatlands as a young teacher, where she met and married local grazier Allan McShane. They settled at Casaveen, a property grazing 11,000 sheep at Lemont. They had five sons. When wool prices were down, Clare founded the Casaveen spinning and knitting factory in Oatlands, where the superfine wool from their property was made into beautiful garments. Clare and Allan have recently retired and now live near Howden Tas.

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Bishop Pat Power People, especially those on the margins, have always been at the heart of Pat’s life as priest and auxiliary bishop of Canberra-Goulburn. In 2012 Pat “retired” from his work as bishop in order to be more available to people who are struggling in one way or another. He is a strong spokesperson about concerns that are also close to the heart of Highways and Byways: social justice, the environment, ecumenism, inter-faith and inter-cultural relations, and the way these impact on people’s lives. When asked to express why he accepted the invitation to become a patron of the Foundation, Pat wrote: “I share the same great love for the priesthood as Fr John Wallis whom I was privileged to know. Even though I have not had a lot of first-hand experience of the Missionary Sisters of Service, I have greatly admired the way they are so much part of the lives, the faith, and the joys, hopes and struggles of the people they so generously serve.”

CloseMary Wagner Mary Wagner is well known in the Toowoomba community and far beyond as a woman of compassion and integrity, who has influenced and led many initiatives across the business and community sectors of Toowoomba. Mary has received numerous accolades for her contributions in this regard. For Mary, family is the number one priority in her life and she credits many of her life achievements to her commitment to family. Mary grew up on a dairy farm where her parents sacrificed much to send her to school in Warwick and then to boarding school in Brisbane. This commitment to education saw Mary undertake the same sacrifices when she and her husband raised their eight children. Mary returned to nursing when her youngest child was four years old and worked night duty for thirteen years. In 1986 Mary and her husband Henry set up the Wagner Company. It has grown from a company of six employees to over 900 staff in Queensland and globally. In 2019 Mary was recognised in the Australia Day Honors List with an AM – a member of the Order of Australia. Mary continues to give much to the Toowoomba community and always encourages others to fulfil their potential. “Never take for granted the importance of your role in making the world a better place. Never stop asking how you can contribute meaningfully, to achieve a higher standard of excellence”.

Close Denis Fitzgerald Denis developed a close association with many aspects of Highways and Byways while serving as Executive Director at Catholic Social Services Victoria, from 2006 to 2019. His focus there included reflection on mission and its practical implications in Catholic social service providers and parishes. In addition to his role with Highways and Byways, Denis currently serves in governance and advisory roles with organisations active in aged care, education and community services, and is engaged in parish leadership and prison ministry. Earlier careers were as an Australian diplomat, including service as Australian High Commissioner to Nauru, and policy and management roles with the Victorian Government. Denis has qualifications in arts, business, theology and public policy.