New Appointments to the Kooyoora Office of Professional Standards (2025)
The Kooyoora Board Directors have the function of recruitment and appointment (for some diocese to recommend appointment) to the decision making bodies of Office of Professional Standards; Professional Standards Committee, Professional Standards Board, Professional Standards Review Board and in some diocese the Professional Standards Ombudsman.
These decision-making bodies, in conjunction with the Director of Professional Standards, have an independent statutory role in the handling of complaints, screening, redress, and training the Anglican Diocese Kooyoora works with.
In 2025, we welcome several new appointments across the Professional Standards Committee, Board, and the appointment of a new Ombudsman. For a more detailed explanation of the roles of the Anglican Dioceses and Kooyoora in Professional Standards, click here.
Professional Standards Committee
Temple Saville (Chair)
Temple is a barrister at the Victorian Bar and a Nationally Accredited Mediator. She brings extensive experience in dispute resolution, appearing in a broad range of matters including commercial, contractual, construction, and insolvency disputes. Temple is highly skilled in written advocacy and legal analysis, with a deep understanding of evidence law and significant experience in document preparation and review.
Judith Atkinson
Judith is an experienced executive leader with a background spanning government, community services, and faith-based organisations in Australia, the UK, and the US. Currently CEO of Concern Australia, she has led major portfolios across housing, youth justice, refugee settlement, family violence, and employment. Judith has held senior strategic policy roles with the NSW Government and leadership positions within the Anglican Church.
Professional Standards Board
Ben Petrie
Ben is a senior barrister with a broad commercial practice, regularly appearing in high-value disputes across commercial, construction, equity, professional liability, and corporate law. He is highly experienced in both trial and appellate advocacy, and has acted in complex cases in state and federal courts, as well as international arbitrations. Ben holds a Master of Laws from University College London and is recognised in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 as one of Australia’s leading junior counsel for commercial disputes.
The Honourable Margaret Sidis
Margaret is a former judge of the District Court of New South Wales, with a distinguished legal career spanning more than four decades. She has served as Deputy Chair of the NSW Medical Tribunal, Acting Justice of the ACT Supreme Court, and continues to work in mediation, including matters involving institutional abuse. Margaret was appointed President of the Professional Standards Committee for the Newcastle Anglican Diocese in 2020 and reappointed in 2024.
Professor Daryl Higgins
Daryl is a nationally recognised child protection researcher, psychologist, and Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University. With over 25 years of experience, he has led groundbreaking research on child maltreatment, trauma, and systems responses to vulnerable children and families. Daryl has held senior leadership roles at the Australian Institute of Family Studies and is widely published across psychology, social work, and public health. Previously serving on the Professional Standards Review Board, he brings deep insight and a strong evidence-based approach to his new role on the Professional Standards Board.
Professional Standards Ombudsman
Sheeana Dhanji
Sheeana is a barrister with experience across public law, mental health, civil justice, and class actions. She previously served as Public Defender for Civil Justice at Victoria Legal Aid and has held senior legal roles at Norton Rose Fulbright and Herbert Smith Freehills. Her legal work spans commissions, discrimination claims, and regulatory review. Sheeana is also a dedicated mentor and pro bono advocate with a strong commitment to justice and accountability.