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
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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.

PAST Awards

2019

dENISE KOSTOWSKI​

Lifetime Achievement Award

TONY McCORMACK​

Achievement Award 

KIRSTEN DWYER

​Leadership in the Profession Award

2018

Gail Armstrong​

​Leadership in the Profession

​Chris Roff

Lifetime Achievement Award

​Andrew PIERPOINT

Lifetime Achievement Award

2017

​Allan cook

Lifetime Achievement Award

​Elena Itsiksn

Leadership in the Profession Award

2016

Angela Toppin

​Lifetime Achievement Award - Angela is currently Councilor, Mareeba Shire Council and recently retired from her role as Principal, Cairns State High School in Far North Qld.  She was a Business Teacher for 14 years at Mareeba State High School and was appointed Head of Department Business and Technology at Smithfield State High School in 1990.  During that time she was able to ‘drive’ many innovations in the area of Business Education.  She and her Team of very competent teachers were able to offer a very ‘dynamic’ curriculum which attracted enrolments from other schools. During this time she was President of the Peninsula Branch of BEAQ.  During her presidency Angela focussed very heavily on professional development for Business Educators and collegial support.  It was an extremely active branch and very highly regarded by Principal’s and Executive Officers of EQ.

Shona McKinlay

Achievement Award 

Ray Johnston​

​Leadership in the Profession Award

2015

John Livingston

 Leadership in the Profession Award

2012

Donna Drinkwater

Achievement Award - Donna has been instrumental in organising QSPA conferences annually for Deputy Principals over many years, coordinated Deputy Principal Meetings and strongly advocated for, and represented DPs on QSPA State Council. She speaks passionately about her school and state education in general. 
Donna has acted as a member of the QSPA Executive in the capacity as Vice-President, Finance, Facilities and Information Technology, during 2010/2011and represented the association on a number of committees. Her commitment to the association is well recognised.

Janelle Deakin

Leadership in the profession Award - Janelle is a strong advocate of public education and with the role of Principal being her passion. Over a long period of time as a school leader, Janelle has mentored a large number of school principals and deputy principals. She is thoroughly respected for her leadership and student outcomes at the three State High Schools where she has held the position of principal attest to her ability. During her teaching career Janelle has held classified positions at The Gap SHS,Ferny Grove SHS, Newmarket SHS, Lowood SHS, Mabel Park SHS and Pine Rivers SHS.

Murray Wegner

 

2011

John Thornberry

Gail Armstrong

2010

Andrew Pierpoint

Leadership in the Profession Award - Andrew has had a significant impact on the profession, particularly in the Darling Downs and South West Regions. He has represented the region on state council as well as currently being on the executive. Andrew has represented the profession at district, regional, state and national levels on behalf of our state and national associations. He is an active member who supports and mentors colleagues and sets an example for other to follow.

Trevor Gordon

Leadership in the Profession Award - Trevor has been a long standing and highly regarded Principal and administrator in serving in Far North Queensland over many years. He is held in high regard for the work that he does on behalf of Principals and the innovative practices he has implemented in his schools. A long standing member of QSPA who is always prepared to share his expertise with others, and assist colleagues at any time. Trevor is a great advocate for the Principalship and a leader in the profession.

2008

Jeff Major

Achievement Awards - Jeff has given outstanding service to QSPA over many years in various capacities. He has served as a deputy principal vice president, and on state council. He has represented QSPA at a state and national level and represented the association on the reference group of the Queensland Studies Authority. He gives of his time freely to the association and to colleagues in assisting them to improve practice and support their welfare. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a principal over many years.

Shona McKinlay

Achievement Award - Shona has been an innovator in boys’ education and an active member of QSPA on state council and coordinating the Sunshine Coast South QSPA members. She is a strong advocate for the principalship and demonstrated her successful leadership in the role and is highly regarded by her peers. Shona has always been willing to represent the association and deal with difficult and challenging issues for the benefit of principals, teachers and students.

Tony Kennedy

Achievement Award - Tony has been the treasurer of QSPA and moved the association into the electronic era of banking. He has also been a member of the state council before taking on his current role on executive. Tony has been an integral part of the conference organising committee and chaired this group. His support, passion and dedication to the association is well demonstrated.

Wade Haynes

Leadership in the Profession Award - Wade was one of the first principals to introduce a technology immersion programs and his approach to student welfare has also been referred to as ground breaking. He has implemented innovative practices as a principal in a number of schools and received a number of state showcase awards. Wade has led his school through international accreditation and developed parent support groups associated with his school. He has been a longstanding member of the QSPA executive and treasurer as well as serving on the conference coordinating committee.

2007

Jocelyn Roberts

Darren has been a member of the state council and conference coordinating committee for many years. Through Darren’s leadership, sponsorship of this organisation has been raised to another level allowing us to raise the overall standard of the conference. Darren has served as a deputy principal and principal across the state and positively impacted the approach to the principalship with his colleagues. 

Darren Edwards

Jocelyn has served for many years on the on the executive and state council of QSPA. She has represented the state at national and international levels. Jocelyn is a respected leader in the profession and advocated strongly for increased resourcing and fairer resourcing for secondary schools across the state. Jocelyn has made a significant contribution to the work of QSPA over many years.

2006

Peter O’Beirne 

Achievement Award - Peter has been the Central Queensland QSPA state council representative for many years and a Secondary Principal in Biloela and Rockhampton. He has represented our association nationally on the Australian Principals Association Professional Development Council. Peter has a strong focus on improving the school completion rates  and achievement levels of our indigenous students.

Yvonne Gordon

Achievement Award - Yvonne is highly respected among her peers and has vast experience as a Deputy Principal across a number of schools. Her knowledge and commitment to the profession is exemplary and always supported newly appointed DPs and others in times of need. She is a strong advocate for QSPA, chairs the local DPs group and represent the far north on state council.

Stephen Savvakis

​Leadership in the Profession Award - Stephen has held the position of President of our Far North Qld branch and been instrumental in building the strength of this branch to the level it is today. He is very actively involved in advancing the professionalism and professional development of the profession. His strategic leadership of the local Principals and recognition by his peers is well known. Stephen has shared his strategies and leadership philosophy with state council. He continues to strongly advocate with all levels of the department on behalf of principals.

2005

Bill Bondfield​

Leadership in the Profession Award - ​Bill has served in education in places from the Torres Strait to the Queensland border in the south. His leadership and innovative approaches to education is recognised by the popularity of the schools he leads and the programs of outstanding quality that are offered. He has led the development of school based programs of excellence in both cultural and academic pursuits. Bill is strongly committed to networking with colleagues and promoting the quality of state education on the Gold Coast where he has been Principal of two state High Schools. He is recognised by his peers as an outstanding educator and leader in the field.

Deb War

Achievement Award - Deb is a long standing member of QSPA and served on the executive and state council for many years. She has been both a vice president and secretary, as well as being part of the conference organising committee. Deb has worked hard for the association and facilitated many meetings and led position paper development days. Her leadership is recognised by her peers and as the inaugural recipient of the national APAPDC Professional Development Award.

John Hodgkinson

Lifetime Achievement Award - John has been a member of QSPA since 1988 when he was appointed as Principal of Murgon SHS. He has been Vice President of QSPA and elected Secretary/Treasurer of our national association ASPA in 1995. John built the website for ASPA and continues to manage that site today in his spare time. He has represented ASPA at International Confederation of Principals (ICP) meetings across the world. John has also been instrumental in advocating for the ‘Trust’ School Aid to support disaster relief where needed. His outstanding contributions to Queensland, Australia and International Principal Associations are a tribute to his commitment to the profession and the Principalship. An example for all to follow.

2004

Ross Smith

Achievement Award - Ross is a dedicated and committed advocate for public education and he continually pursues issues at a local, state and national level to address the needs of students. His school is a winner of the Business Education and Enterprise Education award as well as offering excellence programs and accelerated learning opportunities for students. Ross is a long standing member of QSPA serving as vice president, on the editorial committee for the national magazine ‘Principal Matters’ and represented the association at all levels. He has led the curriculum area of our association for many years and is held in high regard by his peers.
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Dr carla tromans

Achievement Award - Carla was secretary to the association over a three year period and served on the conference coordinating committee for a number of years. She has represented the association in many forums and conducted research into the workload on deputy principals I secondary schools as part of her PhD studies. Carla has represent the association internationally and is acknowledged as an outstanding advocate for deputy principals.
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john livingstone

Achievement Award - John is acknowledged as an innovator and highly successful Principal of one of the largest secondary schools in the state. He has led the way in implementing highly successful specialisation programs and mentored many of his colleagues and deputy principals. John is also known as a strong marketer of public education and has led the way in innovative ICT use for schools. A strong supporter and advocate for QSPA.
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