Join us on Monday 27 May at 7:30pm for our NewHope Annual General Meeting.

You can view the meeting agenda HERE and minutes from our previous AGM (21 June 2023) HERE.

At Members Meetings we come together to discern God’s direction and take responsibility for the present health, future capacity and missional effectiveness of NewHope. We really hope you can be there, because as the Body of Christ, we are much stronger together!

Our voting process for this meeting will be via the church centre app for both in-person and online, so we encourage you to DOWNLOAD this beforehand. 

Register HERE and if you are unable to attend the meeting, please submit an apology HERE. 

Church Council Nominees Introduction

There are seven elected Church Council members with two year terms, generally half elected each AGM, and two ex-officio members – Allan & Surette.

The Church Council members elected last year and continuing until 2025 are Tristan Ellett (Chair), Brett Rice, Steve Stavridis and Monique Jaksic.

The Church Council members reaching the end of their two year term and available for re-election and fully endorsed by Church Council are Amanda Carruthers (Church Secretary) and Darryn Hockley.

For election this AGM:

Secretary – Amanda Carruthers nominating
Finance Director – Craig Neilson nominating
1 Ordinary member position – Darryn Hockley nominating

Amanda Carruthers (Church Secretary)

Amanda has been worshipping and serving at NewHope for almost 30 years.

During that time, she has been an active part of several ministries, including Unshackled, youth leading, Alpha and STEPPS. Amanda has been a member of Church Council since 2016. 

Amanda and Martin were married at NewHope by Pastor Allan Demond in 2003. They, together with their children (Joshua and Judah, aged 13 and 12) love being part of NewHope and its ministries. 

Amanda is a barrister, with a focus in commercial law and dispute resolution. Amanda finds that many of the core drivers in her work life (such as advocacy, clarifying goals, and identifying options and solutions) are helpful as a member of church council.

Amanda is passionate about the growth and development of the body of Christ on an individual and global scale, and feels very blessed to be a member of a congregation who daily seek to be salt and light, and to consistently step up as Christ’s hands and feet in our community.

Craig Neilson (Finance Director)

I am married to Wendy and have a son Oscar (16 years old) who is involved in Youth and Kids Church as a leader.

We have been at NewHope for the past 6 years, after moving from Ashburton Baptist (where Wendy had been since she was born). I attended Blackburn North (NewHope) Baptist through my school and young adult years up until the time Wendy and I were married. We came back to NewHope after reconnecting with friends at the church, and also for Oscar to be exposed to the youth program through his school years.

Whilst we were at Ashburton, both Wendy and I were heavily involved in church ministry. I sat on the diaconate for 10+ years, and was the Church Treasurer for 10 years. Prior to that I sat on the Whitley board in the capacity of the college treasurer.

I’ve spent time discerning, praying and reflecting, and have a strong sense that this is God’s timing for me to serve in the Finance Director role. I’ve recently finished up in my full time working capacity in a senior corporate Finance/Commercial role where I’ve given 25 years of service, and with Wendy (and our son Oscar) am embarking on a new stage of life where I will support Wendy in her small business, as well as being there more for Oscar as he enters the last three years of his school life.

I’ve got a strong passion for seeing NewHope Baptist Church continue to thrive and grow, and feel this is in God’s plan for me to contribute in this capacity where I can.

Darryn Hockley

I have been attending NewHope for over 20 years having walked with the lord my entire adult life being blessed with growing up in a Christian family. Currently I am serving as an elected member of Church Council [since November 2020]. Since joining Church Council I have chaired the following sub-committees:

• The sub-committee responsible for the financial and business strategy review and subsequent sale of the NewHope Medical practice to Total Wellbeing.
• The sub-committee responsible for our historical insurance & litigation risks.

I also continue to serve as a member of the NewHope finance committee [since 2019].

I am married to Janene recently celebrating 15 years of marriage, and together we have three children attending NewHope Youth and Kids Church, Benjamin (14), Jessica (12) and Brianna (10). I am a senior Partner at Grant Thornton leading the Melbourne forensic advisory team and a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience that include insights in the financial performance of not-for-profit and commercial ventures across various sectors including childcare, medical, schools and the hospitality sectors and bring this experience to NewHope.

I have previously served the NewHope family in various ministries that connect to our wider community including prior to commencing a family, Blackburn North Baptist Soccer Club [NewHope FC] between 2004 and 2009 coaching senior men’s teams, acting as seniors coordinator and finally as Treasurer and President [2007-2009] and served as Finance Director of Karinya Counselling Centre [2006-2010] which at the time included campuses at NewHope, Syndal, Melton and Traralgon. I have enjoyed my time on the Church Council and seek to continue to serve our Church family.