Our
Board

Airlie has been in management leadership roles in the private, public, philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors for over 25 years. Across her career, Airlie has worked for some well-known Australian organisations including Clayton Utz, Minter Ellison, Outward Bound, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Kowalski Recruitment and Hynes Lawyers. Airlie is currently a Director of Home of the Arts, Australian Certified Organic, Arcadia College and the Thyne Reid Foundation. She has an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Airlie looks forward to continuing her support of Storyfest, in her role as Chair, overseeing the Board of Directors.

Alex is a strategic advisor, certified Advisory Board Chair, proven operating CEO and Executive Chairman with deep Asia Pacific experience and earlier global capital markets and investment banking leadership expertise. Most recently, Alex was Chairman of a South East Asian Energy and Power venture. Prior to this he was a member of the investment banking management committee and a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch based in Hong Kong. Alex has lived and worked in London, Chicago, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong and is now based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, from where he advises businesses and charities locally and in Asia. Alex has taken on the role of Deputy Chair of Somerset Storyfest and has a passion for the development of children's literacy.

Michael (Mik) Auckland is an experienced business leader with a strong background in strategy, governance and organisational growth. With extensive experience working across corporate and advisory roles, Mik brings valuable expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and sustainable business development. Mik is passionate about supporting organisations that create meaningful community impact, particularly those that contribute to education, creativity and opportunities for young people. His appointment to the Storyfest Board reflects his commitment to strengthening initiatives that inspire children and young people through literature, storytelling and the arts. As a Director of Storyfest, Mik contributes his strategic insight and governance experience to support the organisation’s continued growth and its mission to foster a love of reading and storytelling among young people across Queensland.

Megan, an accomplished educator, librarian, and published author, firmly believes in the transformative power of arts and language for young people. Her accolades include being named the ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2023 and the SLAQ Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year. Megan’s extensive involvement with local and national literary organisations, including her recent role as the curator of the Children’s and Youth Program for the Brisbane Writers Festival in 2023, showcases her commitment to fostering creativity and literacy. Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for the Pyjama Foundation. We are honored to welcome Megan to the Storyfest Board of Directors, where her guidance will shape the festival’s future.

Dr Caroline Graham is an award-winning investigative journalist who specialises in narrative non-fiction storytelling across both traditional and new media formats, including podcasting, data-driven reporting and longform creative non-fiction. Caroline is the co-author of the Australian bestseller Larrimah (Allen & Unwin, 2021), which was shortlisted for an Indie Book Award and has been optioned by NBC Universal and Matchbox Pictures for potential development into a scripted TV series. Caroline is also the co-author and co-producer of the investigative true crime podcast series Lost in Larrimah (The Australian, 2018), which won a Walkley Award, an NT Media Award and was a finalist in the Quills Awards and the Australian Podcasting Awards.

Chris is the fourth Headmaster of Somerset and joined the College from St Andrew’s Anglican College at Peregian Springs where he was Principal from 2007 to 2024. Before this he was Principal of Clarence Valley Anglican School in Grafton and Chaplain at Somerset College. Prior to this, Chris was the Chaplain at Trinity Anglican School in Cairns where he first began teaching. He has taught English, Drama and Religious Education, as well as Directing both school musicals and plays. He has also trained school teams for the Kokoda Challenge. Chris served as the National Chair of AHISA (Association of Heads of Independent Schools, Australia) from 2019 to 2024.

Sara possesses extensive familiarity with Storyfest, having participated as a student, sponsor, donor, volunteer, and parent. Her background in media, communication, and arts access fuels her passion for providing children with opportunities to explore their creativity and build connections through storytelling. Sara actively engages with stakeholders, fostering lasting relationships that support long-term giving. As a former valued member of the Foundation board at Arts Centre Melbourne, Sara contributes a wealth of knowledge to the Storyfest Board.

Louise Park is an award-winning Australian author with a distinguished career spanning teaching, publishing and writing. She has published more than 400 titles across trade, educational, children’s, mass-market and adult publishing, writing under both her own name and several well-known pseudonyms. Louise is widely recognised for her engaging and imaginative storytelling that has inspired generations of young readers. Her work reflects a deep understanding of children’s literacy and learning, drawing on her background in education and her long experience in the publishing industry. Through her writing, Louise invites readers into worlds of adventure, mystery and imagination, from magical portals and hidden tunnels to the everyday dramas of growing up. Her stories encourage curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of reading. Louise brings to the Storyfest Board a wealth of experience in children’s literature, publishing and education, along with a strong commitment to supporting young readers and writers.