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

Welcome to our Newest Members

We extend a very warm welcome to our latest Members, who have recently joined us since the last Chapter eNewsletter.

We are thrilled to have you as part of our Chapter community!

Shortly you will receive details of the next online ‘New Member Meet-Up’ event, where you will have the opportunity to hear from the team at educate+, receive assistance in navigating the website and community portal, and meet with colleagues across the Network. We can’t wait to meet you!

Hurry – Early Bird Closes in 1 Week!

With more than 800 Delegates expected to attend, the Building Futures International Conference is shaping up to be the defining Advancement event of the year.

If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to secure your place and take advantage of Early Bird savings before they close on 31 March.

Designed to connect, challenge and elevate practitioners across every area of Advancement, the International Conference brings together global perspectives, practical insights and conversations that will stay with you long after the event.

Across four days, you’ll hear from leading voices, explore new ideas and engage in sessions that are built to stretch thinking and inspire action.

So where does your practice go from here… and what could shift if you were surrounded by fresh perspectives?

As the Advancement landscape continues to evolve, this is your opportunity to be part of the energy, the ideas and the community shaping what comes next.

Excellence Awards – Nominate Now

We encourage all members to nominate themselves, their team, their leaders and/or their suppliers for the prestigious 2026 Educate+ Excellence Awards.

The Educate+ Excellence Awards are our premier industry honours, held every two years to celebrate the very best in Advancement across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

The Awards shine a spotlight on the projects, people and teams who are not only raising the bar in the work they do, but also reshaping what is possible for our institutions and communities through courage, creativity and impact.

For more information and to nominate for an Award, CLICK HERE

The Awards will be presented at the Building Futures International Conference, to be held in Brisbane 1-4 September 2026.

	Admissions Campaign Admissions Event Admissions Collateral (Publications to be submitted in the Marketing category under Publication) NOMINATE NOW
	Alumni or Community Engagement Campaign Alumni or Community Event Alumni or Community Collateral (Publications to be submitted in the Marketing category under Publication) NOMINATE NOW
	Annual Giving Traditional Giving Appeal Capital Campaign or Major Gifts Campaign Bequest program or Stewardship program NOMINATE NOW
	Marketing and Communications Campaign Marketing and Communications Digital Campaign Marketing and Communications Video Campaign Marketing and Communications / Admissions / Alumni or Community Engagement Publication NOMINATE NOW
	Workplace Wellbeing Program Outstanding HR Initiative NOMINATE NOW
	Open to any Categories NOMINATE NOW
	Fellows Supplier Award – Leading the Industry Forward Supplier Award – Serving Our Teams Team Award Newcomer Award Mentor Award Volunteer Award Institutional Leader Award Trevor Wigney Award

Upcoming Events

You Are Invited…

We invite you to join us at our upcoming events, where you can deepen your professional knowledge, exchange ideas and connect with peers across our community. Whether you are looking to build new skills or strengthen your network, there is an opportunity waiting for you to connect, learn and grow.

	IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENTS THU 30 APR: QLD CHAPTER Coffee Catch-Ups (Multiple Locations) Gold Coast: The Southport School, Old Southportonian’s Pavilion 7:30 – 9:00am Sunshine Coast: Forest Glen Artisan Cafe, Village Centre Way, IGA Complex, Forest Glen 9:00 – 10:00am University/Colleges: Patina at Alumni Court, UQ 7:30 – 8:30am Inner West Metro: Hunter & Scout, Graceville 7:30 – 8:30am Inner North Metro: St Margaret’s Canopy Cafe, Ascot 9:00 – 10:00am Bray Park: The Park Coffee Shop, Genesis Christian College, 9:30 – 10:30am Inner South/East Metro: Arches Cafe, Churchie 7:30 – 9:00am Please indicate which venue you will be attending at the time of registration. FRI 1 MAY: QLD CHAPTER Coffee Catch-Up (Toowoomba) NEW FRI 29 MAY: QLD SIGs (SAVE THE DATE)
	WEBINARS & ONLINE EVENTS TUE 24 MAR: Regional Conversations – Leadership, Culture and Influence  WED 25 MAR: Why Purpose-Led Schools Will Thrive in 2026: Building Brand, Philanthropy and Community Loyalty (Despite AI)  TUE 31 MAR: Successful Awards Submissions NEW THU 30 APR: Building an Impactful Alumni Programme for International Schools NEW
	ALL CHAPTER IN-PERSON EVENTS TUE 1-FRI 4 SEP: Building Futures International Conference (Brisbane, BCEC) To view Program, CLICK HERE To nominate for an Award, CLICK HERE Hurry – Early Bird Closes in 1 Week (31 MAR)

The Intangibles that Endure: Lessons from St John’s College

Article supplied by Triona Maddick, Director of Advancement, St John’s College 

I remember watching an Old Johnian return from Ottawa, Canada to attend his 50-year reunion lunch, his first visit back to the College in many years. What struck me was not the distance he had travelled, but how little distance seemed to exist once he walked through the door. 

Around fifty Alumni gathered that day. Lunch stretched on, conversations overlapped, laughter echoed and eventually the group was gently ushered out, only to continue their reminiscent nattering elsewhere for several more hours. It was as though time had folded in on itself. Decades dissolved. No one needed catching up; they simply resumed. 

In that moment, I was reminded that the most powerful force within a college community is not something that can be programmed, measured, or managed. It is the unseen glue, the traditions, rituals and shared experiences that bind people to a place and to one another for life. 

During my time as Director of Advancement at St John’s College, I have come to understand that while strategies, systems, and campaigns matter, they are not what ultimately sustain a community across generations. What endures are the intangibles. Songs sung without hesitation. Shared meals that stretch well beyond their allotted time. Stories retold so often they become communal memory. These are not decorative traditions; they are emotional infrastructure. 

Protecting that emotional infrastructure does not happen by accident. It requires shared clarity about what the College stands for. Early in my tenure, I led a series of alignment workshops, not to redefine the value proposition of St John’s, but to surface and agree upon it. When people are aligned around what truly matters, culture becomes consistent rather than fragile and legacy is preserved through everyday decisions rather than grand statements. 

Once understood, this culture must be felt. Brand attributes only endure when they are experienced consistently across communications, events, stewardship, and student life. Ensuring that what we said about the College matched how it felt to belong here was less about polish and more about integrity. Legacy is protected when experience and expectation align. 

Every student arrives at St John’s as an individual, but very quickly they are invited into something far older than themselves. Welcome rituals, whether formal or informal, signal that this is not a transient experience. They tell new students that they belong, that they are stepping into a living story that existed before them and will continue long after they leave. Long before someone becomes an alum, a donor, or a mentor, this sense of belonging is quietly formed. 

Culture strengthens when it is noticed. Building momentum meant pausing to celebrate small wins, moments where the College showed up as itself. Just as important was knowing when not to reinvent, but to recognise and amplify what already worked. Celebrating moments of reputational brilliance, past and present, reminded the community of who it already was at its best. 

If welcome rituals invite people in, farewells determine whether they will return. At St John’s, farewells are not endings but transitions. Students leave, yet they do not exit the community. They move into a different relationship with the College, one grounded in memory, identity and shared experience. Watching Alumni return decades later, slipping effortlessly back into conversation reinforces this truth. When farewells are done well, people do not really leave at all. 

Working in Advancement often places emphasis on outcomes (engagement, participation, philanthropy). What my time at St John’s reinforced is that these outcomes are rarely transactional. They are emotional. Conversations with Alumni and supporters are most meaningful, and often most generous, when they return to shared experiences rather than projects. A remembered meal. Stories of swimming across a lake in the middle of the night or whipping out en masse to support a football team in the pouring rain. These moments, spontaneous and deeply communal, are the ones that endure. 

What this reinforced for me is that Advancement leaders are not simply Fundraisers or relationship managers- we are custodians of culture. Custodianship is expressed in discipline as much as sentiment. Ensuring data integrity, turning conversations into meaningful records and making systems work for us rather than against us, is foundational. Nothing undermines trust in a community faster than lost history. 

In a small team, systemising where possible has created efficiency and freed people to focus on what cannot be automated: care, sound judgement and relationships. This work was only possible through coalition, building trust within the team and across the College so that stewardship is shared rather than siloed. 

It is tempting, when reflecting on a role, to catalogue initiatives and milestones. While there have been moments of great progress during my tenure, the work I am most proud of is less tangible. It is knowing that the culture, the thing that caused fifty Alumni to lose track of time at a 50-year reunion lunch remains intact, recognisable and very much alive. 

Triona Maddick
Director of Advancement
St John’s College 

Connecting. Learning. Growing.

QLD CHAPTER SIGs | People & Culture, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications and Alumni
19 February 2026

The 2026 professional learning calendar began with strong momentum as the QLD Chapter hosted its first Special Interest Group (SIG) gathering at Ballymore in Brisbane (home of the QLD Reds) – a fitting venue synonymous with teamwork, strategy and performance.

The event also marked the beginning of a milestone year, with the QLD Chapter celebrating 35 years of building capability, connection and confidence across the Advancement profession.

The morning opened with an engaging In-Conversation featuring Ben Thurlow, Head of Foundation at Queensland Rugby Union, facilitated by QLD Committee member Lara Pickering. The discussion explored the intersection of partnerships, community and philanthropy, with a key insight resonating strongly across the room that giving is ultimately driven by emotion and connection.

Members then transitioned into collaborative SIG discussions examining:
• the strategic influence of People & Culture in shaping organisational experience
• practical strategies for securing leadership buy-in across alumni and marketing initiatives
• approaches to running lean, sustainable fundraising operations

A defining feature of the SIG sessions was the openness and generosity of members, reinforcing the strength of the educate+ community and the value of shared learning across institutions.

A confident and energising start to the year … and a meaningful way to begin a milestone anniversary as the sector looks ahead to further connection, capability-building and collaboration at the International Conference in Brisbane in September.

QLD CHAPTER 35 YEAR CELEBRATION
29 January 2026

Congratulations to the Queensland Chapter of 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲+, who last night celebrated a wonderful 35 years of supporting the Advancement community in Queensland!

Across more than three decades, the Queensland Chapter has fostered learning, influenced professional journeys and created enduring networks, all made possible by the commitment of members, volunteers and partners who consistently invest their time, expertise and care.

The event was hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, who recognised the vital role Advancement professionals play in strengthening educational institutions and communities.

It was a meaningful occasion to celebrate those who have shaped the Chapter over time, including past and current members of the 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲+ Board, Chapter Presidents and Committees, Fellows and Partners, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth and strength of our profession.

Let’s Meet a Chapter Member …

Each eNews, we introduce you to some of our wonderful Chapter Members, through a question-and-answer type interview article.

This week the Member in the hotseat is:  Megan Meineke, Director of Advancement, Sunshine Coast Grammar School 

Length of Service 
15 years (across senior Marketing, Communications and Advancement Leadership roles) 

Why did you choose School Marketing? 
School marketing sits at the intersection of purpose and impact. I was drawn to the opportunity to tell meaningful stories — stories about young people, educators, community and legacy. Schools are values-driven organisations, and effective Marketing in education is not about selling a product, but about articulating belief, culture and aspiration. Being able to connect families, Alumni, donors and the wider community to a shared vision is incredibly rewarding. 

Any advice for School Marketers? 
Stay anchored in strategy, not just tactics. The most effective School Marketers deeply understand their school’s purpose, culture and long-term direction, and ensure every campaign, message and initiative aligns to that. Invest in relationships, measure what matters, and don’t underestimate the power of authenticity because real stories, told well, will always outperform glossy messaging. 

What’s new for 2026 at your school? 
2026 is an exciting year as Sunshine Coast Grammar School celebrates its 30th anniversary. Alongside this milestone, we are progressing significant campus development projects, expanding our Advancement and Philanthropy programs, and strengthening Alumni and Community Engagement. The year will be marked by events, storytelling and legacy initiatives that honour the past while setting a strong foundation for the future. 

What do you do for fun? 
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, supporting my children’s sporting pursuits, and being involved in the Sunshine Coast community. I enjoy fitness, the outdoors, travel, and any opportunity to bring people together around a shared cause, whether that’s sport, Fundraising or community events. 

Thank you Megan – it’s been wonderful getting to know you!

Thank You to our Partners and Sponsors

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable Strategic Partners and Chapter Sponsors, who support Educate Plus and the QLD Chapter in our activities and enable us to provide wonderful opportunities to our members and non-members.

We ask that you please consider supporting them, so that in turn, they can continue to support us. 

Thank You to our 2026 QLD Chapter Professional Development Sponsor and Chapter Event Sponsor

Thank You to our 2026 educate+ Strategic Partners

A New Way to Connect with Colleagues!

New Community Circles – A Great Way to Connect…

Did you know … there are now 14 Community Circles up and running on the new educate+ Community Portal!

Becoming a member of a Community Circle connects you with like-minded professionals who understand the realities of Advancement work. It’s a trusted space to ask questions, share ideas, learn from others and contribute your own perspective… and to collectively influence the future of the Advancement industry.

Below is a mix of some of the Circles on offer. If you have an interest in any of the following areas, we invite you to join a Circle: 

• Best Practice Alumni Engagement
• Fundraising Major Gifts
• Digital Safety Issues
• Enquiry to Enrolment – And Everything in Between
• Residential Colleges
• International Student Enrolment
• The Events Network
• Regional Conversations
• People & Culture

To join a Community Circle, or find out more, CLICK HERE

Follow Us…

Keep in contact with your fellow Advancement professionals to keep abreast of best practice, discover new approaches and technologies and gain valuable industry insights.

To keep you to up to date with what’s happening at Educate Plus and within your sector, please connect with us on our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.