Governance

Union Council

The Union Council understands that good corporate governance is an essential precondition to the organisation’s ability to achieve its mission in the most effective and sustainable manner. Ultimate responsibility for the governance of the BUV rests with the Council.

The Council is comprised of six independent, non-executive Council members as well as the Director of Ministries, Honorary Legal Advisor and Union Secretary. The Council members have a broad range of business, institutional and governance experience. They apply judgement and accountability standards to ensure that our work results in the greatest possible impact on constituent churches that we serve.

The Council expects the organisation as a whole, every member, partner and employee, to conduct themselves with the highest ethical standards.

The Council has adopted a formal Council Charter and a set of Council Policies which detail the Council’s role, powers, duties and functions. In addition to the matters required by law, the Council is responsible for:

  • Setting the strategic direction for the organisation, assessing progress towards strategic objectives and approving policies to work towards those objectives;
  • Recommending the appointment of the Director of Ministries to the Assembly;
  • Approving the remuneration and tracking performance of the Director of Ministries;
  • Approving the annual budget;
  • Considering and approving strategies and policies to ensure appropriate risk management;
  • Monitoring and receiving advice on areas of operational opportunities and financial risk;
  • Ensuring compliance with laws and policies; and
  • Appointing sub-committees to assist in effective governance.

The Director of Ministries is responsible for operational management, with all powers, discretions and delegations authorised, from time to time, by the Council. The Council is responsible for regularly reviewing and ensuring that all necessary and appropriate delegations are in place to enable the Director of Ministries and Leadership Team to meet this responsibility.

The governing council of our BUV is called BUV Union Council.

Members of Union Council are elected by the Members of Assembly of the Baptist Union, and normally serve a 3 year term.

No fees are paid for serving as a Council member.

Rev Dr Allan Demond
Acting Chair of Union Council
BA (Hons), MDiv (Hons), MTh, PhD, GAICD

Allan served as the Senior Pastor of NewHope Baptist Church from 1995-2025. He currently lectures in Homiletics at Whitley College, in Spiritual & Pastoral Theology at Melbourne School of Theology, where he also oversees the Doctor of Ministry program. As a former President of the BUV, past BUV Council member, and past Vice-Chair of Baptist World Aid Australia, Allan brings a deep love for the Baptist family and strategic governance expertise to his Council role.

Rev Daniel Bullock
DIP THEOL, ADV DIP MIN, B.MIN, MA CHURCH LEADERSHIP, GAICD, MLdshp

Daniel was ordained by the BUV in 2000 and began his pastoral ministry at Berwick Community Baptist Church before moving to New Hope Baptist Church for 11 years and then onto Essendon Baptist Church as Senior Pastor. In 2012, he joined the BUV as Director of Mission and Ministries, responsible for the development and leadership of the vision and mission of the Baptist Denomination in Victoria. 

Paul Holdway
LLB, BA (Hons), B.Theol

Paul is a practising Lawyer with 30 years’ experience and has been the Principal of Lewis Holdway Lawyers in Melbourne since 1999. Paul is a lifelong Baptist, is currently a member of Westgate Baptist Church and serves the BUV in the capacity of Honorary Legal Advisor and is Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee.

Debbie Uy
MBA, B.SC.COM. (MARKETING), B.A. (PSYCHOLOGY), GAICD

Debbie started her professional career in the corporate sector and had 19 years’ experience in business management before moving into the not-for- profit sector. She has held both senior operational executive and non-executive Director roles and is currently the BUV’s Director of Finance and Administration and Union Secretary, and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Mark Browning
EMBA, GAICD

Mark has had over 30 years’ experience in a variety of banking, risk, project, leadership and governance roles within the Financial Services industry. He has been a member and Treasurer in a number of Baptist churches in Victoria and is currently a member at Syndal Baptist Church.  Mark is a member of the BUV’s Council Development Committee.

Rev Christine Wanstall
BSW, M.A, Dip of Management

Christine leads a consultancy business working with religious, not-for-profit and community service organisations to ensure vulnerable people are safe from harm. Christine has been involved in ministry for over 30 years, is an ordained BUV Pastor and is a member of Encounter Baptist Church. She is currently a member of the Constitutional Review Committee and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Sally Mullins
B Bus (Admin), Grad Dip IR and HRM, Cert IV Project Management, GAICD

Sally has over 20 years experience in HR roles, primarily in the banking and finance industry. She is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Board Governance and Remuneration Committee of Christian Financial Services (formerly Baptist Financial Services). Sally and her family worship at New Peninsula Baptist Church and she serves as a member of the BUV Council Development committee.

Rev Dr David Talathoti
Dip Theol, BTheol, MTS, PhD, Dip Psych (Honours)

David began pastoral ministry in 2000, was ordained in 2013 and is currently serving as Senior Pastor at Dandenong Baptist Church. As a migrant to Australia, David is passionate about bringing cultures together as a united and vibrant body of Christ that seeks to serve others. David is a member of the Nominations Committee, an Ordination Supervisor and a member of Ordination Discernment Group.

Bronwyn Burnett
BA, Drama, Gemmology

Bronwyn spent 20 years in management of her family’s premium jewellery business.  She was on the Church Council at Essendon Community Baptist Church and ministered beside her husband at Kyneton Baptist Church. Bronwyn now manages the social enterprise cafe, Social Foundry, where they also run a missional community.

Professional Standards Group

In 2004 the Executive Council of the BUV established a Professional Standards Group to examine processes related to the education of its pastors and congregations and to review the Complaints Procedures. A Professional Standards Group oversee complaints processes within the Union. This group includes the Church Safeguarding Consultant, external professionals, senior officers of the Union and a representative of pastors.

Rev David Devine
B.A. (Accty); B.Th.; Dip. Pastoral Studies; MA (Min)

BUV Head of Church Health and Capacity Building & Chairman of PSG.
David served as a Pastor within South Australian and Victorian Baptist churches for 25 years. He has been part of the BUV Office staff since 2012. He was one of the co-authors of the BUV’s Code of Ethics for Pastoral Leaders.

Vicky Dyer
Church Safeguarding Consultant

Vicky Dyer has a passion for supporting churches to become safer, more welcoming and more inclusive. She has a background in both social work and administration.  If you have questions about pastoral misconduct, keeping people safe at church, or Creating Safe Space training, contact Vicky. Vicky works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 

Rev Adam Hince
B.Com and B.Th

Senior Pastor, Essendon Baptist Church and Chaplain to Cricket Victoria 
Adam has over 18 years experience pastoring churches including, Syndal Baptist and Boronia Baptist Church. Adam is married to Anna, and together they have three young children – Tom, Lucy and Emily.

David Rock
B.Com and B.Th

Lead Pastor Church by the Bay 
Dave is the Lead Pastor at Church by the Bay since 2009. Dave is married to Jules and together they have four sons. “I accepted David’s invitation regarding the PSC because of a couple of reasons. A commitment I have to see the church own the gospel call to become advocates of justice, healing and reconciliation of those who are caught in issues of abuse. And a growing sense of wanting to build church leaders and churches as healthy places where the gospel can be carried to the world.”

Heather Coleman
Min, BA (Admin), Grad Dip (IR)

Senior Administration & Compliance Officer, Melbourne School of Theology
Heather is currently the senior Administration & Compliance Officer at the Melbourne School of Theology. Previously the General Director for Global Interaction, Heather’s experience includes government, non-government and overseas organisations, with business administration expertise including governance, corporate services, human resources and industrial relations.  Heather is married to Ron.

Adam Foster
Lawyer, Colin Biggers & Paisley

Adam Foster is an employment lawyer at Colin Biggers & Paisley, with particular technical expertise in advising not for profits on all aspects of their employment law needs. Adam has a particular client base in religious institutions, understanding the broader context in which these organisations operate.

Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Sub Committee has the following members:

  • Rev. Christine Wanstall– Chair
  • Debbie Uy
  • Andrew Gibson
  • Chris Kirwan
  • Grace Hmun

 

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee has the following members:

  • Mick Turnbull
  • Rev. Daniel Bullock
  • Rev. Dr David Talathoti

Constitution Committee

The Constitution Committee has the following members:

  • Paul Holdway – Chair
  • Rev. Christine Wanstall
  • Debbie Uy

Council Development Committee

The Nomination Committee has the following members:

  • Mick Turnbull
  • Mark Browning
  • Sally Mullins