Our People
Our Committee
The Country Education Partnership is managed by an elected Committee of Management.
The CEP Committee of Management is elected annually by the members of the Partnership. It is chaired by an invited individual who possesses extensive expertise and knowledge of rural and remote education. To guide its work, the Committee of Management has a ‘Compact’ which details the mission, values, key focus areas, roles and operations of the committee.
Committee of Management Compact
The committee further consists of several key stakeholders who sustain an active interest in rural education. The below table details our current committee members:
|
Chair |
Peter Greenwell |
|
|
Vice Chairperson |
Jason Whiteley |
Katamatite |
|
Secretary |
Jodi Walters |
Swan Hill |
|
Treasurer |
Kevin Hill |
Everton |
|
Committee Members
|
Kimberley Tempest |
Cobram |
|
Leigh Mellberg |
Tarnagulla |
|
|
Joanne Amott |
Wimmera |
|
|
Patricia Perry |
Lancaster |
|
|
Samantha Meerbach |
Committee Member representative from Dobcel | |
| Daniel Forrest | Wedderburn | |
| Arn Gorman |
Yarrawonga | |
| Lachlan Day | Meredith | |
| Brenda Keenan | Principal Consultant Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited |
|
| Damian Lappin |
Loch Sport Primary School | |
| Nathan Neff |
Wunghnu Primary School | |
| Simon Blake | Bairnsdale Primary School |
Nomination Form 2025
Download and complete the 2025 nomination form to be considered for Country Education Partnership’s Committee of Management.
Our Staff
Mark McLay
CEO
Mark commenced in the role of CEO of Country Education Partnership in January 2022.
Mark has over thirty years experience in Education, twenty three years of those as Principal. He has experience working in rural South Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria. Mark has a Dip Ed in Educational Psychology and is passionate about supporting the mental health of both students and staff in rural and regional areas.
Mark is dedicated to continuing to progress CEP’s success in the Rural Inspire Program, Cluster initiatives and Energy Breakthrough. He will also focus on supporting CEP’s membership base, continuing to be the voice of rural education in Victoria.
Trish Hodge
Business Manager
Trish began working with CEP in 2005.
She has extensive knowledge of finance and administration support, highlighted by a period of twelve years, from 1982 to 1994, working in the Australian Airforce, in the areas of finance and purchasing.
She made her first step into the education sector in 2002, working as an Executive Assistant with her local North East Tracks LLEN.
Kira Dullard
Social Media Manager
Kira joined the CEP team in 2022 as the Social Media Manager.
With several years of experience working in the digital design industry within Melbourne, Kira brings a wealth of knowledge to CEP.
Having grown up in a small community, travelled and now living in a rural town, Kira has a passion for engaging with and providing value to rural communities.
Kira is looking forward to promoting awareness about the opportunities CEP offers for rural residents across a range of digital channels.
Shane Mathison
Project Manager
Shane joined CEP in 2023 as a Project Manager.
He began his education career as a PE teacher in 1996 and after taking on a range of roles has spent 7 years as a secondary school Assistant Principal in Ballarat.
With a passion for supporting all students, but a focus on working with students at risk of disengagement, Shane is dedicated to working with rural schools in the provision of innovative, high quality and inclusive education.
Annette Driscoll
Mentor ‘Teach Rural’ Program
Annette commenced working with CEP in 2023 as part of the new ‘Teach Rural’ program.
She comes to the CEP team with over 35 years of teaching experience in country Victoria. She is passionate advocate for rural education and is keen to share this with pre-service teachers.
Annette is looking forward to supporting the needs of schools in rural areas so they can achieve the best outcomes possible.
Maurice Billi
Project Manager
Maurice joined CEP in 2023 as a project manager.
He has spent the last 20 years working in the community health sector as a Youth services manager and School Focussed Youth service Coordinator.
He has a passion for supporting rural and remote schools, with a focus on working to support those that are disadvantaged or have attendance related issues.
Maurice is looking forward to working with rural schools across the state and connecting with other key service providers.
Susan Jackson
Manager ‘Teach Rural’ Program
Susan commenced work with CEP in October 2022 at the inception of the Teach Rural pilot program.
She joins the CEP team with over 30 years experience in rural and regional education, including Principal and Curriculum Consultant. She also has Project Manager and community Board Member experience. She is an author and publisher of a series of children’s farming books and continues to work with her family to run their farm located in central Victoria.
Susan has a passion for and will continue to advocate for rural education. She is dedicated to encouraging pre-service teachers to join the rural and remote teaching workforce.
Dr Stephanie Garoni
CEP Project Officer – North East
Stephanie is interested in the practices of schooling and how these practices are held together in rural and regional settings. She has many years of experience as a classroom teacher, teacher librarian, learning support teacher, enrichment coordinator, literacy and numeracy advisor and deputy principal in both Australian and overseas schools.
Her most recent work has been as a lecturer and academic coordinator of the Nexus Program in the School of Education at La Trobe University. She lives and works in regional Victoria. Her current role is CEP project officer for North East Victoria.
Heather Macalister
CEP Team Member
Heather has more than forty years experience in education covering classroom teaching, leadership, principal and mentoring roles. Having experienced rural education as a student, a member of the profession and as a parent, she is a passionate advocate for students, staff and community when it comes to education provision.
Most recently Heather has served the Outer Gippsland Area as a Senior Education Improvement Leader working across rural and remote schools and communities.
In joining the CEP team Heather values the opportunity to continue to support and advocate for rural and remote education. Working as a Teach Rural mentor provides a chance to work with pre-service teachers and introduce them to the joys and advantages of rural living and teaching, supporting them as they commence their teaching careers.
Our Consultants
CEP currently engages the following consultants:
Brendan Ryan
Brendan commenced working with CEP in 2022 as a team member for the free Professional Development Series initiative.
He comes to CEP following 50 years of teaching and leading country schools in the South West area of the state. He continues to support and advocate on behalf of country schools and their communities.
Brendan is looking forward to supporting the professional needs of schools in rural areas so they can continue to thrive and address the on-going challenges facing rural school settings.
Nigel Preston
Nigel first ‘caught the Energy Breakthrough bug’ from his older brother in 1995 and then helped launch the Energy Breakthrough (EB) program at Eaglehawk Secondary College with his dad and some school mates way back in 1998. Having participated in the EB for four years, he began volunteering to help with the event management straight after school and has been helping out in a mixture of roles ever since.
In his role with CEP, Nigel supports schools to make the most of their Energy Breakthrough programs right across the country.
Madison Downing
Madison commenced working with CEP in 2023 to assist Kira with various marketing projects.
She comes to CEP with years of experience in marketing including social media, Meta advertising, website updates, EDM development and collateral design.
Madison can’t wait to support the CEP team with projects in the future, including their popular Professional Development Series.