QSPA Awards

Recipients of awards are QSPA members who make a contribution that exemplifies the principles promoted by QSPA, exhibit exemplary leadership and bring credit to themselves, their colleagues and their profession. Awards provide a significant symbol for a professional association and acts as a means of acknowledging the work of our members.
The awards are presented at the annual conference of the association. Nominations are called in each category and must include the name of the nominee, nominator, seconder, referee and QSPA endorsement. Selections are made by members of QSPA Executive.
You can nominate someone you know who you think should be recognised by their community of peers.​

qspa_awards_nomination_form.pdf
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​Achievement Award
​

Significant contribution to the work of QSPA in recent years.

Leadership in the Profession AwaRD

Demonstrated strong and effective professional leadership within the context of Queensland Public Education.

Lifetime Achievement AwarD

Significant contribution to Queensland Public education and to the work of QSPA over an extended period of time.

Life Membership​

Is conferred following the retirement/resignation from the Department of Education to QSPA full members of good standing for long and committed service to QSPA.
Recognises members who through their long-standing membership of the Association have provided strong support to QSPA and fellow members.
​

Community
Leadership

Recognises a QSPA member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in building strong
Partnerships between their school and the wider community. The award honours principals whose work has extended the influence of public education by strengthening educational opportunity, social connection, and collective wellbeing within their local context.
​

Achievement
​Award

Significant contribution to the work of QSPA in recent years.

Paul Charles (2026)
Robyn Harvey (2025)
Melanie Brown (2025)
Christopher Kern (2025)
​Kathryn Todd (2025)
Leonard McKeown (2024)
Mark McLoughlin (2023)
Tony Whybird (2023)
Kim Leamon (2021)
Lou Oberholzer (2021)
Andy Stergou (2021)
Tony McCormack (2019)
Shona McKinlay (2016)
Ken Green (2014)
Graeme Goodger (2014)
Ross Smith (2014)
Donna Drinkwater (2012)
John Thornberry (2011)
Jeff Major (2008)
Shona McKinlay (2008)
Tony Kennedy (2008)
Jocelyn Roberts (2007)
Darren Edwards (2007)
Peter O’Beirne (2006)
Yvonne Gordon (2006)
Deb Ward (2005)
Ross Smith (2004)
Dr Carla Tromans (2004)
John Livingstone (2004)

Leadership in the Profession AwaRD​

Demonstrated strong and effective professional leadership within the context of Queensland Public Education.
​
​Kaylene Mladenovic (2026)
Heather Murry (2026)
Anne McLauchlan (2026)
Liz Foster (2025)
John Searle (2025)
Kathy Morrison (2025)
Donna Harvey (2024)
Michelle Pole (2024)
Sharon Barker (2023)
Tanya Haggarty (2023)
Julie Rowe (2023)
Denise Kostowski (2022)
Lois O’Reilly (2022)
Darrin Edwards (2021)
David Friis (2021)
Meredith Wenta (2021)
Maryanne Walsh (2021)
Kirsten Dwyer (2019)
Gail Armstrong (2018)
Elena Itsikson (2017)
Ray Johnston (2016)
John Livingston (2015)
Janelle Deakin (2012)
Murray Wegner (2012)
Trevor Gordon (2010)
Andrew Pierpoint (2010)
Wade Haynes (2008)
Stephen Savvakis (2006)
Bill Bonfield (2005)

Lifetime Achievement AwarD

Significant contribution to Queensland Public education and to the work of QSPA over an extended period of time.

​Julie Rowe (2025)
Robyn Kent (2024)
Glenn McIntosh (2024)
Tom Beck (2023)
Llew Paulger (2022)
Linda Buxton (2021)
Richard Graham (2021)
Jeff Major (2021)
Shona McKinlay (2021)  
Denise Kostowski (2019)
Andrew Pierpoint (2018)
Chris Roff (2018)
Allan Cook (2017)
Angela Toppin (2016)
Ed Bray (2005)

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Life Membership

Is conferred following the retirement/resignation from the Department of Education to QSPA full members of good standing for long and committed service to QSPA.
Recognises members who through their long-standing membership of the Association have provided strong support to QSPA and fellow members.

​Lou Oberholzer (2026)
Denise Kostowski (2025)
Ray Johnston (2024)
Andrew Pierpoint (2024)
Darrin Edwards (2023)
Daryl Early (2023)
Llew Paulger (2023)
Gail Armstrong (2022)

Community Leadership

Recognises a QSPA member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in building strong
Partnerships between their school and the wider community. The award honours principals whose work has extended the influence of public education by strengthening educational opportunity, social connection, and collective wellbeing within their local context.
​
​Brendan Krueger (2026)
Thomas McKenna (2026)