Governance

President:
Colleen Bentzen (Logan City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: President Jul 26 -Jun 28 | President Elect (VP) Jul 25-Jun26 | Secretary Jul 23-June 25

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. 

Vice President/President Elect:

Laney Robinson (City of Moreton Bay)

Date of Commencement in role:  President Elect (VP) Jul 26-Jun 28 | Secretary Jul 25-June 26 |

Biography:

Laney has proudly worked in the Queensland public library sector since 1991, beginning her professional career as a Children’s and Youth Services Librarian. This role set her up for a career-long commitment to the unique joy, inspiration and grass roots access to opportunities that public libraries provide for people from all walks of life.

An enthusiastic library practitioner, Laney has enjoyed leading passionate library teams, library leaders and skilled specialists. Serving in a range of frontline, specialist and leadership roles with several Southeast Queensland public library services and the State Library of Queensland, she most recently held senior leadership roles with Logan City Council’s Libraries and Creative Industries.

As a Library Services Coordinator with City of Moreton Bay Libraries, Laney currently leads frontline library leaders and their teams to deliver library services that inspire, welcome and connect people to new experiences. Serving on the QPLA board is a wonderful opportunity to contribute our profession’s strong culture of collaboration, continuous learning and overcoming contemporary challenges.

Secretary:
Lisa Bowkett (Redland City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: Secretary Jul 26-June 27|

Biography:

Lisa has been working for Redland City Libraries for the last four years, starting as a Library Officer before moving to Assistant Branch Librarian at both Victoria Point and Cleveland branches. During this time, Lisa has also participated in the SLQ/QPLA Library Leaders program; in the 2024/25 cohort as a participant before returning in 2025/26 as a mentor. As an enthusiastic learner, she has also been a regular attendee at many conferences and training seminars around the state.

With a passion for helping the community, Lisa brings an extensive history of experience in the customer service field across retail and hospitality. With a strong analytical mind, she is looking forward to joining the QPLA board and collaborating with some of the brightest and most enthusiastic library minds in state while tackling the current challenges and striving for new heights for public libraries.

Treasurer:

Nicole Hunt (Townsville City Council)

Date of Commencement in role: Treasurer Jul 26-Jun 27 | President Jul 22-Jun 26 | Vice President Jul 20-Jun 22 | Secretary 2020 | QPLA Conference Convenor 2019 | SE Qld Regional Rep Jul 2016-Jun 2017

Biography:

Nicole Hunt brings more than four decades of experience across the library and information sector, having worked in metropolitan, regional, and rural services throughout Queensland and Victoria. Her career spans frontline practice through to senior leadership, including roles in Council Executive, TAFE, hospital and public libraries, as well as contributions to resort/events management within the public sector. This breadth of experience gives Nicole a deep understanding of the diverse pressures, community expectations, and operational realities that shape library service delivery across Australia.

Nicole currently serves as Team Manager, Libraries & Community Hubs at Townsville City Council. She is the Treasurer and Conference Convenor for QPLA, Chair of the Trove Strategic Advisory Committee (TSAC), and Chair of the ALIA Community on Resource Description Special Interest Group (ACORD). Her governance experience includes multiple roles on the QPLA Board—four of those as President—and representing Queensland on the Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) as both Member (2022–2024) and Chair (2024–2025). She has delivered major professional events, driven significant membership growth, and established sector‑shaping partnerships that have strengthened networks, resources, and opportunities for library professionals and vendors.

A committed advocate for the vital role libraries play in connecting communities to engagement, collaboration, innovation, and meaningful experiences, Nicole actively contributes to national conversations on library practice and leadership. She has presented at leading professional forums including the ALIA National Conference, SWITCH, and other sector events. Known for her calm, considered leadership style grounded in accountability and strong communication, Nicole remains dedicated to supporting the sector’s continued evolution, capacity building, and long‑term impact, ensuring the library’s most valuable asset — its staff — are supported with care and consideration.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Nicole was honoured as the ALIA Queensland Library Achiever of the Year 2023 and awarded an ALIA Silver Pin 2025.

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

First Nations Regional Representative

Douglas Graham (Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council)

Date of Commencement in role:  Jul 25-Jun 28 |

Biography:
Douglas Graham nominated for the First Nations Representative role because he believes that First Nations voices must be heard at state and national levels within the library information services networks.     
Douglas also believes each library service should have a dedicated First Nations section including local collections of the traditional owner groups within the library service area. Having Elders involved on a regular basis within the library programs will also bring knowledge, wisdom, gifts of sharing, learning and healing.
Douglas has been managing the Woorabinda IKC for 9 years and has previously worked in the administration areas of the petroleum, building/construction and arts industries. His favourite area to work in is customer services as he likes talking to people and creating new innovative ideas through collaborations.

South-East QLD 
Teresa Kohne (City of Moreton Bay)

Date of Commencement in role: SE Regional Rep Jul 23-Jun 28 |

Biography:

Teresa is a dynamic public sector leader with extensive state and local government experience across community services, policy, planning, regulation, and service delivery. Her career includes hands-on library roles ranging from front-line customer service and program delivery to project management, grant delivery, service planning, and senior leadership.

Teresa has played a key leadership role in major library transformation projects, including leading the change management and operational readiness program for the Library+ Caloundra facility. Currently working in a senior digital leadership role with the City of Moreton Bay’s Cultural Services Department, her professional foundation in public and environmental health brings a strong risk-aware, outcomes-based approach to governance and decision making. She is a respected contributor and presenter at professional events and is known for her collaborative leadership style, practical thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Teresa is passionate about the community value of public libraries and the importance of professional collaboration and knowledge sharing. She considers service on the QPLA Board a genuine privilege and valuable opportunity to contribute to the strength and future of the Queensland public library sector.

Central QLD 
Peta Browne (Bundaberg Regional Council)

Date of Commencement in role: CQ Regional Rep Nov 23-Jun 28 |

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 CQ University.

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 
Jacinta Ward (Western Downs Regional Council)

Date of Commencement in role: SW Regional Rep Jul 26-Jun 27 |

Biography:

Jacinta Ward is the Library Services Coordinator at Western Downs Regional Council, providing strategic leadership across nine library branches spread over a regional footprint comparable in size to Switzerland. She leads service planning, workforce development, and the delivery of sustainable, community‑focused library services. With a strong commitment to equity of access, Jacinta champions practical and innovative approaches that strengthen literacy, cultural participation, and community connection, ensuring library services remain responsive to diverse local needs.

Recognised for her calm, thoughtful leadership and her ability to balance strategic direction with operational realities, Jacinta has guided her team toward becoming a more cohesive and confident workforce. She is an active contributor to the library profession through the ALIA Mentoring Program, regular participation in QPLA conferences, sector presentations, and representing Western Downs Libraries in professional awards. Jacinta is committed to strong regional representation and is eager to bring a South West perspective to the QPLA Board.

North QLD 
Prin Stroppe (Mareeba Shire Council)

Date of Commencement in role: North Qld Regional Rep – Jul 25-Jun 27 |

Biography:

Prin is the Library Programs and Outreach Officer at Mareeba Shire Council Libraries, where she manages the Service Development Subsidy grant for the State Library of Qld and leads the coordination of special library programming and community engagement initiatives across all branches. She began her career as a Trainee Library Assistant and has worked with Mareeba Libraries for over 16 years, stepping into her current role in 2023. Over the years, she has also acted in various roles, including Branch Supervisor, Purchasing Officer, and Customer Experience Officer.

Prin is passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming library spaces and values strong community connections. She is profoundly thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with the QPLA community and looks forward to the valuable insights and experiences this journey will bring to their corner of Queensland.

Executive Officer:
Adele Casey

Date of Commencement in role: Jul 21 >

Biography:

Adele Casey is Executive Officer QPLA.  Adele has over 35 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 her 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.