Meet our School Council

David Radford - President

Hello everyone, I’m your School Council President, David Radford. I’m a former student (yes, it was a while ago now) and three of our four children have either attended or are attending Bairnsdale Secondary College (our youngest is still in primary school). One of my fondest memories of my secondary schooling days was being involved with the school radio station at lunchtimes and spinning vinyl at school discos.

I’d like to think that I’ve had an interesting and varied career path since I left school, which has been centred around common themes of corporate communications, business management and governance in both the private and public sectors. I’d like to think that the skills and qualifications that I have attained, together with my past and present connections with the college, have positioned me well to perform as an effective school councillor.

As a School Council I believe that we are all committed to working with Principal Trudie and staff to get the best outcome for our students and position our school for its future growth as not only the largest leading Secondary College in the East Gippsland region, but as a school of choice for the residents of Bairnsdale and district.

Anita Padula - Vice President

Hello, my name is Anita Padula. I am on BSC school council because I have always wanted to learn how a school runs from a council point of view and because I think I can contribute a positive and common-sense approach to problem solving and working with others towards common goals. 

My family moved to Bairnsdale part-way through the school year in 1982 where I did Grade 6 at Bairnsdale West in Mrs Tatnell's class. My twin, older sister and I all went to Bairnsdale High School (that's what it was called in the 'olden days') and I did my HSC in 1988. My Dad, Mitch Zaric, taught P.E. at Bairnsdale Technical School and loved his job. It’s part of the reason I became a teacher, a job I have been doing for eight years now. I teach Science at Bairnsdale Primary School and I love it too! My husband and I have three sons who are all students at BSC. In my spare time I enjoy relaxing with my family and friends, watching my sons play soccer and when the weather is warm, stand up paddle boarding on the Mitchell River. The picture of me is after one of my son’s recent soccer victories!

David Pollard - Community Member

Hello everyone, my name is David Pollard, and I am a newly Community Co-opted member of the School Council. Many many moons ago, when I was 4, my parents moved my sister, brother and me to Bairnsdale. I went to Bairnsdale West, Sarsfield (no longer exists) and 754 Primary Schools. I spent my secondary schooling at Nagle College. After school I had few jobs around town, met the woman of my dreams and we headed for Melbourne. I had a few more jobs in Melbourne before studying Accounting as a married father of 1. During my study, we had our second child.

After 10 years in Melbourne, my wife and I decided Bairnsdale would be a far better place to raise two kids so home I headed with the family in tow. 19 years later, after working for a few firms in town, I find myself with my own business that we have been operating for 8 years.

I was asked by a long time friend, Jo Rankin, to consider accepting this role. Seeings as I already knew Trudie Nagle and that one of your teachers is my cousin, I thought I’d join the team and support the improvement agenda of the College.

Peter Falla - School Employee Member

Hello my name is Peter Falla. I grew up in Sale attending 545 Sale Primary School moving to Guthridge Primary School in Grade 2. My secondary schooling was at Sale High School. I am a seventh generation “Gippslander”. I have one sister who lives in Sale.  I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren, with another on the way. I attended Hawthorn Institute of Education to obtain my teaching qualification. We have 2 dogs and 1 cat. They are Sunny, Roscoe and Marli the cat. I love to spend my free time boating, camping, fishing and working in the vegetable garden. My favourite holiday places are Thailand and Mallacoota.  I am on School Council as I have an in-depth knowledge of our facilities and have a strong desire to see the re-development of the College continue.

Belinda Anderson - School Employee Member

Hi. I am Belinda Anderson, born and bred in Orbost, East Gippsland. I attended Nagle College before I moved off to Melbourne as a naive 17 year old to study Science with the aim of becoming a teacher or a real Scientist, perhaps even a Geologist. Too many rocks that all looked the same to me led me to pick up a Bachelor of Education to accompany my Bachelor of Science. Ticking the 'anywhere' box with the Education Department way back then, finally landed me at the College where I am the VCE Coordinator. I still look forward to every day and find it hard to think of my daily activities as 'work'.  I nominated for school council as I’m a sticky nose and I like to know what is going on. 😂 I’ve got a lot of knowledge backed up by experience to be a valuable member of this team and I care about improving the outcomes and opportunities of our students”. 

Jade Van Hooydonk - School Employee Member

Hello! My name is Jade van Hooydonk, and I am a Humanities and English teacher at the College. I grew up in Glengarry and attended high school in Traralgon. I have one brother and one nephew who is 3 and lots of fun.

After finishing my schooling, I moved to Melbourne and studied an Arts degree. I then studied a Bachelor of Education (P-12) degree. Once I completed my degree, I moved to Leeds and taught in the UK for 2 years. 

I have no pets but have over 100 indoor plants, which makes me a little potty! I love to spend my free time travelling. Some of my favourite destinations include Russia and Germany. I grew up holidaying all around the Gippsland Lakes and East Gippsland – my family has holiday houses at Loch Sport and at Ocean Grange. One of my favourite destinations in Gippsland is Tamboon Inlet. I have very fond memories of body boarding down the giant sand dune.

I am on School Council as I believe in giving back to the school community, and I wish to continue serving the Bairnsdale Secondary College community in more ways than just my teaching role.

Elise Malberg - School Employee Member

Hajimemashite! My name is Elise. I have been part of our school for over six years; teaching Japanese and science. I love being part of our community in East Gippsland. In my spare time I work with the Apex Club of Bairnsdale and the Squash and Racquetball association to organise community events. Our most recent event was the Colour Ya World festival on Easter Saturday. It was so much fun to be involved with. We are now looking forward to the MS 24 Hour Squash and Racquetball tournament on 1st and 2nd of May and the annual Mother’s Day Classic on Sunday 9th May. 

When I’m on holidays, I love travelling to new places and searching for adventure both within Australia and around the world. I am looking forward to using my passport again soon.

While I’m part of the College Council I hope to continue to promote the school values of respect, responsibility, resilience and improve wellbeing within the College and wider College community.

Grant Sanderson - Parent Member

Hi there, my name is Grant Sanderson and I am one of your School Council Parent representatives. I have lived in in Bairnsdale my entire life (I don’t think I’ll ever escape now) and completed my Secondary schooling at BSC. Some of the teachers that taught me are still at the College which shows their passion for our school and community. I am married and have 3 sons, that are all attending BSC also. I joined the School Council in 2019 and it has been quite an eye opener and seeing how the College operates behind the scenes.

I have run my own garden maintenance business for the past 12 years and employ 2 local people. I enjoy that everyday is different and usually people love their garden and I get to help them in that.

I have competed in and loved Triathlons for the last 30 years, but unfortunately the old age is getting to me now and slowing me down. As  a family we participate in Parkrun 5km event every Saturday morning and see a few teachers and school staff attend also. I  barrack for Hawthorn who haven't started off the season as well as we wanted but still enjoy yelling at the TV every weekend . We don't have any pets but feed the warbling Magpies that visit us daily, morning and night.

In future I hope that many parents wish to join the School Council as its been very interesting and rewarding to be part of the school community and usually find out information before the kids do.

Gary Stephens - Parent Member

Hi my name is Gary Stephens. I was born and raised in Traralgon as the last of three children. My secondary school years hold great memories of battling against Bairnsdale in various basketball competitions I was involved in. Now, after fifteen years of living in Bairnsdale, my loyalties reside here, as Bairnsdale is definitely home.  I’ve been involved in school council  for around five years because our school has such a significant influence on the lives of the young people in our community and their futures can be influenced for better by the decisions and directions our school takes. The last of our four children has entered Year 7 at the College this year so we have seen first hand the importance of the Secondary College influence. Right now, in my spare time, I’m endeavouring to read through some literary classics (presently Great Expectations). After completing degrees in both Biological Science and then Theology I’m now Pastor at the Bairnsdale Presbyterian Church.

Fiona Clarke - Parent Member

Hello my name is Fiona Clarke.I grew up in Heathmont (S.E Melbourne), I went to the local secondary school, Ringwood Secondary College and studied Environmental Science at Deakin University. I have lived in Bairnsdale for nearly 5 years and work in Education Support at Bairnsdale Primary School. I have two children at Bairnsdale Secondary College, Years 7 and 8. I am on school council as I’ve always liked to be involved in my children’s education and believe that it is an excellent way of helping to shape the future direction of the school. In my free time I enjoy walking and training our two dogs, Charlie and Ziggy. 

Other School Council members

Scott Ashley - Treasurer

Leanne Hudson - Parent Member