Member Details
Mr Graeme Innes AM
Graeme is a lawyer, author and company director. He was Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 2005 to 2014, and also Race and Human Rights Commissioner for periods during that time. He is a lifelong advocate, leading public inquiries on same sex: same entitlements, work on making buildings and public transport accessible for people with disabilities, and inspections of Australia's Immigration Detention Centres.
Professor Nick Klomp
In his role as Vice-Chancellor and President, Nick drives the strategic planning, financial and external affairs of the University across its network of campus and teaching locations in Australia. Nick also represents the University to government, industry, the wider community and internationally. Nick is passionate about student engagement in learning, excellence in teaching, and research with impact. He has been presented with a teaching excellence award, has been nominated for awards in the promotion of science, and is recognised internationally for his research in applied ecology and environmental science.
Associate Professor Celeste Lawson
Celeste is President and Chair of CQUniversity's Academic Board. She is also the Head of CQUniversity's Professional Communication degree. She has extensive practical experience in journalism and policing. She researches and publishes in social media, communication and public relations, with a focus on pedagogy, adult learning and online education. She has published Communication Skills for Business Professionals (Cambridge University Press), and was an editor in Constructing Methodology for Qualitative Research (Palgrave Macmillan). Celeste teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students in public relations and communication units and supervises Masters and PhD students.
Ms Sandra Lawrence
From an early career in secondary school, university and TAFE teaching, Sandra’s professional focus has always remained on accessible, engaging, and quality education and training. This focus has anchored her work in strategy and planning, learning technologies, partnerships, course development, learning design, business and systems improvement, innovation, evaluation and mentoring. Her special interest is in vocational education and training because she has seen it transform the lives of so many graduates, as well as those of their families and communities.
Vacant
Mr Ian McPhee AO PSM
Ian is a company director, a member of a number of audit committees, and has undertaken a range of strategic governance reviews. Ian has held a range of senior executive positions in the Australian Public Service, including Deputy Secretary, Financial Management Group, Department of Finance, and Auditor-General for Australia from 2005 to 2015. Following his accounting studies at CQU, Ian has had a close involvement with the accounting profession during his career, having served as a member, Deputy Chair or Chair of several Standards Boards. He is currently a member of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. Ian is a Fellow (and Life Member) of CPAA, CA ANZ and IPAA, and a graduate of the AICD. Ian was awarded an honorary First Class Medal of Honour by the Government of Indonesia in 2009, the honorary degree of Doctor of the University by CQUniversity in 2012, and is currently a Distinguished Honorary Professor at the Australian National University.
Dr Robyn Minchinton
Robyn is a medical scientist; her career has spanned over 40 years in the public health sector in diagnostics and research in hospitals, the Red Cross Blood Service and higher education. Robyn is experienced in executive and laboratory management, corporate and research governance. She is a Consumer Representative on several Cancer Australia committees. Robyn is dedicated to mentoring students and early career scientists and supports research collaborations and real community involvement in research. She champions lifelong learning for everyone.
Dr Marjad Page
Marjad is a Christian and a descendant from the Kalkadoon, Waanyi and Ganggalidda tribes of North-West Queensland. He is a Rural Generalist (GP Specialist) with advanced skills in Obstetrics, Anaesthetics, Administration and extended skills in Palliative Care, Child Health and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. His goal is to continue to help his First Nation people to have control over their own destiny, and to help his non-First Nation families in understanding how they can partner the First Nation people to make their dreams become reality.
Mr Benjamin Brown
Ben is Senior Engineering consultant and project manager based out of Bundaberg. His primary focus is delivering private development and infrastructure projects from concept to construction throughout Queensland. Ben strongly believes that CQUniversity graduates are an asset to the communities they work in and is driven to seeing growth of these communities through CQUniversity.
Mr Joel Buchholz
Joel is the Principal of Pimlico State High School in Townsville. He has taught and held leadership roles in a range of public schools in rural, regional and metropolitan settings as well as within remote Indigenous communities. Joel has also held a number of advisory and board roles with a focus on youth, education and regional development. He is one of twelve Queensland Plan Ambassadors appointed by the Premier to lead community engagement and provide strategic advice in relation to the state's 30-year strategic plan. Joel is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Council of International Schools and he has previously served as the Deputy Convenor of the National Advisory Council for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Ms Shelia Houston
Shelia has been actively involved in the field of International Education for over 25 years. She has extensive experience successfully leading large, complex and diverse global organisations, including one of the world's largest study abroad companies. Shelia is also passionate about philanthropy and is helping students in need through her Foundation for Global Scholars.
Mr Mark Peters
Mark has practised as a Lawyer for over thirty years in the UK, NSW and Queensland. He has a strong background in commercial litigation and now practises solely in employment law and workplace relations. He has a passion for good corporate governance, particularly in education, having held board positions in one of Queensland's largest group training apprenticeship schemes, and a leading independent school in North Queensland where he was Chairman for over 12 years.
Professor Kate Ames
Kate is Director, Learning Design and Innovation at CQUniversity. She has an academic background as a cultural sociologist, and has been nationally recognised for excellence in leadership and teaching over a long career as an educator. She leads a unit that develops innovative online courses and academic capability in teaching online and on-campus. Kate has served in the Australian Army (Reserve) since 1997, and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel where she is instrumental in developing and delivering training for joint public affairs capability in the Australian Defence Force. Kate has directorship experience as Director of not-for-profit youth organisation Fearless Towards Success which aims to improve the transitional experience for youth detainees. Kate is an experienced mentor and coach across tertiary and business sectors, and the author and co-author of books including Will to Live (2014), which is a memoir on her brother Matthew Ames, a quadruple amputee. She is committed to equity, access, and diversity in education to build student confidence and enable success, with a particular interest in regional and remote students.
Mr Bruce Young
Bruce is the elected Professional Staff member on Council. Bruce is a Senior Systems Engineer in the Information and Technology Directorate. Bruce is an Alumnus and long-standing staff member of CQUniversity and has been part of the journey from the days of the Capricornia Institute to the diverse locations and offerings we have today. Bruce has a strong family bond to CQUniversity with his wife, both of his parents and his brothers also being alumni. Bruce has strong community ties in Rockhampton, particularly with sporting affiliations in basketball and Australian Rules Football.
Student Member - Vacant
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