A retired school principal and a current primary school teacher have been appointed to Jobs Queensland Board and the Advisory Board for Queensland Academy of Sport, respectively.
Retired principal joins Jobs Queensland Board
Ms Deirdre von Guilleaume, a retired school principal with extensive experience in leadership, mentoring, coordination, and government, is joining a revitalised seven-member Jobs Queensland Board in 2025.
Continuing Board member and financial economist, Dr Michael Drew, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Jobs Queensland Board.
The Board is tasked with strengthening the state’s skilled workforce. With more than two decades of teaching experience, Ms Guilleaume will provide a vital voice for education.
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment, and Training Ms Ros Bates emphasised the Board’s role in driving Queensland’s future workforce planning and decision-making.
“With renewed purpose and fresh perspectives, we’re excited to welcome Dr Drew’s leadership and Ms Guilleaume’s real-world experience to the Jobs Queensland Board,” Minister Bates said.
“Together with our continuing Board members, they will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Queensland’s skilled workforce.”
Primary teacher brings sporting experience to sport academy
Ms Ella Sabljak, Australian Paralympian and world champion with more than 15 years in elite sport at an international level, has been appointed to the Advisory Board for Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS).
Ms Sabljak is a primary school teacher at MacKillop College in Werribee, with a passion for positive mental health and wellbeing.
She is also a founding member of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Athlete Steering Committee, as well as recently being appointed to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission and WADA’s Athlete Committee.
The new eight-member Advisory Board will work closely with the government and QAS management to ensure the Academy’s new structure delivers the agility and efficiency necessary to support Queensland’s elite athletes to succeed.
QAS will become a statutory body on 1 July 2025.
Minister for Sport and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Mr Tim Mander said the new Advisory Board had the right mix of skills, with strong Olympic, Paralympic and elite sport experience, as well as key business capabilities.
“The Queensland Government is committed to delivering the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games that Queenslanders deserve and making it our most successful Games ever,” Minister Mander said.
“Transitioning the QAS to a statutory body gives the organisation greater independence and the ability to streamline its administration and operation to allow our athletes to thrive.”
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