We are thankful for the Moreton Bay Montessori Association for their ongoing support of our school.  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 Secretary.  A fee of $2 is required.

We are thankful for the Moreton Bay Montessori Association Inc. (MBMA) Board for their ongoing strong governance of our School. The Board is currently represented by:

• Nick Willemsen – President
• Shanan Brandis – Vice President
• Stephanie Lorton – Treasurer
• Roelie Hartwig – Director
• Helen Spry – Director
• Neil Spry – Director
• Ashleigh Hunt – Board Secretary

Current members of the Association may be nominated for a position on the Board at the Annual General Meeting. As this encompasses a significant commitment and responsibility, it is recommended that prospective nominees contact the President or Secretary 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, to be held this year on Monday, 26 June 2023. 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 secretary@mbma.asn.au by Monday, 12th May 2023.

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 School Board and assist in making Caboolture Montessori School the very best it can be, for the ultimate benefit of the children who attend.

Stephanie Lorton MICB is a qualified bookkeeper and BAS agent who has over forty years experience in the bookkeeping and finance field.  She started her career in the U.K. working in a bank, then moved on to a metropolitan borough council and housing committee.  In 2006 Stephanie decided to emigrate to Australia with her family and start a new life.  Originally arriving in Melbourne, Stephanie soon realised she wanted to be Queensland bound and very quickly received a job offer from a company in Eagle Farm, working in many roles between 2006 and 2010. She still retains them as a private client to this day.

In a massive personal work life change, Stephanie created her own company and YDIY Bookkeeping Services Pty Ltd was born with just a handful of clients.  Fast forward some 10 years and Stephanie now focuses her attention on one client group but has built her business to where she can employ other resources to maintain and grow her client base. In case you’re wondering YDIY is an acronym for “Why Do It Yourself”.

Stephanie is a creative soul with knitting and crocheting taking up most of her spare time.  She hasn’t had a TV for over 40 years preferring to listen to music, read and craft.

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.

Over a decade ago, Brisbane born Roelie gave up city living and moved to Longreach, in central western Queensland. She is an active community member especially with all cultural events.

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 Owner, Director & Tour Planner of ‘Montessori Tours and Travel’, and loves organising tours to sites significant to Dr. Maria Montessori’s history and legacy.

Roelie is thrilled to be on the Board of the ever growing, dynamic and fabulous Caboolture Montessori School as Yvonne leads this community to a future that is exciting as well as challenging.

Brisbane born, Helen & her husband Neil moved to Caboolture in 1995 looking to raise their family in a country environment. Blessed with two boys, Jack & William attended the Montessori Children’s House before starting at Caboolture Montessori School. William Spry was one of the first students to participate in the Prep program when it was introduced at Caboolture Montessori School.

Jack & William both graduated from CMS to attend a local high school.  Jack now attends USC – Petrie, studying Mechanical Engineering & William is completing Outdoor Leadership at TAFE – Sunshine Coast. During Jack & William’s school life, Helen was heavily involved with the development of the school’s land.  Heading the voluntary, Greenthumbs Gardening Group, Helen was involved in establishing the CMS Community Productive Gardens, which is still today an integral learning area within the school’s outdoor environment.

Helen has operated her start-up Landscape Design Business – Eco Garden Design for 20 years and established another start-up National, Online Garden Design Business – Ezyplant.com.au in 2019. She is experienced in many areas of business including strategic planning and 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 with another successful nomination and appointment to the MBMA Board.

Helen looks forward to joining the current board in working 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 board members and management team to ensure the ongoing bright future of the Caboolture Montessori School.

Ashleigh has over twenty years’ experience in the administration environment and fifteen 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 practices in the areas of Wills and Estates and Commercial Law.

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 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 hassle and bustle of every day life.

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