Governance
College Council
The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q.) represented by The SCOTS PGC College has established a Council responsible for effective governance of the school. The Council works in partnership with the Leadership team to set and oversee the delivery of the school’s strategic plan. Broadly speaking, they are responsible for establishing, implementing and monitoring policy in relation to –
- Strategic development
- Financial leadership and management
- Relationships and partnerships including the appointment of the Principal
- Facilities and resources
- Risk management and compliance
Members Appointed by Synod for 2024
Mr Martin Webb, Chairman
Martin is a Certified Financial Planner® and Director of Graham Financial – a boutique financial planning practice based in Toowoomba and Brisbane since 1985. Martin is an experienced sheep and cattle grazier working for many years in western Queensland. He is also an experienced public policy analyst spending several years in Canberra working in the Treasury and Finance departments. Martin is passionate about learning and building for future generations.
Mrs Florence Kearney, Deputy Chair
Florence Kearney (Flo) is Head of College and CEO of The Women’s College, University of Queensland. With more than 40 years’ experience, Flo has a distinguished career in the education of young people having been the principal of three leading independent girls’ schools over the past 20 years alone. She was educated in Brisbane, has degrees in Education and Commerce and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Flo has also held wider roles in the not-for-profit sector and sporting arenas including Chair of Wesley Mission Queensland Board, Chair of Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA), Chair of the Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association (BSRA) and member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) Queensland Board.
Mr David Thomson
David is CEO of Horticulture Queensland’s peak industry body, Growcom. He has extensive line management experience around Australia in manufacturing, distribution, tourism and shipping having led both public and privately owned organisations. David has a vision to build industry capacity, skills and real career opportunities in the Queensland Horticulture industry and sees the region surrounding and serviced by SCOTS PGC as perfectly positioned to realise that potential.
Mrs Kelly Ostwald
Kelly is the Southeast Queensland Director of AgForce, whose core business is lobbying industry and government on behalf of members to secure sustainable, profitable, and productive agriculture in Queensland. Kelly is also AgForce’s representative on the Farmsafe Australia committee.
In addition to these key roles, Kelly has been heavily involved in the Isolated Children’s Parents Association. She was the lead representative for the Boarding Schools portfolio for six years as well as Queensland State Secretary for two years. Kelly lives rurally and is very engaged in the Agricultural space and passionate about educating the next generation of Agricultural leaders.
Simon Armstrong
Simon is the Principal and CEO of Cromwell College at the University of Queensland. He has extensive experience in the education sector, in both State and Independent schools, covering all corners of Queensland and an excellent understanding of delivering education in rural and city contexts.
Prior to his current role, Simon was the Principal of an Independent Uniting Church School in north Brisbane for 9 years. During his tenure, enrolments grew from 350 students to nearly 1000. This exponential growth gave him experience in setting and driving culture and change, as well as having an integral knowledge of sourcing and procuring government funding. Simon was a key stakeholder in the 14 major capital works projects during his term and is keenly equipped to assist and mentor SCOTS PGC College into the future.
Georgia Kiss
LLM(Dist); LLB(Hons); GDLP
After graduating from SCOTS PGC College in 2011, Georgia spent a gap year as a jillaroo on a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory. She then moved to Brisbane to study law at the Queensland University of Technology, graduating with honours.
Following her undergraduate study, Georgia was Associate to her Honour Fleur Kingham, President of the Land Court of Queensland. After her associateship, Georgia studied a Master of Laws at Queen’s University Belfast, where she graduated first in her class and with Distinction.
Georgia returned to Queensland and was called to the Bar in May 2021. She is instructed in a range of matters, including at the appellate level, concerning commercial contracts, equity, mining compensation, acquisition of land, valuer-general appeals, planning appeals, succession disputes, and declaratory and enforcement proceedings.
As a past student of the College, Georgia is an excellent advocate for SCOTS PGC and is keen to assist in its future growth and success.
Jon Grayson
Jon is a company director with senior executive experience in the private and public sectors. His experience in the public sector includes Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in Queensland, Deputy Secretary of the New Zealand Treasury and CEO of the NZ Infrastructure Commission.
This was preceded by an investment banking career which included the role of CEO of an ASX listed infrastructure investment fund. Jon also served as Chair of Cromwell College at the University of Queensland. He now sits on the boards of two technology companies and continues his interest in public policy issues.
As a proud past student, prefect and College Dux, who grew up in Killarney, Jon is keen to contribute and help the College continue its strong growth – especially in the current era, with five young Graysons now students at SCOTS PGC.
Member Appointed by the Presbytery for 2024
Mr Julian Turner
Julian is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon; the Royal Military College of Science, Schrivenham; and Australian Command and Staff College. He has served in Command appointments at the operational and strategic levels of the Australian Army, NATO and the United Nations as well as in a multinational capacity for the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC. He retired from the Army and began teaching secondary level science and chemistry until retirement in 2017. He is the Chair of St Stephen’s Uniting Church Council, Toowoomba Building Committee and St Stephen’s Toowoomba Meals on Wheels Management Committee. Julian brings experience in operating at the strategic level, and education within a girls’ boarding school. He is the Uniting Church, Presbytery of the Downs representative on the Council.
Ex Officio Members
Bruce Moore, Moderator of Synod
Adam McIntosh, General Secretary