Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) was established in October 2007. It is the governing body of the schools previously administered by the Christian Brothers.
This significant change to administration was the outcome of one of two project groups, the National Planning Committee for Schools Governance (schools) and Shaping our Future Committee Oceania (Brothers’ communities). As a result of the work of these two groups, the Christian Brothers decided to amalgamate separate Christian Brothers provinces in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to form one Oceania Province for the Brothers, focused on the social justice mission of the Christian Brothers. Separately, EREA was established with the intention of independently governing the implementation of the educational mission of the Christian Brothers in Catholic Education, while empowering lay people to become increasingly involved in the leadership of the future educational work of the Brothers.
Edmund Rice proposed that effective learning takes place when students are nurtured, cared for and have a strong sense of purpose. EREA reinforces these distinctive values of Edmund Rice education in Catholic Education, through a national and unified network of schools and educational entities throughout Australia. All schools and educational entities in the Edmund Rice tradition are unified by a Charter which comprises touchstones, giving ideals authentically linked with the Charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and which underpin the ministry in the schools, and educational endeavours in Church mission.
The touchstones of the Charter are: Inclusive Community, Liberating Education, Justice and Solidarity, and Gospel Spirituality.
EREA operates from a national office in Richmond, Victoria, together with regional support offices in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
EREA Governance Structure
Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) was established to succeed, carry on and expand the education ministries conducted by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in Australia. The purpose of EREA is to own, govern, manage and conduct these ministries in fulfilment of the mission of Jesus Christ in the Catholic tradition and in continuation of the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice.
The members of the Council of EREA are the governing body of EREA under canon law and they are also the members of the body corporate known as Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia under civil law. The members of the EREA Council are appointed by the Congregation Leader of the Christian Brothers. The EREA Council appoints the EREA Board and delegates to it certain responsibilities related to the management and strategic direction of EREA.
The EREA Council (as canonical stewards):
- Ensures the Identity of EREA as Catholic and an expression of the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice
- Relates on behalf of EREA to Church authorities
- Approves the establishment or termination of an apostolic work of EREA
The EREA Council (as civil stewards):
- Is the proprietor of the schools
- Approves the acquisition or alienation of the resources of EREA (according to the Constitution)
The EREA Council members are: Br Paul Oakley, Philomena Billington, Kathy Freeman, David White, Graeme Goerke
The EREA Board:
- Sets the strategic directions for EREA
- Sets the operational policy framework
- Oversees the financial well-being of EREA and each of the schools
- Oversees the management of EREA
- Contributes to the nurturing of key external relationships
- Provides opportunities for formation in the mission of the Catholic Church and the charism of Edmund Rice
- Supports and guides the Executive
The EREA Board members are: Bobby Court (Chair), Mark Anderson, Vicki Clark, Fleur Hannen, Cathy Day, Alan Rix
The Executive Director
The EREA Executive Director provides day to day leadership and management of the operation of all EREA schools.
The Executive Director:
- Implements the strategy and policy approved by the EREA Board
- Articulates the Vision and Mission of EREA and provides leadership which empowers others to bring the EREA Charter to life
- Appoints staff to fulfil the leadership, management and operational structures of EREA
- Ensures the provision of appropriate faith formation and spiritual development of all staff
- Ensures the sustainability, growth and development of EREA while complying with statutory obligations
The EREA Executive Director is Wayne Tinsey
Schools
The Executive Director delegates the day-to-day operation of EREA schools to Principals and certain other responsibilities to School Boards.
More information can be found at the EREA website:
