Our Board | Somerset Storyfest

Be a Director of Somerset Storyfest

Why Join Us?

Are you passionate about books, stories, children’s education, and the power of creativity? Do you want to shape Queensland’s vibrant cultural and educational landscape?

Somerset Storyfest is both Australia’s leading children’s literature festival charity and a rapidly growing organisation focussed on impacting the lives of children throughout Queensland, on the coast and in the regions.

As we refresh our board as part of our regular succession planning which sees long term members of the board retire, we are keen to consider board ready candidates that may have experience in one or several of the following areas, children’s education, fundraising and partnerships, writing and creativity, regional community knowledge, marketing and brand development, or the arts and cultural sector.

Do you have skills or experience we haven’t considered? Somerset Storyfest is always trying to widen its frames of reference and consider alternative perspectives, so we’re warmly open to applications from unexpected fields or positions!

What You’ll Gain

Shape the future of arts, education, and culture in Queensland

Contribute to initiatives that empower children and strengthen communities

Build meaningful networks with leaders in education, the arts, and business

Gain valuable governance experience while guiding a thriving organisation

How to Apply

Help us inspire a love of stories and learning for generations to come. Submit your expression of interest and be part of the future of Somerset Storyfest.

How to Apply: Please submit your confidential expression of interest by email no later than Friday 26 September to chair@storyfest.com.au. Applicants must be eligible to be a Board Director and will be required to obtain a Blue Card.

Should you wish to have a private and confidential conversation prior to submission, please call Airlie MacLachlan (Chair) on 07 5559 7377 on or before Sunday 14 September.

Our Current Board

Airlie Maclachlan

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 Woodthorpe

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 Arnold

As both an alumnus and parent of Somerset College, Michael has experienced firsthand, the impact of the writer’s festival with his family. Michael has a passion to build the connection between the development of children’s literacy programmes and local businesses. As company principal of Arnold Development Consultants, which is a local entity with a 50-year history on the Gold Coast, Michael is an essential member of the Storyfest Board.

Craig Bassingthwaighte

Craig was educated at Cavendish Road State High School (1975); Griffith University, Bachelor of Arts (1979) and Master of Arts (1997); and the University of Queensland, Bachelor of Educational Studies (1984). Craig is the third Headmaster of Somerset College and joined the College from Whitsunday Anglican School at Mackay where he was Principal. Before this he was Deputy Principal of Trinity Anglican School in Cairns and Director of Admissions and Master of McKinley House at The Southport School. He has taught at The Hotchkiss School, Connecticut, USA and St Anne's School, Windermere, UK. He has taught Senior English, Literature and Media Studies for many years. As Headmaster, Craig is the chief executive of the College. He is appointed by the College Board and is responsible to the Board for the proper conduct, management and discipline of the College.

Megan Daley

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.

Caroline Graham

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.

Terry Herbert

Terry has been involved with the writer’s festival since 1998. As the owner of a nationally recognised book store chain, Terry brought a wealth of experience to develop the Festival own bookstore, which still is an integral part of the festival to this day. Terry continues to support the festival as a dedicated member of the Storyfest Board. Terry’s leadership and service to Storyfest significant and unique.

Chris Ivey

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 Kirby

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.