Ian Altman
STATE DIRECTOR
Ian is married to Carolyn and together they have two adult children Melina and Bryce. Ian came to faith on a camp in 1985 where he committed to be “all in” in following Jesus, wherever that might lead. After meeting Jesus in 1985, Ian, aged 17, met Carolyn who was 16 at the time on a ski camp, they have been serving Jesus together ever since!
For the past 25 years, Ian has been serving Jesus as an Ordained and Accredited Baptist Minister in both rural and city churches, he has been a Regional Minister for the Baptist Churches, and prior to taking on the role as State Director for SUNSW, Ian served as the Associate Director for the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT. With strong prompting for the Lord, Ian has taken on the role of State Director (CEO) and the responsibility of leading SUNSW.
Outside of ministry Ian has a passion for Photography, loves a good coffee (and can tell a bad one), and likes to travel.
With strong gifts of leadership and evangelism, a strategic mind, Ian has a strong passion to see children, young people, and families come to know Jesus in a personal way. Ian is looking forward to this new season of leading the team and empowering the volunteers who make up the family of SUNSW.
Andrew Parkinson
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR – TRAINING & EQUIPPING
Andrew (Parko) lives in chilly Blayney in Central West NSW with his wife Jo, daughters Caitlyn & Philippa, and son Isaac. He came to faith at Billy Graham Crusade in 1979 and in 1989 he felt God’s calling to ministry and entered theological college. He is an ordained Baptist Minister with over 30 years of youth ministry experience in churches, schools, camps, and even ran Sydney’s first and only Christian Night Club, featuring live Christian Bands every Friday and Saturday night! Andrew is a gifted speaker and communicator and has a passion for teaching and growing kids and young people for Christ. He can allegedly also make a mean coffee!
Dave Tankard
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR – CAMPS & MISSIONS
Dave is married to Jude with four children, three adults and one in high school. He became a Christian in 2008 when after several years of watching Christian friends and attending their church services and Bible studies, he finally understood the Good News of what Jesus had accomplished for him.
Dave’s work background to that point included gardening and retail management. He has since moved into SRE teaching, and began with SU NSW in 2014. He has studied visual arts and horticulture, and more recently earned a diploma in theology through Morling College. He is a member of an Anglican Church in Tamworth. He enjoys playing and watching cricket, reading, and gardening. He loves getting to know the beautiful people and places around the North West region, and is passionate about showing the relevance of Jesus for modern Australia.
In his role as regional coordinator Dave supports volunteers to use their gifts and experience to run fun activities which enrich the lives of young people, and help them to explore the Christian faith. It is his joy to help connect people of all ages and stages in their Christian journey, helping to form them into effective communities for sharing Jesus with children, young people and families. He recently became the team leader of our very gifted regional staff, and seeks to encourage them in their roles.
Aimee Wilkins
SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR
Aimee grew up with a desire to know more about God, and as an adult sought a better understanding through a Christianity Explained course. It was through this course that Aimee was inspired by God’s love and grace to commit her life to Jesus as her Saviour and King.
Aimee is married to Gary and they have two young sons who bring much laughter, joy and wonderful chaos to their lives. They enjoy fellowship at their local Anglican Church, where Aimee also co-leads the women’s ministry team. She seeks to continue learning and maturing as a disciple of Christ and help share His light and love with others.
Aimee loves spending time in nature enjoying God’s beautiful creation through bushwalks, picnics, being in the garden and more recently kayaking. She loves getting together with family and friends and is also known to bake a great brownie!
Bronwyn Jackson
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Bronwyn is married to Stephen and together they have two teens and a tween. In the year 2000, Bronwyn became a Christian through a Christianity Explored course, where she accepted the salvation given to her through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Since then, the Holy Spirit has been guiding and changing her life for his great purposes!
Cheryl Burton
SCHOOL MINISTRY TEAM LEADER
Cheryl committed her life to Christ as a student and was strengthened in her faith through a vibrant student-led ISCF group. Her love of ministry grew at SUFM, Bible College, local church ministry and her university Christian group. Cheryl started an ISCF group in her first high school and she is still just as passionate about discipling youth and empowering volunteers (2 Timothy 2:2).
Cheryl has experience as a teacher in high schools, primary schools, TAFE and SRE teaching. She previously worked for an international aid agency in recruiting and empowering volunteers to help fight human trafficking. Cheryl is married to Rob and has two lovely adult daughters. She enjoys relaxing with her family and friends, playing with her two mischievous puppies, and exploring new parts of the beautiful Central Coast.
Deborah Kemper
FINANCE MANAGER
Deborah is married to Nathan and has 3 children. They have recently relocated from the outer suburbs of Melbourne to Penrith where Nathan has joined the Pastoral team at Nepean Baptist Church, leaving behind their eldest son to complete his cabinet making apprenticeship. Deborah has been actively involved in her local church since accepting Christ as her Saviour at a Christian camp, at the age of 17. She has used her accounting skills for many years as a church treasurer and in various Christian Evangelical organisations.
Deborah is very pleased to have the opportunity to continue using her skills to the glory of God, here at Scripture Union.
Jasmine Ruigrok
HUNTER REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Hunter Valley native and country born and bred, Jasmine was raised in a Christian home as the eldest of seven kids where her relationship with Jesus was nurtured until it became the focal point of her life. Her first experience with SU was cooking for an ag camp, where she was instantly hooked on the mission of working with churches to make God’s Good News known to children, young people and families. Since then, along with directing Hunter girls ag camp, Jasmine has contributed to the Kempsey FM, Tamworth Country Music Festival FM, and songwriters’ retreat.
Jasmine is passionate about seeing people’s lives transformed by a genuine faith in Christ, and has a deep love for the local church. Her heart is to see her generation rise to the call of the Gospel and become stirred toward mission and discipleship that goes beyond the four walls of a church building. She is excited for the ministry opportunities and leadership development SU offers, and is eager to discover new ways to partner with churches across the Hunter to bring the Gospel to life in the hearts of its people.
When she isn’t serving at her church, she can be found doing freelance design, songwriting, reading, blogging, drinking coffee, hiking the Australian wilderness, or chasing her nieces around her family farm that she calls home.
Jenny Carnaby
MID-NORTH COAST REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
Jenny lives in beautiful Port Macquarie with her husband Pete and 7-year-old daughter Remy. They love kids and have been foster parents to over 20 disadvantaged kids aged 2-16 in the last 6 years.
Jenny has a long association with Scripture Union and was first introduced 25 years ago to SU’s awesome ministry to kids through a beach mission on the Sunshine Coast in Qld. Since then, she has served in a variety of SU high school camps in QLD including a Girl’s Horse-riding camp, Youth Outback camp in Central QLD, “Splash Out” Beach Camp and a Schoolies Camp in the Whitsundays (tough, hey?). Jenny has a real heart for schools’ ministry and has worked as a High School Chaplain and Primary School Student Support Worker, lead ISCF groups, taught Scripture to high school and primary kids, and been involved in pancake breakfasts and other fun school programs so kids can have the opportunity to hear God’s Good News.
Jenny is very passionate about inspiring and encouraging Christians to reach out to kids with the Gospel in their local communities and to see families transformed by the Good News of Jesus.
Jo Parkinson
SAFE MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Jo lives in Blayney in Central West NSW with her husband Andrew and her kids Caitie, Pip, and Isaac. Jo has been a RAAF Kid, Youth Leader, Girls & Boys Brigade Leader, Office Manager, Pastors Wife, School Canteen Manager and a Childcare Cook. In her downtime, she loves to binge-watch Netflix, cook yummy food (with the help of her two trusty Thermomix’s, Audrey and Heston), holiday in the caravan and watch MOTOGP. Christ has always been the centre of Jo’s life having grown up in a Christian home and she now feels truly blessed to work for a Christ-centred organisation!
Joanne Faletoese
SOUTH COAST REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Jo was raised in a Christian home and as a young child accepted Jesus as her Saviour. At the age of 12, she was keen to share her faith and together with another friend, she started up a Christian lunchtime club in her primary school. This was the start of a lifelong passion for sharing the gospel with children and teenagers.
Jo has been teaching Scripture in primary and high schools and serving in a wide range of children’s and youth programs for over 25 years. She loves finding creative ways to present the stories and big themes of the Bible. And she loves empowering the next generation to continue to pass on their faith to others!
Jo is married to Tepa, and they have three beautiful daughters, two adults and one in high school, and they are currently serving God in Batemans Bay. Jo enjoys Monday morning breakfast dates with her husband and late afternoon beach walks with her three toy poodles.
Kylie Letcher
WESTERN DISTRICT REGIONAL WORKER
Kylie is married to Matt and has 2 daughters, Natalie and Katie. After growing up in cold Orange, living on a beautiful farm in Yeoval, surviving the Big Smoke while at Sydney Missionary Bible College, and supporting her husband in pastoral ministry in hot and dry Broken Hill, she now lives back in Yeoval enjoying God’s amazing creation of birds, trees, sunsets, green grass with 5 kelpies and a house dog!
She grew up with the blessing of a Christian family. She enjoyed her local church Sunday school, youth group and school scripture and started leading youth group at 17. She first led on Wairo Beach SUFM, and has since been involved with SUNSW in several ways. She is very thankful for the great impact that SUNSW Girls Ag camp has had on her daughter. She was very committed to teaching and training volunteers for SRE in Broken Hill and is very passionate about kids and youth camps, especially in rural/outback areas.
If you want an easy conversation starter with her, just mention cricket, camping, gardening or her family and you’ll be stuck for hours!
Latisha Buttsworth
ADMIN SUPPORT NORTHERN NSW REGION
Latisha was raised on a farm in Clarence Town region as the eldest of four children. She became a Christian after watching the Jesus video at a young age. She has a heart for sharing God’s love with those around her in the most practical way possible.
She loves to worship God through music and share that experience with others around her. When she isn’t serving at her local church, Latisha can be found, hiking, sewing, cooking or attempting to learn a new instrument.
Her favourite scripture is Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Luca Kent
SYDNEY METRO WORKER
Luca was raised in a Christian home and came to faith through her own revelation at 11 years of age at an ACC kids conference in 2015. She has always been actively involved in her local church community, serving in worship and kids ministry, currently serving as the Kids Church Leader at LifeSpace Church – Marsden Park. She has a real heart to see young people come to know Jesus and loves spending time supporting them on their walk with God.
When she isn’t serving Luca will be seen reading a good book, listening to and making music or binging Netflix. She enjoys engaging in activities that push her out of her comfort zones such as hiking, camping, horse riding, surfing and motor-biking.
Luca aspires to be a primary school teacher, currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary). She can’t wait to connect with students in a secular environment and show the love of Jesus to those she encounters!
Merrin Telfer
BUSINESS MANAGER & ADMIN TEAM LEADER
Merrin is married to Scott with four grown-up children and six grandchildren. Growing up in a Christian family, she has been involved in church all her life and is currently worshipping at Holy Trinity Wentworth Falls where she enjoys being part of a weekly Bible study group. Prior to joining Scripture Union, she and Scott ran their own printing business, which they have just sold. Merrin is pleased to be able to use the skills learned there in her new role with Scripture Union.
Merrin loves a good road trip, camping, playing with her grandchildren, knitting and other crafts, drinking tea and eating cake!
Niki Mann
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Niki grew up in a Christian family in the Illawarra and came to make the decision to follow Christ for herself in her early teen years. She is passionate about sharing the Gospel with the youth of her local church and community just like her youth leaders passionately shared with her. She is also actively involved in the women’s ministry at her church. When Niki isn’t working or being involved in church activities she can often be found by the beach, out for a walk, or catching up with a friend over a good cup of coffee
Olivia Ruigrok
NORTH WEST REGIONAL WORKER
Olivia was born in Singleton, raised a middle child in a Christian family of seven kids, where she learned the value of hard work and what it means to do everything as unto Christ, from the menial to the major.
Olivia has a compassionate heart for the lost and hurting, and is a firm believer in sharing the message of the Gospel, finding immense joy in seeing the transformative power of Christ’s love manifest itself in young peoples’ and families’ lives.
God has stirred up within her a love for the people of Northern NSW, and has now moved to Tamworth, she is excited to contribute to the mission work and discipleship opportunities throughout the North West & New England region in her supportive role to the coordinator.
Before her position with Scripture Union NSW, Olivia had been working in church administration, out of school hours child care, bookkeeping for the family business and short term chaplaincy.
In her spare time, Olivia gets involved in ministry opportunities within the local and wider church, cooking, catering & leading on SU camps/mission, meeting new people, whilst maintaining hobbies such as playing bass guitar and piano, tennis comp, hiking, exploring, reading, baking, and spending time with family & friends.
Rob Burton
CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS COORDINATOR
I am very thankful for an upbringing in a Christian family; I gave my life to Jesus at the age of seventeen and was baptised soon afterwards. I am married to Cheryl and we are blessed with two adult daughters and their partners. I am a passionate servant of Jesus’ church. I have been involved in youth and church leadership for most of my walk with the Lord and have served as a pastor for over 20 years. I love the rich history of Scripture Union and the impact that this movement has had in the lives of thousands. I love the boldness of this movement as we partner with churches in equipping and empowering volunteers to share the Gospel in schools, camps, in missions on the beach and elsewhere. I love my role: the aims of Scripture Unionbegin with “working with the churches”. We long for new believers to connect with their local church, find a family to grow in faith and with their support to go out to serve a world in need. I love old cars and car racing, fishing, the outdoors, good coffee and cake, reading, and watching any sport. I dream of a big garden, wide open spaces in which to live and work, photography, woodwork, my shed, travelling with my lovely wife, family and sometimes the dogs.
Sally Trethewy
CAMPS ADMINISTRATOR
Sally works part-time as Camps Administrator, supporting volunteers on SUNSW Camps to spread the good news of Jesus!
Sally’s introduction to Scripture Union was as a new Christian in year 12, attending an ISCF group at her high school. During her four years at university, Sally was a leader on Budgewoi SUFM, where she met her husband, Chris.
In recent years, Sally and her family have been serving as leaders on Cricket Camp & Rugby Union Camp. Sally has delighted in seeing her children grow from campers to serving as leaders. She enjoys having cups of tea with friends, reading, walking, and spending time with her family.