College Board & Governance - St Augustine's College

The College Board is a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Members of the Board represent and are accountable to the Trustees of the Order of St Augustine through the Prior Provincial and his Council. The Board of Directors appointed by the Members is responsible for the Governance of St Augustine’s College.

Membership of the College Board may include:

Augustinian priests
Current and past parents
Old Boys
Individuals with requisite expertise

The composition of the Board seeks to provide an appropriate range of experience, skills, knowledge and perspective to enable it to carry out its obligations and responsibilities.

College Board Members

Fr David Austin OSA

Priest with the Order of St Augustine. Currently Assistant Priest of Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair. Previous roles include Prior Provincial (2014-2018); Province Bursar (2018-2022); Member of Augustinian International Commission for Laity (2007-2019); Vice Rector of Villanova College; Rector of St Augustine’s College; Parish Priest of Kyabram and Echuca (Victoria), Coorparoo (Brisbane), Holy Spirit (St Clair), and North Harbour Catholic Community (Manly Vale and Balgowlah); Member of Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (2011-2016); current member of Senate of Catholic Institute of Sydney. Joined the Board in 2019.

Nick Cerneaz

Technology entrepreneur with 30+ years experience in developing and commercialising medical devices and technical/scientific instrumentation. Currently Head of Engineering, Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University, and NED of MTPConnect (Medtech & Pharma Industry Innovation Growth Centre). Joined the Board in 2020. Old Boy and current parent.

Tony Frost

BEc, LLB, MSc(CoachPsych), GAICD, FGIA, CTA, CA.

First career (34 years) as a lawyer and Chartered Accountant, including seven years as Managing Partner of leading tax advisory firm Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills. Diverse second career includes executive coaching and non-executive directorships. Non-executive chairman of the Leadenhall Group, a leading Australian corporate advisory practice. Faculty member at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a facilitator of their Company Directors Course. Teaches in the MBA program at the AGSM, University of New South Wales. Board Director at Brigidine College, St Ives (2002-2007). Old Boy Class of 1978. Joined the Board Finance Committee in 2022, and the Board in 2024. Chair of the Board Risk Committee.

Natalie Housson

CPA / CGMA / MAICD/ BA (Joint Hons)

Chief Financial Officer with 20+ years of Finance and Leadership experience. Focus on strategic commercial finance, driving growth and scaling organisations, whilst also transforming finance and business operations. Industry experience within Tech, Financial Services, eCommerce and FMCG, also managing Risk and Compliance within highly regulated environments. Worked across larger organisations including eBay, PayPal, Proctor & Gamble, CBA, as well as growth-oriented organisations such as Plenti, Moneytech and me&u. Board member since 2024, also a member on the Finance Committee, having previously been a member of the Policy Committee. Current parent.

Maria Loyez

Chief Customer Officer at Australian Ethical Investments, a responsible investment manager. Areas of responsibility include sales, marketing and the Australian Ethical Foundation. 20+ years of international and strategic commercial experience, setting up new business ventures, as well as driving business growth. Focus in financial services, telecommunications, and technology industries, and has worked in large organisations such as Virgin Group, Optus and AMP, and more recently in fintech organisations OFX, SocietyOne and Volt Bank. Succession Committee member since August 2020. Joined the College Board in 2021. Current parent.

Grainne McCormack

GAICD, MBA (Executive)
BSc (Hons), MEng, PGDip Law, PGDip Legal Practice, CEng, CIBSE, MIET, Solicitor (England & Wales)

Currently Chief Operating Officer at TTW Engineers and Non-Executive Director at Catholic Schools NSW. With over 30 years experience in property and development, working in engineering, legal and leadership roles. Chair of the Building Committee and Board member since 2018.

Steve Schofield

Group Head of Human Resources, Safety and Industrial Relations for the Manildra Group. Commencing in 1952, the Manildra Group is 100% Australian-owned and has become a diverse agribusiness bringing the finest Australian food and industrial products to the world.

Former roles include Group Head of Human Resources & Industrial Relations for the Downer Group 2011 - 2023, GGM Human Resources for Komatsu Australia, HR Director for Goodman Fielder, HR Director for Schindler Lifts Australia, General Manager Industrial Relations for QANTAS, Assistant Director Resource Planning for Royal Australian Navy. MBA from MGSM. Non-Executive Board Director with Foodbank NSW since 2011. Justice of the Peace in NSW. Old Boy Class of 1983. Current parent and past parent, with 5 boys connected with the College. Joined the Board in 2021, appointed Chair in 2024.

Benjamin Balasigamany (Bala)

Chartered Accountant with many years of experience providing quality finance and management services in the private, public and not-for-profit sector. Joined the College as Head of Business and Finance in October 2018, and previously with Marist Youth Care. Enthusiastic about contributing to the growth of the College through improved processes and systems. Member of the College Leadership Team and Company Secretary.

Good governance requires the College Board to:

Ensure the College fulfils its educational goals in an Augustinian environment and acts in a manner which models the College’s core values and ethos.
Adapt to the distinctive characteristics of an Augustinian academic environment and act so as to exemplify and reinforce the College’s core values and ethos.
Ensure a strategic approach to the College’s future by setting major goals, policy frameworks and strategies.
Review plans and budgets established by College management.
Anticipate issues, where possible, and act to diffuse them.
Establish committees, where appropriate.
Review and monitor adherence to systems of risk management, governance compliance and legal compliance.
Monitor organisational performance.
Conduct an annual review of the College’s progress in meeting its objectives.

Beyond these items the Board delegates to the College Principal the authority to achieve stated objectives. The Principal is responsible for implementing a shared vision for the College and takes overall responsibility for the operation and management of the educational enterprise of the College. This position is supported by the College Leadership Team.

The Principal is the Head of Agency in all matters related to Child Protection.