Our board is made up of committed professionals with a deep understanding of the needs of our communities Our team represent various aspects of corporate and public sector Australia as well as rural Australia.
Lynn French – CEO
I am a grazier’s wife, mother, nanna, tourist operator and volunteer to our young citizens of the nation. I live on a remote historical cattle station in North QLD called Gilberton. We run beef cattle and also have a private 5 star luxury retreat. Due to growing up on the land and with limited interest in schooling I really only realised its value when I became a parent.
For 32 years I have volunteered and advocated for rural children’s access to a great education. As an active member of VISE till its folding in 2017 and 4 years supporting AHVISE, I have been a constant between families and tutors, education organisations and parent representative organisations and seen many children grow up with a great education due to these organisations support.
In 2019 I was awarded QLD Volunteer of the year and have been a long term member of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association, ICPA. Rural children deserve the best education possible and I have committed my life to this cause, BushED is just that next step.
Maxine Sharpe
I am a very proud mum of 3 boys, wife of a wonderful husband, employee on a bio dynamic organic cattle station, avid dairy maid, amateur gardener and rider of horses.
I have experienced the ups and downs of the rural education journey; having attended Distance Ed, mainstream and boarding school; as well as playing the role of a nanny & governess, and now teaching my own children through Distance Education.
I love learning and education, whether it be teaching someone else or furthering my own knowledge.
I believe that life in rural and remote Australia gives children many incredible opportunities for growth and education and should be not a limitation to a child’s success.
I believe that the Bush and Education are vital to each other.
Charles Alder
Charles is one half of the team that bought the Buy a Bale program and charity Rural Aid into existence from 2013. During the foundation years Rural Aid established a database of over 14000 farmers and Charles helped create a team that raised over $100 million in 7 years to support drought, fire and flood affected farmers and rural communities across Australia.
Charles has always been involved in education having volunteered at numerous schools, President, Secretary and Chair of School Council and also been a Vice President of Queensland’s peak parent representative body.
Jacinta Warland, BSSc. Arc. M.ADR/CRW
I am currently the Principal Archaeologist of a heritage consultancy specialising in cultural heritage within the resources and transport industries. In collaboration with other industry teams, I have recently executed strategies to deliver new programs that work collaboratively within communities in regional and remote settings, to build lasting resilience to Australian Aboriginal businesses, and community-based organisations in the not-for-profit sector.
In many cases, working alongside the relevant stakeholders, government departments and agencies has been integral to a successful outcome. My professional experience and education places me in a positive position to contribute to the BushEd board and help the organisation achieve its mission and goals. I enjoyed a number of years tutoring many students through their 1st year university courses at James Cook university.
As part of my continued professional development and life-time learning, I have participated in several governance courses, and I will continue to invest in building my board and directorship knowledge. I am familiar with zoom, teams, meetings and other forms of electronic data capture and minute taking.
I offer technical expertise and a true understanding, passion, and enthusiasm for educating young people in their own environment, offering support for the parents and resources for the students. As a tenacious truth-seeker, I utilise my research and analytical skills to find unique solutions to difficult problems. Through my regular engagement with local and federal government agencies, I utilise my communication skills, commitment and drive to reach solutions for issues, and develop needs-based outcomes for the projects I am involved in.
