National Spiritual Care Leaders Network - Meaningful Ageing Australia

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026, 12:30pm AEST
Duration: 1 hour
Type: Event
Venue: online

This event has already passed.

Sacred Moments in Pressurised Systems: Spiritual Care When Time, Space and Staff Are Limited, with Viv Allanson.

In environments shaped by urgency and constraint, spiritual care still finds expression. This session explores leadership decisions that enable meaningful presence and care within highly pressurised systems.

Shared inquiry:

What leadership choices protect space for meaning when systems are under strain?
What do leaders need to stop doing as much as start doing?

Our monthly National Spiritual Care Leaders Network meeting is for Heads of Mission, Directors of Spiritual Care, or Executives responsible for leading spiritual care delivery, or strategy related to spiritual care in both the aged care and health sectors.

This forum is led by an elected Chair and supported by Meaningful Ageing Australia, custodians of the intellectual property and related initiatives of former Spiritual Health Association (SHA).

Facilitated by Cheryl Holmes, Strategic Advisor – Health & Spiritual Care

Cheryl Holmes is an experienced health and spiritual care leader, currently serving as Strategic Advisor, Health and Spiritual Care at Meaningful Ageing Australia. She also works as Regional Pastoral Lead, Healthy Ageing at Mercy Health.

Cheryl served as CEO of Spiritual Health Association from 2002 to 2024. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping contemporary spiritual care practice, professional standards, and sector collaboration across Australia.

Awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2015 for services to health, Cheryl brings deep expertise in organisational leadership, professional formation, and spiritual care in public health settings. She holds a PhD, Master of Applied Social Science, Graduate Certificate in Management (Psychology), Diploma of Pastoral Ministries, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology). She is widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach and her enduring commitment to strengthening meaningful, holistic care in health and aged care settings.

Luke Bowen, (formerly SHA Board Director) MAA Board Advisor – Health

About Luke: Our Board – Meaningful Ageing Australia

Luke is currently serving as a Board Observer for the next 12 months, as part of an agreement with Spiritual Health Association and Meaningful Ageing Australia. Although this role is not a Board-appointed position, it supports the transition process in an advisory capacity. During this period, Luke will leverage a network of key healthcare leaders.

Luke is the Director of Best Care Improvement at Western Health, located in Footscray, Victoria. Prior to this role, Luke served as the Director of Patient Safety, Experience, and Clinical Excellence at Austin Health from 2019. Luke’s educational background is both diverse and comprehensive, including undergraduate degrees in criminology and theology, a Master’s in Pastoral Care, a Master of Business Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Governance. He is also a certified improvement coach with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and has led numerous health service and statewide clinical governance improvement initiatives.

In addition to his professional roles, Luke is the past Board Chair of Spiritual Health Association. He is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College for Health Service Management, a member of the Australasian Institute for Clinical Governance, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an Associate Lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of Divinity.

Viv Allanson

Viv Allanson is a nationally respected leader in Australia’s aged care and health sectors. She is the CEO of Gener8Care and a leader who supports others on their journey of growth and change, sharing her time and experience to support people who want to make a difference.

With over fifty years in Health Care and over three decades of experience driving innovation, advocacy, and quality outcomes for older Australians, Viv has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Order of Australia Medal and Australian Gamechanger of the Year, and is renowned for transformational and compassionate leadership. Viv’s influence extends across boardrooms, advisory panels, and community initiatives, both in Australia and internationally. Viv is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and advocate, known for a deep commitment to equity, integrity, and the wellbeing of seniors.

Viv has recently been recognised by Meaningful Ageing Australia as an Honorary Elder and Charlestown Local Woman of the year by NSW Minister for Seniors.

Agenda

Introductions and Acknowledgement of Country
Monthly Topic for discussion
New research in spirituality and health
Strategic or advocacy matters arising
Network news around the grounds
Professional development opportunities
Wrap up and reflection