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About Us

THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation Stone of Xavier College was laid in December 1872. The pioneering Irish Jesuits showed great wisdom in choosing the site known as Mornane's Paddock, in the 'far-flung countryside' of Kew.

The legacy of their exceptional foresight is obvious to the generations of former students who have benefited from a Xavier education and their families.

The Foundation asks all friends of Xavier to look to the future as our predecessors did and give back when able, providing opportunities for others so they may also benefit. 

Currently the Foundation operates three funds to which you can direct your gift, including the Building Fund (Capital Works) and the Ignatius Education Fund (Scholarships and Bursaries) which are tax deductible, and the Endowment Fund (Bequest).

XAVIER FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

Mark Lo Giudice (Chair) (OX 1986)

Mark LoGiudice has been in the property industry since 1986 and is the owner and Managing Director of Crawfords Group, a family owned investment company established in 1966.

Crawfords Group is involved in the investment and development of residential, commercial, industrial and retail property along the eastern seaboard of Australia and USA.

Further to his property interests, Mark has been a Director of Premier Fresh Australia since 2006, a national farming, marketing and logistics company which supplies fresh fruit and vegetables worldwide. Mark is also a Director of Assembled, a group of specialist agencies that delivers marketing and communication outcomes for its clients.

In February 2010, Mark joined the Carlton Football Club Board and was later appointed President in June 2014. He retired at the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Outside of his corporate activities, Mark is a long-standing member of RCH 1000, which actively raises funds for research at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife Eli and their sons Sebastian (OX 2014), Marcus (OX 2017) and Anthony (OX 2020).

Bernadette Batten

Bernadette is the Deputy Director of Development and Community Relations at Xavier College, a position she has held since June 2016. Bernadette joined the Foundation Board in 2013 and served until June 2016 and then re-joined the Foundation Board in 2022.

Bernadette’s professional career includes senior management positions across commercial Australia and include roles in legal administration, general and retail management and marketing and communications.

Bernadette is also a member of the Genazzano College Council where she has chaired the Policy and Review Committee before joining the Governance and Risk Committee. She has previously been  a member of the Board at the Jesuit College of Spirituality.

Bernadette is passionate about a commitment to excellence in education and the formation offered to young men of Xavier.  She is particularly interested in the programs that offer boys from less fortunate families an opportunity to attend Xavier College. Bernadette is keen to share her skills in governance, strategic planning and business development with the Xavier College Foundation Board and she is hopeful that through its programs, the Foundation can continue to make an ongoing financial contribution to Xavier College into the future.

Bernadette and her husband Tom (OX 1977) are parents to five adult children, Andrew (OX2007), Peter (OX 2010), Harry (OX 2011), Anastasia and Michael (OX 2016 ) and she is the granddaughter, daughter and sister of proud Old Xaverians.

Patrick Cody

Patrick’s family has had a long association with Xavier, a history which includes great philanthropic support to both the College and other Catholic institutions.

He is a father to four daughters and is actively involved at their school. He is conscious of the sacrifices made by parents to afford a private education for their children and the important role the Xavier Foundation plays in assisting those less fortunate families. 
Patrick has a B.Business from Monash and is a stockbroker with Bell Potter. With an association with various not for profit investment funds, he is a firm follower of the Jesuit creed, ‘Men for others’. He cites the words of the late Sir John Monash, “Adopt as your fundamental creed that you will equip yourself for life, not soley for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community’. 

Patrick’s involvement with the Foundation dates back to 2001 when he was approached to join the Investment Committee. As Chair of this committee, Patrick works with the active and highly experienced Investment Committee members to ensure the growth of the Foundation corpus. Patrick joined the Foundation Board in March 2014.
 

William Doherty (Principal)

William has been a passionate educator across boys and co-educational schools nationally and overseas.

Prior to his appointment as Principal of Xavier from 2018, William was the Deputy Headmaster of fellow APS school St Kevin’s College. He has undertaken other Executive positions as the Head of Middle School at SCECGS Redlands in Sydney. His involvement in school pastoral leadership has been extensive, while also engaging in numerous curriculum roles such as at The Australian International School Singapore as Head of History and leading innovation with the implementation of the International Baccalaureate as the Middle Years Programme Coordinator.

He has considerable experience in boarding as a former Head of Middle School Boarding at The Armidale School, which added to his formative early years as teacher, coach and boarding master at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview. His seven years at Riverview contribute to a strong background in Ignatian teaching and practice. He has taught across predominantly History as well as Religious Education and Geography departments, while also being actively involved as a sports coach in Rugby and Cricket amongst others.

Throughout his years in teaching and leadership, William has always sought to engender a passion for life, learning and the pursuit of excellence. He values visionary cultures that care for every member while acting with passion, skill and innovation to realise their fullest potential.

Michel Esnault (OX 1997)

Michel graduated from Xavier College in 1997, going on to complete a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science (Genetics and Biochemistry) at Monash University.

Michel has always been actively involved in the Old Xaverians’ Association (where he currently serves as President) and the Old Xaverians’ Soccer Club (as a player and committee member).

Michel has more than 20 years’ experience as a legal and commercial executive providing strategic advice, insight and execution across a broad range of disciplines including corporate strategy, commercial partnerships, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, business integration and national sales.

Michel is kept busy with three young children (two daughters and a sone who will be commencing at Xavier College in 2030). As a past student, active Old Xaverian and future parent, Michel has a keen interest in ensuring that Xavier College continues its tradition of excellence.
 

Damien Farrell (OX 1989)

Damien will bring much to this role through his extensive experience in advancement, government relations and business development. Damien is currently Vice-President (Advancement) at Monash University, where he has responsibility for alumni engagement, development, donor relations and external engagement.

After graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in politics), Damien began his career working as an Aide to two Victorian Governors, The Hon Richard McGarvie and Old Xaverian The Hon Sir James Gobbo.

He then worked as a lawyer for law firm, Freehills. Since his time as a lawyer, he has worked in government relations and corporate affairs in the renewable energy, financial services, legal and higher education sectors, both in Australia and overseas including at the National Australia Bank, Minter Ellison and Energy Developments Ltd, before joining Monash University in 2007.

As regular donors to the Xavier Foundation, Damien and his wife Emma believe strongly in creating opportunities for students through the College’s bursaries program.

Damien Honan (OX 1980)

Damien started at Kostka Hall in 1972 before moving to Xavier, finishing in 1980. Following on, Damien studied Banking and Finance at Monash and Chisholm.

Damien played with the Old Xavs Football Club from 1981 to 1991, joining the committee from 1987 to 2001, during which he was Vice President for six years.

Damien’s company, Honan Insurance Group, has been a sponsor of the Old Xavs Football Club for over 30 years and has employed many of the players over that period, helping them start their professional careers.

Damien is married to Sally and their son, Will graduated from Xavier in 2015 and is now working at PWC as well as currently playing for the Old Xavs.

Damien started at Honan Insurance Group in 1984, becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 1993, having taken over the business his father established in 1964. Damien has successfully transformed his business into a global organisation which is now recognised as one of the largest independent brokers in Asia Pacific. He recently sold a large share of his business to TA, a private equity company in the US.

Damien has always felt strongly about partnering with the right organisations and groups, especially those that share the same passions as him, in particular those that work towards improving the community and help to shape the personal and professional lives of those around us. 

Carolyn Ireland

Carolyn Ireland joins the Board with over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of senior Finance and Treasury roles with extensive board level interaction, specialising in the Not-For-Profit sector. She is currently Non-Executive Director at Defence Health, Head of Strategy & Investor Relations at API Ltd and Director and Chair of Finance and Investment Committees at International Womens Development Agency.

Carolyn is a Chartered Accountant with an MBA. Her previous roles have included; Group Treasurer, Australian Pharmaceutical Industries where she was responsible for funding acquisitions and managing strategic projects, Group Treasurer and Head of Internal Audit at Epworth Healthcare, Group Treasurer at Australian Unity and Head of Capital Management at Australian Unity Investments where she established a central Treasury function. Prior to then, she was CFO at GBS Venture Partners and spent six years as Associate Director at Macquarie Bank.

Carolyn and her husband Basil are current parents to three Xavier boys, Joseph (OX 2020), Daniel (OX 2021) and Owen (Year 11). Through the Inspiring Excellence appeal, Carolyn and Basil have helped to establish the College’s first Indigenous bursary.

Fr Chris Middleton SJ (Rector)

Prior to commencing as Rector of Xavier College, Fr Middleton taught at St Aloysius College in Sydney, and later served as Chaplain at Newman College, the Jesuit residential college within the University of Melbourne, and then Vice-Rector at St Leo's College, within the University of Queensland.

In 1998 Fr Middleton was appointed Rector and Deputy Headmaster at Saint Ignatius' College in South Australia. In 2003 Fr Middleton was appointed Principal of St Aloysius' College. He taught History in Years 10-12 during his eleven years as Principal.

Fr Middleton also founded the Benenson Society, a human rights advocacy group. He was appointed a Province Consultor in 2011. In 2012 he was the Province Procurator and attended the Congregator of Procurators in Nairobi, Kenya. He completed his term as Principal in April 2014, and commenced as Rector of Xavier College in June 2014.

Andrew Polson (OX 1990)

Andrew is Chief Executive Officer at Frontier Advisors, Australia’s leading institutional asset consultant advising over 50 institutions who manage over $600bn in assets on behalf of end investors/beneficiaries.

In this position, which he has held since May 2018, he is responsible for the operations, financial performance, strategy, compliance, and leadership of Frontier Advisors more broadly.

Prior to Frontier, Andrew was General Manager, Wealth Management with MyState Limited, and before that Global Head of Investment Management and Implementation for ANZ Global Wealth. He has also held several other senior Wealth Management specific roles within the ANZ Group and at IOOF.

Andrew holds a Master of Marketing Management from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from La Trobe University.

After emigrating from South Africa in 1987, Andrew was enrolled as a student at Xavier College in Year 9, completing his Year 12 studies at the college in 1990. 

Andrew and his wife Kate have a son who is currently in Year 10 at the Senior School. 

Peter Walsh (OX 1959)

Peter commenced at Burke Hall in 1948, moving to the Senior Campus in 1955 and graduating in 1959. After studying Law at the University of Melbourne, Peter served his articles with the firm McPherson and Kelley before commencing his own practice at 95 Queen Street, Melbourne. He had an extensive practice in Wills and Probate and Family Law.

Peter has always been an active member of the Old Xaverians’ Association Committee, holding the position of Assistant Secretary for five years, Honorary Secretary for some 16 years and President of the OXA in 1981.  During his time on the committee, Peter was involved in the establishment of the Benevolent Fund, which has greatly assisted many Xavier families in need over the years.

Peter was one of the original Trustees when the Xavier College Foundation was launched in 1977, holding the position of Director of the Foundation in 1994, and he has been a Board Member since 2012.

Due to Peter’s great interest in Xavier College, many Old Xaverians have sought advice on legal matters relating to their will, many of whom had expressed a desire to remember Xavier in their wills. As a result, Peter has been able to advise them as to the best way to leave a legacy in their names.

Peter is Trustee of a number of Trusts which have made substantial contributions to the College over the past 29 years. These Trusts include the Jean Elizabeth Ryan Trust, the Margaret Tutton Trust, the John Kerr Tutton Trust, the Eldon J Hogan Trust, and others. These Trusts have enabled the construction of the Performing Arts Centre, the Development Office, the Science Wing and the Archives. In addition, they have funded scholarships and bursaries, overseas study tours for students, the establishment of an Art Collection and many other projects for the benefit of students.

Peter has a particular love and interest in Kostka Hall where his stepsons Simon (OX 1984) and Damien (OX 1986) and his grandson Taishi (currently in Year 6 at Burke Hall) all attended.

Shane Healy

Director of Operations and Community

Anne Dunstan

Foundation Manager

Damien Honan (Chair) (OX 1980)

Executive Chair - Honan Insurance Group

Mark Lo Giudice (OX 1986)

Managing Director - Crawfords Group

Bernadette Batten

Deputy Director, Development and Community Relations - Xavier College

Damien Farrell (OX 1989)

Vice President (Advancement) - Monash University

David King (OX 1987)

Head of Advancement - Xavier College

Debbie De Souza

Registered Nurse

Jerome Joseph

CEO - Premium Food Group

Shane Healy

Director, Development and Community Relations - Xavier College

Simone Tilley

General Manager - ANZ Banking Group

Patrick Cody (Chair) (OX 1983)

Stockbroker - Bell Potter Securities Limited

Michael Batten (OX 2016)

Trainee Broker - BGC Services (Holdings) LLP UK

Ben Dalling (OX 1990)

Investment Director and Portfolio Manager - Acorn Capital

Anthony Garvey (OX 1978)

Principal/Adviser - Investment Research Solutions

John MacKinnon (OX 1980)

Director - Jolimont Capital

Andrew Polson (OX 1990)

Chief Executive Officer - Frontier Advisors

Foundation Membership - Our Donors

The Foundation acknowledges the generous gifts donated by many friends of Xavier over the year. Each and every donation, large and small, is received with gratitude and helps to consolidate what so many earlier benefactors have provided for the students of today and tomorrow.