School Council

Michael McManus 

Hi, I’m Michael. I have two boys, Otto in grade 2 and Emil currently in kinder at the Molesworth Campus. I’m looking forward to being involved in School Council with a particular interest in supporting the Building and Grounds committee to improve and maintain our excellent public school. As an Architect with my own local business of 11 years designing homes and outdoor spaces, I’m excited to draw on my professional skills to assist the school wherever possible. In my free time, I’m enjoying re-learning to 'play' as an adult. New passions include (hey call it mid-life!) skating, learning to play guitar and getting out and about at the local table tennis or basketball court. 

Yvonne Charasse 

I moved from Switzerland to Australia 15 years ago and living in North Melbourne since 12 of them! We liked North Melbourne for its location and proximity to the city but it had a 'village' feel us. Once we had our child we recognised the amazing community as well. We is my husband Alex and my son Enzo (grade 3) and I. We speak French, German and English at home, sometimes all at once and we like all things food related. I joined the school council as a parent member to gain insight to the Australian education system as it becomes increasingly more important and I believe with my work background, I can bring valuable skills to the council.

Bonnie Piyasena 

Hi, I’m Bonnie (she/her, NMPS alum) and this is my first year on the School Council. My daughter Maisie is in Grade 2 at NMPS and her younger sister is due to start Prep in 2028. We moved to North Melbourne/Naarm just over two years ago and have loved becoming part of the local community and exploring the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung and Bunurong peoples. Before this, our family lived in Brisbane on Yugara and Turrbal Country. Professionally, I am a policy and advocacy specialist currently working for a national peak organisation that promotes the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Within the school, I am also a Grade 2 parent representative and I will bring what I hear and learn in that role to my work as a school councillor.I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with the school community to strengthen connections and help NMPS become a welcoming and inclusive place at the centre of the community.

Rocío Corona 

Hello, I am Rocío Corona, a first-year parent member of the North Melbourne Primary School council. I am enrolled in the Biz-E-Kidz and Parents & Friends sub-committees and look forward to supporting our community. I am a paediatric registered nurse and enjoy most working with families to support children. My daughter is in prep school and Biz-E-Kidz. Our family enjoys reading, practicing Spanish, traveling, board games, gardening and music.

Laura Mirsch 

Laura is a strategy and transformation executive who has spent her career helping organisations navigate complex challenges and deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes. She brings a practical, systems-focused approach, with experience across large-scale retail and operational environments. She is a mom of two children at NMPS and lives locally with her family (and their very enthusiastic rescue dog, Billie). Like many parents, her days are a mix of school drop-offs, busy work schedules, and trying to keep life running smoothly at home. Laura cares deeply about strong communities and great education, and values the diverse and connected community at NMPS. On School Council, she is particularly interested in contributing to clear strategic direction, strong governance, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Lubna Meempatta

 Hi everyone! I am honoured to join the NMPS School Council. Our family has been part of the school community for seven years; with my eldest having finished Year 6 last year, my second child in Year 1, and my youngest starting in a couple of years, I look forward to giving back and supporting our school’s vibrant community. Professionally, I work in water policy and engineering within a State Government Department (DEECA). My work focuses on regulating large and potentially hazardous dams across the state to protect our communities, alongside improving how we manage our water resources for a sustainable future. I’ve previously worked with the student council at the University of Melbourne, advocating for student parents and childcare access while completing my PhD. At home in North Melbourne, life is wonderfully busy with three children. I enjoy tackling hard Sudokus, jigsaw puzzles, and exploring regional Victoria or local trails on family bike rides.

 Noriko Miltenburg 

Hello NMPS community! My name is Noriko – I am a school councillor and have been doing so the last five years(!). The school council has several sub-committees, and I convene the Building and Grounds (B&G) Committee, where we help manage the school’s property and grounds. We concurrently work on several projects at Errol Street Campus at any one time, large and small. The campus has been particularly busy recently and I am thrilled to announce the successful completion of our two-staged toilet renovation projects this week. I look forward to seeing kids and teachers' reactions to this new space! We are now starting improvement works in some specialist rooms and longawaited Southside playground, aiming to make the playground a more fit and fun place for senior year students. This project will be funded by the school community through Parents and Friends activities, and we’re grateful for everyone’s effort to make this happen. I have two boys in Year 5 and 6. Our family loves food, travelling, and the big fun of skiing. I also run a design studio in North Melbourne, focusing on architectural design and have worked on commercial projects in Japan, Australia, Holland, and Austria. North Melbourne Primary School has a unique character with students of diverse cultural backgrounds. I find it very special and embrace it, being truly happy to have my kids studying in this environment. I will continue to work together with the school and the community to create a great learning environment for our kids. Please feel free to say hello if you see me around the school – I’d love to chat! 

Lelia Ursache

My name is Lelia, first time council member and mother of a Year Three and a Preppie at NMPS. I have been working in Landscape Architecture and Design for the past ten years, including design, costing, implementation and project management for both domestic and commercial sectors. Currently managing a team of designers and 5 building teams, designing and building exclusively for the domestic sector. I love my area of work, it is always changing and definitely full of challenges and somewhat stressful at times! My position has also provided me with a broad area of expertise that I am looking forward to sharing with the school and by extension with the broader community. I was born in Romania, moved to France when I was young and lived in Canada just before coming to Australia fifteen years ago. We have been in North Melbourne for more than ten years and love our neighbourhood and the amazing NMPS community. I love travelling, spending time with friends and family, trying new things, creative arts and being in nature.