Our People

CCER has a team of qualified legal and employment relations practitioners on staff. Its management team consists of the following people.

Tony Farley, Executive Director

Tony Farley joined CCER as the Executive Director in May 2008. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree, several qualifications in industrial law, negotiations and a Graduate Diploma in Communications.

Tony has a wealth of experience in employment relations and leadership roles.  He was previously the Director, Workforce Development for the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service.

Prior to this he held a senior executive position in the NSW Department of Health and was a member and Chairperson on the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council. Tony has a particular interest in change management and dispute resolution.

Anne Byrne

Anne Byrne is the Manager of the Parish, Diocesan and Religious Institutes (PDRI) Team. She assists congregational leaders, diocesan managers and parish personnel with workplace issues such as performance and disciplinary matters, terminations, award interpretation, drafting of employment contracts and development of workplace policies.  

Anne has represented PDRI employers in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and has developed and presented numerous training programs on employment relations issues, including compliance, recruitment and selection, risk management, performance management, OH&S, child protection and workplace policies.  

Anne has worked at CCER for almost 9 years, and previously worked for 4 years with the Catholic Industrial Office.  Her experience is complemented by a Bachelor of Arts degree (with an Industrial Relations major) from the University of NSW.

Anna Humphries

Anna Humphries is the Manager of the Catholic Independent Schools Team. Anna’s career in employment relations commenced over eight years ago when she began working for a trade union. Since then, she has worked for a large private sector law firm and for the Crown Solicitor’s Office.

Anna advises Catholic employers as to how they can implement “best practice” employment relations strategies. She also regularly defends claims on behalf of Catholic employers.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She is currently studying a Master of Laws at Sydney University.

Eric Leahy

Eric Leahy has worked in employee relations for over fifteen years, including experience in a large financial institution and as a National Industrial Officer for a trade union.  He holds degrees in Economics and Law, has a Master of Labour Law and Relations and a Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice.  Eric was admitted to practice as a solicitor in NSW in 1999 and is a member of the Law Society of New South Wales.  He has worked at Blake Dawson Waldron Lawyers and at Australian Business Lawyers where he was appointed a Senior Associate. 

Eric joined CCER in August 2003 and since that time has assisted employers with award negotiations (in particular, those affecting teachers); disciplinary matters; industrial disputes; discrimination claims; drafting employment contracts, contractor agreements and policies; superannuation matters; unfair dismissals and unfair contract claims.  He has spoken at in-house conferences and seminars and is a trained mediator. Eric regularly writes for CCH Australian Industrial Law News. In July 2005, Eric was appointed Manager of the Systemic Schools Team. 

Philip Marchionni

Philip Marchionni is the Manager of the Social Welfare Team. Philip brings with him significant employment relations experience gained from having worked in a number of industries, including at a senior level in government agencies and employee associations.  Philip holds a number of post-graduate qualifications including a Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the University of Sydney.

He is an Executive Member of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW. Philip has also held positions as a lay member of one of the NSW Bar Association’s Professional Conduct Committees, as a Director of The Aged Care Rights Service and as a Director of CHOICE.

Norm Maroney

Norm is the Manager of the Employment Screening, Risk and Compliance Team. He provides advice and support to Catholic employers on legislative requirements relating to child protection

Norm’s career began in the New South Wales Police, with over thirty years in Criminal Investigation. Norm was Homicide Officer for a number of years and was involved in investigations regarding child related matters. He attained the rank of Assistant Police Commissioner within the State Command. Whilst a member of NSW Police, Norm was seconded to the National Crime Authority for 4 years, as Chief Investigator and Deputy Director/Acting Director for Operations.

In 2004 Norm was Chairman of a Catholic primary school board. He is an Official Visitor under the NSW Mental Health Act, is State Chairman of Special Olympics NSW (Intellectually Disabled Sports) and a Member Protection Information Officer with the Australian Sports Commission.

Norm has a Diploma in Criminology from Sydney University and a Management Certificate. He is the holder of a current Licence under Commercial Agents and Private Inquiry Agents Act 1963.  Prior to being employed with CCER he performed some assessment work with the Professional Standards National Office. 

Nevine Piperides

Nevine is currently the Strategic Planning & Training Manager, having joined CCER in 2004.  She has responsibility for a number of areas including: assisting the Executive Director to develop strategies for improving the delivery of CCER services to members, monitoring progress against the Strategic Management Plan, co-ordinating training & professional development opportunities provided by CCER to member organisations and co-ordinating training for CCER Secretariat staff.

Nevine holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney with majors in Economics and Industrial Relations.  Nevine has worked in the area of human resources for over 20 years.  Her experience is predominantly within the public sector, having worked for a major utility.  She has significant experience in the areas of human resources policy and strategy, graduate development, reward and recognition and equity and diversity.