BIOGRAPHY – BR KEVIN RYAN

Br Kevin Ryan is a fifty eight year old Christian Brother who is currently based in Perth, Western Australia. He was born and raised on a farming property in Western Australia.

In his first five years of work as a Christian Brother Br Kevin worked in primary and secondary education. Subsequently he worked in a specialist residential and education program for four years with teenagers with problems with their behaviour at home, in schools and in society.

Br Kevin then spent two years planning for the opening of Clontarf Aboriginal College in Perth which became a College for 15-18 year old Aboriginal young men and women who had, or were in danger of, not completing secondary education or training for employment. He was then the foundation principal of that College for 5 years from 1986-1990.

Following his time at Clontarf Aboriginal College, Br Kevin was Principal of Nulungu Catholic College, a secondary boarding school in Broome in the north of Western Australia and then of St Mary’s College which resulted from the amalgamation of Nulungu Catholic College and a Catholic Primary school in Broome. At that time the majority of students enrolled at Nulungu/St Mary’s College were Aboriginal.

Br Kevin’s time in Broome concluded in 1996 when he became the Deputy Province Leader of the Christian Brothers in Western Australia and South Australia. He subsequently became Province Leader from 2002 until 2007. In the period between 1996 and 2007, Br Kevin was one of several people who initiated the process which led to the establishment of Edmund Rice Education Australia, a new organisation which from 1 October 2007 is operating the 38 colleges owned by the Christian Brothers within Australia.

After initiating that process he also took a leadership role in the work of a committee which led to the restructuring of the Congregation of Christian Brothers in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, East Timor and the Philippines. The process created the new Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers.

As a result of his various roles, Br Kevin has gained very significant leadership experience in challenging and complex organisations. He has qualifications in education, social work, theology, ministry and religious education.

Among other interests, Br Kevin is keen on music and playing a guitar so he is delighted to be coming to a very musical culture.

Having recently spent some weeks becoming familiar with the extraordinary work of Callan Services, Br Kevin is excited about moving to Papua New Guinea and assisting the people of the Callan National Unit and all the Callan Special Education Resource Centres in continuing the inspiring work that has been begun by Br Graeme Leach and continued by many people across the country since 1991.