The head of the Province of Brisbane, Most Rev Mark Coleridge, has announced Dr Lee-Anne Perry as successor to the retiring Mike Byrne as Executive Director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) from late July 2015.

In a statement on behalf of his brother bishops in the province, Archbishop Coleridge said with the forthcoming retirement of Mr Mike Byrne as Executive Director of the QCEC, the Bishops of the Province are happy to announce the appointment of Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM as the new Executive Director.

“Dr Perry has for many years been a distinguished Principal of All Hallows’ School in Brisbane and has had wide experience of education in Queensland and beyond,” Archbishop Coleridge said.

“She is the first woman to be appointed to the position.

“The Bishops are confident that Dr Perry will be a vital contributor to the development of Catholic Education in Queensland at a time of some political and financial uncertainty.”

The appointment will take effect from Monday 27 July 2015.

Dr Perry is currently Principal of All Hallows’ School, Brisbane, and has provided outstanding leadership to that community since 1999. Prior to taking up that appointment, Dr Perry served as Principal of Mt Alvernia College, Kedron (1993-1998) and of Mt Carmel College, Wynnum (1990-1992), following a teaching career in state and Catholic schools both in New South Wales and Queensland.

Dr Perry holds a Doctor of Education from the Queensland University of Technology, a Master of Education, Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Christian Leadership.

In 2009 Dr Perry was appointed as the Catholic Religious Australia (Queensland) representative on the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) and is currently Deputy Chair of the Commission. Over many years she has also served the Commission as a member of the QCEC Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Industrial Relations Committee and Political Action Advisory Subcommittee.

In 2014 Dr Perry was awarded the Member (AM) of the Order of Australia and in 2011 was recognised as an outstanding leader by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. Dr Perry was also awarded Woman of the Year (Brisbane Zonta 2009) and received an Australian Government National Award for Quality Schooling and Excellence as a Principal (2007).