A passion for education and good governance

He is an administrative lawyer who brings a wealth of experience with a particular focus on the environment, education and governance. Not shy of hard work, he will also be Chair of the Council’s Strategy and Vision Committee as well as serving on the Governance Committee.

Michael has a passion for schools and using his well-honed skills to serve the community as a whole. We sat down with him to find out more about his role, his career and what drives him.

Why did you want to be on the School Council?

St Andrew’s Cathedral School and Gawura are unique in that they offer an education focused on academic, artistic and athletic excellence but also character development.  This offering is transformative.  I am excited to be part of a School that embraces the complexity of the future with hope and courage. I hope I can contribute as the Chair by bringing a focus on matters of strategic importance to both schools.

How do you see your role as Chair?

The role of the Chair involves overseeing the governance of both schools. A key part of the role of Chair is fostering a positive culture and ensuring that our Head of School is well supported.  As an administrative lawyer, my legal practice has focused on the principles of good decision making generally. I hope that my experience might be of some assistance to advance an already thriving school.

Tell us about your work in the education sector

I’m committed to the education sector and have been since I commenced work as a lawyer.  I started law in a practice that focused exclusively on education law.  I have undertaken risk assessments, drafted policies, advised on governance and assisted school principals and boards on a range of issues.

I have also written papers for the Education Law Association and presented at numerous conferences, particularly around a school’s duty of care.

What other work have you done in the community?  

I was involved in the establishment of the Horizons Family Law Centre in 2005, a non-profit legal service that provides assistance to people experiencing domestic violence and family breakdown.  Horizons was created to fill a gap between those that did not qualify for legal aid but could not otherwise afford a lawyer.

We have recently shifted our focus to helping families in crisis remake themselves.  In doing so, we also recommitted to our model of partnering with local churches so that every person who met with a lawyer, also met with their local church pastor. We now operate out of five locations and have purchased an office building in Parramatta (which was funded by our donors).  My contribution has primarily been around governance and strategy.

How has your experience of being a student at the School shaped your ongoing commitment to it?

I started at the School in 1991, as a student that lacked focus.  My parents chose St Andrew’s Cathedral School in order to try to resurrect my schooling – which is precisely what occurred.  I also remember distinctly the Christian input I received.  For example, I can still recall lessons from the then Rev Abbotsmith and can recite poems that he wrote for us to learn the scriptures.  My experience as a student, coupled with the nine years I spent on the Council, has resulted in a deep love for our culture and community and a passion for our purpose:  to offer life giving learning.

How will your experience working with Indigenous communities as a lawyer assist with your work with Gawura?

My work with Indigenous communities has been a pleasant surprise.  I started four years ago offering pro-bono work to some Indigenous groups on the south coast.  That has resulted in being asked to lead a native title claim for a group of the Wiradjuri people in the west near Mudgee.  I have learnt so much about both the tangible and intangible culture of our First Nations people and how their connection as a people has endured for centuries.  I now have a much greater appreciation for their history and connection to Country. 

I have always been an advocate for reconciliation.  However, having sat with Indigenous elders, and listened to their stories, I have a much greater understanding of how important Gawura is.  It offers a hope for a better future for our Indigenous students.  Equally, though, it also offers an opportunity for our non-Indigenous students to benefit from the richness of Indigenous culture.

Gawura is truly a blessing to our whole school community.