Community Connect

Ruth is a legal professional and non-executive director with over 20 years of corporate law, governance, compliance, company secretarial and risk management experience, particularly in the financial services industry. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a qualified lawyer with a BA and LLB (Hons) from the University of Melbourne.

Ruth has worked for not-for-profit and start-up organisations, private companies, ASX-listed and global entities, managing teams and in greenfields roles. She believes strongly in the value of education and has been a board member of various education boards including childcare/kindergarten and primary school, and is delighted to chair St Aloysius Community Connect, which has been a fun and rewarding way to participate in the school community.

Ruth's daughter Margaret (Peggy) joined the College in 2021 and her son Frederick looks forward to starting in 2026.

Tony Thaus is a Chartered Accountant and financial professional with experience in the insurance, mining and manufacturing industries. Tony is currently a team member at Wesfarmers and previously held roles at Toll Group and Alcoa World Alumina. Tony has supported business operations and leadership to deliver significant business re-structures.

Tony is a father of Olivia, who commenced at St Aloysius in 2022, and Sam who commenced in 2023. Both of Tony’s children enjoy the ACS sport program and the broad opportunities in the music program and annual productions.

Tony joined Community Connect in 2023 as a committee member and Treasurer. He enjoys working alongside the committee and St Aloysius leadership team members to organise opportunities to allow the St Aloysius community to socialise and create long term friendships. Tony looks forward to meeting more members of the St Aloysius community and understanding how he can connect you to like minded parents and carers.

Tony enjoys international travel with his family and supporting his children in their sporting and musical pursuits.

New Zealand born and raised, Matt migrated to Australia in 2001 after completing a Bachelor of Commerce & Management, Diploma in Business Studies and Diploma in Management. Matt is an investment operations professional, employed at Cbus as Senior Middle Office Operations Manager assisting Cbus internalise investment management from an operational perspective. Prior to joining Cbus, with a background in project management and change management, Matt has assisted organisations such as VFMC and Blackrock improve, outsource or insource operational processes.

Matt’s eldest son Wyatt recently joined St Aloysius (Year 7). His youngest son Beau will join St Aloysius in 2027.

Matt is currently a member of Footscray City Primary School social committee which has successfully organised discos, movie nights, raffles and picnics for several years. Matt thought his experience operating within this group would assist in the establishment of Community Connect.