Our Leaders.

Susy Thomas
Moderator

The Moderator of the Uniting Church WA is the pastoral head of the church. Their role is to be a spokesperson for the church, and to also guide the church throughout their three-year term. Moderator, Susy Thomas was installed as Moderator of the Uniting Church WA during the opening worship of the 44^th Annual Meeting of the Synod of Western Australia on Friday, 11 September 2020.

Susy was born into a Christian family in Kerala, India, raised to act justly, with mercy and to walk humbly with God, never being ashamed of the gospel. She completed a Bachelor of Economics in India and met her husband Philip, before she relocated to London to be with him and begin a family. In 1982, Susy, Phillip and their two daughters migrated to Perth, Western Australia.

After working as a teacher in Perth, Susy took on the role of CEO of Drug Arm WA, now called Hope Community. In this challenging role, Susy supported disadvantaged people in the suburbs of Perth.

Susy has chosen Romans 15: 13 as her theme for her three-year term. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Susy felt this verse came to her from God, and was a great verse to support people through all the challenges of 2020 so far. “I thought, ‘what a wonderful God to give this hope to God’s chosen people’,” she said.

Rev John Dunn
General Secretary

John is a Uniting Church Minister (ordained 1969) who has served in remote, rural, suburban and city churches as a congregational minister in three Synods. He has also served as a Defence Chaplain (RAAF) for 12 years (in Australia and Malaysia), as the WA Synod Consultant for Mission and Justice and as WA Moderator 1969–99.

John retired from congregational ministry in 2002 and spent the next 6 years as a counsellor and program coordinator in Drug Arm WA, and 3 years with UnitingCare as a strategic and property officer.

He has qualifications in theology, counselling, and management. In retirement John has chaired the UnitingCare Forum, was inaugural chairperson of the Resources Board (now Commission) and has served on various local and national committees of the Uniting Church.

Ordained in 1969, John is married to Robin, and they have two children and 5 grandchildren.

Rev Hannes Halgryn, BA (Psychology), BA Hons (Psychology), BTh, Dip Counselling
Associate General Secretary

Rev Hannes Halgryn was appointed as Associate General Secretary (Strategy) for the Uniting Church Western Australia in February 2021. He is a strategic thinker, with a strong desire to make a difference and play an active role across the Uniting Church, its ministry and mission.

Hannes was ordained as a Minister of the Word, more than 25 years ago and has experience across a broad spectrum of ministries, cultures and interdenominational organisations. Apart from his Ministry, Hannes has also owned a private counselling practice for many years and worked as an architectural draughtsman in both the residential and commercial industry.

Hannes immigrated from South Africa to Australia in 2014, and served in the Uniting Church in the City, before taking up his current role.  He is married to Hanri and has three daughters and a son.  As well as his involvement in the church, Hannes actively volunteers his time as a Surf Lifesaver and is currently studying towards a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Hannes has a deep founded love for Christ and people.

Richard Patterson
General Manager Property

Richard Patterson’s working career has been focussed on the property and asset management industries. He has a broad experience, Australia-wide and internationally, in:

• Banking
• Property finance and valuation
• Property and land development and sales
• Business and asset management
• Large scale engineering construction management

He has provided consulting services to the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (WA) since 2014 and accepted the role of General Manager (Property) in June 2018.

Richard’s formal qualifications and accreditations include:

• Associate Diploma in Valuation, Curtin University
• Certificate IV in Financial Services

Outside of work his interests are centred on family and grandchildren, sailing and boating, with the occasional game of bad golf.

Peter Hollins
Chief Financial Officer

Peter Hollins was appointed as CFO in late 2020 with a focus on financial management and the introduction of new accounting and reporting systems for the Uniting Church WA.

Peter emigrated to Perth in 1977 as he wanted to watch Dennis Lillee bowl from the Swan River End at the WACA. He is married to Sally (MLC student) with two children Emma (also MLC) and Matt (that Anglican School next to MLC!). He has worked for Caltex, Deloittes, Jenny Craig, AHG and Willie Creek Pearls and is a Chartered Management Accountant.

Peter is passionate over Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River, the Tigers [Richmond] Football Club, golf at Cottesloe Golf Club, (except for the 17th hole!), good coffee and a supportive office culture. He is a Director of the Ladybird Foundation and is in his second decade as Treasurer of Christ Church Parish, Claremont.

Monica Pettersen, MSc(Business),MCom (HRM), MAHRI
People and Culture Manager

Monica Pettersen has for the last 10+ years worked for the Uniting Church of Western Australia (UCWA). She was initially employed as a part-time Human Resources Advisor and later promoted to Human Resources Manager. Since then Monica has held the title of People & Culture Manager and more recently was promoted to Executive Officer: People & Culture. In mid-2018 Monica also obtained the responsibility of overseeing Information Technology for the Uniting Church Centre.

Before joining Uniting Church in Western Australia Monica worked in the Civil Construction industry as a HR generalist in a small team covering a variety of HR issues.

Monica’s formal qualifications include:

• Master of Science in Business, Majoring in Knowledge Management
• Master of Commerce, Majoring in Human Resources Management

Monica came to Perth in February 2004 as an exchange student and shortly after arriving met an Australian that she now has two children with, Lucas (who was 18 months old when Monica started working for UCWA), and Maya (who was born about 18 months after Monica started working for Uniting Church).

To relax Monica enjoys spending time with her children, reading and listening to audiobooks, nice food and wine and a walk along the beach.

Muralee Nair
Risk and Insurance Manager

Muralee joined the Uniting Church on 22 September 2014. Prior to joing the Uniting Church he was a Risk and insurance Manager with the Silver Chain Group for 9 years.

Muralee has been married for 34 years and has 4 sons. One of Muralee’s interests is hockey and he has been a member of Willetton Reds since 2003.

Muralee’s formal qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Arts, MSc (Risk Management)
• CPRM (Certified Practising Risk Manager)

Favourite quote: “A busy person is someone who has time for everything or if you need something done, ask a busy person”!