The appointment of a new director for the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes signifies hope for the future of the Catholic Diocese, which has been uncertain in recent times.
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Anthony Morgan arrived a week ago ready to start the new school term as the Director of Schools in the Catholic Education Office, which is based in Forbes.
Mr Morgan will be in charge of 18 schools in the diocese which is large and diverse from as far north as Brewarrina to as far west as Broken Hill.
Coming from his most recent position in Sydney, Mr Morgan brings a lot of experience to the role, having worked all around Tasmania, as well as in senior positions in Sydney including policy-writing for the Sydney Catholic Education.
“I personally come from a very broad background, so I can bring in connections from all over,” he said.
Mr Morgan is looking forward to his time in the area, although he has to get used to this heat.
“It’s one of these coincidences in life,” he said.
“I have a love for rural and remote areas and didn’t enjoy living in Sydney.
“I’ve chosen to come here because it’s where I want to be and I expect to be here for at least 10 years, which I’m looking forward to.”
Mr Morgan hopes to build quality teaching and learning in the schools throughout the diocese and is particularly interested in rural and regional areas.
“I’d like to see national standards across all schools in the area,” he said.
“It is vitally important that kids in rural and regional areas get the same standard of education as all of Australia.
“There are always challenges in rural and regional areas but there are a lot of solutions in technology which can bring schools together.”
Mr Morgan’s appointment comes as the Catholic Church was deciding whether it was going to reshape various dioceses around Australia.
Mr Morgan said they decided not to do this because people did not want the diocese to be broken up.
“The diocese is going forward,” he said.
“The appointment of a new director is a sign of confidence in the future.”
A commissioning mass will be held in Forbes on February 18 to welcome Mr Morgan.
This will be a big occasion with directors from all around Australia coming to attend, as well as the principals of all the schools in the diocese and Mr Morgan’s friends and family.
