Join Our Team of Visionaries - Be a Director of Somerset Storyfest

Are you passionate about the power of books and stories, children's education and the value of creativity? Are you committed to making a difference in Queensland's vibrant cultural landscape?

Somerset Storyfest is calling for expressions of interest to fill a number of vacancies on its Board of Directors. We are a dynamic and innovative organisation dedicated to promoting the arts and a variety of forms of storytelling, fostering children's education, nurturing authors, supporting creative spaces and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of Queensland. With a rich history of impacting lives through the power of the arts, we are seeking visionary individuals to help us shape the future of our community.

We are open to a wide range of applications, including Directors with expertise in any of the following:

Arts fundraising: Do you have a knack for securing financial support, cultivating donor relationships, and driving fundraising initiatives, which could help us continue to make the arts accessible to all?
Children’s education: If you're passionate about providing educational opportunities to children and believe in the transformative power of the arts in their lives, your careful advice and expertise could drive our educational programs forward.
Writing, literature and creativity: Do you have experience in writing, literature or children’s content, or are you dedicated to nurturing local authors, artists, and the creative community?
Regional expertise: If you possess a deep understanding of Queensland's diverse regions, communities, and their unique cultural needs, your insights could help our initiatives reach every corner of the state.
Marketing and brand management: Do you have a knack for elevating the visibility and impact of organisations? We’re looking for support to help us spread the word about Somerset Storyfest and engage with the community in innovative ways.
Experience in the arts and cultural sector: Do you have a background in the sector, understand the arts and cultural landscape in Queensland and beyond and are well-connected in the community, your experience could help ensure Somerset Storyfest continues to offer cutting-edge and transformative experiences to young people.
Wild cards: 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!

Why become a Director of Somerset Storyfest?

Impact: Join a passionate and driven team of Directors to shape the future of arts, education, and culture in Queensland.
Community: Contribute to the betterment of your local community and support initiatives that empower individuals, especially children.
Networking: Build connections with like-minded professionals, artists, educators, and community leaders.
Growth: Gain valuable experience and satisfaction from guiding the growth and success of our organization.
Influence: Your voice matters, and your ideas will help shape our strategic direction and programs.
How to Apply: If you’d like to be a part of our dynamic team, please submit your Expression of Interest by email no later than Friday 15 December to chair@storyfest.com.au.

Should you wish to have a private and confidential conversation prior to submission, please call Airlie MacLachlan (Chair) on 0417 807 194 on or before Sunday 3 December.

Somerset Storyfest values diversity and believe that a diverse Board of Directors leads to richer discussions and more innovative ideas.

Click to submit your expression of interest

Airlie Maclachlan

Read More
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

Read More
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.

Craig Bassingthwaighte

Read More
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.

Terry Herbert

Read More
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.

Michael Arnold

Read More
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.

Caroline Graham

Read More
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.