Sharonika Camplin - Board Chair

This is Sharonika’s third term on the Board of Directors and second as Board Chair. She brings more than 20 years’ experience working in marketing, communications and stakeholder management in senior corporate roles working with government, education, and corporate sectors.

Sharonika’s professional experience includes helping start-ups to global organisations with strategy, brand, marketing, digital campaigns and communications as well as numerous people, culture and philanthropic projects within these organisations and across diverse countries.

With two children at the school, Sharonika brings not only her professional experience, but also a parent voice on to the Board and is invested in ensuring its continued growth and success. At the school, she is also a part of the marketing sub-committee and took an active role in the development of the current CHSS Strategic Plan.

Alison Whitmill - Director

Alison has been involved with the school since its conception in Stratford in 2002. Starting as a teacher aide and parent, now she is heavily involved in the therapeutic space of the school. She has trained as an Extra Lesson Practitioner which supports the physical and spiritual development of the child helping them to feel more at home in their body. She works closely with the teachers and students in supporting well-being to help create a harmonious learning space at the school.

For the last few years Alison has spent 8 weeks each year training as an anthroposophical Art Therapist at the Sienna Academy in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Alison will complete the five- year training at the end of 2023. This training is endorsed by the Emerald Foundation based in the Hague, Netherlands which is a prestigious institution that requires rigour and commitment alongside study of Steiner’s anthroposophical teachings.

Alison brings a wealth of experience and wisdom as a colleague but also as a long-term parent of her three daughters who were founding students of the school. Alison embraces Anthroposophy and brings this to all aspects of her life. Alison is a member of the college core group that supports the development of anthroposophical impulses at the school.

Julia Czernek - Director

Julia was born in Germany and was raised in a unique community named ‘Bethel’, a healthcare foundation that empowers healthy and disabled people to live together and learn and work in their diversity. It was here that she first encountered anthroposophical curative education and inclusive programs.

After studying ‘Languages and Linguistics’ at the University of Bielefeld, Julia travelled in Asia and Australia where she gained her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Grad.Dip.Ed from James Cook University in Cairns.

In 2012, Julia became involved with Cairns Hinterland Steiner School, initially as a parent and then staff member from 2015. Since then, she has been working in a full-time class teacher capacity at the school. Julia is an active member of the College of Teachers and is frequently attending Education conferences and seminars. She has gained a comprehensive understanding of the National Australian Steiner Curriculum and how it caters for the different phases of child development.

Julia is very passionate about Steiner Education and its potential for social renewal of a fast-changing world. Her keen interest at present lies in further developing and growing the High School program at CHSS. Julia’s current role as Middle School teacher on the High School campus positions her well to be an advocate for the educational needs of students and teachers.

Tony O'Ferrall - Board Director

Tony has a long-lasting interest in education and training and worked as a multi-media producer for the Department of Defence for the last 20 years producing computer-based learning material.  That role involved managing a team of specialists who wrote, produced, and directed audio visual content. During that time Tony expanded his skills base by completing a Diploma of Project Management, Cert IV in Training and Assessment and a series of courses in advanced audio-visual production techniques.

Tony is a career journalist and has worked in all branches of the media as well as a national Public Relations consultant. Tony studied Arts at the University of NSW, as well as Education at the RCAE in Wagga Wagga. Tony was a Media Advisor to the Government of Belize advising Govt Ministers on policy and on how to interact with the media. He also developed and implemented training programs for government Information Officers.
After completion of his government contract, he helped set up a multi-media production company, Bel-Caribe, in Belize. He was appointed Production Director of Bel-Caribe and recruited staff, designed, and built studios and structured media campaigns for private and government clients.

Rebekka Atz - Director - biography coming soon