John Murphy brings extensive experience to the CatholicCare Victoria Board, having had a 40-year career in the Australian Army and Commonwealth Public Service that encompassed roles in training and development, personnel management, organisational design, resource modelling and management, policy development, community development and the delivery of community services.
With also 16+ years’ experience in the housing and homelessness sector, John brings valuable insight to our housing and homelessness services and more broadly across our variety of community programs at CatholicCare Victoria.
We recently interviewed John to learn more about his life and careers and the future he sees for CatholicCare Victoria.
Photo: John Murphy
How did you become part of the CatholicCare Victoria family?
I came to CatholicCare Victoria through my role as Chair of CatholicCare Sandhurst. I was invited by Bishop Tomlinson to join the Sandhurst Board as Chair in 2017.
As a member of the project group that explored and proposed the merger of the three original CatholicCare/CentaCare organisations I am keen to participate in the settling in of the new organisation.
It’s been almost one year since CatholicCare Victoria began – what has this past year been like? And is there a particular aspect of our work that you’ve been drawn to?
It has been a hard first year and we are still finding our feet. The early expansion into the Big Build Affordable Housing is a particularly exciting challenge. The way staff have adapted during an uncertain transition, in an environment of COVID-19 restricted face-to-face communications has been impressive.
What was the path you took to get to where you are today?
I spent the bulk of my working life in the Commonwealth Public Service, the latter years managing the delivery of social service programs, first in Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland, then across the Loddon Mallee Region in Victoria. I had been a member of the Army Reserve through my working life and I left my public service role to take up a full time role in the Regular Army, overseeing the development of Army warfighting and peacekeeping doctrine.
During these years I was a Director and Chair of Haven; Home, Safe - a homelessness and affordable housing company which aligned with my personal focus on working to develop a strong and inclusive local community. Since retirement I have also been heavily involved in Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Rural Australians for Refugees.
What do you feel is the greatest strength or opportunity for CatholicCare Victoria right now?
I believe the challenges we have faced through COVID-19 and amalgamations will prove to have given us our greatest strengths and opportunities as we move into 2022. We have found new ways to care for each other and our clients, building flexible approaches as our traditional avenues were disrupted. Passionate, professional and imaginative people focused on our mission to those most in need are our greatest asset.
What goals do you have for CatholicCare Victoria?
I’m looking for a balance of focus between building capacity and support structures for staff as we integrate all of us into a safe, effective and vibrant workforce on the one hand, and consolidating, improving and growing the depth, range and quality of our service to clients on the other; another challenge.
What are your hobbies and passions, particularly since your retirement?
Since I ceased my paid working life five years ago, my focus has been on my wife, kids and grandkids, my community contributions in the family services, homelessness, refugee and multicultural spaces, with some travel when allowed, and golf in the spaces.
John joined the CatholicCare Victoria Board in December 2020.
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