New Leader Continues Compassionate Work of Support Service

Bishop Ken Howell, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, has announced the appointment of Ms Dianne Swan as the new Executive Director of CatholicCare Social Services. She replaces Mrs Kate Venables, who served as Executive Director for 10 years. Ms Swan will officially assume her role on Thursday, 9 January 2025.

Ms Swan is highly qualified and brings a wealth of experience in the social services sector including where she held leadership roles within Centacare in the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane for more than 10 years. Centacare Brisbane lives their mission of mercy through compassion and support of families, young people and vulnerable communities.

Upon making the announcement, Bishop Howell said, “Di comes to our diocese eminently qualified and no stranger to CatholicCare having previously worked short-term contracts in recent years. I am sure that her appointment will lead to a strengthening of our mission and of our service to the community in the many endeavours of CatholicCare.”

Ms Swan is poised to lead CatholicCare in its mission to provide effective and most importantly compassionate support. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the team at CatholicCare Social Services and continuing to support the delivery of much-needed services across our diverse communities,” she said.

CatholicCare Social Services has an over 40-year history in the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. Starting in the early 1980s as couples counselling, the service has evolved to include psychology services, dispute resolution, drought counselling, First Nations youth support, migrant and refugee support, and so much more. CatholicCare extends its support beyond Toowoomba into the southwest region of Queensland.