VSL Executive Team
Members of the EREA Victorian Schools Ltd Council
Working closely with Principals and school leadership teams, the VSL Executive Team supports the everyday operations, planning and priorities that enable schools to thrive. This includes providing expertise across education, finance, governance, people and culture, risk, compliance, strategy and organisational services.
Patrick Murphy
ceo
Pat brings a distinguished career in education. He has served as Principal and Executive Principal across several schools, developing deep expertise in school leadership, student wellbeing, and the formation of young people grounded in Gospel values. Most recently, Pat has served as the President of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) where he has worked closely with some of Australia's most complex and vulnerable student cohorts - experience that is directly relevant to the work of EREA Victorian Schools Ltd.
Pat is a committed Catholic with a deep personal connection to the Edmund Rice mission. He brings both the practical experience of school leadership and the broader perspective of a sector leader who understands the governance, regulatory, and pastoral dimensions of running schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.
Dr Lina Di Paolo
Director of Safeguarding
Lina Di Paolo has extensive system leadership experience gained through roles in Catholic education, government and schools. She is skilled in strategic design and the implementation of initiatives and reforms focused on improving the wellbeing, safety, learning and developmental outcomes of children and young people. Lina has contributed to a range of State and national reference groups in the areas of student wellbeing, engagement and mental health. She is a sessional lecturer teaching wellbeing and child safety subjects in the Master of Education. Her Doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne explored school, family and community engagement
Mark Bellamy
General Counsel
Mark is a highly experienced senior lawyer serving as legal counsel for EREA Victorian Schools Ltd.
He has lengthy experience in education regulation, dispute resolution, child safety, governance and not for profit, and has undertaken extensive post-secondary education including as an AICD graduate. Mark is committed to applying values in the Edmund Rice tradition in a school environment to create safe, successful and sustainable outcomes for all.
Mary Keary
Senior Assurance Advisor
Mary Keary is an experienced education and governance professional with extensive expertise in compliance, risk management and regulatory oversight across the education sector. She brings strong capability in the implementation of Child Safe Standards, the registration and review of schools and education providers, and senior secondary education regulation. Mary has significant experience supporting Boards and Board subcommittees, alongside leading curriculum and assessment development, implementation and training initiatives. Known for her collaborative approach and strategic insight, she is committed to strengthening governance, educational quality and student outcomes through practical, well-informed leadership.
Jo Tusa
Senior Policy Officer
Jo is an education, policy and project management professional with widespread experience across Catholic, independent and government education systems, spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. With a strong background in policy writing, quality assurance and project management, Jo played a key role in implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards within Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, as well as numerous other legislative and policy initiatives including the Child and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes. Within the tertiary sector, Jo has managed complex curriculum review projects and developed and implemented learning and teaching policies and procedures aligned with higher education regulatory frameworks and legal education requirements. Jo’s work reflects a deep commitment to creating safe, accountable, and high-quality educational environments.
