Governance

 Dominican Education Australia

At the request of the Dominican Sisters of North Adelaide, the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia, and the Holy Cross Congregation of Dominican Sisters in Adelaide, Dominican Education Australia was established by the Catholic Church on 28 January 2015. DEA is a Public Juridic Person (PJP) of Pontifical Right, meaning it has responsibility for both canonical and civil governance.

DEA was officially launched in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne during August 2016. DEA exercises oversight of the six educational ministries that have previously been the responsibility of the three founding Congregations.  These are: St Mary's College, Adelaide, SA, St Dominic's Priory College, North Adelaide, SA, Cabra Dominican College, Cumberland Park, Santa Sabina College, Strathfield, NSW, St Lucy's School, Wahroonga, NSW and Siena College, Camberwell, VIC.

St Mary’s College Board of Directors

The Board of Directors are appointed by the Trustees of Dominican Education Australia (DEA) to ensure good governance, to fulfil the statutory obligations as a Director of a Not-For-Profit Company, regulated by the ACNC,  and to support and enhance the Catholic, Dominican identity and mission of the College. 

I am an educator with a deep passion for good governance and the transformative power of inclusive, faith-grounded education. I have worked in government schools, an independent school, and a Catholic school, and commenced as Chairperson of the St Mary’s College Board in September 2024. Until 2021, I was an Assistant Director of Catholic Education SA. My career includes over twenty years as a Principal in Catholic schools, followed by time as a Principal Consultant, Senior Adviser in School Reform, and five months as Acting Director of Catholic Education SA. My professional experiences also include membership of the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia, the Australian Institute for Teacher and School Leadership Professional Growth Network, and the Education and Early Childhood Services Registration and Standards Board of South Australia. I also volunteer with the Australian Red Cross and am committed to holistic education and a strong community.

Deputy Chair - Strategy and Governance Committee (Chair)
 

I am an educator and HR professional with qualifications in Education, HR, and Employment Relations. My experience spans systemic and independent Catholic schools in SA and NSW, including leadership roles in Dominican and Jesuit colleges in Sydney. Returning to SA in 2023, I bring a deep understanding of educational leadership and school management in a Catholic context. My formation in the Dominican charism underpins my belief that at the heart of every school is the individual student and their learning journey. I am proud to share this perspective in my role on the St Mary’s College Board.

I am a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in all sectors, reflected in the positions I have held on boards and committees of professional member bodies. As an accountant and one of the few female registered liquidators in Australia, I lead diverse teams and mentor emerging professionals. My work in regulatory roles, alongside experience in accounting and insolvency across international, national, and SME markets, informs my commitment to excellence. As a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Australian Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA), I am dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and expertise in my field.

I am a mentor and guide for aspiring leaders, driven by a belief in the power of learning communities. With over 33 years of experience as an educator, School Principal, Leadership Consultant, and Senior Advisor within Catholic Education South Australia, I am dedicated to developing leaders who inspire learning. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching, a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, and a Master of Educational Leadership. As a people-person who values connection and collaboration, I see my role on the St Mary’s College Board as a privilege and an opportunity to empower leaders of the future.

I am a supporter of future-focused education and fiscal responsibility. I am the Business Advisory Partner at PKF Adelaide and Bursar of St Ann’s College, a residential university facility for young adults from outside of Adelaide. My work involves guiding businesses to meet their goals with the same care and commitment I bring to my own. As a father of three, with my eldest daughter currently in Year 10 at St Mary’s College, I take pride in contributing my expertise in financial governance and risk management to the College Board.

For more information, please visit:

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA)

St Mary's College works in collaboration with Catholic Education South Australia.

CLICK HERE to access a copy of the St Mary's College Strategic Plan Forward to 2025