Meet Our Staff

Principal - Dr Darcy McCormack - In Residence

Dr Darcy McCormack is the head of St Mary’s. He is responsible for the overall leadership of the College, including the wellbeing of our residents and the management of staff.

Darcy grew up on a farm in rural New Zealand before studying economics and history. He completed BA(Hons) and MCom degrees, then a PhD in economics. Darcy has held academic appointments at Massey University (New Zealand), The University of Melbourne (twice), La Trobe University, and Australian Catholic University (ACU) prior to commencing as Principal of St Mary’s College in January 2015. He has also held visiting appointments in the US, France, England and Scotland. Darcy has taught in both undergraduate (eg BCom, BA, BSc) and graduate (eg MCom, MA, MBA, MSc) programs at each of the above universities and has supervised several doctoral students to successful completions of their PhD theses. He was previously a residential tutor at St Mary’s while undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Melbourne, and later served on the College Council. Darcy has also been a member of the Senior Common Room of both Trinity College and Newman College, and of Wolfson Hall at the University of Glasgow.

Darcy’s research interests range across workplace behaviour (including bullying and harassment), organisational effectiveness, organisational culture, employee wellness, valuing the human contribution to organisations, and the determinants of learning and teaching outcomes in universities. He has published in leading academic journals and, with over 1,000 citations in international peer-reviewed publications, he maintains an active research profile. He has presented his research at international conferences and seminars in many countries including Norway, Denmark, USA, England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Greece and New Zealand. Darcy has been awarded research grants and has undertaken consultancies for organisations in the public and private sectors. He has also had significant leadership roles in universities, such as Chair of the Academic Progress Committee and membership of the Academic Board and the University Promotions Committee. He has served on the governing bodies of a range of organisations. For several years he served as Chair of the Board of Parade College – one of Melbourne’s largest and most highly regarded secondary colleges.

Darcy comments: “When I first came to Melbourne to study, I knew nobody. But I was fortunate to land here at St Mary’s - which in so many ways quickly became my ‘home-away-from-home’. The friendships formed in this unique community have endured over the years; I hope that many students in the future will also find here at St Mary’s their 'home-away-from-home'.”
Email: principal@stmarys.unimelb.edu.au

Dean & Deputy Principal - Ms Dieni Powell - In Residence

Dieni Powell serves as the Dean and Deputy Principal at St Mary’s College, where she supports the Principal in all aspects of college operations. She is responsible for overseeing academic programs, promoting student wellbeing, and fostering a positive, inclusive college culture.

Dieni holds degrees in Arts and Education from the Universities of Adelaide and Melbourne, with part of her Masters of Teaching completed at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) in Toronto. She has taught in both private and government schools across Australia, and at Utahloy International School in China, where she played a key role in developing the school's international exchange program.

Most recently, Dieni was the Assistant Principal and Head of Campus at the Berry Street School in Shepparton, where she led the design and establishment of an Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, empowering young people through privately funded support.

With over 25 years of experience in residential colleges, Dieni has held leadership roles ranging from student leadership at Lincoln College, University of Adelaide, to Advisor to Women Students at Trinity College, University of Melbourne.

A former CEO of a national publishing company, Dieni has also served on several boards, including as a public officer for Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS). She brings her expertise in trauma-informed practice and alternative education pathways to support the holistic development of St Mary's students.

Originally from rural South Australia, where she grew up on a citrus orchard by the River Murray, Dieni first experienced college life when she moved from the country to study at the University of Adelaide.

Dieni’s husband, Damian, lives in residence with her as a visiting scholar at the College.

Reflecting on her role, Dieni shares: "Having lived in residence, I know St Mary’s is a unique and special community. I particularly look forward to working with the students at St Mary's as they grow academically and personally, listening to different stories and supporting everyone in residence as we come together as a connected community."

Residential and Wellbeing Co-ordinator – Ms Elizabeth Smart – In Residence

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Smart is the Residential and Wellbeing Coordinator at St Mary’s, or as shorthand the ‘Night Dean’. On call overnight and on weekends, Liz’s best work is done at dinner chatting with students and checking on their wellbeing.

Liz grew up in the country town of Camperdown in South West Victoria before attending the University of Melbourne where she completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Languages (Spanish). Liz spent two happy (and very busy) years as a student of St Mary’s during her undergraduate studies, the warm and close-knit community provided the perfect support for a move to city.

After her undergraduate studies Liz spent two years living in Spain where she taught English in bilingual primary and secondary schools. A highlight of Liz’s time abroad was walking the Camino Primitivo (the Primitive Way) from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela.

Upon returning from overseas Liz re-joined the St Mary’s College community as a residential tutor, keen to share the same friendly guidance and support that helped during her time as a student of St Mary’s. Liz studied a Juris Doctor (JD) at Monash University during her three years as a residential tutor at the college.

Liz has since completed her JD, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Institute, and is shortly to be admitted as a graduate solicitor. Once admitted, Liz will continue to work in the community legal sector with the aim of contributing to essential access to justice for Victorians unable to afford private legal representation.

In her own time, Liz enjoys reading, crocheting and watching her beloved Collingwood Magpies in the AFL, AFLW and Super Netball championships.

Visiting Scholar - Dr Damian Powell

Dr Damian Powell is an historian and educator, who was Principal of Janet Clarke Hall and a Senior Fellow in the University of Melbourne's School of Historical and Philosophical Studies from 2001 to 2022. He lives in College with his wife Dieni, who is Dean and Deputy Principal of St Mary’s.
Damian graduated with First Class Honours in history and archaeology from the University of Melbourne, winning among other prizes the Margaret Kiddle Prize for history, the William Cullican Prize for archaeology, and the Dwight Prize for combined honours, and working on the University's Tell Ahmar Archaeological Expedition in Syria. His doctorate was awarded the E.W. Benham Prize by the University of Adelaide.

During his academic career Damian lived and worked in six university colleges in Australia, also lecturing in New Zealand at the University of Canterbury. He writes and speaks on aspects of British and Australian military and constitutional history, with publications including James Whitelocke’s Liber Famelicus 1570-1632: Law and Politics in Early Stuart England (2000), ‘Australia in the twentieth century: war and peace, human rights’ in War and Peace: The Anzac spirit and human rights (2015), and ‘Changing the Culture of our SAS forces is no easy fix. Instead, we need to face the true costs of war’ in The Conversation (2020).

Among other positions, Damian served on the Expert Panel for the Australian Human Rights Commission (Broderick) Reviews into the treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force, as a Director of Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School, as a Voting Trustee for the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC), and a Director of the Australian National Piano Award. In 2019 he was a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Tsinghua University in China.

In 2023 Damian was elected a Life Member of University Colleges Australia for services to the university college sector, and a Life Governor of Ballarat Grammar for service to the school.

Visiting Scholar - Professor Anne Steinemann

Anne Steinemann was Professor of Civil Engineering, and Chair of Sustainable Cities, at The University of Melbourne; and Professor of Engineering, and Chair of Sustainable Infrastructure, at James Cook University. She currently serves as an Honorary Professor of Civil Engineering at both universities.

She is internationally recognized for her research in areas of engineering and sustainability, such as healthy buildings and indoor air quality. Professor Steinemann serves as an adviser to governments and industries around the world, and has directed more than $24 million in competitive research funding. Her work has resulted in new federal and state legislation, agency policies and industry practices.

Professor Steinemann has received the highest teaching awards at the college, university, and national levels. She has published over 100 journal articles and textbooks, and is acclaimed as the most highly cited and published scholar in her research domain. In addition to academic recognition, Professor Steinemann’s research has received significant media coverage, spanning more than 2,000 major newspapers, magazines, and broadcast stations across six continents.

Professor Steinemann has previously held positions at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego; University of Washington; and Georgia Institute of Technology. She received her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.

Throughout her academic career, Professor Steinemann has created, led, and volunteered with Catholic ministries for the homeless, prisoners, student crisis counseling, defense of life, people with disabilities, refugees, faith and reason, and religious education.

Professor Steinemann has a profound interest in supporting students to develop holistically to their full potential and to become responsible, contributing members of society.

Scholar-in-Residence - Associate Professor Patrick Quirk

Dr Quirk is Associate Professor at Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus. He holds degrees in law and arts from the University of Queensland, as well as a Master of Civil Laws (Magister Legum) from the University of Tübingen, Germany, which he completed by coursework and thesis (in German). He took his Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide, with additional supervision from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Patrick's thesis on "Pathways for Conscience Protection in Law: German, American and Australian Perspectives" was awarded a Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence.

Following graduation, Patrick was admitted to the Queensland Bar and later practised as a solicitor at a large firm in Sydney. Patrick has also taught at Bond University Law School, Ave Maria School of Law and the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. He teaches and writes on various commercial and civil law areas, including the U.S. Uniform Commercial Code, the law of electronic commerce, and law & religion. He has published, inter alia, in the Australian Law Journal, the German Law Journal, the Fordham International Law Journal, the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law, the Journal of International Banking Law, and the International Journal of Law and Information Technology.

Patrick has given presentations in many countries, including Italy, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, the United States, and Poland, as part of CUA's summer program in Krakow. He has taught the US Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), including Revised Article 9 (Secured Transactions) & Articles 3, 4, 4A (Commercial and Payment Systems), International Business Transactions, US Conflict of Laws, US Securities Regulation, and other courses in US law schools.

College Accountant - Kathleen

Kathleen is the College Accountant.
Kathleen has a BBus in Accounting and is a Certified Practising Accountant.
She has extensive experience in managing the College finances and the College budget.

PA to Dr McCormack & College Secretary - Brenda

Brenda is PA to the Principal and also has responsibility for the maintenance and ongoing development of appropriate administrative processes to ensure the smooth running of the office and the college. Brenda manages admissions and enrolments for current and prospective students.
Email: secretary@stmarys.unimelb.edu.au

Accounts & Administration Officer - Joanne

Joanne manages all College payments and accounts and provides administrative support in reception and for the office. Joanne also coordinates external special functions and Alumni events held at St Mary’s College in conjunction with other staff members.
Email: accounts@stmarys.unimelb.edu.au or office@stmarys.unimelb.edu.au

Allan & Maria Myers Academic Centre Director - Kathleen

Kathleen has a BA (Hons) from the University of Melbourne {her thesis was on Aboriginal Health} and an MA (Librarianship) from Monash University. As the Director of the Allan and Maria Myers Academic Centre, Kathleen takes a hands-on role in all aspects of the Centre's operation, including the library and the collections, facility maintenance, coordinating student and staff outreach activities and programs, and developing the strategic vision of the Centre. Kathleen leads a small team of staff and actively participates in the life and activities of both St Mary's and Newman. Previous to becoming Director, Kathleen was the Library Information Specialist at the City of Kingston Library and Education Services; significantly she was previously the Librarian at the Giblin Economics and Commerce Library at the University of Melbourne for almost a decade.

Allan & Maria Myers Academic Centre Librarian - Anji

Anji has a Bachelor of Teaching (Distinction) from the University of Wollongong and is completing an MIS (Librarianship) from Charles Sturt University. Anji is passionate about delivering quality Information Services and promoting the value and importance of libraries. She particularly loves Readers Advisory and creating beautiful displays to create a warm and inspiring environment within the Academic Centre. Before becoming Librarian at the Allen and Maria Myers Academic Centre, Anji worked for many years in the public library system for Your Library Ltd and Shoalhaven Libraries. She has also taught in Literacy Support and Special Education in both high schools and primary schools in NSW.

St Mary's College Archivist - Geraldine

Geraldine worked at the Allan and Maria Myers Academic Centre, an academic facility shared by St Mary's and Newman, since it opened in 2004. She has qualifications in arts, education and theology and has worked in a variety of settings, including universities, public libraries, museums, schools and special libraries. Geraldine maintains the college's ever-evolving archival collection.

Head Chef - John

John is an outstanding Chef and the great reputation which St Mary's has for good food is largely due to John's influence over many years. John is committed to sourcing high quality, local, seasonal and fresh produce to use in the St Mary's kitchen. His creativity and presentation of food make dining here an experience in itself. John can tailor an menu to suit any event and the results always delight.

Head Chef - Zora

Zora cooks the best cakes and desserts and all of her food is totally amazing. She lights up the kitchen with her smile and sense of humour!

Maintenance - Greg

Greg ensures that everything in the College is in effective and safe working order. He attends to any requests for maintenance as well as proactively planning for the upkeep of our property and grounds, to ensure a positive, beautiful and safe living environment for all residents and staff.

Dining Room Supervisor - Cameron

Cameron oversees the smooth running of the Dining Room and personally attends to the dining requirements of conferences. In addition to this, he is involved in meal preparation and cooking.

Cook - Ed

Ed cooks up a storm in the kitchen and keeps everyone satisfied and happy!

Housekeeping - Jodee

Jodee is a valued member of the Housekeeping team, ensuring that the College is always looking great! Jodee enjoys reading, gardening and sleeping!

Housekeeping - Awel

Awel is a valued member of the Housekeeping team, ensuring that the College is always looking great! Awel loves watching movies and sleeping too -tired from looking after her busy family!

Housekeeping - Karen

Karen is a valued member of the Housekeeping team, ensuring that the College is always looking great! Karen enjoys taking her Grandson to his Rugby training sessions, gardening and walking in nature.

Housekeeping - Mary

Mary is a valued member of the Housekeeping team, ensuring that the College is always looking great! Mary enjoys spending time with her kids and her friends. She enjoys cooking, walking and exercising.