Members of the Library Board of Queensland
Ms Margaret Strelow | Mr John Birmingham | Professor Stuart Cunningham | Mr Max Lenoy | Mr Matthew McDonnell | Mr Aladin Rahemtula | Dr Grace Sarra | Dr Dale Spender | Ms Lea Giles-Peters
The Library Board is the governing body of the State Library of Queensland. Biographical details for its current membership are listed below.
Chairperson (Acting)
Ms Margaret Strelow
Margaret has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to learning and education with formal qualifications in the Arts, in Literacy and in Education Studies. She is a passionate supporter of her local community, and was Mayor of Rockhampton for eight years from 2000 to early 2008. This followed an earlier career based around Education that included Child Care Director, Teacher, Tutor and Lecturer.
Margaret’s special interests also include the preservation of Queensland’s built Heritage and she serves on the Queensland Heritage Council as Deputy Chair.
Library Board Members
Mr John Birmingham
John Birmingham was born in Ipswich, Queensland, in 1964. In 1994 he published his first book, He Died with a Felafel in his Hand, which became a cult youth book and eventually a bestseller. He Died with a Felafel in his Hand has been turned into a successful play, and was filmed by Richard Lowenstein (director of Dogs in Space).
He has since written The Search for Savage Henry, The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco and How To Be A Man (written with Dirk Flinthart).
In 2002 he won the National Award for Nonfiction with his history of Sydney, Leviathan. John has also been named Columnist of the Year by the Magazine Publishing Association of Australia and has won the Carlton and United Sports Story of Year Award.
He now splits his time between journalism and thriller writing.
Professor Stuart Cunningham
Stuart Cunningham is Professor of Media and Communications, Queensland University of Technology and Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation. He is President of the Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
He is well known for his contributions to media, communications and cultural studies and to their relevance to industry practice and government policy.
Professor Cunningham was awarded a Centenary Medal (Australian Honours list) 2003 in recognition of contribution to the humanities in Australia.
Mr Max Lenoy
Max Lenoy holds an Education Masters from Harvard University Graduate School of Education; and a Bachelor of Education, James Cook University of North Queensland. He is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy from James Cook University.
Max is a Lecturer/Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP) Director, School of Education, James Cook University and manages the delivery and administration of RATEP.
Max is currently a member of the Learning Community Leadership Group, Learning NQ; the Queensland Indigenous Arts and Marketing Export Agency Advisory Committee; the Indigenous Advisory Committee, State Library; Editorial Board Member, Journal of Indigenous Issues and an Editorial Committee Member, Journal of Indigenous Policy.
His family are from the Aboriginal communities of Yarrabah and Palm Island.
Mr Matthew McDonnell
Matthew McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Macquarie University, is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Matthew is a chartered accountant and has 14 years experience in the accounting profession. He is currently a Partner at KPMG providing audit, accounting and advisory services to clients both in the private and Government sectors. In this role, he has also been responsible for the deployment of key project management initiatives including IT software and various regulatory requirements.
Mr Aladin Rahemtula
Aladin Rahemtula holds a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, Sydney; Bachelor of Arts from University of Sydney; and Diploma of Information Management from the University of New South Wales.
Aladin has worked in the Supreme Court of Queensland Library (SCQL) since 1983, assuming the role of Supreme Court Librarian in 1987. He was a Churchill Fellow in 2002, when he studied the development of legal history programs in the US, UK and Canada, and was awarded a Queensland Centenary Medal 2003 for his distinguished service as Supreme Court Librarian.
In addition to serving on the Library Board of Queensland, Aladin is also a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council.
Dr Grace Sarra
Grace Sarra is presently a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology and has just recently graduated as the first student at QUT to complete the Doctor of Creative Industries.
Born and raised in Townsville, Grace is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and the eldest of five children. Grace has been teaching in schools and universities for over 15 years. Her interest is in the area of Indigenous education with a particular focus in social justice and inclusive education.
She is also a member of the Indigenous Advisory Board for the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
Dr Dale Spender
Dr Dale Spender has been an author, feminist, educator (and public speaker) for most of her life. She started her career as a high school teacher, went on to become a university lecturer (at James Cook), and received her PHD from the University of London. She taught 'teachers to teach' at the London University Institute of education and became a professional writer and lecturer.
She is currently working with teachers at Djarragun College and with James Cook University. A former Chair of CAL (Copyright Agency Limited), she has served on numerous boards and advisory bodies in the public and private sectors and has worked with AOL, Microsoft, Apple and Fujitsu particularly in areas of teacher training and support.
She has written/edited more than 30 books - including Nattering on the Net - one of the first books to examine internet culture and its impact on education and society.
Dr Spender is a founding member and current chair of the Second Chance Program tha raises money for homeless women.
Ms Lea Giles-Peters
The State Librarian, Lea Giles-Peters, is responsible for the proper and sound management of the State Library of Queensland, under the authority of the Library Board of Queensland. The State Librarian provides strategic advice and direction to the Library Board; plans and develops new initiatives, services and programs; manages the resources of the State Library, initiates strategic partnerships and leads the State Library of Queensland.
Last updated: 28th October 2009
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