Each member of the current CWLA leadership team brings unique gifts to the task of enabling women to participate more effectively in working for and building the Kingdom of God on earth.
The National President, Jean Tanzer OAM, was educated at the Sacred Heart Convent, Sandgate, and All Hallows College, Brisbane. Jean went on to study sugar chemistry and then nursing. Proud residents of Townsville, she and husband John have nine children and nineteen grandchildren. In 2000, Jean received a Recognition Award for Senior Citizens and she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2003 for services to the community, through the Catholic Church, particularly in the area of services affecting women. Jean is a Past President of CWL Queensland and has held many positions at diocesan and branch level, as well as being a delegate at many conferences. She has been very active in Church life, as a funeral and bereavement minister, catechist in state and special education schools, president of a St Vincent de Paul Conference and president of the Apostolate to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
Vice President Margaret Toomey was born in Sydney and educated at Catholic primary schools and by the Dominican Sisters at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield. Trained as a primary school teacher, Margaret taught in State primary schools and spent five years in Deaf Education. She and husband John have three adult children and four grandchildren. She has lived in the Corinda Graceville parish, Brisbane, since 1975. During her children’s school years, she held many positions on Parents & Friends committees. Margaret has also been an active member of the League in Queensland. She has been the President of the CWL Corinda Graceville Branch for five years, Vice President and Publicity Officer of Brisbane Archdiocesan Executive, and Archdiocesan President for four years as well as being Alternate Delegate and Delegate at various State and National Conferences and WUCWO Assemblies. Margaret also served on Archbishop Bathersby’s Women’s Resource Advisory Committee for four years. Since 2003, she has been a Board Member of Pregnancy Help in Queensland and is currently its Vice President.
Vice President Joy Gray was born in Mackay and was educated at the Carmilla State School, and by the Sisters of Mercy at the Range College, Rockhampton, and St Patrick’s, Townsville. She did her nursing training at the Holy Spirit Hospital in Brisbane and her midwifery at the Mater Hospital in Mackay, after which her nursing career took her to many parts of Australia. A member of CWL Queensland for 32 years, Joy has served as an executive at branch and diocesan levels and as State President. Joy has been involved in the ‘Care and Concern’ Ministry for 12 years.
National Treasurer, Maureen Gilmartin, was born in Dalby and educated by the Sisters of Mercy at All Hallows, Brisbane, and then the University of Queensland where she gained her BSc majoring in biochemistry. She worked in Brisbane and then in London in her scientific field, before returning to Australia and becoming involved for over 40 years in managing the family grazing property. Maureen was the first president of Wandoan branch of CWL and has served as the Toowoomba Diocesan President, State President, National International Secretary and WUCWO Board Member Australia. In her local community, she has held executive positions in many other industry and community organisations. In her “retirement” in Brisbane, Maureen is president of Corinda Graceville branch. In 1985, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for distinguished works and service in Catholic women’s organisations. In 1990, she became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Maureen’s philosophy has always been to be aware of the need and concerns of others, to assist and to serve others as well as possible, maintaining a respect for all human life.
National Secretary, Marcia O’Donnell, was born in Townsville and educated in that city by the Sisters of Mercy. Married to Terry, she is the mother of five and grandmother of nine. On leaving school, Marcia held a clerical position at the Townsville General Hospital. At this time, she was involved in Catholic Action as diocesan secretary of YCW. She later worked as a college secretary at the Blue Nursing Service and was a Parish Secretary for thirteen years. She is heavily involved in all aspects of parish life and in the outreach ministry at the local Magistrate’s Court. Within CWL Queensland, Marcia has held each branch executive position, served as Diocesan President and as State Secretary.
Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer, Veronica Box, was born in Central Queensland and was educated at a one-teacher school and by the Sisters of Mercy at the Range College Rockhampton. She qualified as a primary school teacher and taught in country State schools for a total of 32 years. Meanwhile, she and her late husband Eric, also a teacher, had six children, and Veronica now enjoys her twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is currently Lay Pastoral Leader of the Kawana Catholic Community in the Caloundra Parish on the Sunshine Coast. Active in all aspects of church life, her special love is church music and liturgy, and she has a passion for social justice. Veronica has always been involved in the wider community, particularly in the Surf Life Saving Association, environmental groups and sporting clubs, and is currently on the steering committee of a community garden. Within CWL Queensland, Veronica has held positions at branch, diocesan and state levels.
The National Chaplain, Father David Lancini, was born in Ingham, North Queensland, in 1946, and was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Halifax, the Christian Brothers at Mt Carmel, Charters Towers and at the Pius XII Provincial Seminary in Brisbane He was ordained in an open air ceremony in the grounds of St Peter’s Convent School, Halifax, by Bishop Leonard Faulkner. His ministry has taken him to Charters Towers, Ayr, Mt Isa, Hughenden/Richmond, Cranbrook and he is now Parish Priest of Kirwan, Upper Ross Area, and Rangewood/Rupertswood.