Profiles of AYF Board members
Armidale Youth Futures Inc. (ABN: 31 680 463 468) is an incorporated body created specifically to employ Special Religious Education teachers in high schools in Armidale. AYF is administered by a Board of local Christians in accordance with its constitution and operates under the guidance and authority of local churches in Armidale.
The current Board consists of:
Dr Robert Dewhurst BDS (Syd. Uni), Grad. Dip. Clin. Dent. (dental implants) is a long time resident of Armidale. He commenced a dental practice in 1981 and has been involved in youth ministries including ISCF youth group for most of the years he has been in Armidale.
Mrs Barbara East is also a long time resident of Armidale. She became a registered nurse with midwifery training. She returned to Armidale in 1988 to begin a family business called New Horizons Educational Software company now known as EdAlive. She has been leading Christian youth groups in Armidale for 15 years.
Dr Philip Ward is an archivist at the University of New England. He has lead Christian youth groups in many locations including Sydney, Armidale and London.
Mr David Wysel is a qualifed accountant and licensed financial adviser. He has lived in Armidale for 15 years and is encouraged by his fellow Board members, donors to AYF, and all in the community who work to enable SRE teaching to be brought to high schools in Armidale.
Dr Robert Baker is a lecturer in Geography at the University of New England. He was previously a high school teacher, year advisor and head teacher in public schools and is currently an HSC Examination Committee member.
Pastor Peter Smith is the minister of the Armidale Presbyterian Church on Kirkwood Street. He is passionate about people knowing the truth of God’s Word and coming to salvation in Jesus Christ. Peter worked previously as a pilot and engineer in the RAAF before entering the ministry. He has a loving wife and four energetic sons.
Mrs Beverly Saunders grew up in rural South Australia, married and shared in ministry for most of her life. Bev has a passion to see SRE flourish in high schools across NSW but especially in Armidale.