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College Governance
Responsibility for the governance of St Patrick's College Townsville rests with a Governance Board of Directors and with Mercy Partners, a canonical body which governs Mercy ministries in Queensland.
Members of the St Patrick's College Townsville Board:
Sr Helen Mary Peters rsm - Chair
Ms Josie Gabrielli - Deputy Chair
Ms Stephanie Naunton
Ms Jess Keir
Mr Ian Bowrey
Mr Nathan Toll
Contact Us
If you wish to contact the Chair of the Board, please email chair@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
Mercy Partners
Responsibility for the governance of the College rests with a Governance Board of Directors and by Mercy Partners - a canonical body which governs Mercy ministries in Queensland.
Mercy Partners is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008 to govern Catholic ministries entrusted to their care by their founding religious congregations. Ministries include education, health, aged care and community welfare.
Mercy Partners Schools in Queensland
- St Patrick's College Townsville
- All Hallows' School, Brisbane
- St Rita's College, Brisbane
- St Ursula's College, YeppoonMount Akl
- Mount Alvernia College, Brisbane
Sr Helen Mary Peters rsm
I am a North Queenslander by birth and education. Upon leaving school I joined the Sisters of Mercy – a decision that has enriched my life in ways I had not thought possible. My professional background is in teaching, adult and religious education and administration at diocesan, parish and school levels. I filled many roles both in the Townsville Mercy Congregation and on national committees and task forces, and was Congregational Leader of the Townsville Sisters of Mercy prior to its amalgamation into the current Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. I have an abiding passion and interest in the mystery and beauty of our individual journeying into faith and relationship with our God, and all things to do with spiritual formation of people.
Ms Josie Gabrielli
Josie grew up in Townsville and has deep connections within the community. She began her career, as a Registered Nurse, training at the Mater Hospital and later completing her Bachelor Degree at James Cook University. Josie has held positions of responsibility with St Thomas' Parish (Sydney), Board Member of Timor Leste Charity, LETS and Board Member Townsville Hockey Association. She spent over 20 years in Sydney building her career and now works in the field of Project Management in Hospital Capital Works. Her current role as Projects Director at Mater Private Hospital Townsville has brought her back to her Mercy roots and she is thrilled to offer her skills and experience to St Patrick's College Townsville at this time of significant capital development.
Ms Stephanie Naunton
Stephanie Naunton graduated from St Patrick’s College Townsville in 2005. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University in 2011 and completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University. Stephanie was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court in 2015.
During 2012-2014, Stephanie lived in London while working in asset management and luxury investment. Returning to Australia in 2015, she became the electorate officer and North Queensland adviser to the Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors, and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland. Recently, Stephanie served as the Coordinator of Community Engagement & Volunteers at Wellways Carer Gateway, focusing on First Nations portfolio and service setup in North Queensland and remote Far North Queensland.
Stephanie expanded her knowledge at Harvard University with a course in Leadership, Action, and Organising, followed by completing a Certificate in Pathway to Politics at Queensland University of Technology in 2020. In 2022, she graduated with High Distinction from Deakin University with a Masters in Politics and Policy. Stephanie is also an Advisory Board Member for Deakin University.
Currently, Stephanie is the CEO of Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation. She also serves as a Board Director for Stadiums Queensland and the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health.
Ms Jess Keir
Jess is a former student of St Patrick's College Townsville and graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Laws and Economics. Jess commenced her legal career with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and has also worked closely with not for profit legal organisations, including establishing Legal Aid Queensland's Civil Law Service in Townsville and managing the QPILCH Legal Clinic which provides legal assistance for the homeless and those experiencing mental illness. Jess has spent the last 12 years working in private practice as a Commercial Litigation and Employment Senior Associate for the North Queensland law firm, Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers.
Mr Ian Bowrey
Ian is a Townsville local who graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Business, Accounting in 2010. Ian commenced his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a Manager in the Private Clients and Specialist Tax divisions, working in both the Townsville and Brisbane offices.
Ian is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and holds his tax agent license. Ian has completed Executive Education courses in the USA at both Harvard Business School Executive Education (Leading Professional Service Firms – 2024) and Stanford University Graduate School of Business (MLC Strategic Leadership Program – 2016).
Ian has volunteered for numerous committees over the years, including four years as Treasurer of Brothers Rugby Union Club (Townsville) Inc.
Ian is currently a Partner and Chief Financial Officer of My Fortress Townsville.
Nathan Toll is the Communications and Engagement Manager for Central and North Queensland at Mater, where he oversees strategic internal and external communications and engagement for Mater’s hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg. With a Bachelor of Laws/Arts from James Cook University and a Diploma of Marketing from APM College of Business and Communication, Nathan brings a strong background in governance and communications.
Previously, he spent three years at Burdekin Shire Council, where he played a key role in designing and publishing the Council’s Annual Report and Budget documents. Nathan is also a 2024 Townsville Enterprise Future Leader and volunteers with Happy Feat every Wednesday.
Nathan's commitment to education and community is driven by his belief in the potential of local students and his passion for ensuring they receive the best opportunities. His involvement with Mater and his dedication to the Mission and Values of Mercy Partners and the Sisters of Mercy further fuel his desire to support and uplift the next generation of leaders in North Queensland.
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Contact Us
St Patrick’s College Townsville
45 The Strand (PO Box 721)
Townsville Qld 4810
College Administration:
T (61) 4753 0300
F (61) 4753 0336
Email Administration
College Absence Line:
T (61) 47530377
CRICOS No. 03317K
Call in and visit us on Townsville’s Strand beachfront...
A Ministry in Mercy Partners
Acknowledgement of Country: We give thanks and respectfully acknowledge the Wulgurukaba people, the Traditional Custodians of this beautiful country whose land our College shares. We recognise their ongoing deep spiritual connection to this Country, and the care they gave for thousands of years. We also acknowledge the Bindal people as the neighbouring Custodians of their Country. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.