VIT Council

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. 

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 Victoria 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.