Our Commitment
UCA Redress Ltd, as part of The Uniting Church in Australia, commits to responding to and supporting children and vulnerable people who have suffered abuse at the hands of the Church. We are committed to redress as a justice issue, as embedded in our DNA, permeating our practice, and lived out in our actions.
We recognise redress not only as a means to addressing past wrongs, but as taking us forward as a community to a place of reconciliation with those who have suffered, where relationships are rebuilt and trust is restored in our institutions, in our leaders and in our Church.
We will hear and keep the stories.
We will apologise.
We will make change.
We look to redress to take the Church, survivors and communities to a place where all can thrive, where we have learned from – and never forget – the past.
Our Governance – Board and National Director
Anne Cross AM Board Chair
Bachelor of Social Work, Masters of Social Work, FAICD
Anne is an independent company director having concluded her executive career as Chief Executive of UnitingCare Queensland, late in 2017. In addition to her role as Chair of UCA Redress Limited, Anne currently serves on the boards of St Vincent’s Health Australia and Levande and is a member of the University of Queensland Senate. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and retired as deputy Chair of the AICD Board in December 2024. She received recognition in the Queen’s Birthday 2018 Honours List for significant service to the community through social welfare organisations, and to women. She was named Telstra’s National Business Woman of the Year in 2014 and awarded the University of Queensland’s Alumni Excellence Award in 2016.
Andrew Johnson - Assembly Member director
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Graduate Diploma of Theology, GAICD
Andrew Johnson is the General Secretary of the Uniting Church Assembly following his appointment in July 2024.
As General Secretary, Andrew leads the work of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia including responsibilities for matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline, promoting the Church’s mission and standards of theological training. He works alongside and offers strategic leadership to senior leaders and staff of the Assembly and its three national agencies.
He also spent four years as Manager, Political Strategy and Government Relations for World Vision Australia and then Director of Strategy in the International and Domestic Programs Group. Andrew is a deeply committed member of the Uniting Church and is one of its recognised experts on Uniting Church polity and law. He has extensive governance and leadership experience within the Church including as a long-time member of both the Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee and Legal Reference Committee.
He has also served as a member of four Assembly Business Committees, as Director of UnitingCare Kippax in Canberra and Chair of UnitingWorld’s International Programs Committee. He has held a variety of social justice roles in the Uniting Church in Queensland. He is now a member of the Boards of UnitingWorld and UnitingCare Australia.
Peter Roach - Synod Member director
Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration, Master of Letters, FAICD
Peter is a non-executive director of several trustee companies, not-for-profit foundations and private family groups. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Fairfax Family Office, Cambooya Pty Ltd. He is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter has served as a board member of the Knox Grammar School Council and was Chair from 2013 to 2018. He is currently Chairman of Ravenswood School for Girls and is a board member of the Southern Highlands Community Foundation
Robert Watson - Synod Member director
Bachelor of Social Work, units in Business (Economics, Management and Accounting), Divinity, AICD Company Directors Course
Robert has held leadership roles in the Uniting Church, its agencies and other community services agencies for over 40 years. With a background in social work and business, he is strongly committed to child protection, social justice, robust governance and the community work of the Church. As a former Moderator of the Synod of Western Australia and a lay preacher, Robert has a deep connection to the Church and his local community. He was a member of the Uniting Church’s National Task Group to respond to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and participated in decisions about the Church’s participation in the National Redress Scheme and the establishment of UCA Redress Ltd.
Rue Masunungure
Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Graduate Diploma Legal Practice, GAICD, FGIA
Rue is a seasoned governance professional and lawyer, with over 20 years’ experience. Her career spans across multiple sectors including private legal practice, human & community services, social justice, international development and indigenous affairs. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a deep sense of calling to use her legal and governance skills to contribute to organisations whose purpose puts vulnerable and marginalised people at the centre of their existence.
She is currently the Executive of Legal and Governance and Company Secretary of a large charity where she leads practices that ensure good governance, risk management, ethics and integrity, client safeguarding, regulatory compliance, among others.
Sarah Lim - National Director
Following a career in social policy and legislation review and development in the Queensland Government, Sarah began work in UnitingCare Queensland in 2013. A large part of her role was monitoring and understanding the lessons coming out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and how they impacted on UCQ across the breadth of its services. During this time, Sarah worked with many survivors of abuse who were seeking to engage with UCQ. Sarah is a member of the Forde Foundation Board of Advice, a foundation established by the Queensland Government to provide micro-grants to Forgotten Australians and care leavers to assist them in their needs. Sarah is deeply committed to the needs of survivors of institutional abuse and restoration of relationships for survivors, the Church and the broader community.
History
President Dr Deidre Palmer has affirmed the Uniting Church’s commitment to the National Redress Scheme and acknowledged the pain caused for survivors.
“For anyone who was abused in the care of the Uniting Church, in our churches, schools or agencies, I’d again like to apologise sincerely. I am truly sorry that we didn’t protect and care for you in accordance with our Christian values,” said Dr Palmer.
“Please be assured that we are working to make amends and to ensure that our Church has a strong and robust culture of child safety that empowers children and adults in our care.”
UCA Redress Ltd was established in 2018 when the Uniting Church committed to joining the National Redress Scheme. Establishing UCA Redress Ltd as a separate entity ensures a continuing focus on responding to survivors of abuse.