Our Board and Patrons
The Board is comprised of a highly professional and committed group of 12 members, each of whom volunteer their time to govern Court Network and provide strategic leadership for the organisation.
The primary role of the Board is to also determine, monitor, and strengthen the organisation's impact on the people we aim to serve in courts across Victoria and Queensland.
Board members must also act in accordance with Court Network's Statement of Purposes and Rules, which includes all relevant legal obligations and responsibilities, particularly with respect to offering proper financial oversight.
Our Rules prescribe the participation of Networker members on the Board to ensure that operational and front-line practice wisdom can be represented as part of the Board's strategic work. This also provides an opportunity for Networkers to connect with the governance side of running the organisation; and allows for greater accountability to the wider Networker community to know that Networker members are contributing to decisions that impact on the future of the organisation.
President | The Honourable Kathy Williams
Appointed April 2021
The Hon. Katharine Williams is a former Judge of the Victorian County Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria. During her time on the Supreme Court, she led the Court’s Common Law Division and also served as President of the Forensic Leave Panel. Kathy was appointed to the bench in April 1999 and retired in February 2015. Prior to that she was a Barrister specialising in commercial law. Kathy currently sits on the Board of Launch Housing, a community organisation committed to ending homelessness. She is also a Director of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research. Kathy experienced what she regards as the invaluable work of Court Network, both as a barrister and as a Judge.
Vice President | David Bartlett
Member | Appointed AGM 2019
Dr David Bartlett is a consultant criminologist who focuses on helping organisations solve governance, risk and compliance challenges. David commenced his career in Queensland's Magistrates Courts Service, where he developed a strong appreciation for the important contribution made by court volunteers. Today he brings over 20 years government experience, board expertise and more than a decade of teaching at one of the world’s largest criminology schools. David currently serves on several not-for-profit Boards and committees across the justice, health and education sectors. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds qualifications in psychology, criminology, and management.
Treasurer | Juan Munoz
Appointed AGM 2019
Juan was admitted as a lawyer in 2009 and has experience advising boards and in relation to strategy, risk management and governance. Juan holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Monash University. Juan has been a member of Finance Committee at Court Network and served as Chair of Finance Committee and Treasurer.
Secretary | Karen Gelb
Member | Appointed AGM 2019
Dr Karen Gelb is an experienced criminologist, social scientist and researcher. She is passionate about the need for informed, data-led and evidence-based policy to underpin practice in the justice arena. Karen has spent more than two decades researching the criminal justice system, including eight years with the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council and 10 years as a consultant. Her key areas of expertise are family violence, sex offenders, public opinion, youth justice and female offenders. She has extensive experience in critically analysing research material, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, stakeholder consultation and writing accessible reports. Karen is currently a Consultant Criminologist, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Criminology and the Manager of Research and Workforce Development at Penington Institute. Karen brings to Court Network her expertise around monitoring and evaluation, data collection, and compliance.
Catherine Hopper
Member | Appointed AGM 2019
Catherine Hopper is a finance professional with over fifteen years of experience in corporate finance within investment banking, funds management and Australian corporates. She brings a range of skills to the board, particularly strategic and financial expertise focused on strategic planning and financial governance. Catherine holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. She is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) with a strong understanding of financial and tax matters for not-for-profit entities.
Susan Wakeling
Member | Appointed AGM 2019
Susan Wakeling is a Victorian Magistrate with over 20 years of experience and currently holds the position of Deputy Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. Prior to undertaking this role, Susan held the position of Regional Coordinating Magistrate at Heidelberg and at Melbourne Magistrates Courts and of Supervising Magistrate of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal for 5 years. Susan is a member of the Court’s Family Law and Family Violence Portfolio Committee, Criminal Law Committee and Sexual Offences Committee. Susan’s particular interest is in the challenge of facilitating a court experience which is safe and meaningful for every participant. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate, Susan worked as a solicitor advocate in criminal law, family law and family violence. In her experience as a legal representative and as a Magistrate, Susan has observed the invaluable contribution made by Court Networkers to the justice process.
Amanda Shipway
Member | Appointed AGM 2022
Amanda Shipway has worked for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General since 2009. Her first role with the DJAG was at Victim Assist Queensland where she worked for five years as the Victim Services Coordinator, before moving to her current role as Director of Integrated Service Response, Office for Women and Violence Prevention, within the Deputy Director-Generals office. She is responsible for the contracts for domestic and family violence, sexual assault and wellbeing services in Queensland, and has oversight of Queensland’s nine High Risk Teams and 24 staff members located across the state. Amanda has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and management, with connections in the Queensland Public Service, Queensland Corrective Services, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She is currently Chair of the Integrated Service System Oversight Committee, which has representation from all Queensland Government agencies and the domestic and family violence sector. The committee is tasked with overseeing four recommendations from the Women’s Justice and Safety Taskforce.
Angela Moy
Member | Appointed AGM 2023
Angela Moy is the Executive Director of Reform and Support Services at Court Services Queensland. She has a high level of experience in the legal and justice sector and is a qualified lawyer who has worked in a variety of legal settings throughout her 16-year career in government. Angela has worked in Queensland Corrective Services managing offenders on community-based orders, in sentencing advisory and legal officer roles and in policy roles. She also has experience working with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General in policy and legislation, as well as working for Court Services Queensland in various roles.
Angela has significant experience in providing effective and strategic leadership within Government. Her key strengths include the ability to think strategically and then translate these thoughts into practical, operational processes and programs on the ground that bring about change.
Angela also has significant experience in consulting, collaborating and influencing stakeholders, particularly in the justice arena. With her strong working relationships across Government, as well as those in the legal profession and judiciary, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Court Network Board.
Samantha Willetts
Networker & Member | Appointed AGM 2020
Samantha is an experienced Queensland Victim Support Unit volunteer and an experienced nurse, with a degree from Queensland University of Technology and expertise in mental health, theatre and post-operative nursing with adults and children. Samantha is also currently undertaking her second Degree in Psychology (honours) at the University of Queensland.
Samantha has always been passionate about helping others, and has a thorough understanding of the needs of others and the importance of advocacy for those who feel disempowered. As a Court Network volunteer, Samantha is aware of the important work undertaken by Networkers and knows the real difference they make for those attending court. The skills that Samantha brings to the Board include her people skills, problem solving, diplomacy, advocacy, teamwork, crisis management and decision making in complex situations.
Wendy Bradly
Networker & Member | Appointed AGM 2022
Wendy began networking at Ringwood Law Courts in 2018. In 2020 she joined Court Network’s Telephone Service and continues to actively participate in this program. Wendy is also actively involved with Court Network’s new online service model, established in early 2021, enabling court users to access support remotely. In her professional life Wendy has had a number of roles in the education sector including Group Manager, Communications and Research with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, Research Officer in the Department of Education and Training, Campus Coordinator of the VCE campus of a large government secondary school and VCE teacher. She holds a Master’s degree and post graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts. Wendy has served on primary and secondary school councils, both as a parent and teacher, as well as on the board of management of a community neighborhood center. Prior to joining Court Network, Wendy was a volunteer tutor at Swinburne University supporting the Migrant English Program.
Christine Pinniger
Networker & Member | Appointed AGM 2023
Christine joined Court Network in 2018 and became part of the team at Neighbourhood Justice Centre in Collingwood. When in-court networking stopped during the pandemic, she joined the telephone service and later the online support service as each of these was established. She continues to be actively involved in these services, together with networking at the County Court. In her professional life Christine worked in a range of roles in education, initially secondary teaching and later in administrative and student support roles for international students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, post-graduate Diploma in Education, and graduate certificates in Student Welfare and in the Management of International Education. Outside of work, Christine has been actively involved in a range of community organisations, including an international student exchange program for which she hosted students, ran workshops for students and families and served on the National Board. She is always interested in the bigger picture, and in justice and fairness. She values the opportunity networking provides to support people who might otherwise become lost in the system.
Deborah Trengove
Networker & Member | Appointed AGM 2023
Dr Deborah Trengove is a former school psychologist and head of wellbeing. Deborah joined Court Network in 2022 and has been an active member of the Telephone Service, as well as part of the Collingwood Neighbourhood Justice Centre literacy project. Deborah worked for many years in the education sector in her role as a counsellor and educational leader, supporting young people and their families. As part of her role on the school executive, Deborah contributed to policy development and implementation, risk management and educational strategy. She initiated a range of programs to enhance the wellbeing of staff, students and families. Deborah also facilitated social justice projects and groups, engaging with issues such as food insecurity, human rights and gender equity. Deborah holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Educational Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy. Deborah continues to support parents through her role as a parent educator and writer.
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC
Governor of Victoria
On 9 August 2023, the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC was sworn in as Victoria's 30th Governor. In 2020 the Governor was made Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for: "Eminent service to tertiary education through leadership and innovation in teaching and learning, research and financial sustainability."
The Honourable Anne Ferguson
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria
Justice Ferguson was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in 2010, predominantly dealing with corporations cases. Justice Ferguson was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2014 and heard appeals in a wide range of criminal and civil matters. In October 2017, Justice Ferguson was appointed Chief Justice of Victoria.