Advisory Panel
The Orbus Advisory Panel, as well as advising the Board, has an important and active role to play in the way Orbus operates, assisting with the input of particular skills, taking on different roles, encouragement of project development, communication and promotion of Orbus to different congregations and groups, and in the important area of coordinating regular prayer for the Orbus ministry. The Advisory Panel is made up of:
- Rev. Stuart Bonnington: Stuart is the Minister of Scots' Presbyterian Church in Fremantle, Western Australia. He is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Western Australia and the Superintendent of the Presbyterian Inland Mission. BA; BTh (Hons); MTh.
- Robert Boyle: Landscape designer and contractor providing landscape design and construction services for the past 40 years. After 2 visits to Malawi in 2008 and 2009 Robert and his design team in Australia prepared the Orbus project site master plan and building plans. Robert and his wife, Wendy are the owners and developers of Lilies on Brougham – a café, gift shop and nursery in Eltham, Victoria. Robert has been a member of Eltham Presbyterian Church for 37 years, has 5 children and 4 grandchildren and is a passionate gardener and lover and student of God’s beautiful and awesome creation. (Dip. Hort. Sci.) www.boylelandscape.com.au
- Walter Bruining. Walter is originally from West Australia where he served as an elder at the St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church in Peppermint Grove before moving to Melbourne as Business Manager for the Presbyterian Church’s national journal “Australian Presbyterian.” Walter’s administration skills have also been put to good use for the Presbyterian Inland Mission and the Reformers’ Bookshop in NSW. Walter retired in June 2008 and now focuses on promoting various ministries to the glory of Christ our Saviour and Lord, including Orbus.
- Rev. Dean Carroll: Dean worked as a registered nurse for 10 years. In 2007 he completed his theological education and is currently pastor of Woori Yallock Presbyterian church east of Melbourne. He and his wife, Sandy, have visited and volunteered in the Presbyterian Church of Malawi and Zambia on two occasions. BNursing; BMin (ACT).
- Sandy Carroll: Sandy has taught children in Christian religious education, Sunday school and youth groups for the past 15 years. When she and her husband Dean visited Malawi and Zambia, she volunteered in various schools, orphanages and a women’s centre. Sandy and her husband, Dean, are currently ministering at Woori Yallock Presbyterian Church east of Melbourne.
- David Manly: Police Officer, 37 years service. Four children, ranging from 34 to 26 years. Grandfather of 7. Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. David visited Malawi with his wife Marie and their son in 2006, and spent some time with orphaned children. BTh (ACT). Continuing further study part-time at Presbyterian Theological College.
- Jayni Manners: Co-ordinator for Orbus in Australia. Former journalist and mother of four boys. Council member of the Family Council of Victoria. Member of the Church and Nation Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. BA Hons (UWA), Grad.Dip. Journalism (Curtin University).
- Shirley E. Mbawa: 15 years lecturing at a Nursing College in Malawi; 13 years as senior matron for Blantyre District Hospitals; 2 years as Chairperson of Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi; 4 years as Supervisor in the Aged Care Hospital at Rashall Park- Australia. SRN & Midwifery (UK); Dip.Neonatal Science (SA).
- Melanie McGrice: Melanie is a member of the Whittlesea Presbyterian Church in Victoria, Australia. She is a dietician and founder of Health Kick Nutrition and Dietetics. Melanie is assisting in organising the Orbus Health Clinic in Blantyre, Malawi.
- Rev. Bill Medley: Bill is the Minister of the Frankston Presbyterian Church in Frankston, Victoria. He is the author of internationally sold book "Religion is for Fools." BTh (ACT); BMin(ACT).
- Ben Saunders: Ben is a lawyer in the Melbourne CBD. He is a member of the Church and Nation Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and is an active member of South Yarra Presbyterian Church along with his young family.
- Rev. John Stasse: John is the Minister of the South Yarra Presbyterian Church, Victoria.
- John Steendam: John is a member of the Eltham Presbyterian Church and was previously treasurer of that church for a period of 7 years. He was an engineering manager with Telstra for most of his career followed by a time as an engineering consultant and subsequently as a financial adviser until his retirement in 2002. He has just completed a 7 months assignment in Papua New Guinea as acting General Manager of the Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship. He and his wife Sue were part of a mission team that visited Malawi in 2006."
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