College Board

Mr Sila Pati, Principal, St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie

Talofa Lava and Warm Greetings,

My name is Sila Pati, and I am proud to introduce myself as the Principal of St. Teresa’s College, Abergowrie. Born in New Zealand with Samoan heritage, and now a naturalised Australian citizen, I proudly support the New Zealand All Blacks in Rugby Union while also passionately backing the Toa Samoa and Manu Samoa teams whenever they take the field. Additionally, I remain a dedicated supporter of the NZ Warriors in the NRL. I hold a deep respect for custom and tradition and firmly believe in celebrating culture and identity. I value the importance of acknowledging and honouring the Traditional Owners of the lands I live and work on. Family is at the heart of who I am—I am blessed with three beautiful daughters and three wonderful grandchildren. By nature, I am a humble and easy-going person who genuinely enjoys connecting with others and learning about their stories and backgrounds.

Since 1990, I have worked in education across Queensland, serving in a variety of roles including Teacher, Year Coordinator, Multicultural Coordinator, Sports Coach, Senior Teacher, and Subject Regional Panel Member. I have had the privilege of holding leadership positions such as Head of Campus, Deputy Principal, and Acting Principal in both state and Catholic education systems. My journey has taken me to schools in Logan-Brisbane (Woodridge SHS and Browns Plains SHS), Townsville (Thuringowa SHS), Mackay (Glenden P-12), and Far North Queensland (Holy Spirit College in Cooktown and Mount St. Bernard College in Herberton). I also spent 11 years living and working on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, where I served as a school leader at Tiwi College under the AISNT. Now, as Principal of St. Teresa’s College, I feel truly honoured to be part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. Abergowrie is a beautiful part of the world, and I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, students, families, carers, and external agencies to support the success and wellbeing of our young men.

As we move towards an exciting phase of transition leading into 2026, I am enthusiastic about what lies ahead and committed to leading with purpose, respect, and integrity. I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Fa’afetai tele lava – Thank you very much,

Linda McClelland - CEO, Hinchinbrook Community Support

Linda is a proud Abergowrie woman whose family for several generations have worked and been educated at the college.  Having been educated within the Catholic education system herself and having attended boarding school, Linda is passionate for faith-based education and the opportunities that it brings to the development of the whole student.  She is committed to supporting educational engagement of rural and remote children to ensure that they have second-to-none education and every opportunity to thrive as their city counterparts.  

Kim McCosker, Indigenous Education Adviser, TCEO

Kim is a proud Gamilaraay woman who has been working within the education sector for more than 20 years. During this time she has taught students ranging in age from Kindergarten to Year 12. Kim has worked within Indigenous education (including supporting students from remote communities to attend boarding school) for many years. She is passionate about closing the gap in educational outcomes between Indigenous students and their non-Indigenous peers. She has worked for many years in Catholic schools within the Toowoomba diocese and also spent time as an Education Officer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office.  Kim moved to Townsville in 2021 and worked as an Indigenous Education Teacher at St Margaret Mary's College until she joined the Indigenous Education team at the Townsville Catholic Education Office in January 2023.

Elaine Morganson, Emerging Leaders Coordinator, St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie

My name is Elaine Morganson I was born and raised in Ingham. I am the eldest of four siblings – I have two sisters and a brother. I am also a mother of two and a grandmother of three beautiful girls. I am also a Traditional Owner of the Warrgamay clan upon where the College is built.

I have been at the College for almost 44 years this year. My first job was as a domestic worker in 1979 at Abergowrie College. I worked in the kitchen and laundry for 20 years before getting a teacher’s aide position in 2000. In 2001, I was awarded a scholarship from TCE Indigenous Unit and completed my Bachelor of teaching in Indigenous Education at ACU in Brisbane graduating in 2006.

My proudest accomplishment was graduating with a teaching degree while working full-time and raising my two teenage children.  The best part of my job is ensuring that the young men sitting in front of me in my classroom get the best possible education they can get.  It’s my dream that every young gentleman that I teach in the junior school are there to the very end on graduation day.

Fr John Kunnathumadappallil - Parish Priest

Fr John Kunnathumadappallil has been the Parish Priest of Ingham Region Catholic Parish since 1^st January 2024.

Fr John was born into a traditional catholic family in the state of Kerala in India. He is one of six children and has two brothers and three sisters, all married with children.

Fr John joined the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) at the age of 15 and was ordained a Carmelite Religious Priest on 4^th February 1991. He has a Master’s Degree (MA) in English Language and Literature from the University of Kerala and a Post Graduate Diploma in English Language and Literature from King’s College, London. He served the Carmelite Order in Kerala as the Formator of Seminarians and as Superior of various religious communities before coming to Townsville. At the invitation of Bishop Michael Putney, Fr John arrived in the Diocese of Townsville on June 23, 2010. He was the Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Parish, Cranbrook from January 2011 till December 2023.

Trudi Lui

Trudy Lui, a proud resident of Warraber Island in the Central Islands of the Torres Strait, serves as a board member of Abergowrie College. Deeply family-oriented, Trudy enjoys spending her free time gardening, fishing, and cooking. Her personal experience of leaving home to attend boarding school gives her a unique understanding of the challenges faced by students and families.

Passionate about empowering her community, Trudy is dedicated to being a voice for students and parents, ensuring their needs and concerns are heard. Her grassroots perspective and commitment to community engagement enrich her contributions to the board and the college’s mission.