The Board of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Newton AO as its new Board Chair.
Mr Newton succeeds the Most Reverend Dr Philip L Freier, who concludes his term after five years as Board Chair.
"Stephen is a distinguished Australian who has dedicated his life to making a difference to the lives of others and his considerable expertise brings a wealth of experience to BSL," the Most Reverend Dr Philip L Freier said.
"As a communicant member of the Anglican Church, Stephen is deeply committed to the BSL's mission of creating a more compassionate and just society where everyone can thrive.
"I feel most confident of the future of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence with Stephen at the helm."
Mr Newton said he looks forward to working with the BSL Charter and Life Members, the BSL Board, staff and volunteers in improving the lives of the disadvantaged as the organisation marks its 90 years of community service.
"I hope to build upon BSL's important work in alleviating poverty in Australia as the organisation enters its tenth decade," Mr Newton said.
"The Brotherhood of St. Laurence is a Mission and Values driven organisation and I will work to help further both that Mission, and to make real the Values that all of us at the BSL hold to be important."
A former school principal and Chair of national and state independent school sector organisations for 25 years, Mr Newton was appointed Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia (2012) for his distinguished service to education.
He has had a significant impact in a number of community Board roles including as past Chair and member of the Board of Anglicare Victoria and currently serves as a Trustee of the Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation and as a Director of the Epworth Medical Foundation.
Mr Newton warmly thanked the Archbishop for his tremendous leadership as Chair and for all that this leadership has brought to the Brotherhood of St Laurence during his tenure as Board Chair.
"The Archbishop leaves the Brotherhood of St Laurence in a strong and respected position both in our governance and in the extent of our reach," Mr Newton said.
The Archbishop will continue his involvement in BSL into the future through several formal responsibilities as Archbishop of Melbourne, including the chairing the Annual Meeting and other connections with the board and its committees.
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence is a social justice organisation working to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia.
