The Moreton Bay Montessori Association has provided ongoing support and the school is thankful for this guidance.  If any member of our school community would like to become a member of the Association, please complete this form and return it to the School.  A fee of $2 is required.

The MBMA Board is currently represented by:

• Nick Willemsen – President
• Shanan Brandis – Vice President
• Roelie Hartwig – Director
• Helen Spry – Director
• Neil Spry – Director
• David Robertson, Director
• Ashleigh Hunt, Secretary

Current members of the Association may be nominated for a position on the MBMA Board at the Annual General Meeting. As this encompasses a significant commitment and responsibility, it is recommended that prospective nominees contact the President for further information regarding the duties of the role and to ensure clarity of the position prior to nomination.
All nominations must be made by two current Association members, accepted by the nominee and submitted no less than 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. These nominations will then be included in the Public Listing of nominees that will be displayed for seven days prior to the AGM.  Please attach a short biography, briefly describing relevant qualifications, background and reasons for wanting to join the Board when returning your nomination. This information will be included in the Public Listing of Nominees.  Nominations must be made by returning the duly completed Board Nomination Form to the School Office or by email to president@mbma.asn.au.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Diploma of Project Management. Nick has been involved with the Caboolture Montessori School since 2006, as a parent and as a Board member. Throughout this time, Nick has been involved in various activities around the school and has enjoyed watching as the school continues to grow into what we see today. Nick is an electrical engineer and project manager with over 20 years’ experience working for government and small and large engineering firms. Nick has extensive personnel and project management experience that can be utilised to assist the Board to govern the future direction of the Caboolture Montessori School.

Nick has extensive experience as a member of the MBMA Board and looks forward to continuing in this role. Being nominated for the Board will allow Nick to work with the other Board members to implement the MBMA Strategic Plan with the primary focus on preparation for implementation of middle and senior phases of schooling (high school).

Shanan holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Shanan was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2003. Following her admission, Shanan practiced predominantly in the area of family law until starting a family with her husband, Cameron.

In 2011, Shanan and Cameron began a start-up Electrical Engineering business, Brandis Industries. The business has now diversified so as to include both an electrical services division, as well as a specialized electrical test equipment hire division. Shanan has three sons, all of whom attended Caboolture Montessori School.

Shanan would like to contribute to the collaboration of the MBMA Board and assist in making Caboolture Montessori School the very best it can be, for the ultimate benefit of the children who attend.

Roelie holds a Diploma of Teaching (Primary), a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education (Montessori) (Loyola University) and both 0-3 & 3-6 years AMI Diplomas.

Nearly two decades ago, Brisbane born Roelie gave up city living and moved to Longreach, in central western Queensland.  She enjoys the space, the quiet, the starry nights and the supportive community. She loves to support the Arts when they come to the West.

Roelie has taught in schools in Queensland and overseas, including 3 years at Brisbane Montessori School. She was the founder of the Montessori Infants’ Playgroup in Brisbane and ran a Montessori program for the Indigenous teenagers at Wadja Wadja High School at Woorabinda, outside Rockhampton.

Roelie is the Director, Tour Designer and Tour Guide of ‘Montessori Tours and Travel’, a tour operation taking travellers on tours to sites significant to Dr. Maria Montessori’s history and legacy.

Roelie is thrilled to be on the MBMA supporting the community to a future that is exciting as well as challenging.

Helen and her family have been part of the CMS community since 2008, seeing both of her sons graduate from CMS and move onto local high schools.

Helen has operated two landscape design businesses, Eco Garden Design & Ezyplant.com.au for over 20 years and is experienced in many areas of business.  Her decisive, practical nature ensures positive outcomes are achieved.

Helen previously served on the Board from 2013 – 2017 holding the Vice-President position for three years before taking some time out for personal pursuits. Joining the board again in 2019, she now continues her commitment to CMS & looks forward to working with board members, together with the school management team, to guide CMS successfully into the future.

Neil’s connection to Montessori education stretches back 15 years when his first son started at the then Montessori Children’s House in Morayfield.  Both his sons attended Caboolture Montessori School going on to local High School and his oldest now attends University of the Sunshine Coast.

After 34 years in the bearings and industrial supply industry, Neil is currently the National Contracts Manager with Inenco Pty Ltd responsible for tendering, negotiating and maintaining supply contracts with many of the top 100 manufacturing companies in Australia. He has performed a range of roles with Inenco from stores to sales, product management and sales management. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Management and brings extensive experience in business to the governance team at Caboolture Montessori School.

Recent committee and executive roles with Caboolture and District BMX Club including Vice President and President have developed Neil’s understanding of management in the not-for-profit sector and his links to local community and government.

Neil enjoys music, gardening, sport and sharing time with family and friends. He looks forward to working collaboratively with existing MBMA board members and management team to ensure the ongoing bright future of the Caboolture Montessori School.

David is experienced in governance, financial and resource management, and strategic policy development, particularly in the education and not-for-profit sectors. He was formerly Executive Director of Independent Schools Queensland and held senior positions in both Independent Schools Queensland and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria for over thirty years. He has served on numerous statutory and government boards, Ministerial Taskforces, and committees in school education.

Since retiring in 2021, David has served on several Boards, including The Rockhampton Grammar School, the Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority and Somerset Education.

Mr Robertson is a strong supporter of independent schools and has recently co-authored the book “Evidence on Quality Schooling”.

Ashleigh has over twenty-three years’ experience in the administration environment and twenty years within the legal industry. In July 2021, Ashleigh was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and holds a Bachelor of Justice (Majoring in Police Investigations), a Juris Doctor and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Ashleigh and her husband, Luke started an Electrical Company, L & A Electrical Services in 2010 and a Collectible business, Trainer Red’s Collectibles in 2021.

Luke and Ashleigh have two boys, both of whom attend the Caboolture Montessori School.

Ashleigh is extremely excited about her role with the Board and working with the teachers and administrators in continuing to create an environment for our children where they are happy, healthy and thriving.

Ashleigh enjoys reading, music, bike riding and spending time with her family away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Contact with the Board can be made through Ashleigh by mailing secretary@mbma.asn.au.