DEA Symposiium

The bi-annual governance Symposium for the seven educational ministries of Dominican Education Australia was held at Siena College in Melbourne on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th August. Members of the Sponsor’s Council, Board Chairs and Directors of the College/School Boards, Principals/Director and Business Managers gathered with the DEA Trustees to explore the theme of the Symposium, Building Unity in Diversity. Participants were challenged to reflect on the multi dimensions of governance and the tools required to navigate a changing landscape in both Church and civil society.

Keynote speaker, Fr Brendan Reed drew on data from the Catholic identity project in Melbourne to unpack his presentation “Catholic Education in a Secular world”. What is the current landscape of Australian Catholic identity and how do schools navigate that into the future. Dr Rose Marie Prosser’s address explored the Mission of Jesus and Governance as a form of ministry in supporting the Catholic identity of our educational ministries

A variety of concurrent workshops addressed topics of formation in Mission and charism, Board Induction processes and Boards & Risk Management.

The Symposium program included opportunities for dialogue with colleagues in the Plenary sessions and for informal networking throughout.

Chair of DEA, Mrs Sue Fabian formally thanked recently retired Chairs, Dr Beverley Begg and Mrs Sue Kennedy-Branford, at the Symposium Dinner for their inspiring leadership of the Boards of Siena College, Camberwell and St Mary’s College Adelaide over many years.