GNLC Board

The Good News Lutheran College Board (the Board) is responsible for conducting the affairs of the College. 

The Board is blessed to be served by a group of volunteers, all of whom have great skills, abilities and insight into the College. GNLC is regularly seeking talented individuals with specific skill sets that could potentially provide renewal and different insights into the governance of the College.

Chairman - Neil Leek

Neil Leek has spent the past 36 years in Business Management at independent schools in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, and Adelaide. He completed his business degree in 1983 and left his employment with the Western Australian Government in 1986, to take up a new career at an independent Christian school in Darwin. He has gained significant experience in the many aspects of school operations, including financial management, strategic planning, master planning and the development of new schools. Neil has been actively involved in the Associations of Independent Schools in the NT and WA, Block Grant Authority NT Board and Treasurer/Board member of Baptist Care NT Ltd and Foodbank NT. He served on the LESNW Finance Committee for several years and is currently a Board member of Narwarddeken Academy Ltd, which establishes and runs independent Aboriginal schools in Arnhem Land. Neil worships at Victor Harbor Baptist Church and serves on the Leadership Team as the Church Treasurer. Neil has a passion for Christian Education and good governance and is delighted to serve the College as a Board member.

Vice Chairman - Russell Wedding

Russell Wedding first joined the GNLC Board in 2017. His wife Karen previously worked as an Integration Aide at the College for eight years. They married in 1994 and have had many fabulous years together. Aside from being a member of the GNLC Board, Russell’s profession is working for Mondelez International as a National Account Manager. Russell is a member of the Wyndham Hobson’s Bay Lutheran Church and worship at St Phillips Lutheran Church on the grounds of the College. Russell was baptised and confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Hamilton. As Vice Chairman, Russell believes it is an honour and blessing to be appointed to the College Board. “I will continue to do my very best to ensure the College continues to grow students academically, while also helping them develop good values and a sense of community, under the leadership of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 

Secretary - Anthony Vassallo  

Anthony Vassallo has a broad background in Business, Information Technology, and Education. He has worked in various countries, including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Germany. He holds a Masters of Management from the University of London, is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, as well as a Sloan Fellow of London Business School. After 20 years in international banking, he pursued his passion for teaching. He has written and conducted numerous training courses on international banking operations, volunteered as a Cub Scout leader, and provided standardized test preparation training and dance classes. He is now the Business Manager and Board Secretary where he combines his business skills and passion for education. 

Board Member – Marion Nott

Marion Nott has been involved in education working directly with students across Kindergarten to Year 12 in a range of capacities including teaching, faculty leadership, campus leadership and regional consultancy and administration. Marion has spent a number of years in the Lutheran Education system, some of these as the Assistant Director of Lutheran Education in the South Eastern Region. It is a pleasure for her to reconnect with the Good News Community (having acted as Secretary to the Board previously), to acknowledge the wonderful development of the College, and to have this opportunity to serve God and the Lutheran and educational communities in the Werribee area.

Board Member - Graeme Simpkin

Graeme Simpkin has been a serving member of the Board since 2009 and was nominated to the Board as a representative of the Wyndham Hobson’s Bay Lutheran Church. His professional background is in Engineering and Computer Science. He has been involved with the College since before its inception when the steering committee were surveying potential properties around Wyndham to locate the College. “It has been a privilege to watch the community of Good News develop over the years, and I pray that both the staff and the families who attend Good News will be blessed by their involvement with the College.”

Board Member - Jesse Spike

Jesse Spike's professional experience is rooted in Accounting and Finance having worked as an auditor for four years, and now as a Business Analyst at Village Roadshow Entertainment. He has always held a passion for developing young minds and for Lutheran mission. He claims it to be a real blessing to be involved with a school driven to achieve these goals. “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve at GNLC, to which I was elected in 2023. I have previously served as a treasurer and Council member in churches and have a passion for youth being heavily involved previously as a youth leader and leader CLWs.”