Parramatta, NSW – 12 December 2023: The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Hetherington as our new Chair of the Board. This transition marks a significant moment as we bid farewell to our outgoing Chair, David Friedlander, who has been an unwavering advocate for public education in Australia for more than 10 years.

David Hetherington, a distinguished leader with a deep commitment to educational excellence, has assumed the role of Chair of the Board effective 22 November 2023. His leadership qualities and commitment to PEF’s mission and values make him the ideal candidate to steer us towards a bright and prosperous future. We are confident that his vision, passion, and personal experience at PEF will continue to drive the Foundation’s mission forward and build upon the legacy of our outgoing Chair.

David Hetherington expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m honoured to be invited to take up the role of Chair at the Public Education Foundation. Over the past seven years, I’ve seen PEF’s work up close and I know full well the profound impact it has on public school students, their families and the public education system more broadly. PEF is underpinned by an outstanding staff team and Board of Directors and I’m excited to be working alongside them in taking the Foundation into its next chapter.”

The outgoing Chair, David Friedlander, who has held the position of Chair of the Board since 2018, has been instrumental in guiding PEF through significant milestones and challenges. His tireless dedication, unwavering support, and relentless pursuit of equity have left an indelible mark on our organisation and the broader education community.

David Riordan, PEF’s CEO, expressed, “It has been an honour to work closely with David Friedlander. He is a committed and hard-working Chair who has created a supportive and positive environment for the Foundation. David never loses sight of the fact that PEF is about providing life-changing scholarships to students in our public schools who are experiencing social and economic disadvantage. In addition, he has focused on supporting teaching and learning excellence. There is no doubt David Friedlander’s departure is a huge loss for PEF however we welcome David Hetherington to the role of Chair and we are excited to work with such an experienced, capable and dedicated leader.”

The Public Education Foundation remains committed to its mission to promote and support students and educators in the Australian public education system, and with David Hetherington at the helm, we anticipate an even brighter future for the organisation and the students we serve.

Please join us in welcoming David Hetherington to the Public Education Foundation Board and in extending our heartfelt gratitude to David Friedlander for his remarkable contributions over the past decade.

For more information please contact:

Paul Somers, Tel: 02 7814 2806

Public Education Foundation: http://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au