Meet our Academic Staff
Mr Dominic Buchta FCES
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL and SENIOR LECTURER in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Dominic Buchta joined Patrick’s College Australia (PCA) in 2009 and has been working in vocational education since 1996. He was appointed Principal in September 2020 after more than a decade of teaching business administration at the College. He holds several qualifications in business, training design and development, and hospitality management. His professional background prior to teaching includes a wealth of experience in marketing management, club administration, the cosmetics industry and the Australian Army Reserve. He has guided hundreds of young women and men to success in gaining paid employment.
Dominic has won numerous accolades throughout his 25 years in management and vocational education which include the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award, and the Tyrell’s Wines Study Tour Bursary where he helped with their 2002 vintage. He has also been sought after to write curriculum for TAFE NSW, Clubs NSW and Cengage. Dominic is committed to lifelong learning and is currently studying Mandarin. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Office Professionals and is a Fellow of the Commercial Education Society of Australia.
Shannon Meddings
LECTURER in SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Shannon Meddings is our Lecturer in Social Media Marketing at PCA. She is a highly experienced Social Media Guru and Fashion Stylist. Her exciting career of almost twenty years of print and media journalism and styling has included roles with Laura Ashley in London (UK), News Corp Australia as Fashion Editor, and as a Fashion Stylist for Channel 10, Channel 7, Shine Group (The Voice), Pacific Magazines (New Idea), Bauer Media (OK Magazine, Womans Day, TV Week, Marie Claire), and as a Celebrity Stylist for the red carpet and media appearances. Shannon also lectures at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University).
Sandra Newdick
LECTURER in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Sandra Newdick joined PCA in 2017 as a Lecturer in Business Administration. She has been teaching for over fifty years in vocational education and is an expert examiner in keyboarding and document production. As well as several qualifications in business administration, Sandra has completed a Teacher’s Diploma with Pitman’s in London, UK. Her teaching style is also complemented by many years of experience as a secretary and office manager herself. Sandra is a Member of the Commercial Education Society of Australia.
Bernie McFarlane
INDUSTRY LIAISON MANAGER and CAREERS COORDINATOR
Bernie McFarlane has twenty years’ experience in guiding and coaching people into the right courses and careers. Her expert networking skills with the corporate world have given her a genius reputation when it comes to understanding the needs of employers. When she’s not assisting students at Patrick’s with their career goals, Bernie runs her own careers consultancy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Deakin University, has completed professional studies in Human Resources and is a Fellow of the Commercial Education Society of Australia.