Board of Directors

Susan Mann, Chair

B.A, Dip. Ed, GAICD.

Sue has worked in education in Victoria, nationally and internationally, as a secondary teacher, teacher educator, policy analyst and senior administrator for over 40 years. Over the last 20 years, she has developed extensive experience in managing not-for-profit companies owned by the Australian Ministers for Education, as Chief Operating Officer of the Learning Federation and Chief Executive Officer of Curriculum Corporation and its successor, Education Services Australia.

Colin Axup, Deputy Chair

B.A (Hons), Dip. Ed, Grad. Dip Strategic Studies.

Colin began teaching at Melbourne High School in 1992.  Colin’s career has seen him appointed at several secondary schools in Victoria, most recently as principal of Suzanne Cory High School, the newest of Victoria’s select entry high schools.

In his time as principal, Colin has been most interested in the role of leadership in transforming schools. He believes that professional organisations play an important role in the work of a principal and he assumed the position of President of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals in March 2021, having been the Deputy President since 2018.

Cheryle Osborne

PhD, MEPA, MEPI, B Ed Dip. Teach (Primary) 

Cheryle has over 35 years’ experience in Victorian government schools and is currently Principal of Aspendale Gardens Primary School. Cheryle has been a member of the VPA for 23 years and a VPA Board Member for the past 13 years.

Gail McHardy

Gail has long been one of Victoria’s leading advocates for parents of students in Victorian government schools and is the CEO at Parents Victoria.

Gail has been an active parent participant at her own daughters’ schools, volunteering and working for the statewide peak body, Parents Victoria (PV). Gail has had many opportunities to share her extensive knowledge, professional commitment, experience and energy with many school communities, future teacher graduates and with other stakeholders across the public education sector.

Gail shares "PV has supported the work of State Schools' Relief since the 1930's, it's great to serve on their board in keeping with their philosophy, mission and values”.

Greg Nyilasy

Greg Nyilasy, PhD is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics/Melbourne Business School and Fellow of the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship, Ormond College both at the University of Melbourne. His research and teaching focus on strategy and decision making in entrepreneurship as well as consumers’ adoption of new digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.

Greg has governance and executive experience on three continents in innovation/entrepreneurship, strategy and marketing. He has helped a wide variety of blue chip global companies in consumer packaged goods, finance, healthcare, media, retail, technology and travel.

Julie Evans

BEc FIAA GAICD.

Julie is an actuary with over 35 years of experience across both private and public sectors, in Australia and abroad. She has worked as an actuarial consultant, a partner with a large professional services firm, and most recently a senior executive at WorkSafe Victoria.

Julie brings strong financial and commercial acumen together with experience in assessing enterprise risk and developing and driving strategic change.

Julie joined the State Schools’ Relief Board of Directors in October 2023. She is also a Board member of Golden City Support Services, a disability services provider based in regional Victoria.

Martina Owen

GCertEBL.

Martina has worked as a business manager for Victorian government schools for the past 11 years, in both primary and secondary settings.  Martina is a member of the Committee of Management for Business Managers Victoria and is passionate about the progression of business managers and supporting their professional profile.

Through her involvement in Deakin University Advisory Board and Business Managers Victoria, together with many working years’ experience, participation in local school networks, and department stakeholder groups, Martina has a high level understanding of compliance, governance, operational process and financial management for Victorian government schools.