Who We Are
John Rogerson
John is an active member of HeartWell, a Church of Christ based in Surrey Hills and Hartwell. He has just completed the graduate year of the Art of Spiritual Companioning course at WellSpring, and has had a spiritual companion for over 30 years. He previously served on the WellSpring Board from 2005-2013.
John finished full-time work in 2017 after 10 years as CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and has worked in the alcohol and drug field for over 30 years. John has served on a number of boards and advisory groups and has a Diploma, Company Directors Course from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Cathy Elkington
Cathy has dedicated her life to fostering spaces where individuals can explore their spiritual journeys with authenticity and depth. As a Spiritual Director since 2011 and a Pastoral Supervisor accredited by the Australian Association of Supervision (AAOS), she has guided countless individuals and groups in deepening their connection with the Divine and discerning their vocational paths.
Cathy’s leadership is well-rooted in both spiritual and educational settings. As a Lecturer at the University of Divinity and the Australian Catholic University, she has helped shape theological and spiritual learning for many. Her time as Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development with The Salvation Army saw her developing initiatives that nurtured spiritual depth across diverse communities.
Beyond spiritual leadership, Cathy brings extensive experience in operational management, overseeing ministry placements, community programs, and strategic faith-based initiatives. Her work as Mission & Ministry Coordinator at Eva Burrows College exemplifies her commitment to fostering inclusive, reflective, and thriving faith communities.
Holding a Master of Spirituality from the Jesuit College of Spirituality, Cathy’s formation has been deeply grounded in the contemplative tradition, shaping her approach to leadership, discernment, and communal growth. Cathy is committed to nurturing WellSpring as a dynamic and flourishing community, where people can continue to find inspiration, belonging, and spiritual nourishment.
Angie Carter
I have been a part of WellSpring from its beginning when Jill Manton shared her dream for this ministry to a group that gathered in our home in 1992. I was part of the first WellSpring Board and served on it for many years. It was exciting and challenging in those early years to establish the mission of WellSpring and the programs to meet that mission. Being a practicing Catholic married to a Baptist, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue has always been an important part of my life, and the ecumenical aspect of WellSpring is something that I value enormously. My academic background is a Master’s Degree in Speech Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago. My years in Australia have involved voluntary work with various church and not for profit organizations such as the Victorian AIDS Council.
Peter Leaver
Adam Southwood
Adam currently serves as the Engagement Pastor at NewHope Baptist Church. Initially joining as a graphic designer before stepping into pastoral ministry as the Youth Pastor in 2019. Adam has previously worked as a freelance designer and as the Digital Communications Coordinator for the Baptist Union of Victoria.
Adam has a heart for forming resilient disciples for the glory of God, and helping develop and equip the next generation of leaders. Adam believes that serving the Kingdom goes well beyond the walls of any one church, and has led for several years with the Red Frogs and on the State Youth Games committee.
Husband to Kelsey and father to Lincoln and Amelia, Adam loves to spend time with his family and hang out with friends. Adam also likes all things water and is often found behind a boat, or on a jetski.
Rachael Starbuck
Rachael is a current member of Ashburton Baptist Church where she has contributed for over twenty five years through: leading worship, facilitating playgroups, diaconate member, and supporting community meals through hub. She is married with two children and lives in the local area, enjoys spending time with people and loves being outdoors – walking and gardening.
Rachael has always highly valued the contribution of Wellspring in this community in supporting the widening and deepening of our spiritual practices as a crucial part of living out God’s vision of an inclusive and loving world.
In her professional life, Rachael is an Occupational Therapist who has worked for over twenty years with people who experience mental health difficulties. She is a member of the Swinburne Occupational Therapy Course Advisory Board and has participated in a number of other not for profit boards. She currently works at Eastern Health providing clinical leadership for occupational therapy in the Mental Health & Wellbeing Program.
Fei Wang
Fei came to Australia from China in 1990 to reunite with her husband Dejin Luo who was doing his engineering doctorate in Monash University.
Overcoming many barriers (such as language) and obstacles during this period of transition, Fei came to embrace Christianity very early on in her life in this new country.
Fei’s spiritual connection deepened after Dejin changed his career to Christian ministry. While Dejin served as a lead pastor for 13 years at the CityLife Chinese Church, Knox, Fei worked alongside him, helping people connect with God and within the local community. Dejin and Fei are currently serving in Go Evangelical Chinese Church at Box Hill North.
Professionally, over the last 30 years, Fei advised the Victorian government on policy and strategy development across transport, infrastructure, social and environmental areas. She finished her professional work in 2025.
Aside from her professional role, Fei is active in her community commitment and co-founded the Australian China Education Foundation in 2014 which she led through the challenging COVID period. The Foundation provides financial sponsorship to disadvantaged Chinese students to complete high school study and to selected students for research extension at the world-renowned WEHI. Both opportunities have been transformational to the sponsored students.
Fei seeks to live a purpose-driven life and be compassionate and life-nurturing to herself and others. She finds the vision and mission of the WellSpring Centre resonates with her core values.
She is excited about contributing to making the WellSpring Centre a community where people can continue to find deeper peace, love and strength through spiritual connection and nourishment.