30 January 2018
Ray Collins has been appointed as the Acting Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission following the resignation of Christian Zahra for family reasons on 18 January 2018.
Commencing today, Ray will serve in this position until a new Executive Director is appointed.
Ray is the former Director of Schools for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle serving in the role for nine years until his recent retirement in December 2016. He has a 44-year career in education, including 19 years in the MaitlandNewcastle Diocese.
In 1988, Ray joined the Diocese of Bathurst Catholic Education Office as an education consultant before
commencing at the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office (CSO) in 1998, where he was later appointed as Director of Schools in September 2008.
Ray has displayed an integrity and dedication to his vocation as a Catholic educator, earning the respect of his colleagues and fellow directors. He provided steady guidance throughout his time at the CSO with a particular focus on Catholic identity and serving the marginalised in our community. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of our current educational and political environment.
The National Catholic Education Commission thanks Christian Zahra for his service to the NCEC. He has been a measured and strategic leader at a critical and challenging time for Catholic education. We wish him the best for his future endeavours.
