From the QLD Chapter President

Dear QLD Chapter Members,

We began 2026 on a truly special note, celebrating 35 years of Educate Plus in Queensland with a memorable reception at Government House. It was a privilege to gather with Committee and Board members, Fellows, and partners, to reflect on the strength, professionalism and generosity that have shaped our Chapter over more than three decades. The evening was a powerful reminder of the impact of our community — and a fitting way to launch a milestone year.

Welcome to 2026 — a year that promises fresh momentum, renewed connection, and a shared commitment to strengthening our Advancement profession across Queensland.

Our dedicated Committee of 20 has planned a year of high-quality professional development, including refreshed Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions and our much-loved Coffee Catch-ups across Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. These gatherings remain at the heart of our Chapter — practical, welcoming spaces to learn, share and connect.

I am also delighted to welcome EnrolHQ as our 2026 Chapter Event Sponsor. Their generous support strengthens our community, and I encourage you to learn more about the innovative services they provide to the education sector.

We have had a wonderful start to the year, with the success of our first SIG event – which featured an In Conversation session with Ben Thurlow, Head of Foundation at the Queensland Rugby Union, facilitated by QLD Committee member Lara Pickering. This was followed by three concurrent SIG sessions across People & Culture, Fundraising, and Marketing & Communications — which offered practical insights and tailored peer-led discussion. And coming up, we have the QLD Chapter Coffee Catch Ups on Thursday 30 April (Multiple Locations) and Friday 1 May (Toowoomba). For your convenience, these will be hosted across multiple locations, and it would be wonderful to see as many of you come together to connect with colleagues as possible.   

Further ahead, Queensland is proud to host the 2026 Educate Plus International Conference at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 1–4 September. This flagship event will bring our national and international community together for learning, networking and inspiration. Early bird registrations are now open, and I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

I also encourage members to participate in the State of the Sector Survey, currently being conducted, in partnership with McCrindle Research. This work will strengthen our collective understanding of the Advancement landscape while also providing valuable benchmarking data that members can take back to their own organisations to support planning, conversations and strategic decision making. To complete the State of the Sector Survey, click here.

As always, your Chapter is here to support you — through events, mentoring, and connection. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas, feedback or suggestions on how we can continue to enhance your Educate Plus membership.

Together, let’s make 2026 a year of connection, collaboration and shared success.

Warm regards,
Susan McGinley
QLD Chapter President | educate+

Director of Advancement
The Women’s College within the University of Queensland