Ian Welch

Award: Exemplary Contribution to Tasmanian Catholic Education
Ian Welch

Ian Welch was one of the first three employees of Guilford Young College (GYC) who set up the systems before it began operation on its two campuses. The trio of Ian, Sr Pamela Davis and Mrs Rose Stevens worked from a house in Duke Street Sandy Bay in 1994 getting ready for the start of 1995 when the College came into operation with over 600 students.

Ian was born in England where he attended Salesian College in Farnborough, Hampshire. He left England bound for Canada in 1973, but found work in the Pilbara mines in Western Australia. He studied business at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) and gained valuable experience in accounting with various firms. He met his wife Carmel in Western Australia and decided to settle in Tasmania. Ian decided the Tasmanian lifestyle and climate was for him, and suited his passion for bushwalking.

In Tasmania he started his career with the Savings Bank of Tasmania in Hobart before moving to St Mary’s College. From there it was a logical step to his role as ‘registrar’ (now business manager) at GYC, where he has stayed. Ian has loved his work at GYC which involves much more than just looking after the $13 million annual budget. He is responsible for compliance and regulations and has had a role in the development of building projects, such as the exciting Creative Arts Link which is taking shape at the Glenorchy Campus. He has loved working in an environment where the philosophy dovetails exactly with his own. A cradle Catholic, Ian is an active member of the community at John Paul II Church where he reads and has been a member of the finance committee.

Ian is well-deserving of the Award for Exemplary Contribution to Tasmanian Catholic Education.