Bert Benne retired from Catholic Education after 22 years as a teacher and 19 years as a Principal. Bert initially met Graeme Meadows when he was mentoring the Principal Network of which Bert was a member. Bert worked more closely with Graeme when he first implemented the new Catholic Education Office School Self Reflection Model. Bert joined GM Sponsors in 2014 after Graeme’s sad passing away.

When not working in GM Sponsors capacity, Bert likes to travel, spend time with his family, especially his Grandchildren and to follow his beloved Geelong Football Club.

At GM Sponsors you will have numerous opportunities to see Bert on Conference and Network days as a Sponsorship Facilitator. We at GM are confident that you will find him always approachable and available.

Judy has worked in both the Catholic and State Primary Sectors for 35 years. Judy has taught in all levels of the Primary System and has had specialist roles in both the Arts and Literature. In recent years, Judy has been a Reading Recovery Teacher as well as a Director of Richardson Education, an Educational Tutoring business for Prep to Year 12 students.

Judy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading, travel, and sport. She rarely misses a St. Kilda game, and has travelled all over Australia to see them play.

Chris has been in the Catholic System for all of his Teaching career, initially as a Physical Education teacher, followed by a music and classroom teacher. For the past 27 years, Chris has been the Principal of three Catholic Schools in the South East of Melbourne.

Chris had the pleasure of working with Graeme Meadows on numerous occasions at both a Conference and School Review level.

Leisure time for Chris includes golf (Keysborough G.C), Racing and Syndicating Thoroughbreds, following the Mighty Saints, and spending time with family and friends. When the opportunity arrives, travel is also high on the agenda for Chris.

Since starting at Burwood Teachers College back in 1976, Rod has spent just over 40 years in education. Working mainly in the eastern suburbs as a teacher and Deputy Principal for 16 years, Rod was appointed as Principal at Healesville in 1994 where he stayed for nearly 10 years followed by 12 years at Scoresby. Rod retired mid 2016 to pursue other interests: holidays, fishing and to be able to be involved in GM Sponsors. A long term resident of the Dandenong Ranges and keen follower of the Upwey-Tecoma Tigers football club ( as well as the Mighty Cats ), Rod looks forward to putting back into education through his involvement and partnership in the sponsors in education industry.

Kym retired in 2016 after a very successful career in education spanning 30 plus years. She started out working at The Pines in Frankston, where by chance her first Deputy Principal was Graham Meadows. After moving to the eastern suburbs Kym worked in a number of schools as a teacher, curriculum leader, cluster educator, Deputy Principal and finally as Principal. She looks forward to her involvement with GM Sponsors, supporting the system that gave her so much. In her retirement Kym spends many hours pursuing her passion for travel.

Darrell Mullins was a teacher, consultant and principal in Department of Education schools for over 35 years. Since 2008 he has worked as a school reviewer in DET primary and post primary schools.

He first worked with Graeme Meadows Company and in addition to reviewing duties undertook assistance in sponsorship days for both government and CEO schools. During this time Darrell has coordinated network and regional days. He has continued this long association now with GM sponsors co coordinating sponsorship days and liaising with principals.

Darrell enjoys working with the principal’s and sponsors some of whom have as worked with for many years while at the same time welcoming new sponsors to the network

He acknowledges the great benefit of sponsorship days as bringing the marketplace to schools to the mutual benefit of schools and sponsors.

Lauren has worked in the Early Childhood industry since 1999, enjoying various roles and experiences. She has been an assistant in long day care, a Nanny, a relief Teacher at various Kindergartens in south east Victoria and a Kindergarten Director for 7 years. After having her two children Lauren worked as a Presenter for Sounds Like This For Kids, facilitating music classes for children and their parents for 3 years. She has recently joined the team at Langwarrin Preschool covering Staff lunch breaks.

Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walks with her Spoodle, Sasha, going to see movies and musicals and some good quality dark chocolate.