Leadership
Michael Collie
National Director
Michael Collie and his wife Elspeth worked for sixteen years with Christian book publisher Certeza Argentina. Both their daughters were born in Buenos Aires. As National Director of SparkLit, Michael is currently doing globally what he was doing locally in Latin America: nurturing emerging indigenous Christian publishers in difficult places. Michael trained as a graphic designer and was a founding director of Wild magazine. Michael loves books, mountaineering and birdwatching.
Valerie Kuan
Council Chair
Valerie has a background in finance and experience in a range of roles in personal and corporate banking. She left Westpac to care for her young family, and work as a swimming instructor; helping people not to drown in the local pool. Her favourite book is The Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis.
Bishop Paul Barker
Council Deputy Chair
Paul Barker is an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne. He worked in South and South-East Asia for seven years as visiting lecturer in Old Testament, Biblical Theology and Homiletics, and as the regional coordinator for Langham Preaching and Langham Scholars.
Roslyn Schnerring
Treasurer, Council member
Roslyn Schnerring is a certified practising accountant (CPA). She currently works for a local accounting firm where she specialises in personal financial planning advice. Prior to this she worked in corporate reporting, treasury management and auditing. Roslyn is married to Dirk. They have three children and have attended St Alfred’s Anglican Church in Blackburn North, Victoria, since 1991.
Simon Woodley
Secretary, Council member
Simon Woodley has worked in the book industry for over twenty years and is currently the Managing Director of ALS Library Services, an Adelaide-based business supplying public libraries throughout Australia. He has a Bachelor of Theology degree and serves in the leadership of a local Vineyard fellowship. Simon is married to Melinda. They have four school-aged children.
Paul Douglas
Council member
Paul Douglas is a GP at MyLocalDoc Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. After graduating from Moore Theological College, Paul and his wife Helen served for six years in the interior of China. Paul worked as a doctor and together they trained and discipled local believers. They saw the importance of literature to a rapidly growing church and since returning to Australia continue to sponsor Christian publishing in China. Together with their five children they attend Maroochydore Presbyterian Church.
Chris Porter
Council member
Chris Porter is a theologian and pastor. He was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church and is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at Trinity College, University of Divinity, Melbourne. Chris trained in psychology at ANU and brings social science to the consideration of the biblical text and Christian identity. Chris and his wife Gillian have a long-term interest in education and mission in the majority world.
Elspeth Kernebone
Council member
Elspeth is the editor of The Melbourne Anglican newspaper. Previously she was a journalist with the Bendigo Advertiser. Elspeth studied history at Monash University, where she was involved with the Christian Union. She co-directed Balnarring SUFM for three summers and has also been involved in Children’s Ministry at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in Burwood, Melbourne, and Braidwood Uniting Church in country NSW.