Damascus College is thrilled to celebrate the recent appointments of Karon Donnellon RSM to Institute Leader, and Elizabeth Moloney RSM to Institute Vicar, of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).

These two fine Mercy women have been elected to lead ISMAPNG for the next four years. They bring to their new roles, considerable wisdom and experience obtained from diverse backgrounds in mission and ministry.

Karon Donnellon RSM, was a past student at Sacred Heart College, graduating in 1974, and was a teacher and boarding school supervisor at St Martin’s in the Pines from 1984-1987, before returning to the boarding school role in 1993-1994. She originates from the small Victorian town of Donald. After joining the former Ballarat-East Congregation, Karon’s ministries have included being a secondary teacher, Diocesan Youth Director, Juvenile Justice Chaplain, and Director of Mission for Catholic Social Services Victoria.

She has had many years’ experience in facilitation and completed studies in the areas of organisational change and leadership. Karon’s formal qualifications include – a Master of Arts – Leadership and Organisational Analysis from the Alanus University; a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Criminology) from the University of Melbourne; a Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne; and, a Bachelor of Theology from what is now the University of Divinity.

Karon currently works with several religious congregations in Australia, was previously a member of the Institute’s Mercy Ethos team and now coordinates and facilitates the Leadership Program and Dublin Pilgrimage now offered by Mercy Ministry Companions.

She has served on a variety of boards and is currently on the Ethos and Culture Sub-Committee of the MacKillop Family Services Board and the Board of Catholic Social Services Australia. Karon served on the final leadership team of the former Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia until the formation of the Institute in 2011.

Elizabeth Moloney RSM, was a past student at Sacred Heart College, finishing in 1972 (Class of 1973) and was a coordinator of St Martin’s in the Pines boarding school from 1991-1994, and assisted in closing the boarding school in 1994. She comes from a large Catholic dairy farming family in Western Victoria. She is a social worker and has had a long history of involvement with supporting vulnerable children and families in a wide range of ways, both individually with groups and in community development situations.

Elizabeth has held positions in several ministries including coordinating a boarding school (St Martins), support and advocacy work with asylum seekers and refugees. Elizabeth steadily moved into leadership positions – first at Mackillop Family Services (2000 – 2010) and at CatholicCare NT where she was based in Darwin and Alice Springs which involved reaching out to many remote communities.

Her love of tai chi and walking the natural landscape allows for a healthier life balance. Elizabeth is currently a Councillor on the Institute’s Leadership Team, which is a very rich and rewarding experience.