Mr Peter Jones

Mr Peter Jones B.Ed, M.Ed, Grad Cert PSM, MAICD - after two years as a primary school teacher in Canberra, Peter came to the Northern Territory in 1977. The next eight years as a middle primary, Teacher-linguist and Assistant Principal at Maningrida in Central Arnhemland were filled with memorable experiences in working with Aboriginal people in support of improved education and social outcomes. Next came a year back in Canberra undertaking course work for a Master of Education qualification and undertaking evaluations for the ACT Schools Authority.

A move back to the Territory found Peter in the Education and then Principal Education Officer Bilingual Education roles with the NT Department of Education, before being the Manager of Aboriginal Education Programs and then the Director of the Schools Policy Branch, which included responsibility for Independent schools. An agency restructure saw Peter move to the NT Department of Justice where as the Director of Community Policy for liquor, private security, kava and escorts, more social policy work was undertaken.

Since 2008 Peter has served as the General Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Uniting Church Northern Synod. He leads implementation of the Synod’s strategic directions through support for Presbytery and congregation mission activities, and is the Secretary of the Synod Standing Committee, the Finance and Property Services Committee and the Pastoral Relations and Placements Committees. In addition to serving as a Board member with St Philips, Peter serves as a Board member of Nungalinya College and Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS). He is the Convener of the Uniting Church Task Group on Ministry in Remote Areas, and a member of the UCA Royal Commission Child Sexual Abuse National Task Group and chairs the Northern Synod Task Group. Peter is member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a key driver of governance reform processes within the UCA, Peter has developed and implemented reform options in the Uniting Church as well as in Indigenous social policy and education areas.