Safe Communities hits its stride with new team member
By Catherine Sheehan
Diane Kelly took up her role as Safeguarding Coordinator with the Archdiocese’s Safe Communities team at the end of June and said she was attracted to the protective aspect of the role.
“I loved the safeguarding component of the position,” the New Norfolk parishioner said.
“I just thought it was such a good fit. I am a mother of three, and as my kids will say, I am a very protective mother.”
She was also attracted to the faith aspect of working for the Church.
“How incredible to have a job that you can bring your faith to work. That doesn’t happen very often. To be able to go to Mass on a Tuesday morning with the Archbishop, I love that. I look forward to it every single Tuesday morning. It’s just beautiful.
“And the people here, what an amazing team. It’s great. I love it.”
Diane’s role involves assisting Safeguarding Coordinator, Andrea Probert, in helping parishes implement safeguarding practices to protect children and adults at risk of abuse.
“Everyone in the Safe Communities team does such an amazing job… And with looking at other archdioceses around, I think we’re right up there with them as being one of the best.”
Andrea said she was thrilled to have Diane join the team.
“Administration is a huge part of any office and having Di in the Safe Communities Office has had a huge impact already,” she said.
“It enables me to liaise and meet with the parishes whilst Di is working on the necessary documents and policies required to meet the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
“I appreciate what she does so much!”
Diane previously worked in the areas of advertising, manufacturing and fashion design. Her experience in graphic design work will also assist in her current roles as she designs safeguarding materials for parishes.
Due to Andrea’s work with parishes over the past two years, Diane said there was already a sense of “unity” between the parishes and the Archdiocese in the joint effort to protect the vulnerable.
In preparation for National Child Protection Week from 3 to 9 September and Safeguarding Sunday on 10 September, Diane said the Safe Communities team had developed a quarterly newsletter for parishes. The first edition which is soon to be released will encourage parishes to mark Safeguarding Sunday in a special way.
“It’s just trying to engage parishes with the Archdiocese,” she said.
Diane said that through her role she hoped to increase the level of safeguarding for children and adults at risk, as well as priests in the parishes across the Archdiocese, and that she found the work immensely satisfying.
“It’s rewarding, it’s great. I get up [each day] and I think, ‘I love my job’… I went into this year wanting to do something that was also going to make a difference.
“So, hopefully I can make a bit of a difference.”
For more information about Safe Communities visit: hobart.catholic.org.au/safe-communities/