SpeakersDorothy Scott DAS photo.jpg Organisation: University of South Australia Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott OAM, PhD, began her career as a child care worker in a state children’s home in Victoria in the late 1960s. Moved by the suffering of children which she witnessed there, she studied social work at the University of Melbourne in the 1970s to pursue her vision of preventing child abuse and neglect. As a young social worker she developed innovative services in the areas of sexual assault, child protection and maternal mental health, which led to her being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and the Centenary Medal. Professor Scott is an honorary professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne and Emeritus Professor at the University of South Australia. Her current consultancy work involves clinical supervision for those working with vulnerable young children and their families, mentoring leaders of children’s services, facilitating inter-agency collaboration and providing policy advice to governments. Her most recent book (co-authored with Professor Fiona Arney) is Working with Vulnerable Families, A Partnership Approach, published by Cambridge University Press. Tim Moore.jpg Organisation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Position: Senior Research Fellow Dr Tim Moore is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne. He heads a small team with the responsibility of monitoring, reviewing and synthesising research literature on a wide range of topics relating to child development, family functioning and service systems. He has been the principal writer on numerous Centre for Community Child Health reviews, reports and policy briefs. A psychologist by training, he has worked in a variety of settings, and has taken a leading role nationally in the development of policy and training in the early childhood intervention field. He has been based at CCCH since 2000. Greg Baker photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Assistant Regional Director, Darling Downs South West Region My current position as Assistant Regional Director in Darling Downs South West Region allows me to work with Principals across schools in Laidley, Lockyer, Gore and Oakey areas. With a focus on school improvement, my interest lies in the area of instructional leadership in schools and the influence Principals can have on school and community culture. Rebecca Storck photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: A/Director, Darling Downs South West Region, Early Childhood Education and Care Rebecca Storck is Acting Director, Early Childhood Education and Care, Darling Downs South West Region, Department of Education and Training, Queensland. She has over 20 years’ experience with the early childhood sector. Her roles in early childhood have included teaching in rural and remote mobile kindergartens, director of regional long day care services, and facilitator of a pilot for rural Early Intervention services. Rebecca has worked in both New South Wales and Queensland in community based consultancy positions as well as at the regional public service level. Rebecca has been involved in new funding initiatives contributing to better outcomes for rural families and children with additional needs and more recently in the implementation of legislation and regulation. Rebecca also contributes to the local and State ECEC agenda through representation in working groups and advisory roles in the areas of developing ECEC educator leadership, workforce capability and access and equity to ECEC programs for rural and remote families. In her current role, Rebecca is passionate and committed to lifting quality outcomes for our youngest community members – children in ECEC services, and is an advocate of the National Quality Agenda and how it contributes to positive change at the system and service level. Mary Lincoln.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Director, Early Learning Pathways, Early Childhood and Community Engagement From her early career days as a kindergarten and primary school teacher to her current role as Director for Early Learning Pathways with the Department of Education and Training, Dr Mary Lincoln has maintained a key focus on working with community partners to improve outcomes for children. Mary is currently leading Queensland’s implementation of the Australian Early Development Census, the supporting successful transition to school state-wide initiative and refocusing age appropriate pedagogies in the early years of schooling. Mary believes that working together early childhood services, schools and community partners can make a significant difference to the health, well-being, learning outcomes and future opportunities for our young children. Lynden.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Principal Policy Officer, Early Learning Pathways Ms Lynden Lauer is Queensland’s Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) coordinator with responsibility for supporting the use of the AEDC by schools, early childhood services and communities to improve early childhood outcomes. Lynden is a Principal Policy Officer in the Early Childhood Education and Care Division, Department of Education and Training. Mark Cooper photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Principal Program Officer Mark has over 30 years experience in early childhood education. He was an early years teacher and education advisor before moving into public service roles in early childhood policy, curriculum, teaching and learning and regulation of early childhood services. Currently with the Early Learning Pathways team in the Division of Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Mark’s work focuses on promoting continuity of learning through the age appropriate pedagogies program. Madeline Hagon.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Principal Program Officer, Early Learning Pathways Ms Madeline Hagon is leading the development of resources for families, Early Childhood Education and Care Services and schools to help children enjoy a positive start to school. Madeline has taught in both early childhood education and care settings and schools and lectures in early childhood and music for Griffith University. Julie Johnston_Photo.png Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Principal Policy Officer Ms Julie Johnston has worked across both the Training and Early Childhood and Community Engagement Divisions for the past eighteen years. As part of the Assessment and Quality Improvement team, Julie has responsibility for supporting the early childhood education and care workforce through implementation and review of initiatives within the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Workforce Action Plan (WAP) 2016-2019. With a focus on the ECEC sector being Valued, Qualified and Skilled, the WAP recognises that quality education and development outcomes for young children depend on the knowledge and expertise of the ECEC workforce and educators. Tracey Thomas photo.jpg Organisation: Holistic Approach Family Day Care Position: National Consultant Tracey has been in Early Childhood for over 30years in Toowoomba and regional areas. Tracey has worked in Long Day Care, Occasional Care, and Kindergartens and for the last 21 years in Family Day Care. Tracey was a Validator for NCAC and this was a wonderful opportunity to experience the diversity of Family Day Care around Australia. During this time Tracey has been involved in many roles as Educational Leader, Policy Development and developing and delivering training. Bio Picture - Fiona Milburn-Brown.jpg Organisation: C&K Allora Community Kindergarten Position: Early Childhood Teacher Fiona Milburn-Brown teacher at C&K Allora Community Kindergarten. I have worked as a EC teacher for over 25 years with industry experience in schools, Preschools, Long Day Care, Family Day Care, School Aged Care and In-Home Care, in the not for profit sector. Moving from Brisbane 8 years ago commencing at the Allora Community Kindergarten. My professional interest lies in documentation and connection between family and community within our curriculum. Recent work with C&K has included contributions to “Companion Guide to the Collaborative Teaching and Learning Journal”. Megan Davis photo_2.jpg Organisation: Goodstart Early Learning Position: Director I am the Director of a Goodstart Early Learning Centre in the beautiful regional town of Warwick, QLD. I started my career in Early Childhood 11 years ago in the UK as a Montessori trained Educator. In 2006 I made the decision to further my knowledge and understanding of the industry and enrolled at Sheffield Hallam University to do my Bachelor of Honors in Early Childhood. During this time I used the opportunity to explore many areas of early childhood by working in a variety of settings such as: Sure Start Centres (Working as part of a multidisciplinary team), independent “nurseries” (childcare centres); and even did a stint with Sheffield Wildlife Trust delivering a Big Lottery Funded initiative that saw our team delivering outdoor play sessions for children in heavily disadvantaged areas of Sheffield during the school holidays. I have been a Director in Australia for 3 ½ years and specifically for Goodstart for 2 ½ years. Judy Anderson_photo.jpeg Organisation: Goodstart Early Learning Position: Nominated Supervisor/Centre Director Judy has been working in the field of Early Education for 15years, working her way through as a trainee right up to Centre Director. She has been a Centre Director for 11years and has worked at Goodstart Harristown for 7 years and at Toowoomba Healy Street for four years. She is passionate about working with children in particular families from the CALD, ESL and vulnerable children backgrounds. She also has a holistic approach to supporting families from all backgrounds and ensures all stakeholders feel secure and comfortable in the service, through many different ways depending on the needs of the families. Through the team dedication and strong Leadership and commitment to Early Learning the service has reached the result of Exceeding in all 7 areas of the National Quality Framework. Judy Cuskelly_3.PNG Organisation: Highfields Kindergarten Position: Director/ Education leader Judy Cuskelly is currently the Director of Highfields & District C&K Kindergarten, a 2 unit centre in Highfields, just north of Toowoomba, in a rapidly growing region of the state. She has worked in the early years settings for over 30 years. Judy is passionate about ‘filling the gap’ rather than just ‘bridging the gap’ between kindergarten and school settings and continues to work with local services to fulfil this aim, with the support of an amazing team. Judy sees the strength of the networks established, to build our community capacity, as vital to any progress. Networking with playgroups, to offer support on various levels, is in progress with pre-kindergarten children and families to provide smooth transitions into kindy and beyond. Ms Nettie Shields photo.jpg Organisation: Texas State School Position: Prep Teacher I have worked in Early Year’s Education over the past forty years, starting my career as a kindergarten teacher assistance, a pre-school teacher assistant, a group leader in long day care, a childcare provider and eventually as a classroom teacher working in a C&K Kindergarten, followed by Prep to Year 3. I have lived and worked in the small community of Texas since 1998. As part of the Texas P-10 State School community I have journeyed to Melbourne to see first-hand the John Flemming School in action in order to improve my knowledge and skills to successfully implement an explicit teaching environment. I have been one of the coordinators and presenters of effective classroom practices along being involved in developing community partnerships and links with the local Childcare Centre and C&K Kindergarten to provide effective transition strategies and practices. Megan Nass Photo.jpg Organisation: Surat Early childhood education centre Position: Director/Early childhood teacher Megan is the director and early childhood teacher at Surat Early Childhood Education Centre. She completed her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) at the University of Southern Queensland and has worked at Surat ECEC in her role for 18 months. Born and raised on a cattle property in a small country town called Mundubbera, Megan is passionate about providing quality education to children in rural areas. Megan works closely with the local primary school and meets regularly with the early years teachers to provide smooth transitions to Prep for her kindergarten children. Amanda Parmenter photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Manager Amanda is currently the A/Manager of the Early Childhood Education and Care team working across the Darling Downs South West Region and is a mother of four boys. She started her career in early childhood in 1997 working with children across the 0 – 8 space and it was here that her passion for Early Childhood developed. Over the past 5 years after returning to the early childhood sector following a break to raise her children she has enjoyed her current departmental roles and the challenge that this has brought in working with services to provide quality outcomes for children. Jane Newman photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Age Appropriate Pedagogies Project Officer Jane Newman has recently joined the Transition, Innovation and Partnership team in the Darling Downs South West and has taken on the role as Age Appropriate Pedagogies coach across the region. She has spent almost 20 years teaching in kindergartens, schools and more recently in leadership roles primarily focussed on the early years of schooling. Jo Darbyshire photo.jpg Organisation: Fairholme Kindergarten Position: Educational Leader Jo has been involved in the Early Childhood sector for over 35 years in a range of different roles including Kindergarten Teacher; Early Intervention Coordinator; Parent Support Worker; visiting Preschool Teacher; TAFE and University Lecturer. Jo is currently an Educator and Educational Leader at Fairholme College Kindy in Toowoomba. Fairholme Kindy received Exceeding National Quality Standards in every Quality Area in 2014. Jo has attended an International Study Tour of Reggio Emilia and has a strong element of nature play in her Kindy. She is interested in parent support and has a weekly radio segment on 4GR in Toowoomba and 96five Family number one in Brisbane covering topics relevant to young children and families. Jo is passionate about the value of early childhood education and is a Director (non-executive) of C&K and a Board Director of Early Childhood Australia. Skye Gabler (2) Photo.jpg Organisation: Goombungee State School Position: Principal Skye Gabler is the Principal of Goombungee State School, a school of 113 students in a small rural community approximately 40km north of Toowoomba. Skye's passion and enthusiasm for quality education is based on a strong commitment to providing students with every opportunity to achieve the highest possible standard. A long-term focus on working with families, carers and community groups has resulted in a strong and unrelenting focus on student wellbeing and successful transitions. Rowena Shirtcliff photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Partnerships and Innovation Officer Rowena started her teaching career in a remote Queensland community teaching a Grade 1/2/3 class and it was here that her passion for Early Childhood developed. Over the past 14 years she has taught all grades across the Early Years (Prep-3) as well as enjoyed other departmental roles during this time and she is currently part of the Early Childhood Education and Care team working across the Darling Downs South West Region. In her current role, Rowena is passionate about supporting networks, schools and educators to develop models of best practice in Transition to School that are responsive to the children and families in their community. Tarryn Lyons photo.jpg Organisation: Mini Me Family Day Care service Position: Early Childhood Educator My name is Tarryn Lyons. I’m lucky to have a wonderful husband, Jacob and we are parents to two beautiful children, Jaiden & Koa. I am an Early Childhood Educator and owner of Mini Me Family Day Care, which is registered under Holistic Approach FDC and has been operating since January 2013. In 2015, I was awarded the Academic Excellence in Early Childhood Education & Care Award and also took out the Family Day Care Educator of the Year title for the Darling Downs region. My aim is to establish a warm welcoming environment and working relationship with families- sharing knowledge to provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment within supporting the fundamentals of new experiences for children, meeting their personal achievements and milestones through creativity and discovery. I believe this is achieved by delivery and incorporating a variety of learning experiences to nurture and encourage each child’s individuality, independence and self-confidence through a balance of both structured and self-chosen activities. Marina Kenway photo.jpg Organisation: Department of Education and Training Position: Abecedarian Project Officer Marina ‘s first 6 years as an Early Years teacher were in Lockhart River, Cape York. After 14 years teaching Preschool, Prep and Year 1 in the Lockyer Valley, Marina was trained by Professor Joseph Sparling in the 3a approach. She is currently a 3a Trainer and Coach affiliated with the University of Melbourne. Robyn Whiting photo.jpg Organisation: Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) Position: Manager Robyn Whiting, Manager, at the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) leads the development of resources and professional learning programs to support Queensland teachers to implement curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 10. Emma Jarvis_2.PNG Organisation: UnitingCare Community Position: A/Service Coordinator Emma Jarvis is the A/Service Coordinator for UnitingCare Community, Referral for Active Intervention (RAI) and the pilot program, Intensive Early Childhood Development Support Program (IECD). Emma has a background in Social Work and has worked in the Child Protection System, Disability Services and Community for approximately 10 years. Emma currently works within the community in early intervention both in the capacity of an intensive family support program and an intensive in-home education support program. Emma believes strengthening parental capabilities and supporting positive and safe parent-child relationships are essential to healthy child development. Emma also acknowledges and supports parents as the first educators of their children and the importance of positive academic and social outcomes for successful transition into schooling. Danielle Schutt Photo.jpg Organisation: UnitingCare Community Position: Early Childhood Teacher Danielle Schutt works for UnitingCare Community as an Early Childhood Teacher for the Intensive Early Childhood Support Program (IECD). Danielle has been working in the early childhood industry in Australia and overseas for the past 8 years. After extending on her Bachelor degree and completing a Graduate Certificate in Human Services (Child Protection), Danielle commenced working for the Referral for Active Intervention (RAI) Program with UnitingCare Community. During this time an opportunity became available within IECD and Danielle accepted her current position. Danielle is passionate about early childhood development and empowering families to understand the importance of the early years. Organisation: Representative of the Western group of the Wakka Wakka Nation Bianca Beattie is a Traditional custodian and representative of the Western group of the Wakka Wakka Nation. Bianca was born in Brisbane and then had moved back to her traditional country with her family when she was 8 years of age and since then she had learnt the ways of her people from her father, uncles and aunties. Bianca also works with companies on locating artefacts of cultural significance so they are not lost. |
