Tom Sexton has been appointed Chair of the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group, succeeding Nichii Mardon, who has served in the role since 2019.
Mr Sexton is Executive Director of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL). A long-standing leader in regional education, he brings a strong commitment to supporting rural communities and advocating for equitable access to quality education.
Mr Sexton said he was looking forward to the role and to working closely with The Hon Scott Ryan, the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), and with directors and CEOs across the network to advocate on issues of high priority for rural, regional and remote Catholic education.
“With a new federal funding agreement to be negotiated, this is a very important time for our collective voice to be heard,” Mr Sexton said.
“Our regional and remote schools are deeply connected to their communities. This group exists to make sure the realities on the ground – what it takes to keep schooling accessible for students in rural and remote locations, to attract and keep great staff, to support student wellbeing, and to sustain learning in smaller or more isolated settings – are front and centre when national decisions are made,” Mr Sexton said.
The Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group is a national network of senior Catholic education leaders operating with the support of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).
The group was established to provide a stronger national forum for dioceses with regional and remote Catholic schools, and to ensure the distinct opportunities and challenges of these communities are reflected in policy, funding and reform discussions.
Its work includes collaboration on shared priorities such as workforce sustainability, access to professional learning, infrastructure pressures, student wellbeing, and equitable funding – supporting Catholic schools in regional and remote settings.
“I want to acknowledge and thank Nichii Mardon for her outstanding leadership as Chair since 2019. Nichii has been a strong advocate for Catholic education beyond the major cities, and I’m pleased she will continue to contribute as an active member of the group,” Mr Sexton said.
During her tenure, Ms Mardon strengthened national collaboration and advocacy on issues including educational access, teacher recruitment and retention, student wellbeing, and equity of opportunity for students in non-metropolitan areas.
With around 40 percent of Catholic schools located in regional, rural or remote Australia, the group provides a coordinated national voice to highlight what these communities need to thrive.
The directors meet regularly to share evidence and practical solutions, and to strengthen advocacy with governments and partners on the issues that most affect rural, regional and remote schools.
The group also engages with federal decision-makers to ensure the perspectives of geographically dispersed communities inform national discussions on education reform and regional development.
A meeting will be held in the coming weeks to review and refine the group’s key national priorities for 2026 and beyond. Under Mr Sexton’s leadership, the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group will continue working to strengthen outcomes for students and staff in regional, rural and remote Catholic schools, and to ensure the needs of these communities are clearly reflected in national policy and funding decisions.