Governance

Cornish College Board

Cornish College is an incorporated company limited by guarantee. The College Board comprises 12 members responsible for the Governance of Cornish College. The Principal, who is appointed by the Board, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the College. 

It is the role of the Principal and the senior leadership team to manage the College in accordance with the strategic direction set by the College Board. The Board does not have a management function.

Our principles

In all our policies and practices, the College supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

• Elected government
• The rule of law
• Equal rights for all before the law
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech and association
• The values of openness and tolerance.

Board Composition

The Board comprises individuals with a diversity of skills, qualifications and experience and consists of:

• No fewer than ten and not more than twelve members, including office bearers
• At least three of whom shall be female and three of whom shall be males; and the Principal

Office Bearers

The office bearers of the College consist of a Chairperson (Chair), a Vice Chairperson and a Treasurer. Office bearers are elected for a term of three years.

Term

A Board member other than the Principal will not retain office for more than three calendar years or beyond the third annual General Meeting following the member’s appointment (whichever is the longer period) without being re-elected.

At the Annual Meeting each year, one third of the Board in office, other than the Principal, must retire from office.

Retiring members can be re-elected, but a director shall not be entitled to be elected for more than three consecutive terms, unless by special resolution for one further term of three years.

Skills

The skills and experience required by the Board may include, but not necessarily limited to, the following areas:

• Accounting and finance
• Governance
• Risk and compliance management
• Education
• Legal
• The Uniting Church
• Business systems and commercial management.
• Property
• Community, stakeholder engagement and marketing
• Executive management
• Information technology strategy and governance
• Strategy
• Policy development

Sub-Committees

There are five sub-committees of the Board. Find out more about their roles and responsibilities.

Constitution

The Cornish College Constitution details the College’s objectives, powers, board membership and duties. 

Strategic Plan and Annual Reports

Learn more about Cornish College in the Strategic Plan and our Annual Reports.

Board Members

For more information about each of our Board members, click on their image.

Rev Dr Robert Johnson

Chair
Uniting Church Minister

Max Verberne

Deputy Chair
Company Director

Nicola Forrest

Principal

Trevor Gurr

Program Manager

Blair Gardner

Operations Manager

Christine Marks

Lawyer

Bruce Stradling

Accountant

Chris Begg

Uniting Church Representative

Lister Hannah

International Educator

Tara Broderick

Social Worker

Dr Andrew Maher

Architect

Rev Clair Dawe

Uniting Church Minister