Governance

President:
Nicole Hunt (Townsville City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: President Jul 22-Jun 24 | Vice President Jul 20-Jun 22 | Secretary Jul 19-Jun 20 | SE Qld Regional Rep Jul 2016-Jun 2017

Biography:

Nicole Hunt is Team Manager, Libraries & Community Hubs with Townsville City Council, current President of Queensland Public Libraries Association, Chair – ALIA Community on Resource Description Special Interest Group and a member of the Trove Strategic Advisory Committee.  Nicole has over 36 years’ experience in the library and information sector including roles within Council Executive/Administration, TAFE, Hospital and Public libraries across Queensland and Victoria, along with Resort & Events management in the public sector.  All of these roles have been underpinned by a commitment to advocating and highlighting the role libraries have in connecting people and communities with opportunities for engagement, collaboration, innovation and experience to enhance and enrich their lives.

Nicole will be undertaking the role of Chair – Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) 2024 and has recently been awarded ALIA Queensland Library Achiever of the Year 2023.

Vice President/President Elect:
Tracey King (Noosa Shire Council)

Date of Commencement in role: Vice President Jun 22-Jul 24 | SE Regional Rep 21-22

Biography:

Tracey is the Libraries Coordinator at Noosa Council and has worked in libraries her whole life. Leaving school, she went straight into working in a Law Library in Brisbane before moving into public libraries soon after as a junior Library Assistant.  Throughout her 27 years in libraries she has experienced a range of  different library roles and sees herself as a life-long learner, with a genuine passion for serving and supporting her community. 

Secretary:
Colleen Bentzen (Logan City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: Secretary Jul 23-June 24 |

Biography:

Colleen has worked for public libraries for 24 years, with her career starting as a casual Librarian at Logan City Council.  From casual Librarian she progressed to Reference Librarian, and then worked as a Regional Librarian for 18 years.  She then had the opportunity to act in the Client Services Program Leader role overseeing the staffing and programming across the 9 libraries.  Her current position is the Library Technical Services Program Leader in charge of collections, library systems, building maintenance, furniture and fittings.  She is passionate about her community, social justice and is very grateful for the opportunity to work with so many amazing library leaders through QPLA. 

Treasurer:
Sharon Uthmann (Ipswich City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: Treasurer Jul 24-

Biography:

I have had the privilege of working in libraries for over 27 years.  I am currently Library Branch Services Coordinator at the award-winning Ipswich Children’s Library. My previous role was the Regional Coordinator (East) Brisbane Libraries. Prior to my role with Brisbane Libraries, I was the Shire Librarian Bellingen Shire Council NSW where I was responsible for the management of the library staffing and facilities budget to ensure the delivery of a high-quality library service to the Bellingen Shire community.

South-East QLD –
Teresa Kohne (Sunshine Coast Regional Council)

Date of Commencement in role: SE Regional Rep Jul 23-Jun 24

Biography:

Teresa is an experienced professional with broad state and local government experience in community, policy, planning, regulatory, leadership and service delivery roles. She has performed many library roles, from front of house customer service and program delivery, through managing and delivering projects and grant outcomes, to leadership, and service planning and management.

Teresa is currently leading the change management program for the new Library+ facility at Caloundra to ensure operational delivery of the facility, which is currently under construction and due to open in mid-2025. She is passionate about the community value of libraries and the benefits of professional knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Central QLD –
Peta Browne (Bundaberg Regional Council)

Date of Commencement in role: CQ Regional Rep Nov 23-Jun 24

Biography:

Peta has worked in Bundaberg Regional Libraries since 2000, first as the Information Services Librarian and since late 2017 as Manager Library Services. Prior to this Peta also worked in TAFE libraries in Brisbane during and after completing university studies. She is passionate about lifelong learning for all and has recently completed a Master of Business Administration (Leadership) with CQUniversity.

Peta is looking forward to being part of the wider library community, to extending her knowledge and skills, and to contributing to the strength and value of Queensland’s public libraries.

South-West QLD –
Melanie Mills (Balonne Regional Council)

Date of Commencement in role: SW Regional Rep Jul 23-Jun 24

Biography:
During my career I have always been involved working with children and their families. Making the transition from education (in particular T-L) to public libraries has been interesting and rewarding thus far…but who knew there would be so many meetings to attend?!

Reading is my passion – providing children with the opportunity to achieve this skill to the best of their ability will benefit them in everything they choose to do and allow them to be lifelong learners. As part of a public library team, we have the capacity to engage the whole community in activities that encourage the discovery of new abilities. However, there is nothing quite like finding that hook or new favourite for an emerging, reluctant, or seasoned reader!

North QLD –
Jacob Schaumburg (Townsville City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: North Qld Regional Rep – Jul 22-Jun 24

Biography:

Jacob has been fortunate to work across four different libraries in Queensland, eventually finding his place in Townsville as CityLibraries Digital Life Officer. Prior to joining Libraries, Jacob worked in Cultural Heritage as a qualified Archaeologist, based in the Atherton Tablelands and Archer River in North Queensland. In Libraries, Jacob has worked in the field of emerging technology and digital literacy programming. Jacob has a passion for rural towns and is continually amazed by their ability to maximise resources, engage with the community and represent a true third space for all.

Currently, Jacob is part of a team developing a new Makerspace and two Digital Studios for Townsville’s soon to be complete Riverway Library Project. Jacob is excited learn from others around him and to contribute to new standards of users experience, digital connection and grow new bonds with the community. Jacob is proud to be a part of Queensland Public Libraries Association: “ Being amongst subject matter experts in QPLA is an extraordinary resource for my region, for which I’m delighted to represent”.

Executive Officer:
Adele Casey

Date of Commencement in role: Jul 21 >

Biography:

Adele Casey is Executive Officer QPLA.  Adele has over 30 years of experience in the library and information sector and the broader local government environment holding a variety of senior positions including Director. Adele is an active member of the Australian Public Libraries Alliance (APLA), Australian Libraries and Archives Copyright Coalition, National Early Language and Literacy Coalition (representing ALIA) and Executive Officer for New South Wales Public Libraries Association. The experience gained over many years, in addition to my knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the library sector underpins a strong record of working with a variety of organisations advocating for libraries and their communities.