Claire is an internationally respected educator, author and consultant specialising in early childhood and nature-based learning. With over 30 years’ experience, she is known for her pioneering work in nature pedagogy and child-led approaches. Claire has worked with ECA for many years to create online learning modules, with new infant and toddler resources on the way.

She is the creator of the Floorbooks® approach—an innovative method that places children’s voices at the centre of planning and documentation. Her recent Australian publications include Planning With and for Children: A Practical Guide to Inquiry-Based Learning Through Floorbooks and Leadership Floorbooks: Collaborative Strategies for Educational Excellence, which extend her work into inquiry-led practice and collaborative leadership.

Cathrine is the Chief Children’s Officer at Goodstart Early Learning, where she leads the national strategy for pedagogy and practice, overseeing teaching, learning, inclusion and safeguarding. Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to evidence‑informed practice and improving outcomes for children. She is passionate about ensuring high quality early learning is both inclusive and impactful, and that educators are supported with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.

Prior to joining Goodstart, Cathrine spent more than 30 years in academia, contributing to the advancement of early childhood education through research, teaching and sector leadership. A significant focus of her career has been the design and delivery of large‑scale, transformative professional learning initiatives that bridge research and practice, strengthen educator capability, and improve children’s learning outcomes.

Thomas is a leading voice in human rights advocacy and an award-winning author.

A Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander, he came to public prominence when he co-led the high-profile campaign for Australia’s Voice referendum, speaking with thousands of Australians about the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Thomas is recognised as one of Australia’s leaders in Indigenous rights and works with schools, community groups, corporates and government to achieve justice, recognition and equity for First Nations peoples. He is on several boards including the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

An accomplished orator and storyteller, Thomas has written seven books including The Voice to Parliament Handbook, which was voted the 2024 Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) as well as Social Impact Book of the Year and Non-Fiction Book of the Year. His latest book, Always Was, Always Will Be, is a practical guide of hope and inspiration after the referendum. Thomas regularly writes for publications including The Monthly, The Guardian and Koori Mail.

A proud father of five children, Thomas’ book, Dear Son: Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons has been adapted into a critically acclaimed play shown in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Starting his career as a wharfie, Thomas has held several leadership positions at the Maritime Union of Australia and is currently Assistant National Secretary.

Anne is an Executive Director and co-founder of Parkville Institute and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education. She is a highly experienced researcher, consultant, writer and advocate in the early childhood sector. Anne was part of the team that led the revision of the ECA Code of Ethics in 2006 and 2016.

She is a non-Executive Director of the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) and a Board Member of The Front Project. Anne’s current work focuses on addressing education inequities for children living with significant social disadvantage.

Anne was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List.

With over 30 years’ experience leading and advocating for quality early childhood education and care, Catharine’s work as the Principal Consultant and Director at Hydon Consulting focuses on supporting professionals to explore the relationship between theory and practice.  

Catharine travels across Australia to partner with leaders and educators in a collective effort to create meaning, define quality and engage in the art of transformational change. Central to her work is the cultivation of professional dialogue that embraces diversity and invites deep reflection.

Informed by a Master of Early Childhood Education, specialising in innovative practice and governance, Catharine is driven by the need for principled approaches to education and leadership.

Catharine is a long-time member of ECA and has led the Colloquia on Leadership and Ethics faciliator team for the past five years. In 2025, Catharine joined the Board of Family Day Care Queensland and continues to serve as a second-tier reviewer for ACECQA.

Leanne is an experienced, practising early childhood teacher with over 40 years’ experience in regional Victoria and Melbourne, including long day care, community kindergarten, TAFE and playgroups. As a volunteer, Leanne is a Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange Board Member, a convener of a local early childhood network group and an ECA Vic Committee Member. Leanne has co-led REAIE Study Tours to Reggio Emilia and New Zealand and has worked with the principals of Reggio Emilia for nearly three decades. Her teaching is anchored in learning through relationships, collaboration and participation, and using documentation as a tool for listening, research and professional learning.

In 2022 Leanne was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her commitment, innovation and exemplary service to early childhood education. 

Dr Simon Longstaff is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at The University of New South Wales, and a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute. Simon began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first executive director of The Ethics Centre. In 2013, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for ‘distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.

Jane is Associate Director of the REEaCh Centre (Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood), Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne. Jane has been a teacher of young children and a university teacher for over 40 years. Jane’s research focuses on generating new knowledge on the factors and processes that drive high-quality early childhood education to create equitable learning outcomes and pathways for young children. Jane has worked in partnerships with teachers, families, children and government to build nuanced and multifaceted understandings of what quality early childhood education looks like across diverse communities.

Kelly is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Australian Catholic University (ACU). Kelly is a proud Gomeroi woman who is deeply committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in achieving their chosen futures. With degrees in education and theology, Kelly has developed a strong foundation in teaching, Aboriginal education, educational policy and leadership within catholic and public school systems. Her research, which focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school leaders and leadership, reflects her dedication to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational leadership. Kelly has lived in rural and regional areas for most of her career. She has an engaging approach to strengthening connections with regional areas and being responsive to and supportive of diverse communities.

Michael is Professor of Higher Education and Digital Futures, and Director of Educational Design and Innovation in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, Australia. Michael spends most of this time being enjoyably frustrated by educational technologies. His research focuses on innovative teaching and learning designs and the implications of digital technologies across all sectors of education. Michael is an internationally recognised educator and researcher with over 200 publications, and the recipient of national and international awards for teaching and research. He was identified in 2024 as the Australian field leader in education research. His current research interests are focused on generative AI, assessment and feedback, as well as creativity in online teaching.

Susan is Director of the Early Childhood Futures research program at Australian Catholic University and scholar in early childhood education, play-based learning and digital technologies. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to understanding how young children learn, play and flourish in contemporary digital societies, with a particular focus on curriculum, pedagogy and wellbeing. She has led multiple Australian Research Council Discovery and Linkage grants, published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, and authored or edited books with major academic publishers including Cambridge University Press, SAGE and Open University Press. Her research appears in leading journals such as Computers & Education, British Educational Research Journal and Educational Research Review, and she has served in important editorial roles, including past co-editor of Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education and Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. Susan has also made a significant contribution to national early childhood policy through co-leadership of the Early Childhood Australia Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies and the Playgroup Australia Statement. Her work has also been recognised through national awards for excellence in higher education teaching.