Media release, 28 November 2022
National peak body Playgroup Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of three new independent directors to its Board:
Ms Joanna Brent: Has worked in leadership roles in organisational transformation, health and social policy, in Australia and internationally, including at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva and the World Health Organisation in Geneva and Beijing. She served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Families, Housing, Communities & Indigenous Affairs in 2007-10. Ms Brent has Masters degrees in Public Health and in Communications, and a Bachelor of Arts.
Professor the Hon Stephen Martin AO: A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Professor Martin followed a distinguished career in the Parliament of Australia with leadership roles in the university and business sectors in Australia and abroad. He currently chairs the Board of Bank of China (Australia) and the Board of the Australian Positive Psychology Learning Institute. Professor Martin has a PhD in Economics, Masters degrees in Arts and Town Planning, and a Diploma of Education. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Andrew Woolf: An accomplished ICT professional, with expertise in data and digital transformation. He has worked for more than ten years in executive roles in Australian Government agencies, after a career in environmental informatics in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and BCS (formerly the British Computer Society). Dr Woolf has a PhD in Antarctic oceanography and a Bachelor of Science.
‘We are delighted to welcome the new directors,’ said Playgroup Australia Chair Trish Strachan.
‘Their skills and expertise will further strengthen our capacity to deliver high-quality outcomes for our members, for the children and families they serve, and for the nation more broadly.’
