Our Volunteers

Our volunteer base is made up entirely of members who choose to contribute their time, effort, resources, expertise, and encouragement to support the Fellowship.

There are various opportunities available, from leadership roles at the Board level and National Event convenors, to training, workshop presentations, and state or regional involvement. These opportunities range from ongoing commitments to one-off events, catering to all levels of availability.

Our National Convenors and Their Teams

CMDFA is grateful to the members who dedicate their time to convene major national conferences and events. Each year, teams are formed to plan these events, depending on the venue or state.

The 2023 NATIONAL Conference was organised by Conference Convenor Nathan Coombs, with a passionate team from the Northern Territory.

The 2025 IMPACT x NATIONAL Conference, held in Brisbane, is being organised by Eleasa Sieh, with Sara Yeo and Daniel Or coordinating the student conference. A strong team from Brisbane is supporting the event.

The 2025 Vision Conference took place in Newtown, Sydney, with Audrey Lim as the Conference Convenor.

The 2024 Worker’s Retreat, held on the Gold Coast, was organised by Ben Reardon, with a team from Queensland.

The 2024 Equip and Connect planning day for CMDFA leaders was coordinated by the National Office, with Sneha Kirubakaran, our National Chair, leading the effort.

We rely on volunteers to take on convenor roles and serve as committee members each year. Please consider if this is an opportunity where you could contribute.

Our State Teams

State Branches and Regional Groups

Each state branch varies in its approach and composition. Active state committees include Western Australia, NSW, Victoria and South Australia. There are also a number of regional groups in Qld.

The Board has the authority to undertake organisational restructuring of existing branches, committees and groups; or the formation of new branches, committees and groups, if this is considered in the best interests of the Fellowship.

CMDFA’s historical structure has been based on the existence of active State Branches to provide a connecting point within each state for members, but in the absence of an active State Branch the Board will work with members to promote meaningful connection and engagement with the Fellowship. Within each state, there may also be regional branches or groups catering for the needs of members in regional, rural and remote areas, as the members initiate.

State and Regional Branch Committee Vision and Purpose

State and Regional Branches provide leadership of the Fellowship at state or regional level and are led by a committee. The committee will plan and organise events, conferences, facilitate communication and networking, monitor membership, support student leaders and activities, foster missionary support, encourage regional groups, liaise with Board and staff on matters of interest. Regional branches should determine whether they exist as a sub-branch of a State branch or whether they relate directly to the Board.

Composition of State and Regional Branch Committee

The composition and process of appointment of a State or Regional Branch committee is not fixed, however the committee must be:
- comprised of members of CMDFA;
- willing to accept responsibility as the State or Regional Branch;
- recognised by the Board as a valid State or Regional Branch;
- able to appoint one or two persons as Chair or co-Chairs.
Consideration should be given to including representatives from among recent graduates, students, dentistry, and regional/rural areas.
Committees are encouraged to offer open nominations for committee positions and conduct all committee procedures in accordance with accepted governance practices that ensure fair and transparent handling of appointments and decision-making. Any State or Regional Branch operating outside of accepted norms may be sanctioned or disavowed by the Board.
Formation of a new (or reactivated) State or Regional Branch committee must be approved by the Board.
Leaders and committee members should undertake timely succession planning.

Meetings of State and Regional Branches

State and Regional Branches are free to determine their own frequency and structure of meetings. If no meetings have been held by the branch in a 12-month period, the Board or national staff may initiate remedial intervention and discussion with relevant stakeholders with the aim of causing Branch renewal, improved functioning or temporary cessation.

Minutes or written summaries of State and Regional Branch meetings should ideally by shared with the Board to promote collaboration and mutual understanding.

State Contacts

NSW

Bob Claxton (President) and Sue Lynn Lau.

Newcastle

Catherine Hollier

Cooma-Canberra

Dawn & Robert Wiles

QLD

Eleasa Sieh (National Conference convener)

SA

Phillipa Harris (State president)

VIC

Aleisha Mak (Secretary)

WA

Hanna Watts & Steve Naoum (co-Presidents)

Our Student Leaders

David Chanmugam
National Recent Graduates – Worker (NSW)

Keturah Dennison
National Recent Graduates – Student Worker (NSW)

Elizabeth Rugendyke
National Student Rep (WA)

National Recent Graduates and Students Ministries

CMDFA operates dedicated activities for both recent graduates and students, recognising the specific challenges faced by these groups. The Board generally includes non-voting representatives of each of these groups (e.g., Recent Graduates Worker, Student Worker, National Student Representative).

Encouraging recent graduates around the country regarding living a radically obedient Christian life at home, at church, at university, at work, and in missional living both in Australia and overseas
Encouraging recent graduates with their involvement in CMDFA
Functioning as a representative of recent graduates to the Board, and vice versa with good communication in both directions
Encouraging the creation and distribution of resource material relevant to recent graduates but also useful for other members of CMDFA
Organising the annual Workers Retreat
Coordinating the regional intern boot camps
Facilitating the development of hospital fellowship networks
Succession planning for their role and for other recent graduate ministries

National Recent Graduates Worker(s)

The Board is able to appoint paid or unpaid workers dedicated to ministries for recent graduates. In general, the role includes the following responsibilities:

National Recent Graduate - Student Worker(s)

The Board is able to appoint paid or unpaid workers dedicated to ministries for dental and medical students. The Student Worker(s) will work closely with the National Student Representative as they undertake the following responsibilities

Encouraging students on campuses and in the hospitals regarding living a radically obedient Christian life at home, at church, at university, at work, and in missional living both in Australia and overseas
Encouraging students with their involvement in CMDFA
Functioning as a representative of students to the Board, and vice versa with good communication in both directions
Encouraging the creation and distribution of resource material relevant to students but also useful for other members of CMDFA
Overseeing the organisation of the annual VISION weekend and IMPACT Conference
Facilitating the development of student fellowship networks
Succession planning for their role and for other student ministries

National Student Representative and State Student Representatives

The National Student Representative will be a medical or dental student member. They will work closely with the Student Worker and will attend Board meetings in a non-voting capacity. They will liaise with student members in each state to identify a State Student Representative for each state and territory. The National Student Representative should also be a member of their State or Regional Branch.

The State Student Representatives will liaise with the National Student Representative and campus leaders to ensure good communication of CMDFA initiatives in both directions. They will liaise with student members in each university to identify campus leaders. The State Student Representative will also be a member of their home State or Regional Branch.

The National and State Student Representatives should aim to attend National Student Events each year. They may also be invited to attend development workshops run by the Board (e.g., Equip & Connect).