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The Board

Jim Knowles

Jim Knowles JP BOHS FAIHS CPRM GAICD

Chairman of the Board

Jim is a Work Health and Safety and Risk Management professional with a career spanning over 50 years in the mining industry as an operator, supervisor, manager and consultant at site operational, regional and international levels. 

In 1997 he started his own company specialising in providing critical services to a broad range of industries including mining, power generation and distribution, marine services, building construction, aviation and other heavy industries. 

Jim served over 20 years in NSW Mines Rescue and was appointed to a government mining advisory board in New Zealand, on which he served for three years. His qualifications and memberships include Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, and Certified Professional in Risk Management.

Linsey

Linsey Wilson LLM LLB BPsychSc NMAS

Deputy Chair

Linsey Wilson is an experienced family law solicitor and accredited mediator with a strong background in both legal practice and psychological science. She is the Principal Solicitor at Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers, where she leads a team focused on complex family law matters with compassion and precision. Linsey holds a Master of Laws (LLM) from the College of Law, a Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Newcastle, and a Bachelor of Psychological Science. 
 
Since 2016, Linsey has actively contributed to the Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association, currently serving as Vice President. Her commitment to ethical, client-focused legal practice is grounded in both legal expertise and a deep understanding of human behaviour. As a nationally accredited mediator (NMAS), she brings a collaborative and resolution-focused approach to her work in family law. 
Craig Corby

Craig Corby MBA CA GAICD

Director

Craig is an experienced senior executive and governance professional with a strong background in accounting, finance, governance, and organisational leadership. He has held a variety of executive roles at Qantas and served as CFO of the Wayside Chapel.

Craig currently leads Church Engagement at Uniting NSW/ACT and operates his own not-for-profit consulting company. He is the Business Manager of Parramatta Nepean Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Australia and has contributed extensively in governance roles across Congregation, Presbytery, and Synod councils.

Craig holds an MBA from Macquarie University, is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His expertise in financial management, project governance, and community engagement aligns with the College’s commitment to strong, values-based leadership and service to community.

Annemaree Jones

Annemaree Jones BAppSc GradDipPH DipOHS CertIVTA

Director

Annemaree Jones is a senior risk, compliance, and occupational health and safety professional with over 30 years’ experience across healthcare, government, and education. She currently serves as the inaugural Risk Manager at Scotch College Melbourne, where she established and leads the school’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) function. Prior to this, she held advisory and regulatory roles in Catholic Education Melbourne and at both state and federal levels. 
 
Annemaree brings deep expertise in cultural change, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk, with a practical, consultative approach to mentoring teams and embedding systems. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (Occupational Health), and a Graduate Certificate in Compliance Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Passionate about fostering safe, transparent, and values-driven learning environments, Annemaree is committed to supporting organisations that shape young people’s futures.
Rob Hanks

Rev. Rob Hanks BEcon DipEd MAICD

Director

Rob is a Minister of the Word and Youth Worker, within the Uniting Church in Australia, in Placement at Hamilton Uniting Church.

With over 30 years of experience in the ministry of Youth Worker and 15 years as a Minister, Rob brings a connection with the wider Uniting Church, from a local, regional and statewide perspective.

As a Teacher, Trainer and Peer in networks across the State and Nationally, Rob brings a broad understanding of teaching and the missional context in which the Church seeks to engage in today’s context. It is exciting to see the strategic growth of the College and the possibilities for strengthening it and the mission of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Taryn

Taryn Gooley BASc(Hons)

Director

Taryn Gooley is an experienced archaeologist and heritage consultant with more than a decade of professional practice in both Aboriginal and historical archaeology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with Honours in Archaeology from the University of Sydney and currently leads the New South Wales Heritage Team at Biosis, overseeing a team of 12 archaeologists across four offices. 
 
Taryn’s areas of expertise include Aboriginal community consultation, archaeological excavation and survey, project management, and cultural heritage management planning. She has led complex heritage projects across diverse landscapes, combining technical precision with a strong commitment to stakeholder collaboration and ethical practice. Her earlier work spans both consultancy and museum education, and she has participated in international archaeological projects in Greece and Cyprus. 
 
Taryn is passionate about increasing Aboriginal representation in archaeology and works with universities to encourage Aboriginal students to pursue careers in the field.
Yvonne

Rev Yvonne Ghavalas BA SocSc (Hons) Psych BTh

Director

Minister of the Word, Uniting Church in Australia

Yvonne Ghavalas currently serves as a Minister of the Word in placement with the Jesmond Park Wallsend and Shortland Congregations of the Uniting Church in Australia. Her professional background spans social work, education, and ministry, underpinned by academic qualifications in Psychology and Theology.

Yvonne brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the Board, grounded in her experience in community engagement, pastoral care, and social justice advocacy. Her work consistently focuses on supporting individuals facing adversity and navigating complex life circumstances, particularly young people.

She has served on a number of church and community committees, contributing to governance, policy development, and mission planning.

Yvonne is a strong advocate for inclusive, trauma-informed education. She values the College’s commitment to reconnecting young people with learning and is honoured to support its mission to foster dignity, belonging, and opportunity.

Stephen Phillips

Stephen Phillips JP FCG FGIA FAICD

Executive Director 
Company Secretary

Stephen is the Executive Director and Company Secretary of Margaret Jurd College, bringing over 25 years of experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, strategy, and executive leadership. He has held CEO and senior executive roles across business, government, and not-for-profit sectors, including listed companies and statutory authorities.

Stephen is also an experienced Non-Executive Director and Independent Chair, contributing to numerous governance and advisory boards. He has led significant initiatives in professional standards at both national and trans-national levels, improving regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and ethical benchmarks. His expertise spans legal, financial, corporate, and technical domains. He has made significant contributions to sectors including education, aged care, health, infrastructure, and community services, and has led work in public policy, economic development, and technology commercialisation

Stephen holds an MBA, a Master of Commercial Law, and qualifications in management, corporate governance, engineering, and cybersecurity. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Governance Institute of Australia, and the Chartered Governance Institute, and a member of both the Law Council of Australia and the Commercial Law Association of Australia. He is deeply committed to values-based leadership, strategic purpose, and building trust through ethical governance.

Darren 2

Darren Twist

Principal

Darren has worked in the education sector for more than 20 years, with experience spanning the tertiary, public, and independent sectors across both New South Wales and Victoria. Throughout his career, he has held a range of leadership positions within the public and independent secondary school systems, developing particular expertise in teacher mentoring and serving as a representative for the Teacher Assessment Authority.

Since stepping into the role of Principal at Margaret Jurd College, Darren has been instrumental in driving the College’s growth and development. He is a passionate and strategic educational leader, committed to redefining traditional models of student success and embedding practices that respond to the complex needs of young people. Under his leadership, Margaret Jurd College has introduced new operational frameworks, embedded evidence-based practice, developed continuous improvement processes, and strengthened pathways for student support beyond schooling. His vision has also seen the College expand its reach with the establishment of a new campus in Tuncurry, on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

Darren is driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and is a fierce advocate for (re)engaging young people, particularly those managing mental health challenges, in meaningful, lifelong learning.

In addition to his work in education, Darren has a strong interest in governance, having served as Chair of a not-for-profit organisation for the past five years. His leadership reflects a commitment to community, social responsibility, and creating opportunities for young people to build positive futures.