Australian Women Preach Australian Women Preach

Feast of Pentecost - John 15:26-27, 16:12-15 OR John 20:19-23

Mel Williams is an Ursuline sister who is at present working in Brisbane.  She has also worked in Sydney, Toowoomba, Maroochydore, and Rome.  She is a teacher, counsellor, and spiritual director and her time in Maroochydore was as pastoral associate.

Much of Mel’s work has been within the Ursulines as a formator with novices, temporary professed sisters, and international tertian groups.  This work of formation has kept Mel curious, interested and informed about the evolving aspects of consecrated life.  She has lived through the evolution of religious commitment from monasticism to the lifeform of many consecrated persons in Australia today and looks forward to what the future holds. 

Mel has recently completed four years as Vicar for Consecrated Life in the Brisbane Archdiocese.

Ascension of the Lord - Mark 16:15-20

In a career spanning over 25 years, Sharon has gained extensive experience in the education sector, both in independent and Catholic secondary and primary schools in the United Kingdom, Tanzania and Australia with a focus on educational leadership, Catholic Identity, curriculum innovation and experiential learning. Currently on the Executive team at Brisbane Catholic Education, Sharon has also held senior leadership roles with Catholic Education, Cairns.

Sharon has co-designed and facilitated numerous immersive experiences and recently completed research with a focus on intercultural dialogue and inculturation, with First Nations Peoples.

Sharon’s qualifications include:  Master of Theological Studies (ACU),  Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD),  Master of Religious Education (ACU),  Master of Education (ACU).

Sharon is the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) representative on the National Catholic Education Commission’s Faith Formation and Religious Education Standing Committee (NCEC FFRE). Sharon is a delegate on the Xavier School of Mission Advisory Board (Holy Spirit Seminary) and was Chair of the Plenary Council: Discernment and Writing Group for the ‘Joyful, Hope-filled and Servant Community’ and a Pilgrimage Leader for six World Youth Days.

Sixth Sunday of Easter - John 15:9-17


Ann Zubrick is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

She has a doctorate: and professional qualifications in speech pathology, lifespan developmental psychology, and ageing and pastoral care.

She accompanies older persons living with dementia and mental illness: seeking meaning, in ageing—including living with dementia!

Her own life often seems to be a jumble of choices that challenge practical wisdom, common sense, and her yearning for justice and truth.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - John 15:1-8 - 'The vine grower and the vine’ Roberta Hamilton is the Anglican Vicar of Yarrawonga, Diocese of Wangaratta. She has previously ministered in both the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. Roberta is passionate about the Kingdom of God and its outworking in the lives of all around her. She cares deeply about social justice and has had a particular emphasis on the treatment of refugees.

Fourth Sunday of Easter - John 10:11-18

Naomi is a trawloolway woman with Jewish German & Irish heritage. She is a proud aunty, sister and daughter along with being a kinship carer. She is a historian and theologian. She works at Australian Catholic University and NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community is an international
learning community of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Elders, community, and students.  Naomi worked previously for the University of Divinity as Indigenous Theologies Project Officer and more recently she was the inaugural First People’s Co-ordinator of the University’s newly created School of Indigenous Studies. She holds a Bachelor Arts and Bachelor of Teaching, Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma in Divinity. She recently graduated with a Master of Theological Studies and will begin her PhD studies shortly exploring the idea of decolonizing theological education. Naomi has a commitment and interest in decolonising the disciplines of theology and history and working with people to transform church and society to better times. 

Third Sunday of Easter - Luke 24:35-48 - "The Resurrection for Transformation"


Maureen Gaul currently holds a position with the Identity and Outreach Directorate, Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns, as Leader Formation – Community Engagement.  She has been an educator in the Catholic primary school sector throughout her teaching career and has held roles such as Assistant Principal Religious Education and Leader of Learning and Teaching.  Her teaching experiences include multi-age classes in a small rural setting, as well as single-stream classes within large schools.  She has spent time as a music specialist teacher and worked internationally in the United Kingdom for a short time. 

Maureen lives in Far North Queensland, is married, and a mother to four young people who keep her agile.  Maureen is connected to her local church community where she has engaged in parish life through various ministries, including leading Eucharistic Services in the absence of an ordained priest, Reading and Music Ministry.  She has facilitated faith formation of young members through Children’s Liturgy and coordinated the Parish Sacramental programs.  Maureen is currently working towards the attainment of her Master of Theological Studies.