The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) met for the first time on Wednesday 7 August with a new mandate from the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education (BCCE).

After the NCEC meeting Chair of the BCCE, Bishop Greg O’Kelly, celebrated mass at the St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) Chapel on the St Patrick’s campus of the Australian Catholic University. Mass was followed by a dinner hosted by Bishop O’Kelly to recognise the significant contribution of Mrs Therese Temby and Dr Bill Griffiths to the NCEC and the life of Catholic education in Australia. Mrs Temby was NCEC Chair for 5 years from September 2008 to July 2013.

Dr Bill Griffiths was appointed Chief Executive Officer of NCEC in 2008 and completed his term in July this year.

His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the papal nuncio to Australia, was present for the mass and dinner together with Archbishop Denis Hart, Bishop Gerard Holohan and former NCEC Chair Monsignor Tom Doyle AO.

Also joining the celebration through mass and dinner were Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing representing the Prime Minister and the Hon Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minster for Education.

The new NCEC Chair, The Hon Greg Crafter AO and Mr Ross Fox as the new NCEC Executive Director were in attendance.

His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher presented the papal honour of Dame Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great to Mrs Temby in recognition of her distinguished contribution to Catholic education.

Bishop Greg O’Kelly commended Mrs Temby, Dr Griffiths and Mr Fox for the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations with the Government concerning school funding noting that many months of strong negotiations have resulted in the successful outcomes that now have bipartisan support.