Conference Keynote Speakers

Major Matina Jewell grew up in the hinterland of Byron Bay and joined the Army at age 17.  During her 15 year military career Matina:

• Served on five missions and earned nine military service & war medals
• Is the only Australian to receive two Republic of Lebanon war medals for acts of bravery on the battlefield and being wounded in combat
• Was the first woman in the Australian Army to complete the physically demanding Navy divers’ cours
• Served with American Navy Seals\
• Tracked-down war lords in the Solomon Islands
• Fast-roped from helicopters and boarded smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf, and
• Was posted as a peacekeeper with the United Nations in Syria and Lebanon.

Medically retired from injuries sustained during the 2006 Lebanon War, Matina served on the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council and continues to champion change for our injured war veterans.

Among her many honorary roles, Matina is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement partnered with the United Nations to help empower women and children globally.

Matina has been featured on the ABC’s Australian Story, is a best-selling author and now shares her unique insights on leadership and resilience with audiences around the word as a keynote speaker.

Principal, The Cathedral School of St Anne & St James

Luke Baills brings a deeply personal connection to rural and remote education, having grown up in the small town of Walloon before studying at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, where he proudly participated in the Isolated Children's and Isolated Schools Programs. During his university years, Luke also worked as a Boarding Supervisor at Toowoomba Anglican School. An early experience that sparked a lasting commitment to boarding education.

Luke began his teaching career in the rural communities of Ravenswood and Mingela, before taking on his first small school Principal role in Muttaburra. He then spent over a decade in Mt Isa, further deepening his understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rural and remote Queensland families.

Now based in Townsville, Luke was appointed Principal of The Cathedral School in 2024 only the 8th person to hold the role in the school's 108-year history. With over 25 years in education, Luke is passionate about strengthening Cathedral's long-standing boarding tradition and ensuring the school remains the boarding school of choice for families across North Queensland.

A long-time supporter of isolated student advocacy from his involvement with PCAP to his ongoing commitment to the ICPA Luke is delighted to welcome delegates to the 2026 QLD ICPA Conference and looks forward to continuing to champion the needs of rural and remote families.

CEO, QTAC

Chris Veraa is the Chief Executive Officer of QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre Ltd), having led the organisation since 2024.

With a career spanning tertiary education, government, and media, Chris is passionate about QTAC’s critical social mission, and is deeply committed to driving innovation and delivering lasting impact for QTAC and the communities it serves.

Prior to joining QTAC, Chris was an Associate Vice-President at Central Queensland University, with responsibility for leading the institution’s national strategic engagement portfolio and its operations in South East Queensland. He has also held senior roles in the Victorian and Queensland governments and with Australian Catholic University, following an early career in journalism.

Chris holds an Executive MBA from Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communication from Griffith University. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently serves as a non-executive director of both API Leisure & Lifestyle/Canopy Community and the Gregory Terrace Foundation.

CEO, C & K 

Dr Sandra Cheeseman is Chief Executive Officer at the Creche and Kindergarten Association, Queensland (C&K).  Sandra is first and foremost an early childhood teacher having worked as a teacher and director in a range of communities and contexts. Over her 40 plus years in the early childhood sector she has held senior leadership roles, been an academic, researcher and author and more recently she has returned to where the action is to lead Australia’s second largest not-for -profit early childhood provider.

Sandra has served on several executive boards including the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), The Infants Home, Ashfield, Community Child Care Cooperative NSW and Lady Gowrie Sydney. She was Vice President of Early Childhood Australia NSW Branch and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Raising Children Network. In 2021 Sandra was appointed to the Australian Government Ministerial Expert Advisory Group for a Preschool Outcomes Measure. 

President, Queensland Association of State School Principals

Pat Murphy is the President of the Queensland Association of State School Principals representing 1288 school leaders in Queensland. He is also the President of the Australian Government Primary Principals Association (AGPPA), which represents over 7000 members in 5300 schools across Australia.

Pat has been an educator for over 35 years. The last 30 as a school leader. Pat has one teacher schools, a remote four teacher school, been a Deputy Principal. He led Ashgrove State School for 14 years and his last appointment as school leader was as the Executive Principal of Woodcrest State College, a prep to year 12 campus with 1800 students.

Executive Director, QCAA

Jo has been the Executive Director of the Curriculum Services Division of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for the past three years. Jo is an experienced school and system leader having held senior leadership roles in a range of Catholic and Independent schools. In her current role she delivers complex large-scale curriculum reform and assessment services involving significant stakeholder engagement. Building workforce capability to implement quality curriculum and assessment practices is a key priority in her role.

Telstra

Nicole Ward is a Senior Corporate Relations Manager at Telstra, with almost three decades of experience working alongside regional, rural and remote communities across Australia. Passionate about the role connectivity plays in education, health and everyday life, Nicole works closely with community leaders, industry groups and advocacy organisations to help ensure regional voices are heard and reflected in national decision‑making. She has a long‑standing connection with organisations such as ICPA and the Australian Rural Leadership Program, and is deeply committed to supporting resilient, connected communities—no matter where people live.

NBN Co

Elise Petty is the Executive Manager – Education & Regional Stakeholder Relations, nbn Regional and Remote. Elise joined nbn nearly 6 years ago and brings over 16 years of experience in the telecommunications industry in regional rural and remote Australia.  

Elise has had a varied career holding senior corporate roles across a range of industries including mining, telecommunications (as General Manager for NW NSW with Telstra Country Wide), media & international marketing, however her career has one common theme - the development of regional, rural and remote Australia at the heart of it.  

Alongside her corporate career, Elise has always been in private business, from owning and operating sheep and cattle grazing properties to starting a women’s fashion boutique in the remote East Kimberley.   

Elise was raised on a cattle station in North Queensland, attending Cairns School of the Air and Primary Correspondence through to the end of year 7; she understands from her lived experience the opportunities and challenges facing ICPA families.  

Winchester Foundation 

The Winchester Foundation was established by the late Mrs Beryl Neilsen OAM to provide educational assistance to children and young people living in rural and regional areas. Beryl Neilsen Winchester Scholarships endeavour to provide rural families with the same educational opportunities as those given to students living in the cities. This assistance is provided via Winchester Scholarships designed to assist with the study costs of successful applicants.  

Executive Director, Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network (QISPN)

Amanda Watt is the Executive Director of Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network (QIS Parents Network) - the peak body for families who choose an independent school education for their child. QIS Parents Network is a strong advocate for families and also works proactively with school communities to strengthen school-home partnerships though its range of year-long programs, events, webinars and professional development.

Queensland Virtual Academy

Gavin Bryce joined Education Queensland in 2002 and is currently Principal of the Queensland Virtual Academy. He was previously Principal of Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus from 2016. Gavin began his career teaching Design Technology and Mathematics, progressing through roles including Head of Department, Deputy Principal, and positions in Regional and Central Office. He holds a Bachelor's in Education and HR Management from Griffith University and a Master’s in Inclusive Education from QUT. Gavin is committed to ensuring that all Queensland students can access high-quality curriculum and learning experiences through virtual education, no matter where they live.

Acting Regional Director FNQ

Steve Vincent is the Acting Regional Director for the Department of Education in the Far North Region. Steve’s leadership experience includes as a School Supervisor, Assistant Regional Director, and Principal at state schools across the entire state of Queensland. Passionate about the Far North, Steve is deeply committed to fostering strong, positive relationships within the Department of Education and the broader community. His dedication to collaboration and sustained partnerships underpins his approach to supporting schools and delivering quality education outcomes across the region.

Director - Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in the School Improvement Branch 

Terry has been in this position for the last 11 years and works with schools and regions to support the implementation of the Australian Curriculum and help schools to meet the requirements of the K-12 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework. He was seconded to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to work on the review of the Australian Curriculum that resulted in the publication of Version 9. Terry has previously worked at the QCCA, QSA and QSCC in curriculum development and assessment. He has taught History, Geography, Legal Studies, Humanities and the Social Science and English in state secondary schools in Central Queensland, South-East and Metropolitan regions.

President, ICPA Qld 

Mrs Wendy Henning has lived with her husband, Andrew, and their four daughters at ‘Merchison Park’, a beef cattle property in the Teelba area near Glenmorgan, for the past 27 years. Their children were educated at the local stand-alone primary school, Teelba State School, before attending St Hilda’s School, Southport, for their secondary education. With her daughters now living across Queensland and interstate, Wendy continues to value the importance of equitable access to education for rural and remote families.

Wendy became a member of the Westmar Inglestone Branch in 2000, shortly after the birth of her first daughter, Annabelle. Initially drawn to the organisation for the connection it offered with other young mothers in the district, she also brought with her a longstanding appreciation of ICPA’s work. Over the years, Wendy has served as Branch Secretary and contributed to the convening committees for the 2012 State Conference in Goondiwindi and the 2013 State Conference in Toowoomba. She later co-convened the 2013 Federal Conference in Brisbane and convened the 2021 50th Anniversary Federal Conference in Longreach.

Wendy works in partnership with Andrew across all aspects of their beef breeding business, which also includes an off-farm enterprise. This diversification helps strengthen the business through seasonal and economic challenges and reflects Wendy’s commitment to the long-term future of agriculture and regional communities.

Ensuring her daughters were not disadvantaged by geography has been a guiding principle in Wendy’s family life and advocacy. Her strong belief that every child, regardless of circumstance or learning need, deserves access to a quality and equitable education led her to join the ICPA Qld State Council in 2015. She has since led several portfolios, including Specific Needs, Curriculum, and Boarding Schools and Hostels.

Wendy was elected Vice-President in 2018 and served in that role until 2023, when she was elected President. She also served on the ICPA Australia Council from 2021 to 2024, with responsibility for the Curriculum and Boarding Schools, Hostels and Second Homes portfolios. Through her volunteer leadership, Wendy has continued to broaden her skills and experience while balancing family life, business responsibilities, and service to rural and remote education.

Federal President, ICPA Australia 

Louise Martin lives with her husband and twin daughters on a sheep and cattle property 30km from Tambo. Her daughters, now 20, began their education through Charleville School of Distance Education and later attended Tambo State School and then boarded at Stuartholme School in Brisbane, completing Year 12 in 2023. Both girls are currently in tertiary studies.

Born and raised in the Augathella district, Louise completed her primary education via correspondence through Charleville School of the Air. Her Year 7 class was the pilot for the current Distance Ed program. She then boarded at Stuartholme for secondary school and attended Longreach Pastoral College, back in its heyday. Louise worked as a jillaroo and spent five years as James Packer’s polo groom, an experience that allowed her to travel extensively.

In 1995, she moved to Tambo to work at Lansdowne as a bookkeeper/cattle manager and eventually married the neighbour. During this time, she completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Agribusiness externally, over seven years.

Louise has been active in the Tambo community, serving on committees including the Stock Show, Polocrosse Club, Arts Council, and the local RADF committee. She joined the Tambo ICPA branch in 2007, became involved in State Council in 2013, and served as Queensland President from 2020 to June 2023.

As Federal President of ICPA Louise has enjoyed embracing the challenges of federal advocacy. A trip to the cold country of Canberra is always welcome. She values being part of a passionate team working to ensure rural and remote children have access to equitable education.