Wendy Wheatley
Wendy Wheatley is a self-employed architect working in a sole practice in the Blue Mountains, NSW for nearly 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from the University of NSW and is a Chartered Architect in NSW.
Specialising in residential design, Wendy has experience in providing for accessibility and understanding the significant influence of a good physical environment on the lives of those who are able to enjoy it.
Wendy is married and has raised two sons. She values the support of a Christian faith community in all areas of life and recognises that a quality physical, social, and spiritual environment should be equally accessible to all. Wendy is interested in understanding people and natural health. She enjoys developing her backyard veggie patch and flower garden, walking in the bush near her home, and getting to the beach as often as possible.
Rod Thompson
Rod has been married to Rosanne for some 42 years. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren. In 2003 he completed a PhD in Education at Macquarie University exploring the foundational impact of the Bible on Christian schooling in Australia.
Throughout his working life, Rod has been both a High School teacher and a pastor. He served as the National Principal/CEO of Laidlaw College in Auckland, New Zealand from 2010-2015. In 2016 Rod and Rosanne returned to Sydney to be closer again to family.
Rod is now a Minister in the pastoral team of Springwood Presbyterian Churches in Sydney’s Blue Mountains, as well as working with Christian Educational National (CEN) as the Coordinator of Biblical Foundations. Rod and Rosanne share a villa in Springwood with their miniature schnauzer dog named Bennett. Rod listens to lots of music, reads lots of books, and loves walking.
Robert Johnston
Bob is married to Jan and they have four adult children and nine grandchildren. He is now retired from employment in the field of education. Bob has previously been a lobbyist to the Federal Government for 140 Christian Schools Australia-wide; Operations Manager for Christian Education National serving schools across Australia; and prior to that, Principal of Wycliffe Christian School at Warrimoo in Sydney’s Blue Mountains.
Bob currently serves as Honorary Executive Officer for ‘Exodus From Darkness’ (Australia), an international ministry to Muslims via print, social media, and the personal speaking ministry of Dr. Daniel Shayesteh. He is also actively involved, together with Jan, in Prison Ministry.
Bob and Jan are members of Springwood Presbyterian Churches. Bob continues to serve as Chairman of a Board that engages staff, and co-ordinates and oversees the delivery of Special Religious Education lessons in local Public Primary and Secondary schools in the Springwood area. Bob has particular interest in politics, advocacy, writing, reading, governance and apologetics.
Ian Fryer
Ian and his family moved to Springwood in the Lower Blue Mountains about 16 years ago. Previously Ian has been a lecturer at Sydney & Missionary Bible College alongside Kirk Patston. Ian has been on the Board of the mission agency Pioneers of Australia for almost 20 years. He has also been a member of the Wycliffe School Board since early 2015 and has been Board Chair from 2017.
Ian is an actuary and has a senior role at a company that assesses superannuation funds and provides comparison tools for individuals and financial advisers to help them choose the superannuation fund that best meets their needs. He is actively involved with the superannuation regulators to improve the superannuation system and drive better outcomes for members.
Ian is passionate about the work of Hope Christian Homes and also Our Place Christian Communities to provide long-term accommodation for men and women with disabilities in the context of Christian community.
Mark Elkington
Mark was previously the CFO of NT Christian Schools (6 schools across the Northern Territory). His move to Darwin from Sydney in 2013 was to support church planting and family involvement with Christian children’s homes in Bali. Mark has worked as an electrical engineer and software developer, and has wide-ranging management and finance experience in the public and private sector.
Mark is currently the business manager of Norwest Christian College and serves on the board of Melos Education. He is married with three adult children and is an active member of Kellyville Anglican Church.