Announcement: CDF Deputy Chair Appointment
July 1, 2026

Announcement: 1 July 2026

Catholic Development Fund (CDF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Murphy as Deputy Chair of the CDF Board, effective 1 July 2026. 


Damian has served as a CDF Board Director since 2021 and brings longstanding experience in financial services, complemented by non-executive experience with the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) and Australian Catholic University (ACU). 


As Damian commences in his new role, we would like to acknowledge and extend sincere thanks to Tim O'Leary, who has served as Deputy Chair since 2020. Tim's steady leadership and commitment to the Fund over this time has been significant. At the request of Archbishop Comensoli, Chair of the CDF Board, Tim will remain a CDF Board Director and continue to work closely with Damian and CEO, John McClusky, to provide continuity to the Fund. 


Archbishop Peter A Comensoli stated: "Please join me in congratulating Damian on his appointment and in thanking Tim for his valued contribution as Deputy Chair." 


We look forward to this next chapter of Damian's leadership and to the continued strength and service of CDF for the benefit of Catholic organisations and communities. 



Should you have any queries, please contact your CDF Relationship Manager or CDF Client Services Group.

Pictured: Damian Murphy

Share this article:

Related articles

November 9, 2026
For CatholicCare Victoria Housing (CCVH), 2026 has brought more people and families in regional Victoria closer to a safe place to call home. In Ballarat, 31 new social homes have opened at Mitchell Park. In Shepparton construction has begun on 41 more. These two significant milestones form part of CatholicCare Victoria Housing's ongoing commitment to addressing housing insecurity and creating communities where people can feel safe, supported and connected. CDF is proud to support both projects as part of $72 million in loan funding to CCVH’s social housing portfolio, a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to human dignity and service.
November 4, 2026
What began in 1956 with a simple idea, Catholic communities pooling their savings to build schools for their children, has grown into 70 years of partnership, service and shared purpose. On Wednesday 28 October, Catholic Development Fund (CDF) marked this milestone with staff, past and present leaders, clergy, clients, partners and colleagues from Development Funds across the country. Together they reflected on seven decades of helping Catholic communities build, serve and grow. The evening began with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral East Melbourne, celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. A celebration followed, with the chance to honour the relationships that have shaped CDF's journey, commemorate the difference made across generations and look ahead to the communities CDF will continue to support.
October 30, 2026
In January 2026, the first students walked through the doors of St Marianne Cope Catholic Primary School in Mount Atkinson, and a new Catholic school community began to take shape in Melbourne’s growing west. The official opening and blessing, led by Fr Richard Rosse, Parish Priest of St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs, marked a significant milestone for the school and the families, educators and wider community who have helped bring it to life. For Principal Jackie Byrne, the occasion was about much more than celebrating new facilities.
More

CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.