College Board

College Board Report

I am honoured to present my first Chairman’s report for the Mazenodian. It is a privilege to be appointed to the Board and also named Chair, neither of which I take lightly. I am humbled to follow those great men who were my predecessors as Board Chair, especially Peter Le Grand after his exceptional 30-year commitment in this role.

2021 marked a change in focus for the Board, with a restructuring to provide focussed business and industry advice to the College leadership team. I thank the other new members of the Board for their support this year: Michael Curtis (Deputy Chair), Jane Cowan, Herb Fischbacher, Laurie Langford, and Brendan Welsford. The new Board has experience across education, finance, law, engineering, construction, OH&S, risk and compliance, and project management.

I also thank the ex officio Board members: Tony Coghlan (Principal), Fr Harry Dyer OMI (Rector), June Stewart (Finance Manager), Michelle Symss (Development Manager), Joanne Noone (Dean of Staff), and Aylene Robinson (Executive Assistant) for their support in helping the Board develop a new identity and to understand College operations.

Special thanks to Fr Christian Fini OMI, who in his role as Provincial is representing the Oblates on the Board during this transition period. Fr Fini’s insights, advice and dedication to his Oblate ministry have been highly valued by the Board. Finally, Parish Priests of the Association of Canonical Administrators make up the remainder of the Board: Fr Eric Alleaume (St John Vianney’s), Fr John Dowling (St Leonard’s), Fr Andrew McCarter (St Peter’s), Fr Kaz Trawicki (Good Shepherd), and Fr Joseph Truong Nguyen (St Joseph’s). I thank all of them for their support this year.

The prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 2021 being every bit as challenging as 2020. For the 1,448 young men at the College this year, it has meant disruption and further remote learning. Congratulations to every one of them, and their families, on exhibiting such resilience and persistence. Thank you to the College teaching and support staff for their capacity to respond to the ever-changing circumstances with such fluidity, and for always considering the interests and wellbeing of the students.

This pandemic has resulted in financial hardship for many people and sectors. The education sector is not immune to such problems, but thanks to prudent financial management by the College leadership team, the previous Board and the Oblates, Mazenod is well placed to emerge in a relatively good position.

The Board has established five portfolios of operation, through which it will provide advice and support to the College: Faith and Charism; Learning and Teaching; Legal; Finance; and Capital Planning and Infrastructure. In 2021, by virtue of key ongoing projects, the Board primarily focussed on the latter two portfolios. It is an exciting time in the College’s history, with previously planned capital improvements to various parts of the campus commencing in 2021. These highly anticipated facility upgrades will be one disruption actually welcomed by staff and students, as the end result will be enjoyed for many years.

Whilst the Board has worked with Tony Coghlan for only one year, I am certain that all members express gratitude for his role as the first lay Principal of the College. Tony’s outstanding leadership over the last three years has ensured that Mazenod College is well placed to move into its next phase under a new Principal in 2022.

The Board looks forward to meeting the challenges and embracing the opportunities ahead in 2022 and we are confident that we can contribute to Mazenod College rising to the occasion once again.

Dr Eugene B. Fredericks Chairman