School Advisory Councils

Each of the PMSA schools has a School Advisory Council which consists of up to five members appointed from both the school parent and wider community. Each School Advisory Council is a sub-committee of the PMSA Board and includes the school’s Principal as a non-voting member.

Each School Advisory Council’s Charter outlines the School Advisory Council’s objectives, responsibilities, and governance framework as well as their relationship to the PMSA Group. Each School Advisory Council’s Charter can be found on the Constitution, By-laws and Charters page.

See the School Advisory Council members on each School Advisory Council below.

Brisbane Boys' College Advisory Council

Don O'Rorke

CHAIR, BBus(Marketing), GAICD

Don O'Rorke

CHAIR, BBus(Marketing), GAICD

Don O’Rorke is a leading Queensland property developer and investor, and as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Consolidated Properties Group, has successfully shaped the business over the past three decades.

Committed to giving back to the communities he helps develop, Don values and supports philanthropic initiatives that benefit the community.

Don has extensive experience serving on several boards in commercial, not-for-profit and industry organisations, including Surfing Australia, Reserve Banks small business Finance Advisory Panel and is the current Chairman of BBC Foundation Limited.

Don is a proud BBC old boy and boarder, and current parent with his association spanning over two decades. He currently has five sons at the School from grades 6 to 11, three of those as boarders. As the Chair for Brisbane Boys College Advisory Council, Don is excited to share his perspective vision for BBC over the long-term working towards the future success of the school.

Key current non-executive directorship includes:

Chair – Brisbane Boys’ College Advisory Council
Member – Financial Audit and Risk Committee, Surfing Australia (since 2015)
Reserve Bank’s Small Business Finance Advisory Panel
Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board
Chairman of BBC (Brisbane Boys College) Foundation Limited

Jamie Nicol

B.Econ, BBus (Acc), CPA

Jamie Nicol

B.Econ, BBus (Acc), CPA

Jamie has over 28 years’ experience in the funds management industry and is one of the founding partners of DNR Capital. He is the Chief Investment Officer and has responsibility for portfolio management and investment strategy, financials (ex-property), building materials, Fund Managers and industrials sectors.

DNR Capital is one of the leading boutique fund managers in the country with $8.5b in funds under management and is a current finalist in the Money Management Fund Manager of the year awards.

Prior to establishing DNR Capital, Jamie held senior roles in company research and analysis for two major stockbroking firms, as well as for Westpac, Mergers and Acquisitions (Australia and South Pacific). He commenced his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (formerly Coopers & Lybrand), in the areas of audit and tax.

Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:

Member – Brisbane Boys’ College Advisory Council
Chief Investment Officer – DNR Capital
Former Fellow of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants

Kirsti Simpson

B Blt Env, Interior Design

Kirsti Simpson

B Blt Env, Interior Design

Kirsti is an internationally recognised expert in workplace architecture with significant expertise in the design and delivery of major complex projects, drawn from over 25 years’ experience across the design and construction industry.

With global architecture practice Woods Bagot, Kirsti holds the positions of Global leader – Workplace Interiors, Studio Executive Chair (Brisbane) and Principal. Throughout her 25-year tenure in the industry Kirsti has designed groundbreaking workplaces for international and local clients, acting as a mediator in how design can foster organisational change.

Beyond this, Kirsti is an adjunct professor at The University of Queensland (UQ) School of Architecture. She is a Member of the Economic Development Queensland advisory panel and a member of the Division Council of the Property Council of Queensland.

Hamish Turner

OAM

Hamish Turner

OAM

Hamish Turner OAM is an experienced and visionary business professional with more than 30 years in retail, tourism, brand marketing, and agriculture. He is highly skilled in developing entrepreneurial strategy and operational delivery.

Hamish has worked as a public and private company CEO and has held Chairman and multiple company director roles over many years. He has been actively involved in the Australian tourism industry for more than 25 years including as a key advisor for the delivery of venues and operations for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

A BBC Old Collegian, Hamish has a strong desire to give back to his school that gave him such a solid start to his professional life. He has a strong knowledge of the private education sector in both Brisbane and Sydney.

Key current and previous appointments, roles and awards include:

Member – Brisbane Boys’ College Advisory Council (appointed 2020)
Order of Australia (2015) for services to tourism, business, agriculture and charitable organisations
Director – Australian Diamond Consortium Pty Ltd
Director – QUT Creative Enterprise Australia Pty Ltd
Director – MJ Bale
Director – BrandUp Ltd
Chairman – Wyaga Investments Pty Ltd
Managing Director – Birrung Pty Ltd – TNR Advisory
Former member – Olympic Co-Ordination Authority (OCA) Boards, Sydney Olympic Games
Former CEO and Managing Director – RM Williams Holdings Pty Ltd
Previous director – L Capital Asia – LVMH

Bronwyn Hartigan

LLB (HonsI), QUT

Bronwyn Hartigan

LLB (HonsI), QUT

Bronwyn was born and raised in Brisbane but has been a proud member of the Rockhampton and Mackay legal profession since 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the Queensland University of Technology. Bronwyn was called to the Bar in 2005 and was a member of JD Dowling Barristers’ Chambers, Mackay for more than 14 years prior to her appointment as a Queensland Magistrate in 2019. She served as a member on the Bar Council of the Queensland Bar Association during her time at the Bar. Bronwyn continues to be an associate member of the Queensland Bar Association and is an active member of the Mackay District Law Association and the North Queensland Law Association. Bronwyn values community service and over the years has been involved with many community organisations directed at the arts, inclusiveness of people with disabilities, homelessness and mental health issues in her local area of Mackay. Bronwyn’s husband is a proud BBC Old Boy (OC 1992). Bronwyn’s two sons are current boarders at BBC.

Mr David Goffage

Mr David Goffage

Mr David Goffage is a Brisbane-based investor and former investment banker with more than 22 years’ experience in global capital markets. He retired from Bank of America in 2018 as Head of Equity Capital Markets in Australia. During his career, he led more than 100 equity capital markets transactions, raising in excess of $100 billion. He previously held senior roles with ABN AMRO, Credit Suisse and Bankers Trust.

Since retiring from investment banking, Mr Goffage has focused on investment, governance and philanthropic roles. He has chaired the UQ Endowment Fund since 2016 and is a member of the University of Queensland Investment Sub-Committee, overseeing approximately $1.3 billion in investments. He has also served with the St Aidan’s Foundation and Queensland Cricket Foundation.

Mr Goffage is a proud BBC Old Boy (OC 1987), with his three brothers, son and four nephews also having attended the College. He holds Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Queensland.

Key current roles include:

Chairman, UQ Endowment Fund
Member, University of Queensland Investment Sub-Committee
Member, UniQuest Extension Fund Investment Committee
Director, St Aidan’s Creeth Endowment

Clayfield College Advisory Council

Jamie Sutherland

CHAIR, GDip Mkt, Mini MBA (Mkt)

Jamie Sutherland

CHAIR, GDip Mkt, Mini MBA (Mkt)

Jamie is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of building strong business partnerships and executing strategies working in the leisure, travel & tourism and airline industry.

A strategic thinker and strong negotiator, Jamie has professional skills in negotiation, business travel, leisure travel, business development, airlines, airports and tour operators.

As a College parent, Jamie is a strong advocate for Clayfield College and has a deep commitment to their vision and values.

Key current non-executive directorship includes:

Chair, Clayfield College Advisory Council Global Lead Distribution, GDS and FlyFC, Flight Centre Travel Group
Advisory Board Member – FCTG Employee Superannuation Committee
Director, 19Zero3 – Content Design and Creative Business
Achieved key milestones in FCTG’s distribution strategy
Implemented low cost carrier strategy for FCTG
Designed and implemented product strategy for new business units within FCTG

Christine McDonald

BEd (Hons), BSc, PhD, GCert (Higher Ed)

Christine McDonald

BEd (Hons), BSc, PhD, GCert (Higher Ed)

Christine is Dean (Academic) of the Arts, Education and Law Group, Griffith University, and a Professor of Science Education. Her research primarily focuses on teachers’ and students’ conceptions of science, and she recently led the Australian leg of a large-scale, international study investigating students’ scientific inquiry with over 5000 students in 37 countries.

She has designed and delivered online professional learning programs to over 400 Queensland science teachers as part of funded government initiatives and her commissioned review of best practice in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education underpinned the development of the Queensland Department of Education STEM Strategy.

Christine is a past parent with a commitment to quality education. Her local, national and international connections in the science education community will enable her to share her expertise and provide cutting edge advice to the Council on curriculum matters.

Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:

Member – Clayfield College Advisory Council
Associate Editor – Journal of Research in Science Teaching (USA)
Previous Director – Australasian Science Education Research Association
Previous Chair – National Association for Research in Science Teaching (USA) Early Career Research Award Committee

Steve Wilkins

Dip (Farm Management)

Steve Wilkins

Dip (Farm Management)

Steve Wilkins is the General Manager of Aminya Pastoral which operates nine properties from Aramac in Central Western Qld to Glen Innes in Northern NSW. The business has diverse enterprises consisting of beef cattle breeding and trading, Merino sheep breeding and broadacre dryland farming.

Aminya Pastoral has a strong management team who are passionate about the properties, livestock and staff they manage. Based in Brisbane, Steve has 25 years’ experience in senior management roles on mixed enterprise properties throughout NSW and QLD.

Key current and previous appointments, roles and awards include:

Secretary – Kioma Cluster Association (2017 – present)
Member – Waggamba Landcare (2012 – 2017)
Treasurer – Kioma State School P&C
Association (2014 – 2017)
President – Kioma State School P&C Association (2011 – 2013)

Somerville House Advisory Council

Matthew Miller

Assoc.Dip, Bus (Real Estate Val), GradDip Urban & Reg Plan

Matthew Miller

Assoc.Dip, Bus (Real Estate Val), GradDip Urban & Reg Plan

Matthew Miller is a senior Brisbane property executive with 30 years experience and extensive commercial business acumen, governance experience and stakeholder and relationship management capability.

Currently the General Manager Queensland at Dexus, Matthew’s primary role is building, motivating and growing strong teams to deliver successful projects. He is well known in the property industry as an industry leader who tackles difficult projects with great success.

Matthew has strong connections to Somerville House – he is a current parent and his wife is a past student. He is a passionate advocate for independent schooling, particularly girls’ education.

Key current non-executive directorship includes:

Member – Somerville House School Advisory Council
Former Chair – Corporate & Commercial Real Estate Committee, Property Council of Australia (Qld Division)
Past board member – South Bank Corporation
Past board member – Brisbane City Council Inclusive Brisbane Board

Jonathon Chew

B Comm, MPH, Grad Cert Divinity

Jonathon Chew

B Comm, MPH, Grad Cert Divinity

Jon is the Chief Insights Officer at Navitas, a leading education provider with over 90 colleges and campuses across 20 countries. Prior to this, he spent over ten years in consulting across the higher education, vocational education and the public sectors, most recently as Principal at the management consulting firm, Nous Group. He spent the early part of his career at the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Victoria, with two secondments to the Garnaut Climate Change Review.

Jon brings in-depth expertise on strategy, education management, data analytics, and global trends in education. He is passionate about the transformative power of education and cross-cultural experiences.

Jon is a parent at Somerville House and Brisbane Boys’ College.

Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:

Member – Somerville House School Advisory Council
Executive Committee Member – BBC Parents’ and Friends’ Association
Vice President – International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)
Research Committee Chair and Deputy Chair of the Data Group – IEAA
Former Board Member – Conservation Volunteers Australia, WetlandCare Australia

Tracey Mcfarland

B.Business, GAICD

Tracey Mcfarland

B.Business, GAICD

Mrs Tracey McFarland is a highly experienced executive with 30 years of experience in strategic marketing management, customer experience, transformational change and operational improvement.

Tracey has a proven track record in large market-leading service organisations and is recognised for her energy and achievement drive in consumer services, strategic vision and operational planning, innovative thinking and change leadership.

Currently, the Chief Experience Officer – People & Culture and Customers at Goodstart Early Learning, Tracey strives to create better solutions to human needs and build brands, teams and reputation off the back of better experiences and business outcomes.

Tracey is a Somerville House graduate of the Class of 1990, current parent and third-generation Somerville House family.

Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:

Member – Somerville House School Advisory Council (first appointed 2021, current term until 2024)
Executive Committee – Goodstart Early Learning
Mentor – Minerva Network Australia – mentoring elite sportswomen on commercial challenges of being a professional athlete
Graduate – Australian Institute of Company Directors (2019)
Former Management Committee – Chief Customer Officer Forum Australia (2010-2017)
Australian Direct Marketing Association – National Young Direct Marketer of the Year – (2003)
Bachelor of Business (Marketing) with Distinction – QUT

Dr Nikola Stepanov

PhD, JD, MEd, GDip Legal Practice, GDip VET, BN, GAICD

Dr Nikola Stepanov

PhD, JD, MEd, GDip Legal Practice, GDip VET, BN, GAICD

Nikola is a highly regarded CEO, lawyer, ethicist, non-executive director, governance professional, and academic with a passion for education. She brings a very diverse background to the Council including as a lawyer with experience in infrastructure and service intensive organisations, and as a ethicists and lawyer in human rights, human trafficking, elder abuse family and domestic violent, and corruption.

Of her six degrees, two are in education, and she has a strong teaching and academic background including as a current Adjunct Professor with the Department of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University, and her past worked as an academic with University of Queensland School of Medicine during which time she completed her PhD with The Melbourne School of Medicine and The Melbourne School of Global and Population Health.

She is well known for her time as Queensland Integrity Commissioner where she was the first female commissioner and the first commissioner to be signed for a second term. In that capacity Nikola provided formal advice on more than 1,200 matters ranging from drafting amendments to the Ministerial Code of Conduct on behalf of the Premier, to providing advice on catalytic multigenerational infrastructure projects.

Nikola was inspired to put herself forward for consideration for this important role due to Somerville House’ long-standing commitment to empowering girls and young women, and for their generous scholarship opportunities, including to girls and women from rural, regional, and remote areas. As a woman who completed high school in a public school, she is deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by her own single Mum who worked extra shifts as a nurses- aid to ensure Nikola and her brother could finish high school. Nikola acknowledges and respects the sacrifices many parents of Somerville House School students’ make to ensure their daughters can be empowered to believe in themselves and their future potential.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council

Bruce Swan

Acting Chair, BBus, ICAA

Bruce Swan

Acting Chair, BBus, ICAA

Bruce Swan has more than 30 years experience as a Chartered Accountant, both in Queensland and overseas.

He has a wealth of experience in the practice area of audit, particularly through his work with not-for-profit and charity organisations, companies, and body corporates on the Sunshine Coast.

In addition, Bruce has worked with a number of small and medium sized businesses, providing business advisory guidance.

Key current non-executive directorship includes:

Acting Chair – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council
Partner – BDO
Registered Company Auditor
Registered Tax Agent Member – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand

Samantha Shanahan

LLB (Hons), BBehavSc (Psych)

Samantha Shanahan

LLB (Hons), BBehavSc (Psych)

Sam is the General Counsel of Ramsay Health Care Australia and leads the Australian Legal Team, together with overseeing the clinical legal portfolio including clinical incident management and medical malpractice claims. She is an experienced solicitor with over 20 years’ experience working in the law in both private practice and in house roles.

Sam has broad experience in the effective operation of risk and governance frameworks and has a particular interest in health law. Sam holds a Bachelors Degree in Law and Legal Practice (Honours) and a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology).

Sam was appointed as a Board Director and Member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee of Cancer Council Queensland in January 2023.

Sam is passionate about volunteer work and seeks opportunities to use her professional experience to drive continuous improvement and service excellence to support the needs of the community.

Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:

Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council
Board Member – Cancer Council Queensland
Member – Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (Cancer Council Queensland)
General Counsel – Ramsay Health Care Australia

Tony Sowden

LLB (UQ)

Tony Sowden

LLB (UQ)

Tony Sowden is a commercial lawyer with more than 36 years’ experience and has specific expertise in business structures and relationships, organisations law, governance, corporate advisory and not-for-profit entities.

Holding a Bachelor of Laws from The University of Queensland, Tony was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1986.

Having owned and managed commercial law firms on the Sunshine Coast since 1992, Tony has had extensive involvement in the establishment, operation, governance and strategic direction for many Sunshine Coast public and private corporations and institutions and has held numerous roles including director, company secretary and/or general counsel.

Key current and previous appointments, roles and qualifications include:

Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council (appointed member 2022)
Principal/Director – Tony Sowden, Lawyer
Board Member – Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation Limited
Member/Company Secretary – IFYS Limited
Member/Company Secretary – Push Potential Limited
Life Member and former Board Member – Sunshine Coast Business Council Inc.
Former Board Member – Food and Agribusiness Network Limited (FAN)
Former Board Member – Community Water Limited
Former Member – Advisory Board of SunnyKids Inc.
Former Board Member – Sustainable Business Alliance Inc.
Former Board Member – Caloundra City Enterprises Pty Ltd (later Sunshine Coast Enterprises Pty Ltd), a corporation wholly owned by Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Former Member – Creative Cabinet – Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance Inc.
Former Board Member/Founder – Yandina Chamber of Commerce

Natalie Smith

BSc with Japanese, Post Grad Dip Ed, MEd Admin

Natalie Smith

BSc with Japanese, Post Grad Dip Ed, MEd Admin

Natalie is a highly experienced and regarded educational leader who brings a wealth of experience and expertise gained from a wide range of educational contexts, most recently as the Principal of Montessori International College on the Sunshine Coast (2023-2024).

Natalie holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration as well as a Bachelor Degree in Science with Japanese and a Post Graduate Diploma of Education. She has been passionate about the education of young people for over 25 years.

She has worked with all ages of students from primary and secondary, through to tertiary across the independent, Catholic and government sectors in both Queensland and New South Wales. Natalie has experience in both single-sex and coeducational environments. This includes experiences at Grace Lutheran College, Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Assumption College in Warwick. residential experiences in both secondary and university level at institutions such as Stuartholme School, Brisbane and The Women’s College at Sydney University.

A great advocate of experiential learning, Natalie has organised and led groups of students and staff to travel to Japan, Germany, and Borneo to discover firsthand the connections between their learning and their place as global citizens.