VIT Council and Leadership Team | Victorian Institute of Teaching

The VIT is governed by a 14-member Council that is informed by a number of committees. Advice from the VIT Council and committees informs the work undertaken by the Chief Executive Officer and VIT’s six branches.

VIT Council

The VIT Council’s role is to

set the goals and strategic direction for VIT in collaboration with the CEO
monitor performance against a strategic plan and review the strategic direction, to respond to changing circumstances
monitor risk management systems to ensure financial and operational risks are identified and effectively treated
monitor the integrity of VIT’s internal control, compliance and reporting systems
address matters referred to the Council by its committees
recognise the legitimate interests of stakeholders
establish and monitor governance practices.

The current VIT Council was appointed in June 2025 for a three-year term. Thirteen members of the Council are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Education. The fourteenth member is the nominee of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DE). Members include the Chairperson and nominees of key stakeholder groups such as parents, teacher employers, teacher educators and education unions.

The Council meets up to nine times a year and publishes a Council Communique after each meeting.

The Council is also supported and advised by four committees.

	Dale Pearce \| Chairperson Dale is the recently retired principal of Bendigo Senior Secondary College and spent his career in schools across regional Victoria. He has engaged with government and education authorities on planning and delivery of a range of key initiatives over the last 25 years. Dale is a former board member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and has enjoyed extensive involvement in community sport and the performing arts.
	Kate Fogarty \| Deputy Chairperson Kate is the Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd and Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care, leading 51 schools and 6 Early Learning Centres. Kate is a champion of equity for rural and remote schools, and deeply committed to the formation of teachers and leaders who intensify student learner growth and wellbeing.
	David Baker \| Independent education sector school principal David is a progressive, community-minded principal who leads Woodleigh School's development. An Independent Sector employer, David is a passionate advocate for holistic education, David knows that students and staff flourish when they have a sense of agency, belonging and connectedness.
	Joanna Garner \| Early childhood teacher Jo has been in the education sector for over 40 years. Starting out as a Secondary Teacher, moving to Early Childhood, and more recently into the Higher Education space as a lecturer in Early Childhood Education. Jo strongly believes that relationships, respect, advocacy and an ongoing love of teaching and learning are important for both teachers and students.
	Lisa Holt \| State education sector school principal Lisa has spent the past 28 years working in government secondary schools. Initially a teacher of English and Psychology, Lisa has held a range of leadership positions and in 2017 became the Principal of Rosebud Secondary College. Lisa is deeply committed to ensuring that Victorian students have the opportunity to be taught by outstanding professionals, and that Victorian teachers are supported to be outstanding professionals.
	Sharelle Knight \| Early childhood leader Sharelle is an experienced leader with professional experience at State and Local Government level. She is currently employed as a senior executive with the City of Ballarat and has responsibility for several municipal strategic plans and a range of community programs focused on children, youth and families. Raised as a farmer’s daughter, Sharelle has spent most of her life living, working and playing on Wadawurrung land in the Central Highlands. As an early childhood sector employer, she is committed to advocating for the safety of children through quality programs, qualified staffing and building awareness and shared understanding about opportunities for cultural change at the local level.
	Larissa McLean Davies \| Victorian Council of Deans of Education nominee Larissa is Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Larissa leads large-scale Teacher Education research which mobilises partnerships with Government agencies, Education Departments, and not-for-profit organisations.
	Sarah McNicol \| Secretary of the Department of Education nominee The Executive Director of Strategic Projects and Oversight within the Office of the Secretary, Sarah is a nominee of the Secretary of the Department of Education. A senior leader within the Department, Sarah is responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives and ensuring the Office of the Secretary has oversight of various impactful bodies of work.
	Brenden Morris \| Independent education sector teacher With over 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in the independent schools sector, Brenden is passionate about promoting the agency of students and teachers in modernising the future of education and our school system. Brenden is currently teaching mathematics and physics at The Knox School.
	Mary-Anne Pontikis \| State education sector teacher Mary-Anne is an experienced teacher who has taught all Primary year levels and has also worked as a Specialist teacher in Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Library and Digital Technologies. An experienced state sector teacher, Mary-Anne was part of the Government’s Tutor Learning Initiative Program teaching Literacy and Numeracy to small groups of students. Mary-Anne was a former Ministerial Appointment on both the Merit Protection Boards and Disciplinary Appeals Boards. She is currently working as a Casual Relief Teacher in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. Mary-Anne believes all students can learn, has a commitment to public education and a strong belief in equity of opportunity for all students.
	Gabrielle Steward \| State education sector teacher Gabby is a professionally resolute and empathetic educator in the state sector who celebrates and deeply values inclusion and diversity, recognizing these core principles as fundamental to student learning and the broader educational landscape. Committed to supporting students, Gabby advocates for the critical importance of fostering student agency through approaches that are responsive to their individualised needs.
	Raelene Vine \| Parents nominee Residing rurally, where community strength and action are vital, Raelene values strong home, school and community relationships. These extend from the local to the broader scene - from playgroups and early learning through the school journeys of Parents and Friends and School Council to Parents Victoria and VIT, along with sporting and cultural groups. Raelene believes a strong, resilient and engaged community raises strong, resilient and engaged children.
	Eve Ward \| State education sector teacher Eve is a classroom teacher at Pakenham Secondary College. She specialises in Psychology and hands-on learning and is passionate about giving opportunities to all young people in Victoria. Eve believes that educating the next generation is the best way to make positive change in the world.
	Graeme Young \| Independent education sector teacher Graeme is a secondary school teacher with 40 years’ experience in independent schools in Australia and overseas. He is Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 10-12) at an independent (APS) school with responsibility for student learning. Previous positions of leadership include Pastoral Care, VCE Coordinator, Head of Humanities and Outdoor Education. He has been a member of VCE assessment and study design teams, was a Council Member of the Incorporated Association of Registered Teachers of Victoria (Centre for Strategic Education), was appointed to VIT Council in 2019 and is a VIEU member.

VIT Committees

The VIT Council manages its responsibilities by setting up committees to more efficiently handle its work, setting a strategic plan and developing performance indicators.

Audit, Risk Management & Finance Committee

The Audit, Risk Management and Finance Committee oversees the financial, risk management, audit and general administrative functions of VIT. It makes recommendations to Council on the financial requirements of VIT’s governing legislation and other legislation regulating the financial and risk management and accountability of VIT.

On behalf of Council, the Committee reviews and recommends the development and implementation of VIT’s strategic and business plan budgets. In addition, the Committee advises Council on the adequacy and effectiveness of VIT’s financial and accounting policies, related control systems and management information systems.

Non-council member Eva Tsahuridu Chairs the Audit Risk Management and Finance Committee.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee determines the performance criteria of the Chief Executive Officer, conducts their annual performance review and advises Council of any other relevant matters in the jurisdiction of Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal. The Committee also ensures compliance with the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC).

Council Chairperson Dale Pearce also serves as the Chair of the Remuneration committee.

Professional Conduct Committee

The Professional Conduct Committee decides whether to accept the recommendations of an investigator at the end of an investigation into whether a teacher is seriously incompetent; has engaged in misconduct or serious misconduct; is unfit to teach; or whether the teacher’s ability to practise as a teacher has been seriously detrimentally affected or is likely to be seriously detrimentally affected because of an impairment.

The Committee has also been delegated the power to impose conditions on the registration of a teacher and refuse the registration (or renewal of registration) of a teacher, and the power to decide whether to enter into an agreement with the teacher to cancel, suspend or impose conditions on their registration.

Deputy Council Chairperson Kate Fogarty serves as the Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee.

Accreditation Committee

The Accreditation Committee assesses and approves pathway programs into ITE and assesses ITE programs for the purposes of teacher registration, consistent with the national standards and procedures for accreditation of ITE programs in Australia. The Committee comprises teachers and principals from government and non-government schools, teacher educators and representatives of Victorian teacher employers.

Council member David Baker serves as the Chair of the Accreditation Committee.

Martin Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer

Martin Fletcher

Martin Fletcher brings a wealth of experience in organisational leadership, the delivery of regulation and regulatory reform, professional standards, accreditation of education programs and quality assurance to VIT. Most recently Martin was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) which implements the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme regulating more than 900,000 health practitioners across 16 professions, in partnership with 15 National Health Practitioner Boards.

Prior to joining Ahpra, Martin was Chief Executive of the National Patient Safety Agency in England. From 2004-2007, Martin worked with WHO to establish a global patient safety program.

Martin holds a Master of Management degree in public sector management, an Honours degree in behavioural sciences and an undergraduate degree in social studies.

Martin holds an honorary appointment as adjunct Professor with the School of Health and Biomedical Science at RMIT University. He was also a co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Workforce Regulation in the Western Pacific Region which is hosted by Ahpra.

Council Communiques

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	Dale Pearce \| Chairperson Dale is the recently retired principal of Bendigo Senior Secondary College and spent his career in schools across regional Victoria. He has engaged with government and education authorities on planning and delivery of a range of key initiatives over the last 25 years. Dale is a former board member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and has enjoyed extensive involvement in community sport and the performing arts.
	Kate Fogarty \| Deputy Chairperson Kate is the Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd and Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care, leading 51 schools and 6 Early Learning Centres. Kate is a champion of equity for rural and remote schools, and deeply committed to the formation of teachers and leaders who intensify student learner growth and wellbeing.
	David Baker \| Independent education sector school principal David is a progressive, community-minded principal who leads Woodleigh School's development. An Independent Sector employer, David is a passionate advocate for holistic education, David knows that students and staff flourish when they have a sense of agency, belonging and connectedness.
	Joanna Garner \| Early childhood teacher Jo has been in the education sector for over 40 years. Starting out as a Secondary Teacher, moving to Early Childhood, and more recently into the Higher Education space as a lecturer in Early Childhood Education. Jo strongly believes that relationships, respect, advocacy and an ongoing love of teaching and learning are important for both teachers and students.
	Lisa Holt \| State education sector school principal Lisa has spent the past 28 years working in government secondary schools. Initially a teacher of English and Psychology, Lisa has held a range of leadership positions and in 2017 became the Principal of Rosebud Secondary College. Lisa is deeply committed to ensuring that Victorian students have the opportunity to be taught by outstanding professionals, and that Victorian teachers are supported to be outstanding professionals.
	Sharelle Knight \| Early childhood leader Sharelle is an experienced leader with professional experience at State and Local Government level. She is currently employed as a senior executive with the City of Ballarat and has responsibility for several municipal strategic plans and a range of community programs focused on children, youth and families. Raised as a farmer’s daughter, Sharelle has spent most of her life living, working and playing on Wadawurrung land in the Central Highlands. As an early childhood sector employer, she is committed to advocating for the safety of children through quality programs, qualified staffing and building awareness and shared understanding about opportunities for cultural change at the local level.
	Larissa McLean Davies \| Victorian Council of Deans of Education nominee Larissa is Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Larissa leads large-scale Teacher Education research which mobilises partnerships with Government agencies, Education Departments, and not-for-profit organisations.
	Sarah McNicol \| Secretary of the Department of Education nominee The Executive Director of Strategic Projects and Oversight within the Office of the Secretary, Sarah is a nominee of the Secretary of the Department of Education. A senior leader within the Department, Sarah is responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives and ensuring the Office of the Secretary has oversight of various impactful bodies of work.
	Brenden Morris \| Independent education sector teacher With over 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in the independent schools sector, Brenden is passionate about promoting the agency of students and teachers in modernising the future of education and our school system. Brenden is currently teaching mathematics and physics at The Knox School.
	Mary-Anne Pontikis \| State education sector teacher Mary-Anne is an experienced teacher who has taught all Primary year levels and has also worked as a Specialist teacher in Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Library and Digital Technologies. An experienced state sector teacher, Mary-Anne was part of the Government’s Tutor Learning Initiative Program teaching Literacy and Numeracy to small groups of students. Mary-Anne was a former Ministerial Appointment on both the Merit Protection Boards and Disciplinary Appeals Boards. She is currently working as a Casual Relief Teacher in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. Mary-Anne believes all students can learn, has a commitment to public education and a strong belief in equity of opportunity for all students.
	Gabrielle Steward \| State education sector teacher Gabby is a professionally resolute and empathetic educator in the state sector who celebrates and deeply values inclusion and diversity, recognizing these core principles as fundamental to student learning and the broader educational landscape. Committed to supporting students, Gabby advocates for the critical importance of fostering student agency through approaches that are responsive to their individualised needs.
	Raelene Vine \| Parents nominee Residing rurally, where community strength and action are vital, Raelene values strong home, school and community relationships. These extend from the local to the broader scene - from playgroups and early learning through the school journeys of Parents and Friends and School Council to Parents Victoria and VIT, along with sporting and cultural groups. Raelene believes a strong, resilient and engaged community raises strong, resilient and engaged children.
	Eve Ward \| State education sector teacher Eve is a classroom teacher at Pakenham Secondary College. She specialises in Psychology and hands-on learning and is passionate about giving opportunities to all young people in Victoria. Eve believes that educating the next generation is the best way to make positive change in the world.
	Graeme Young \| Independent education sector teacher Graeme is a secondary school teacher with 40 years’ experience in independent schools in Australia and overseas. He is Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 10-12) at an independent (APS) school with responsibility for student learning. Previous positions of leadership include Pastoral Care, VCE Coordinator, Head of Humanities and Outdoor Education. He has been a member of VCE assessment and study design teams, was a Council Member of the Incorporated Association of Registered Teachers of Victoria (Centre for Strategic Education), was appointed to VIT Council in 2019 and is a VIEU member.