18/05/2026
Sally Towns was known to many of us as a remarkable, talented and kind woman.
For more than 30 years, Sally served Catholic education across Australia, leaving a lasting impact on the dioceses of Lismore, Brisbane, Canberra-Goulburn, and Cairns. Sally led our diocese's Catholic schools from 2019–2021, guiding our community through one of the most challenging periods in living memory, which included bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership during this time was exemplary, providing clear direction for our school communities.
Sally began her teaching career in Tumut within the Canberra-Goulburn Diocese before moving to Mid North Coast and the Diocese of Lismore. She worked at John Paul College, Coffs Harbour, where she established and led a dedicated school annex to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Bowraville. Sally later taught at St Paul’s College, Kempsey before accepting a role as deputy principal and later principal at MacKillop Catholic College, Hobart.
Sally later served as director of school effectiveness in the Catholic Education Office for the Diocese of Cairns. In 2019, she was appointed Director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lismore, before moving to Queensland in 2022, where she was executive director of Brisbane Catholic Education until March 2026.
While we mourn the loss of Sally, we celebrate a life lived in service to the Gospel, which made a lasting impact on so many.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
With deep sadness, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools acknowledges the passing of Dr Sally Towns.
Sally served our Lismore Catholic School communities with wisdom, warmth and deep faith, leading us through a period of significant change and renewal for our organisation. Her leadership helped guide our transition to a new governance structure and strengthened the future of Catholic education across our Diocese.
Across many years in Catholic education, Sally was greatly admired for her integrity, humility and unwavering commitment to young people, families and staff. She believed deeply in the mission of Catholic education and in creating communities where every person was known, valued and supported. Her influence continues in the lives she shaped, the communities she strengthened, and the many educators she encouraged and inspired.
We give thanks for Sally’s life of service, leadership and faith, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all who are grieving her loss. We pray that Christ’s peace and comfort will surround them in the days ahead, and we give thanks for the gift of Sally’s life and the legacy.
May she rest in peace.
