05 Leading through Influence and Advocacy

Strategic imperative: To be recognised by government, church, education and industry bodies as a key influencer.

Advocating Against Discrimination

In February 2023, the ASC Chief Executive Officer, The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, co-authored a submission in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation Paper on Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws. The response supports the propositions seeking to protect current or prospective staff and students from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or relationships status, or pregnancy.

In preparing this response, our position is clear to staff, students and families in our schools: every ASC school is to be an open, inclusive community, welcoming people of all ages, abilities, nationalities, culture, sexual identity, family relationships and religious beliefs.

The ASC will continue to champion equal opportunity and anti-discrimination protections by meeting with, and making submissions to, those charged with responsibility for law reform.

The ASC draws on the expertise, experience and skills of the Board and the Head Office Executive Team to establish best practices and drive positive outcomes within the ASC and throughout the Australian community.

The Board

The ASC is governed by a dedicated and highly skilled Board, with a balance of longer serving and newer members. The Board comprises a diverse set of skills, with experience in the Anglican Church, finance, school/education, law, business, industry, building/construction, corporate and not-for-profit governance. This ensures the highest level of scrutiny is given to matters of governance.

Executive:

Chair – Lynne Thomson (joined 2008)

Deputy Chair – Lance Perry (joined 2008)

Treasurer – Liane Papaelias (joined 2017)

The CEO is a non-voting member of the Board Executive.

Members:

The Right Reverend Clarence E Bester (joined 2023)

The Venerable Peter Boyland (joined 2020)

Paul Butler (joined 2023)

David Craig (joined 2016)

Fiona Elgin (joined 2022)

Felicity House (joined 2022)

The Right Reverend John Parkes AM (joined 2014, retired 2022)

Lal Perera (joined 2020, retired 2022)

Belinda Provis (joined 2020)

Eric Ross-Adjie (joined 2013)

Franzl Shannon (joined 2022)

Keith Stephens (joined 2017)

The Executive Team

Under the energetic, skilful and dedicated leadership of Chief Executive Officer, The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, our current Head Office Executive Team comprises:

Irene Clarke – Chief Financial Officer (to June 2023, then Company Secretary)

Ivan McLean – Chief Operating Officer (from June 2023)

Kiel Anthony – Director of Human Resources (from March 2023)

Aila Dann – Director of Communications

Todd Flanagan – Director of ASC International

Shane Parnell – Director of Technology (and Acting Chief Operating Officer from February to June 2023)

Karen Potts – Director of Risk and Compliance

Penelope Russell – Director of Teaching and Learning

Peter Ryan – Acting Director of New Schools and Capital Works

Tony Sheumack – Director, Vic/NSW

The following people have also served in senior positions over the past year:

Michael Giles – Chief Operating Officer (to January 2023)

Tony O’Brien – Acting Chief Financial Officer (from March to June 2023)

Keva Crouch – Director of New Schools (to April 2023)

Kellie Opitz – Director of Human Resources (to December 2022)

Kate Simeon – Acting Director of ASC International (to September 2022)

Tackling the Big Questions

Students explore philosophical and ethical issues via discussions at the annual ‘South West Philosothon’, hosted by Georgiana Molloy Anglican School.

The Philosothon is a competition where students from Years 7 to 11 use the framework of ‘communities of inquiry’ to investigate questions at the edge of morality and reason.

The event gives critical thinkers and enthusiastic communicators the chance to spend time with other likeminded students and enhance their skills. Importantly, participants are encouraged to employ teamwork and collaboration over adversarial behaviours.

The unique approach of Philosothon makes it a valuable experience for our aspiring future thought leaders.