About Wollongong CDF

The Catholic Development Fund has been established since 1961 as an apostolate of the Diocese and is a financial co-operative of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Since the early sixties the Fund has generated over $80million in loan funds to finance churches, educational facilities and other Church works in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Loan funds are generated from savings and investments contributed from all diocesan agencies, parishes, schools and participating community members.

Individuals and lay organisations are welcome to invest with the Fund. Choosing the CDF, rather than a profit-oriented commercial organisation, provides an opportunity for a conscious commitment to support the many pastoral works of the Church. There are sound benefits to be shared for investors within our range of products.

• 2006 Annual Report

Michelle Dowdell
Joining our team in 2005, Michelle is the Fund's Administrative Services Co-Coordinator. A parishioner of St Therese in West Wollongong, Michelle came from one of the big four banks, where she started as a teller and progressed to Branch Manager. Michelle brings to the CDF 20 years of local and international banking experience. Seeking a change from the culture of a large financial corporation, Michelle is grateful to be surrounded by the CDF's caring and less stressful environment, enjoying the opportunity to use her organisational and people skills.

Anne Janson
Anne has worked part time with the CDF for the past 18 years as a Client Service Officer and is our longest serving team member. Prior to joining the Fund, Anne was employed by a major bank for eight years in a variety of roles including customer service and branch operations.

Anne enjoys working with the CDF for many reasons, particularly because of the way we treat our clients as not 'just numbers' and that we do not operate as a solely ‘profit driven' organisation . A member of St John's Dapto Parish, Anne likes to be involved in Diocesan events supported by the Fund, seeing these as good ways to promote the ministry of the CDF to the wider community.

Carmel Perre
Carmel joined the CDF as a Client Service Officer two days a week in mid 2003. With 15 years experience with a leading local credit union, Carmel 's role varied from member services to card services and included setting up procedures for card operation and phone banking.

A parishioner of St John Vianney's Fairy Meadow Parish, Carmel is currently working on our policies and procedures as the CDF consistently strives to improve its business processes. Integrating faith into the work environment, while sharing similar values with her colleagues and clients alike, allows Carmel to provide a personal yet professional response to their needs.

Brent Ferguson
Our newest team member Brent joined the CDF in December 2007. An active member of St Paul's Albion Park and past student of St Joseph's Catholic High School, Brent brings a youthful experience in Information Technology to the Fund.

Trevor Kellam
Trevor joined the staff of the CDF in 2002 as Business Development Manager, having spent 2 years addressing the needs of corporate clients with a major telecommunications provider. Prior to this Trevor held positions with two local financial institutions as a branch manager and loans officer.

Trevor feels he is lucky to have a job that is so fulfilling, coming into contact with an amazing variety of people on a regular basis. A member of St Paul 's Parish Albion Park, Trevor finds working for a ministry that really is not for profit but exists to further the mission of the Church, to be both rewarding and challenging. ‘The provision of financial products and services to parishioners, schools and parishes and church organisations is much more rewarding than working for a profit hungry conglomerate!' says Trevor.

Tony Sanderson
Tony was employed by the Fund as Marketing Manager in 1999, coming from a leading local credit union where he held positions from customer service officer to marketing manager over a 19 year period. Now as General Manager, Tony is leading the CDF in new directions of client service and product development.

A parishioner of St Paul 's Albion Park, Tony sees the CDF as a vital ministry of the Diocese and encourages all Church, individuals and lay organisations alike to support the Fund. Working closely with the CDF Advisory Council, Tony is focused on empowering his professional team of staff with direction to assist clients in addressing the many challenges and needs in our growing Diocese.

The CDF Council operates on an advisory level to the Bishop, meeting bi-monthly.

Advisory Council Members offer a source of expertise on both professional and pastoral levels to the Bishop, offering recommendations pertaining to good governance of the CDF. The Council aims to ensure ethical management of members' funds and a continued contribution to the pastoral works of the Diocese.

Council Members come from a cross section of Church, community and businesses throughout the Diocese.

Members are involved in specialized sub committees where they actively create strategies and processes in relation to the committee objectives.

Any correspondence for the CDF Advisory Council should be sent to

The General Manager
PO Box 1494
Wollongong NSW 2500
cdf@woll.catholic.org.au