Meet the Dedicated Team Behind EREA NSW Colleges

Peter Pearce brings to this role over four decades of leadership and governance experience across the health, education, community services, and faith-based sectors. He has served as Chair and Director of numerous Catholic and not-for-profit organisations, including Mater Misericordiae Ltd, Mercy Partners Ltd, and Common Ground Queensland. His executive background includes senior appointments within the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland and LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine Ltd, where he led significant organisational transformation and service development. Mr Pearce holds postgraduate qualifications in Ethics and Legal Studies and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Pearce’s deep understanding of governance within Catholic ministries and his commitment to mission, inclusion, and ethical leadership will serve the EREA NSW Colleges Board well as it continues to support the flourishing of our schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.

Dr Mark J Askew served as Head of Educational Services in the Diocese of Broken Bay for 20 years, leading its transformation into a high-performing school system. He began as an English and History teacher and held curriculum and program management roles with Sydney Catholic schools and the NSW Catholic Education Commission. In 2010, he was seconded to ACARA to oversee Australian Curriculum development in History, Geography, and the Arts. Mark has contributed to various state and national education committees and supported religious congregations in school governance. He currently teaches at Australian Catholic University and works as an educational consultant, specialising in school and system reviews, curriculum development, and staff growth.

With a distinguished career spanning over 50 years, Philomena Billington has made a profound impact on Government and Catholic education across four states and five dioceses in Australia. Her experience encompasses every level of educational leadership, from classroom teacher to Principal, Deputy Director, and Director of Catholic Education. Beyond education, she also served as Company Secretary in a mining company joint venture during the 1980s, bringing valuable administrative expertise from industry. A passionate advocate for The Arts in Education, Philomena Billington was instrumental in founding the WA Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges in 1990 which continues across the state today. She also forged a strong partnership between the Australian Girls Choir and Sandhurst Catholic Education, beginning in 2009 and enriching the lives of countless students. Her commitment to family and community engagement in education is equally notable. Working alongside parent leaders, she established the Sandhurst Diocesan Strategy for Parent Leadership and Family Engagement in Education in 2013, and she has mentored Parent Groups across Australia. Locally in Yass, Phil convenes the Liturgy Team, is a member of Vinnies and Chairs the Parish Pastoral Council. Throughout her career, Philomena Billington has held significant leadership roles, including President of Edmund Rice Education Australia Council (EREA) and Chair of the Trustees of EREA, Founding Chair of CORMSAA (the national education body for RI & MPJP School Authorities), Director of AMPJP, member of the Advisory Board of the ACU La Salle Academy, and a current Board Member of the ACT Duke of Edinburgh Awards. She is also deeply committed to advocacy for people living with disability, actively supporting Faith & Light and L’Arche communities. Phil is currently the Chair of the National Board of L’Arche Australia Ltd (LAL). Philomena brings deep experience in educational leadership, governance, and mission. Her appointment strengthens the Board at an important moment of transition.