Library Board of Queensland

Professor the Honourable George Brandis KC

George Brandis is a barrister by profession. He served as a Senator for Queensland from 2000 to 2018 and was a Minister in the Governments of John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. He was Australia’s 36th Attorney-General in the Abbott and Turnbull Governments, Minister for the Arts in 2007 and from 2013 to 2015, and was the Leader of the Government in the Senate under Prime Minister Turnbull. Upon retiring from Parliament in 2018, he became Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Upon his return to Australia in 2022, he was appointed Professor in the Practice of National Security at the National Security College within the Australian National University.

"Libraries have always been an important part of my life. I remember my first visit to the State Library, in its old building on North Quay, when I was a schoolboy; I became a regular visitor thereafter. Throughout my career I have had a close engagement with several libraries, including the Supreme Court Library; as a member of the Council, and later as Minister responsible for, the National Library; and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library. Libraries are, for me, cherished institutions and vital custodians of civilization."

Ms Danyelle Britz

With more than 3 decades of experience across media, public relations and events, Danyelle Britz has built a career telling other people’s stories and connecting audiences through compelling content and experiences. She has produced lifestyle and sports television programs, as well as commercial and corporate content across Queensland, Australia and internationally and increased ratings and audience engagement in breakfast radio. She has also delivered community and large-scale events, served as Principal Media Adviser to senior Queensland Ministers and 'advanced' a successful state election campaign. Danyelle is the Founder of Bloom PR & Communications.

"Libraries are at the heart of how we share stories and connect people across our great state. I first visited the State Library as a child. It is a magnificent building with wonderful, wide-ranging resources for all ages and communities to access. As a mother I’ve always valued reading together with my sons and I’m passionate about continuing to improve literacy results. Storytelling has shaped my media career and I'm so looking forward to sharing Queensland’s stories as we welcome the world in 2032."

Ms Leanne Charles

Leanne Charles is Vice President Finance & Group Financial Controller at Travel and Leisure Australia Pty Ltd. She is a well-respected senior finance leader with 27 years’ experience across the accounting, finance and operations fields. Leanne’s roles have extended across the tourism, manufacturing and retail industries in the Pacific, Asia, USA and Europe. She is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy. Leanne was awarded the Finance Associate of Year at the HM Magazine Hotel Management Awards in 2025.

"I am honoured to serve as a Board Member for the State Library of Queensland, ensuring the library continues to serve the diverse needs of Queensland communities.

I am committed to promoting access to knowledge, lifelong learning, and cultural enrichment, and to supporting initiatives that strengthen community engagement, digital inclusion, and innovation within the library sector. Through collaboration with fellow Board members and executive leadership, I aim to bring a considered, commercially sound perspective that supports long-term sustainability, accountability, and public value?

Ms Fiona Crawford

Fiona Crawford is an experienced public sector manager and communications and media director. She has over 20 years’ experience as State Editor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Fiona is a former Executive Director with the Department of Home Affairs and has held roles as a chief of staff and senior media and communications advisor for Queensland ministers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours and a Bachelor of Communications with honours.

"Since being taken to the local library - a treasure trove of books - in my pyjamas to borrow as a child, to the appreciated silence for study as a student, and now to the valued conversations about latest releases with knowledgable professionals - libraries have always been a part of my life. In this age of misinformation, equitable access to knowledge, history and well-informed information is vital for all Queenslanders, and I look forward to playing a role in helping that happen."

Cr Naomi Fowler

Naomi Fowler is an experienced Director, elected Councillor and former Managing Director with deep expertise in governance, strategy, financial oversight, risk management, stakeholder engagement, marketing and communications across government, corporate, tourism, arts and non-for-profit sectors. As Councillor for Division 2 at the City of Gold Coast, Naomi provides strong governance leadership and community advocacy, working collaboratively with residents, businesses, government agencies and industry partners. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Arts. Naomi was awarded Australian Young Entrepreneur of the year in 2019.

"Libraries matter to me because they are places of opportunity, learning and connection for people of all ages. They support literacy, lifelong learning and digital access, while providing safe, welcoming spaces for our community to gather, grow ideas and share knowledge. Strong libraries help build informed, inclusive and resilient communities."

Ms Amanda Martin

Amanda Martin is an Associate at MinterEllison specialising in workplace law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and is admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Amanda advises employers across a broad range of sectors on complex workplace matters, including workplace health and safety, industrial relations, investigations, anti-discrimination and unfair dismissal. Amanda is a member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Board.

Amanda has a strong interest in equitable access to knowledge and the role of cultural institutions in preserving and sharing it. She very much looks forward to contributing to the work of State Library of Queensland.

"Libraries are essential to equitable access to knowledge and opportunity. They preserve stories, support learning at every stage of life and provide spaces where communities can connect and grow. I value their role in making information accessible to all and in fostering informed, inclusive and resilient communities."

Ms Clare Starling

Clare Starling is a commercial executive with more than 25 years’ experience driving revenue growth, commercial transformation and digital strategy across media, sport, tourism and cultural organisations. As Head of Commercial at Experience Gold Coast, she leads commercial strategy across major cultural assets including HOTA (Home of the Arts), festivals, partnerships and digital products, with a focus on revenue growth and long-term sustainability. Clare previously held senior executive roles at News Corp Australia and co-founded ventures in sports management and AI. She brings a strong commercial and audience-growth perspective to her role on the Library of Queensland Board.

"Libraries preserve our stories, knowledge and cultural memory, ensuring what we learn, create and discover is not lost but shared. I believe their role is more important than ever as they continue to evolve in a digital world, expanding access to learning, supporting communities and ensuring these trusted cultural institutions remain strong and sustainable for the future."

Ms Courtney Talbot

Courtney Talbot is a company director who is passionate about the not-for-profit sector. She is President of the Queensland Library Foundation, Deputy Chair of Brisbane Festival’s Philanthropy Committee, sits on the Board of Governors for Queensland Community Foundation and is a Patron of the Prince’s Trust Australia. Courtney was awarded Queensland Community Foundation’s Emerging Philanthropist of the Year Award in 2018 for her work at State Library of Queensland.

"Libraries are important to me because they provide knowledge and resources to anyone and everyone in the community. It is a place that has no social boundaries. There is something for everyone to discover and learn."

Mr Leigh Whitton

Leigh Whitton worked as a Chief Financial Officer for over 25 years in both private and listed companies. He has a commercial outlook while delivering finance as a service, ensuring reporting reflects business performance, and fostering sound governance and growth. Since retiring from full time executive roles, he has transitioned to board roles that allow him to contribute to society and maintain a work and family life balance. Leigh is a non-executive Director for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation and is a former non-executive Director of ADG Engineers. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration, is a Fellow of CPA Australia, and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

"I have used and enjoyed libraries throughout my life, from early years as an avid reader, through my high school, undergraduate, and post graduate studies, as a parent of 4 children, and grandfather, and as a keen book club member.

I believe that the State Library in particular plays a crucial role in keeping the stories of Queensland and making them accessible and available for both current and future generations to come."