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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).

Rose-Mary Cassin

Company Secretary of Xavier College Foundation Limited.
Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne
Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Rose-Mary is the daughter of an Old Xaverian, Niece of 6 Old Xaverians and mother of 2 Old Xaverians Michael (OX 2008) and James (OX 2012), She was also a member of the Executive Committees of Burke Hall/Xavier College Mothers’ Associations from 2006 to 2012. She was very honoured to be invited to join the current Foundation Board. She had attended meetings of the previous Board as a Trustee, representing the Burke Hall/Xavier College Mothers’ Associations, and knew the high standard and importance of the work carried out by the Board on behalf of Xavier College. Her priority is to assist the continuation of this work through the complete and accurate recording of the matters discussed and decisions made at Board meetings.

Patrick Cody

B.Bus Monash University

Pat is an Old Boy from the Class of 1983 and proudly comes from a family with a historical association and philanthropic support to Xavier College and Catholic institutions.

He is a father to four daughters and involved actively at their school. He is conscious of the sacrifices made by parents to afford a private schooling for their children and the important role the Xavier Foundation plays in assisting those less fortunate families. A stockbroker with Bell Potter and 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 solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community.’ His involvement with the Foundation dates back to 2001 when he was approached by legendary past teacher and active supporter of the College, Graham Sharp, to join the Investment Committee. He is pleased to have, along with an active and highly experienced Investment Committee, assisted in the growth of the Foundation corpus. He joined the Foundation Board in March 2014

William Doherty (Principal)

William has been a passionate educator across boy and co-curricular 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)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons) | Monash University
Bachelor of Science (Genetics & Biochemistry) | Monash University

Michel graduated from Xavier College in 1997 and has been actively involved with the Old Xaverians’ Association (where he currently serves as Vice President) and the Old Xaverians’ Soccer Club (as a player and committee member).

Michel joins the board with almost 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, M&A, business integration and national sales.

Michel’s life is very busy with three young children (two daughters and a son who will be commencing at Xavier College in 2030).   As a past student, active old boy and future parent, Michel has a keen interest in ensuring that Xavier College continues its tradition of excellence.

Damien Farrell (OX 1989)

Damien Farrell (OX 1989) 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 attended Kostka Hall from 1972 then moved on to Xavier in 1977 leaving in 1980 after completing his HSC.

He went on to Monash University and Chisholm studying Banking and Finance.

Damien played football at the Old Xavs from 1981 until 1991. He joined the football club committee in 1987 until 2001, of which he was vice president for 6 years 1993 to 1999.

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

His son Will Honan went to Xavier graduating in 2015, now at PWC and a current player with the Old Xavs.

Damien started at Honan Insurance Group in 1984. He became the Chief Executive Officer in 1993, taking over the business his father had established in 1964.

A natural visionary and entrepreneur, Damien successfully transformed Honan from a family business into a global organisation, which is now recognised as one of the largest independent brokers in the Asia Pacific. He recently sold a large share to TA a USA Private Equity company.

In November 2001, Damien’s dream of transforming Honan into a global business was realised when Honan Insurance Group became a member of the Worldwide Broker Network (WBN), the world’s largest network of independent property & casualty brokers and employee benefits consultants. This gave Honan the capability to provide a truly integrated global service.

Over the years Honan’s partnership with the WBN strengthened, with Honan solidifying their position as the Risk Partner of Choice in Australia and New Zealand, eventually encompassing the entire Asia Pacific region with offices also in Singapore and KL as well as Re insurance licenses in Asia.

In 2009, Damien was elected Chairman of WBN for 2 consecutive years. At that time the revenue of the WBN was US$5B. After his appointment, Damien continues his affiliation with the WBN as a NonExecutive Director. Honan today has over 400 employees with offices in every capital city in Australia and some large regional cities as well as New Zealand and Singapore and KL. Honan has also domiciled their first employee in the United States of America to work closely with our affiliated partners.

Damien has always felt strongly about partnering with the right organisations and groups, in particular those that share the same passions as him and work towards improving the community.

Sponsorship is Honan’s way of showing appreciation and support, for the organisations and groups that continue to shape personal and professional lives, as well as the lives of those around us.

We are proud to have been able to provide support and get involved with a number of local organisations and groups, including the Dunbar Rovers Football Club, Old Xavs, St Kilda Football Club, City 2 Surf, The Reach Foundation, Doxa Youth, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, Ride to Conquer Cancer, WBN Charitable Foundation and more.

Damien is also an active member in the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) for the last 23 years and has since established several global relationships in his network.

Damien is married to Sally. Since the sale to TA, Damien has assumed the role of Executive Chairman.

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 (Year 12), Daniel (Year 11) and Owen (Year 7). 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 & his wife Kate have a son who is currently in Year 8 at Burke Hall.

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.

Peter Walsh (OX 1959)

Lawyer & Trustee
Eldon Hogan & Ryan/Tutton Trust
Foundation Ignatian Circle Benefactor

Peter’s Education at Xavier began at Burke Hall 1948 to 1954, then Senior Campus 1955 to 1959. He completed a Law degree at Melbourne University. He was assistant Secretary Old Xaverians’ Association 1965 to 1966, secretary Old Xaverians’ Association 1966 to 1980 and President Old Xaverians’ Association 1981.

Due to Peter’s great interest in Xavier College many Old Xaverians sought advice on legal matters in particular their will. A great number of these clients also wanted to remember Xavier in their will and as a result Peter was able to advise them the best way of bequesting grants to Xavier and at the same time appointed Peter as their Trustee.

Peter’s interest in Kostka Hall is a result of his step sons Simon (OX 1984) and Damian (OX 1986) attending Kostka Hall and he has always expressed his praise for the Campus Heads and their staff over the years.