Mark Kelly is a Vietnam Veteran (VLSM, AASM, ASM, ADM, NEM) who joined the RAN at 16 years of age, discharging at 23 to embark on several other careers including the power industry, teaching and ultimately ordained ministry.

He commenced tertiary studies in his mid-twenties (BA, Grad Dip Ed, Dip Theol, MA (Theol)), began his teaching career at 34 years of age and was ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church in 2006 at 54 years of age.

He is Chaplain at Marist-Sion College, Warragul, a member of Catholic Social Services Victoria council, Sale Diocesan delegate on Victorian Council of Churches and Area Co-ordinator of VCC Emergencies Ministry and former Secretary of the National Deacons Association. More importantly, husband of Hilary, father of four sons, father-in-law of three daughters-in-law (two of whom are former students) and grandfather of six.