BackAssociation of Pastoral Ministry Leaders, Melbourne (APMLM)
and Garratt Publishing presented a series of two webinars titled
IS THERE DIVERSITY IN CHAPLAINCY?
The Who, What and Why of Chaplaincy.
What is given and received in the role of chaplaincy?
Over two sessions, experienced Chaplains are considered and addressed the following aspects of their ministry:
• How did you get into this chaplaincy?
• To whom do you minister?
• What is it like to minister in that environment?
• What have been some of the experiences of grace?
• What have been some of the struggles?
• What qualifications are needed and what support is given?
Moderating each event was Lyn Plummer (Convenor APMLM) and Anne Dowling (Leadership Team Member, APMLM).
WEBINAR – WEEK ONE
Emergency Services, Ambulance Victoria, Police Chaplaincy
Thursday 23 July 2026
Marie van der Weert (Community Chaplain, VCCEM), Joan Ferguson (Chaplain, Ambulance Victoria) and Janet Boyce (Chaplain, Victoria Police), spoke from their areas of expertise.
A recording of this event is available to view below.
SPEAKERS – WEEK ONE
Marie van der Weert
Marie is a Community Chaplain for Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry (VCCEM). She has been a volunteer chaplain for over 15 years across many places in Victoria.VCCEM supports communities and individuals to recover after emergencies and trauma. Marie is currently working with VCCEM as Education and Training Manager.
Joan Ferguson
From a teenager, Joan has been passionate about supporting the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of others. Today that translates into her work as a Chaplain to Paramedics, Chaplain/Personal Support in crises with VCC Emergency Ministry, and 16 years as a College Chaplain. Joan trained in Theology, Catechesis, and Chaplaincy.
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Janet Boyce
Janet is a Chaplain with the Victoria Police in rural Victoria. Over the seven years she has served as the Police Chaplain in her region, she has loved serving and supporting her members and their families. Janet has been a Pastor for 14 years. She is excited to share her role as a Chaplain.
RECORDING – WEEK ONE
WEBINAR – WEEK TWO
Aged Care, Catholic Prison Ministry, Hospital Pastoral & Spiritual Care
Thursday 30 July 2026
7:00 pm (AEST)
Mariangela Prib (Retired Pastoral and Spiritual Care Practitioner), Aileen Martin (Prison Chaplain) and Cynthia White (Pastoral and Spiritual Care Practitioner) will speak from their areas of expertise.
A recording of this event is available to view below.
SPEAKERS – WEEK TWO
Mariangela Prib
Mariangela is a retired Pastoral/Spiritual Care Practitioner and mentor. She has over 27 years of experience leading compassionate advocacy and relationship-building across health, disability, and aged care sectors.
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Aileen Martin
CatholicCare Victoria.
Aileen works as a lay chaplain with Catholic Prison Ministry, having previously been a Pastoral Associate in the inner west of Melbourne.
Cynthia White
Cynthia loves her work as a Pastoral and Spiritual Care Practitioner for Cabrini Health, Melbourne, working in two of their hospitals. She has post-graduate qualifications in Business Administration and Marketing. Her most recent qualification being Master of Arts, Theological Studies. All have helped her hone her skills. Cynthia feels the privilege and blessing to serve are hers.
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RECORDING – WEEK TWO
