Introducing Ashley Butler, Chair of School Council

As proud parents of a third-year university Old Trinity Grammarian, a Year 12 Coordinate Program participant from Ruyton Girls' School and a current Trinity Year 9 student, new Chair of School Council Ashley (Ash) Butler and his wife Maria have a special connection to the green and gold.

‘As a family we have always been keen to contribute and "give back" to the schools and clubs that our kids have spent their formative years at, as they are such a large part of our family life,’ Ash said.

‘Maria has always been quite active at school as a Class Rep and with the Fair and other activities, and I always thought I could offer some value through my experiences. I just wasn’t quite sure how.’

‘Then, I saw an opportunity [through School Council] to share those experiences and contribute to moving the school forward with a clearer vision and future direction’.

Professionally, Ash is a corporate advisor, auditor and accountant, working with Ernst and Young. Throughout his career, he has worked across many industries and has encountered a myriad of complex environments.

‘My “desk” is different each day depending on which client deadline is that day’s focus and which client location my teams will be at,’ he said.

‘I find the absence of regularity energising and the professional services environment is renewed with the fresh perspectives of incoming graduates each year.’

Family is a large part of Ash’s personal fabric, together with being a self-proclaimed ‘long-suffering Carlton and Ferrari F1 supporter’ and having a keen interest in American football and road cycling.

‘Travel, food, wine and good company and fun are also high up the list,’ he said.

Initially joining the Interim School Council in June 2018, and with the introduction of the then-new Constitution, Ash became an appointee to ongoing School Council in April

2019, serving as Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee for much of the past five years.

In his new role as Chair, he hopes to nurture the culture of the school, progress its purpose and add to the experiences of the young people and staff in our care now and into the future.

Council’s key priorities for the near term include the continued delivery of the Trinity 2030 Strategic Plan, the completion of the Master Plan, and the work involved with their respective flow-on activities.

Reflecting on his connection with Trinity, Ash says that watching his first-born begin at Trinity as a boy and finish as a ‘confident, strong, articulate and respectful young man’ has been prominent.

‘Watching it progress a second time is exciting. Watching the interactions from a Ruytonian point of view has also brought many smiles,’ he said.

‘Four HPAF wins with Henty House in nine years isn’t too bad either!’.