VAT Committee
Michael Shand AM KC
President
Michael is a distinguished Australian barrister and church leader with deep experience in commercial, equity and church law and governance.
He has served as Chancellor of the Anglican Dioceses of Melbourne and Ballarat, lectured in church law, and been recognised for his service to both the Anglican Church and the legal profession, including being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
As President of Victorian Anglicans Together, Michael brings thoughtful leadership grounded in justice, integrity and faithful engagement with contemporary church life.
The Ven. Dr Colleen O’Reilly AM SCP
Vice-President
Archdeacon Colleen is a respected Australian Anglican priest and advocate for inclusive leadership, currently serving as Archdeacon of Stonnington in the Diocese of Melbourne.
She has been a passionate champion for women’s ordination and leadership in the Church since the 1970s and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the Anglican Church and religious education.
Brett Collins
Treasurer
Brett Collins is a parishioner and church warden of the Anglican Parish of Gisborne. He is a member of the Diocesan Finance Committee , Board member for the Anglican Board of Mission and also Chairs the Marketing and Fundraising Committee . In his day job, he is Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Markets Australia – the Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Limited.
Brett has a continuous passion for social justice , diversity , community development and inclusivity.
Scott Walker
Secretary
Committee Members:
Julia Charleston
Dr Jane Freemantle
The Revd Canon Nigel Pope
Dr Muriel Porter
Malcolm Tadgell
The Rt Rev Dr Alison Taylor AM
Julia Charleston has built a diverse career spanning the legal profession and real estate, complemented by decades of dedicated community involvement. A committed volunteer, she has served on numerous committees, contributing her time and expertise. Julia has been a devoted parishioner of St Peter’s, Brighton Beach, for over 45 years.
Revd Canon Nigel Pope is an Australian Anglican priest serving in the Diocese of Melbourne, currently Vicar of St John’s Footscray. With over two decades of ordained ministry, including 15 years in India, he is a committed advocate for inclusive, multicultural church life, community engagement, and sharing the hope of the gospel in diverse urban contexts.
Dr Muriel Porter OAM is a Melbourne journalist, writer and Authorised Honorary Lay Minister at St George’s, Malvern. She was a leading advocate for the ordination of women, and instrumental in achieving the Appellate Tribunal’s clearance for women bishops. She has served on Melbourne Synod, Diocesan Council, General Synod, its Standing Committee, and the Board of Nominators.
Malcolm Tadgell is a parishioner and churchwarden at St George’s Anglican Church, Malvern. He was previously Registrar of the Diocese and Secretary of the Synod.
Bishop Alison Taylor most recently served as an assistant bishop in the diocese of Melbourne, filling in for the Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell during the vacancy in the See. She had previously served as an assistant bishop in the diocese of Brisbane (Southern Region) from 2013 to 2017. Her previous ministries included as Vicar of St John’s Camberwell and Vicar of St Dunstan’s Camberwell.