Ministry Team
Rev Gerald Vanderwert
Senior Pastor
Gerald has been senior pastor at Donvale since 1989. He obtained his theological degree through study at the Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne. He is also a graduate of Melbourne School of Theology (formerly MBI) where he completed a diploma in Theology.
He loves teaching the scriptures and enjoys ministering to all age groups. His recreational interests lie in cricket, football and jogging. He is married to Desma, and they have a daughter and son-in-law.
Rev Jordan Born
Associate Pastor
Jordan is our assistant pastor. He and his family come to us from Calgary, Canada. He and his wife, Janelle, have two children- Naomi and Caleb.
He completed his Master's of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, USA, and his BA in Humanities at the University of Lethbridge, Canada.
Rev Joel Mestry
Associate Pastor
Joel started as the Assistant Pastor in 2023. After completing his theological studies at the Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Joel ministered in his home country of Mauritius for 4 years, and then at Dandenong Presbyterian Church for a further 8 years.
Joel is married to Michelle, and together they have four children - Lucas, Alex, Maylis and Hudson. Joel's interests include sport, movies and taking his family on adventures.
Rev Dr Tony Bird
Tony, who is married to Carole, started at Donvale in 1998 and serves as part-time Pastoral Assistant.
He spent seven years with Overseas Missionary Fellowship from 1979 to 1986 before coming to Australia.
Tony has four adult children, enjoys running and is an insatiable reader.
Rev Xien Yao
Associate Pastor (Chinese Congregation)
Xien is an assistant pastor with responsibilities primarily in the Chinese congregation and partly in the English congregation.
He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Presbyterian Theological College in 2020. He was an IT professional before he chose to serve God full time.
Xien likes exercising, reading and learning new things. He loves fishing, but he loves being a fisher of men for God even more. Xien is married to Suzanne and they have three young adult boys Thomas, Joseph and Joshua.
Rowena Cheng
Women’s Pastoral Worker
Rowena worked as an IT professional and a Personal Development Coach for professionals, parents, youth and children, before she commenced her role as Women’s Pastoral Worker at Donvale in April 2021.
She plays the violin and enjoys making music with other musicians. Other interests include craft, cake decorating and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Duan Ziegelaar
Youth and Young Adults Pastoral Worker
Duan is our Youth and Young Adults Pastor. He is passionate about serving others and sharing the good news of Jesus to all people. In 2021 he finished his Master of Divinity at the Reformed Theological College in Melbourne after a career in tax accounting.
In his spare time Duan loves playing rugby union, watching US sports and spending quality time with his family.
Michelle Martin
Pastoral Team Secretary
Michelle commenced as pastoral team secretary in January 2020. She is married to Ian and they have an adult son and 2 daughters.
Michelle feels blessed to be supporting the pastoral team and church community in this role, and wants all visitors and newcomers to feel welcome and connected.
Emily Graham
Music Director
Emily accepted the role of Music Director for Donvale at the start of 2023. She has enjoyed being involved in various Church music teams since she was a teenager, playing keyboard and singing. She also had the privilege of serving as music director for a number of years at her previous church.
Emily is married to David and together with their 3 children they feel blessed to be part of the community at Donvale Presbyterian Church.
Matt & Naomi Perry
Kids Church Coordinators
Matt and Naomi took up the position of Kids Church Coordinators in 2024.
They got married at the beginning of 2023 and have been enjoying fellowshipping at Donvale together since. They are both primary school teachers and enjoy watching children grow. As such, they are continually excited to watch the children of Donvale learn more about Jesus and how they can love and follow Him.