Governance
The McDonald College is governed by a Council of highly qualified and experienced Directors who give their time generously to the development and direction of the College.
The Board Council is ultimately responsible for establishing the strategic direction of the College, legal and financial compliance and sustainability, risk mitigation, and reputational risk. They also actively promote the College and leverage their professional and personal networks for the purpose of promoting The McDonald College.
The College Council
Chair
Antoinette Colbran
MAICD, Diploma Cert IV Human Resources
Antoinette is the Executive Director of Benchmark Experts, a business providing expert witnesses for law firms Australia-wide and in New Zealand for matters of personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and medical negligence.
Prior to starting Benchmark, Antoinette was Human Resources Director for the Radisson Hotel Group in Australia and internationally, and she also worked as Legislative Assistant to the Federal Member for Mackellar, the Hon. Jim Carlton, who was Minister for Health in the Fraser Government. Antoinette is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Principal of The McDonald College
Maxine Kohler
MEd DipTch (RAD) MACE
As a Founding Director of The McDonald College, Maxine has extensive experience in business development and management, education and performing arts. Maxine was instrumental in the establishment of The McDonald College and has initiated and guided the College’s growth and diversity since its inception in 1984. Her passion for all genres of performance and an understanding of Primary and Secondary education are the pillars and philosophy on which the College was developed.
Treasurer
Richard (Rick) Watkins
BBus FCA
Richard is a partner at WCM, Chartered Accountants. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, an associate member of the Taxation Institute, and a registered company auditor and superannuation fund auditor.
Richard specialises in business services to small and medium-sized clients and is an auditor to several national enterprises and several not-for-profit organisations.
Director
Gordon Bobin
MAICD, GC Ed Leadership, GD Education, BA
Currently working as Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Institute of Higher Education, Gordon provides strategic guidance and support for business intelligence and performance. His previous roles in Higher Education include Chief Strategy Officer and Director of Quality, Chief Student Services Officer, Academic Registrar, and Manager of Accreditation, Regulation, and E-Learning.
Prior to working in Higher Education, Gordon worked for over a decade in K – 12 education, most recently as Head of Curriculum and Regional Facilitator with Sydney Catholic Schools. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings nearly 20 years of experience working across numerous education sectors.
Director
Nicholas Scofield
GAICD, GradDipPubEcoPol, BEcon
Nicholas is currently the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Allianz Australia, a position held since 2003, and is responsible for corporate affairs, government relations, regulatory affairs and reputation risk management.
Before joining Allianz, Nicholas worked as an economic and public policy consultant at The Allen Consulting Group (2001-03), a Senior Economic Adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (1993-2001) and an Economist at the Productivity Commission (1991-93). From 1978-1990, Nicholas was a professional guitarist and guitar teacher, and still plays semi-professionally. In 2006, Nicholas was recognised as a Shihan (Master) in the Chikuho Ryu tradition of the Shakuhachi.
