Mission and Pastoral Team
Dr Chris Cotter
Director of Mission and Pastoral Life
As Director of Mission and Pastoral Life, Chris leads the Mission and Pastoral Life Team to facilitate the missionary orientation of diocesan pastoral life.
Chris has experience as a teacher, leader and administrator in schools and system offices, including Assistant Director of Schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga. He has also worked from the Redemptorists Province of Oceania as a mission consultant.
Chris has tertiary qualifications in teaching, theology and religious education, most recently completing a Doctor of Theology through the University of Divinity, Melbourne. Chris says he has a strong interest in “the contribution of practical theology to the re-imagination of the evangelising mission of the Australian Catholic Church in a changing social and cultural milieu,” His work in the Diocese of Sandhurst, we hope, will provide Chris to find ways to implement this re-imagining.
Chris, who was raised in Tamworth, has been based (mostly) in Wodonga for the last 20 years with his wife Julie and two daughters. As Director of Mission and Pastoral Life, Chris is based at the Chancery in Bendigo.
Geoff Gowdie
Assistant Director of Mission and Pastoral Life
Geoff supports Dr Chris Cotter in the Mission and Pastoral Life Office with a key focus on the Lifegiving and Empowering Formation goals of the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals. Geoff's work is centered on helping individuals and communities deepen their relationship with Jesus and grow in their ability to live out the Church’s mission through outreach, belonging, and formation.
With a strong background in Catholic education and over 18 years in diocesan and parish pastoral leadership, most recently in the Diocese of Townsville and previously in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Geoff brings extensive experience in accompanying parishes through pastoral renewal and mission development.
He works closely with Claire Spinelli, Sandhurst Youth Ministry Team Leader, and the Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group, and also collaborates with Communications Coordinator Katrina Strong. He is very pleased to join the Sandhurst story.
Geoff is married to Jill, and together they have four young adult children.
T: 03 5445 3613 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Claire Spinelli
Youth Ministry Team Leader
Claire Spinelli leads Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Sandhurst as part of the Office of Mission and Pastoral Life. An active member of St Kilian’s Parish in Bendigo, Claire brings a strong background in education and the arts, most recently serving as Education Officer for the Arts at Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd. In that role, she coordinated major events such as the Sandhurst Festival of the Sacred and the MacKillop Art Exhibition.
A qualified teacher with experience in both South Africa and Australia, Claire is passionate about supporting young people in their faith journey. Her focus is on fostering opportunities for youth to grow spiritually, build community, and live as missionary disciples of Jesus.
Claire’s work is guided by the Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group and centres on strengthening partnerships between the Chancery, Catholic Education Sandhurst, parishes, schools, and clergy. She is currently preparing to support parish and school involvement in the upcoming Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne (30 November – 2 December 2025).
Claire lives in Bendigo with her husband, two children, and her mother, and is actively involved in music ministry at her parish.
T: 03 5445 3621 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Leslie Cooper
Executive Assistant to the Director of Mission and Pastoral Life
As the Executive Assistant to the Director of Mission and Pastoral Life, Leslie supports project and administrative services for the implementation of Diocesan events and the activities of consultative structures. These include Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council meetings and events; Ministry Network meetings and retreats; the Parish Visitation Program; Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group meetings and events;joint Catholic Education and Chancery Office staff days; Ministry formation seminars; Chancery reflection days; Sandhurst Diocesan Assemblies and other events and activities.
Leslie maintains documentation regarding the certification of Spiritual Directors and Ministry Supervisors within the Diocese; provides communication to the Adult Faith Education community and RCIA practitioners within the Diocese; and provides administrative support for the Parish Visitation Program, enhancing relationships between the Chancery and parishes.
Leslie has experience as a business leader in retail and supply chain management, including as a District Manager in the pet industry for 20 years and then as a Distribution Manager at United Parcel Service.
Leslie’s tertiary qualifications include bachelor and master degrees in forensic psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in the United States.
T: 0474 542 363 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Katrina Strong
Communications Coordinator
Katrina is the editor of Sandpiper e-News; and is responsible for managing the diocesan website; social media and public relations. She enjoys facilitating the sharing of stories and wants more people to contribute to the story of the Diocese through our media channels.
They might not know it themselves, but there are so many inspiring people doing wonderful work across our Diocese, building the story of who we are. When we share our stories with each other, we inspire others to bring our faith and values to life, and foster dynamic, open and missionary parish communities in which people feel part of the bigger picture. The more bylines in Sandpiper e-News the better.
Katrina strongly encourages you to share your stories and looks forward to working with you – one line in an email, or one phone call, is all it takes to get started.
M: 0419 015 696 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kerry Stone
Coordinator: Caritas Australia / Social and Ecological Justice
Kerry’s work includes promotion, education, and campaigning on a broad range of justice issues supported by resources from Caritas Australia including Catholic Earthcare, the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, the Migrant and Refugee Office and Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. This is a voluntary position Kerry has developed over the past thirty years.
Kerry’s passionate belief in the centrality of Justice to living the Gospel has led her to develop and resource a network of parish justice representatives; to present adult and student workshops on Catholic Social Teaching and Global Justice; run annual Just Leadership Days for students across the Diocese; collaborate with Catholic Education Sandhurst, to establish an annual Justice Matters Camp for secondary students; and, convene the Sandhurst Care for Creation Team which is working to promote the Laudato Si’ Goals across all parishes and schools in the Diocese.
At national level, Kerry is National Coordinator for Earthcare’s Parish/Diocese Community and coordinates the Vic/Tas Earthcare Network.
To contact Kerry phone Reception on Tel: 03 5445 3600
Mary Pianta
Disability Contact Coordinator
Mary's ongoing interest and willingness to care for the wellbeing of others caused her to volunteer for this position. Mary enjoys fitting the needs of her family and friends around her diocesan work as she develops a network of contacts – a person in each parish willing to be a link on behalf of the Parish Priest.
Mary has over 50 years of teaching experience from primary, through secondary and, finally, tertiary levels. She specialised in helping students with learning difficulties; she was committed to volunteering at family camps in Harrietville, run by CEO for families of children living with a disability within our Diocese. Her last ten years were at TAFE, teaching English as a Second Language to refugees and migrants in Bendigo and Shepparton areas.
Mary has a love of music and singing, knitting and sewing, reading and research, involvement in parish life, and playing Bingo. She thoroughly enjoys her other volunteer positions as proofreader for the diocesan SandPiper e-News, and as an usher at local theatres where she frequently catches up with old friends and colleagues.
Currently, Mary is involved in meeting and encouraging her parish contacts to reach out to parishioners, learn more about their needs, and ensure that those living with a disability feel welcome and included in parish activities. She regularly writes Bulletin notices, hoping to raise awareness of the many disabilities seen throughout the Diocese. In SandPiper, Mary has written articles about disabilities and Paralympics or included program details for opportunities to participate in seminars or support networks.
To contact Mary phone Reception on Tel: 03 5445 3600.
