From the QLD Chapter President

Dear Members…

As we move through our milestone 35th anniversary year, I continue to be inspired by the strength, generosity and professionalism of our Queensland Chapter community.

The first half of 2026 has been filled with opportunities to connect, learn and share experiences with fellow Advancement professionals. One of the highlights was our second SIG and Professional Development event at Ballymore Stadium in May. Members enjoyed an engaging panel discussion, The Modern Advancement Engine: What’s Driving Growth in 2026 and Beyond?, featuring Advancement leaders from The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and DGB Global, and facilitated by Vice President Helen Turner. The morning also included pillar-based Special Interest Group sessions across Marketing & Communications, Fundraising, and Admissions, providing practical insights and valuable peer-to-peer learning.

Our Coffee Catch-Ups continue to be a cornerstone of member engagement. More than 70 members joined us across Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast in April, demonstrating the value of creating informal opportunities to strengthen professional networks and share ideas. Similarly, there was strong attendance at the July Coffee Catch-Ups, which enabled members to continue to build connections across our Chapter.

It is also pleasing to report that Queensland membership has grown from 479 members in January to more than 500 members in July. This growth reflects the ongoing value of educate+ membership and the commitment of our Committee to delivering meaningful professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities.

Looking ahead, with just two weeks to go now, excitement is building for the 2026 educate+ Building Futures International Conference at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 1 – 4 September. Queensland is proud to host this flagship event, and I encourage all members to take advantage of the exceptional learning, networking and professional development opportunities on offer.

A particular highlight will be our Chapter Soirée on Wednesday 2 September from 6:15pm–8:15pm at the Soleil Pool Deck, Rydges South Bank. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to click here to secure your place and join us for what promises to be a memorable evening.

We are also laying the foundations for the future, with planning well underway for the 2027 Queensland Summit from 26-27 July. I am delighted that the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has been secured as the venue and I thank the newly established Planning Committee for their enthusiasm and commitment as preparations commence.

As always, I would like to acknowledge our dedicated Queensland Chapter Committee for their volunteer service and contribution this year. Their passion, creativity and commitment continue to strengthen our Chapter and enhance the experience of our members.

Thank you for your ongoing support of educate+ Queensland. I look forward to connecting with many of you at upcoming events and, of course, welcoming members from across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, to Brisbane in September.

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!

Welcome to our newest Members:

New Member	Position	Institution
Rebecca Adams	People and Culture Partner	Somerset College
Polly Anderson	Marketing Coordinator	Ipswich Grammar School
Mellissa Arend	Receptionist \| Admissions Assistant	St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
Kate Atkinson	Director of Advancement	Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School
Heidi Baban	Registrar	St Leo’s College within the University of Queensland
Aleisha Balle	Head of People and Culture	Somerset College
Laura Barling	Enrolments Registrar	Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School
Naomi Bastin	Director of Marketing and Communications	Hillbrook Anglican School
Hope Blank	Admin Team Leader	Cooloola Christian College
Ann-Marie Boyle	Admissions Officer	St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly
Lauren Brooks	Marketing Coordinator	Whitsunday Anglican School
Marissa Buchanan	Marketing Content Creator	St Andrew’s Anglican College
David Carpenter	Campus Marketing Coordinator	King’s Christian College
Victoria Cella	Senior Development Manager	St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
Jennifer Clarke	Graphic Designer	Somerville House
Tricia Clarke	Community and Fundraising Officer	Citipointe Christian College
Meghann Collins	Marketing and Communications Coordinator	St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
Matt Corbett	Principal	All Saints Anglican School, QLD
John Cranley	Director of Community Engagement	Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Jenny Davis	Business Manager	Annandale Christian College
Rani Devlin	Admissions Officer	St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Greg Dwyer	Content Developer	Somerset College
Madeline Ellis	Engagement Administration Assistant	Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
Dianne Fraraccio	Enrolments Manager	Ohana For Youth Ltd
Cathy Geeves	Head of Community Development	Brisbane Christian College
Casey Glazebrook	Director of Events	Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
Ben Hall	Directory of Industry	The Industry School
Brigit Harrison	Enrolments Officer	Mary Mackillop Catholic College, Toowoomba
Kelly Hawke	Communications Manager	Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School
Bronte Hawthorn	Communications and Events Officer	Duchesne College
Sasha Holmes	Marketing & Social Media Officer	Ohana For Youth Ltd
Alex Hunt	Publications Officer	St Andrews Lutheran College
Tara Hutcheson	Administrative Assistant – Enrolments	Ormiston College
Tracy Jackman	Admissions and Communications Officer	Somerville House
Amy Jacobsen	Marketing and Events Manager	Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School
Karen Jiang	Assistant to Registrar	Citipointe Christian College
Gabrielle Johnston	Enrolments Registrar	St James College, QLD
Hannah Jones	Dean of Business Operations	Ambrose Treacy College
Lucia Jordan	Community Development Officer	Coomera Anglican College
Effie Kent	Development and Foundation Manager	Villanova College
Samantha Kettley	Events Coordinator	Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School
Rebekah Keuneman	Events Specialist	The Southport School
Emma Kiel-Chisholm	Social Media and Graphic Design Coordinator	Lourdes Hill College
Kirsty Longworth	Admissions & Community Relations Officer	St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Michael Lowbridge	Business Manager	Suncoast Christian College
Alexandra Marron	Engagement, Marketing and Communications Officer	Mount Alvernia College
Anna Marsh	Communications Officer	Toowoomba Christian College
Sam Marsh	Recruitment Co-ordinator	Marist College Ashgrove
Casey Martens	Community Engagement Officer	St Andrews Lutheran College
Laura Matthews	Community Engagement & Events Officer	St Leo’s College within the University of Queensland
Lilly McCoomb	Alumni and Events Coordinator	Somerset College
Laura McKee	Acting Head of Marketing, Communications and Community	Lourdes Hill College
Emily McKelvie	Enrolments Administrator	Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School
Abbey Miller	Marketing and Communications Officer	King’s College, UQ
Rachael Moran	HR Manager	All Hallows’ School
Caitlin Morris	Registrar	Toowoomba Grammar School
Hayley Neal	Manager of Communications and Engagement	Canterbury College
Pauline Newton	Events Coordinator	Educate Plus
Sally Newton	Head of People and Culture	Whitsunday Anglican School
Jodie O’Sullivan	Marketing and Communications and Community Engagement Manager	St James College, QLD
Nadine Pacheco	People Relations Assistant	Citipointe Christian College
Myriam Paul	Director of Communications and Engagement	Villanova College
Julie Payne	Director of Business and Operations	Toowoomba Grammar School
Kirsty Payne	Executive Director – People, Policy and Workplace Relations	Marist College Ashgrove
Ellena Price	Payroll, Daily Organiser and Alumni Officer	Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School
Ketuly Redman	Marketing Officer	Cooloola Christian College
Marion Revelli	Head of Marketing and Growth	The Industry School
Kaitlyn Reynolds	Community Relations Officer	All Hallows’ School
Molly Richardson	Graphic and Multimedia Designer	Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Ben Rooney	Head of Admissions and Marketing	Redeemer Lutheran College
Lynn Roy	Admissions Database Officer	St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly
David Rutter	Director of the Board	The Industry School
Melody Sage	Marketing	Suncoast Christian College
Olivia Sanderson	Enrolments Officer	West Moreton Anglican College
Geysel Serrano	People Relations Officer	Citipointe Christian College
Sarah Sherlock	Internal Communications Advisor	West Moreton Anglican College
Amanda Shuttlewood	Director of Development	The Southport School
Samantha Smit	Marketing Coordinator – Pimpama Campus	King’s Christian College
Jordan Smith	Marketing Officer	Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School
Lee Smith	CEO	The Industry School
Tamara Smith	Director Of Development	Marist College Ashgrove
Elizabeth Steele	Marketing & Communications Coordinator	The Rockhampton Grammar School
Lisa Stone	Head of Communications & Engagement	John Paul College, QLD
Stephanie Sullivan	Events Manager	Villanova College
Rachael Synott	Events and Development Coordinator	Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Rochelle Taylor	Marketing and Communications	Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Mia Thomas	Head of Marketing	Ohana For Youth Ltd
Iris Tsai-London	Enrolments Registrar	Loreto College, Coorparoo
Kath Underhill	Teacher	Villanova College
Olivia Van Diermen	Alumni and Communications Assistant	Citipointe Christian College
Ash Walsh	Dean of Studnets	The John Flynn College, James Cook University
Patrick Walsh	Dean of Students	Emmanuel College within the University of Queensland
Amanda Waters	HR Administrator	Whitsunday Anglican School
Kristy Watkins	Deputy Principal	Villanova College
Kate Williamson	Marketing Officer	St Hilda’s School, Southport
Amy Woodgate	Acting Principal	SCOTS PGC College

Picture Yourself There…

Have You Ever Wondered What International Conference Delegates are Likely Thinking?

I’m looking forward to stepping away from the day-to-day and into four days that will challenge my thinking, stretch my perspective and remind me why I chose a career in educational Advancement.

Every conversation, every Keynote and every unexpected encounter has the potential to inspire a new idea or shift the way I see what’s possible. I can’t wait to discover what those moments will be.

When I leave Brisbane, I know I’ll be carrying more than a Conference satchel. I’ll be taking home new possibilities, meaningful connections and a renewed belief in the difference our profession can make. I’ll return with new stories to tell, ideas ready to explore and the confidence to turn inspiration into action.

And perhaps most importantly, I’ll leave knowing I’m part of an incredible community that’s building the future of Advancement together.

The big question is…

With now less than 2 weeks to go, will you join close to 700 Delegates and invest in your future while helping to shape the future of our procession?

Event Details
Date: Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 September 2026
Place: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Four inspiring days. Engaging with hundreds of colleagues from across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Experiencing a choice of over 50 learning opportunities. Having countless conversations that could change the way you think.

If you’re ready to invest in your professional growth, expand your network and return home inspired, the Building Futures International Conference is the place to be.

Join us in Brisbane this September and experience the Conference that’s shaping the future of Advancement.

To view the most updated Program, click here

To reserve your place at the QLD Chapter Dinner, click here

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

WED 2 SEP: QLD International Conference Chapter Soiree (Soleil Pool Deck & Lower Pool Terrace)

WEBINARS & ONLINE EVENTS

TUE 18 AUG: CONVERSATIONS (People & Culture) | The Future of Flexible Work in Education: Opportunity or Operational Challenge

WED 26 AUG: WEBINAR | St Hilda’s Approach to Safer School Social Media

WED 9 SEP: WEBINAR | How Schools Win or Lose Prospective Families: Building Trust through Storytelling in the Inquiry Journey

ALL CHAPTER IN-PERSON EVENTS

TUE 1-FRI 4 SEP: Building Futures International Conference (Brisbane, BCEC)

To view Program, CLICK HERE

Hurry – Just 2 Weeks to Go!

Connecting. Learning. Growing.

QLD CHAPTER COFFEE CATCH-UPS
Across South-East Queensland, our educate+ Queensland members recently took a well-earned break from their busy schedules to connect over coffee, conversation and community.

From Brisbane to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba, our latest coffee catch-ups brought together advancement professionals from across the education sector to share ideas, strengthen networks and reconnect with colleagues in an informal setting.

These gatherings are a reminder that some of the best professional development happens through meaningful conversations and the generosity of members sharing their experiences with one another.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us. We love seeing our Queensland community grow stronger through connection and collaboration, and we look forward to seeing even more members at our next catch-up!

QLD CHAPTER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

Let’s Meet a Chapter Member …

Each eNews, we introduce you to some of our wonderful Chapter Members.

This week the Member in the hotseat is: Julia McKenna, Director of Development & Community, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

My path to school advancement was anything but linear, which perhaps makes it all the more meaningful.

I began my career in international investment banking after completing a Business degree, a role that took me first to Sydney, then to the United Kingdom and finally to Singapore, where I managed financial markets trading risk across twelve countries in Asia. It was a world of financial complexity, cross-cultural negotiation and high-stakes decision-making. Skills I could not have anticipated would one day serve a very different purpose.

When I returned to Australia, I established and co-led a national not-for-profit organisation supporting victim survivors of domestic violence. That work fundamentally shifted something in me. The discipline of the corporate world met the urgency of genuine human need and I discovered that philanthropy was not simply something I cared about, it was where I was most effective.

So when the position of Director of Development and Community became available at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, my own school, it felt less like a career move and more like a convergence. My business background, my experience in the not-for-profit sector and my deep affection for the school came together in a role that has proven to be the most rewarding of my professional life.

What sustains me in this work, day after day, is witnessing what happens inside a school community when it functions at its best. The staff at St Aidan’s are extraordinary, and every decision, every initiative, every act of care is oriented toward the students. The result is visible. Our Alumnae leave with a quiet, enduring confidence; a belief that they can do whatever they choose to do with their lives. That is not a recent development. It is a trait that has characterised every generation of St Aidan’s women across the school’s 97-year history and it is a privilege to play a part in sustaining it.

For those newer to school Fundraising, my strongest piece of advice is this: relationships are the work. Fundraising is not a transaction; it is the cultivation of genuine connection between donors and a cause they believe in. Take the time to understand what motivates your community. Listen more than you speak. And never underestimate the power of a well-told story to move someone from interest to investment. Authenticity, consistency, and patience are not soft skills in this profession; they are the foundation of everything.

At St Aidan’s, 2026 is a year of considerable momentum. We are in the early stages of a ten-year Comprehensive Campaign, anchored by the school’s Centenary in 2029. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the school’s future, expanding scholarship access, enhancing facilities, and deepening our connection with Alumnae, current families and friends of the school across Queensland and beyond. To be leading this work in the lead-up to such a significant milestone is both humbling and energising.

Away from the office, I am most content in the company of family, a good book, or somewhere in the world that reminds me how much there is still to discover. We have been fortunate to travel extensively, a legacy of those years living abroad, and while the list of places that have left their mark is long, Italy holds a special place. The Cinque Terre, in particular, has a way of making everything else feel very far away, which is of course precisely the point.

It is a genuine pleasure to be part of the educate+ Queensland community, and I look forward to the conversations, collaborations and shared learning that lie ahead in 2026.

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

Let’s Meet Another 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 first Member in the hotseat is Claire Henkey, Chief Marketing Officer, John Paul College

Length of Service
8 years across all of Advancement

Why Did You Choose School Marketing?
I chose school Marketing because it brings together creativity, strategy and purpose. It’s about more than promoting a school, it’s about telling authentic stories, building meaningful relationships and connecting families to a community where young people can thrive. Every campaign helps showcase opportunities, strengthen culture and inspire confidence. Knowing my work contributes to an environment that shapes students’ futures and creates lasting community connections is what continues to motivate and inspire me.

Any Advice for School Marketers?
Never lose sight of the people behind the brand. Listen first, tell authentic stories and always lead with purpose. The strongest school marketing isn’t about polished campaigns; it’s about building trust, creating genuine connections and reflecting the lived experience of your community. Stay curious, embrace data alongside creativity and remember that every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen your school’s reputation and inspire confidence.

What’s New for 2026 at Your School?
2026 has been a milestone year at John Paul College. We’ve launched MedReady, our dedicated medicine and dentistry pathway, expanded specialist learning opportunities and will soon celebrate the opening of Burragunn, our innovative new secondary learning precinct designed for future-focused education. Together with being recognised as an Employer of Choice for the sixth consecutive year, these initiatives reflect our commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for both students and staff while continuing to ignite ambition across our community.

What Do You Do For Fun?
Outside of work, I enjoy giving back to grassroots sport. As Chair of Hockey Queensland, I’m passionate about strengthening hockey in Queensland, supporting volunteers and creating opportunities for more people to participate. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to help shape the future of the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes. When I’m not volunteering, you’ll usually find me spending time with family and friends or exploring the outdoors with my kelpie, Bo.

Thank you Claire… 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

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