OUR VISIONARIES
BRENTON AND LYNETTE SCHIER Members at St Philip’s Werribee, Brenton and Lyn were inaugural Good News parents. Their sons, Aiden and Keenan, attended the school. Brenton served as a member and Treasurer on both the SDT and School Council plus was a member of the Grounds Committee. As well as effectively managing the school’s finances, Brenton worked constantly on the grounds and was forever coming up with ways to improve the school experience for students. He built seating for the students in the playground, drove the ride-on mower, moved truckloads of bark so the front of the school looked more attractive and even spent a short period as the school’s maintenance man. As well as her tireless volunteer work, Lyn worked unpaid for a number of years in an administrative role. She contributed to the marketing of the school in the early years, played an important role in the design of the school’s uniform and along with others, spent many weekends at school watering the trees. Lyn was initially employed in the role of Bursar in 2000 and continues to serve the College in the Finance Office to this day. VLAD PESKA Past parent and member at Christ the Lord Laverton, Vlad served as a member of the SDT and on the School Council. He is also a former Good News School Association Secretary. As the representative at Christ the Lord, he was the driving force behind the amazing, varied support provided to the school by the Slovak congregation. It was noted at an SDT meeting in early 1994, that “the Slovaks are good at taking hold of a project and moving it.” This was definitely the case and the school’s vision was blessed abundantly as a result of their involvement.
FOUNDATION ASSOCIATES
To realise the vision for a new school requires dedication, commitment and perseverance. These are the qualities that our Foundation Associates encompass – the group of local Lutherans who worked tirelessly to establish and grow GNLC:
MICHAEL STOLZ Michael was Chair at St Philip’s Werribee and a member of the School Development Team (SDT). His father, Fred, had established two colleges from scratch, so as well as genuine enthusiasm, Michael brought with him valuable knowledge about what needed to be done to realise the Good News vision in Melbourne’s west. Michael was actively involved in negotiations to buy the land at 580 Tarneit Road. His relationship with the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) was crucial to ensuring that finance was in place to facilitate the purchase.
JOHN BELANI John is a member at Christ the Lord Laverton and was a member of the SDT and then the School Council. He also served as a member of the school’s Fundraising Committee and generously donated the cross to Good News in 2007. John’s company, Belani Builders built the first two stages of the school. “I am humbled and grateful to our Lord to have had the opportunity to be involved,” recalls John, who connects his relationship with the College to Philippians 4:19 — “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
ROGER AND MARIE SCHWARZ Roger and Marie devoted their lives to Good News for the duration of Roger’s tenure as its first Principal. Roger’s dedication and hands-on approach saw him involved in every aspect of school life. He forged strong relationships with parents and the School Council. Marie served as a tireless volunteer, setting up the school library, helping with countless class relocations and establishing a Bible study group. She also helped develop a stronger, deeper relationship between GNPS and the Slovak congregation at Christ the Lord Laverton through her regular volunteering at the Good News book shop in Altona.
BILL KENNEDY Bill served as Chairman on both the SDT and School Council. He also held the role of School Council Vice Chair. A member at St Philip’s Werribee, he recalls taking on leadership roles at Good News “without knowing what [he] was in for!” Bill was very involved in coordinating the school’s early working bees. He was usually the first one there preparing the many tasks that needed to be completed on the day. Reminiscing about his involvement with GNLC, he was most proud “that an extraordinary God uses ordinary people to build an extraordinary school.”
NOEL GOLTZ Noel has a long association with GNLC. He is a current College Board Director, former Vice Chairman of the Good News School Association, former Chair of the School Council and former Chairperson of the Parents and Friends’ Association. Noel is a past parent and current member at Wyndham Hobsons Bay Lutheran Church, where he serves as Treasurer on the Church Council. Noel’s commitment to GNLC is reflected in the many hours he has spent contributing to council and committee meetings, manning the barbeque at sausage sizzles and helping out at working bees.
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