Arcadia College is very fortunate to have an exceptional and dedicated Board of Directors. They lead the vision of the organisation by developing a sustainable long-term growth strategy to help disadvantaged youth re-engage in education.
Arcadia Board of Directors
Aaron Devine is a respected education and board executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in Australia's top educational institutions. He's dedicated to student success, ensuring equitable access to quality education for all, regardless of their circumstances.
Aaron's expertise spans both tertiary and school education. He led the establishment of TAFE Queensland Brisbane with over 40,000 students was the CEO of the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, and led Charles Darwin University and the Drysdale Institute to Training Provider of the Year. His background also includes legal experience as a Solicitor in Victoria, specializing in Commercial Law, Civil Litigation, and Employment Law.
Aaron has held key advisory roles in the Tasmanian government, serving as a Senior Adviser to the former Premier of Tasmania and Senior Policy Adviser to the Minister for Vocational Education and Training.
Aaron is highly regarded for his governance and leadership skills and his expertise is regularly sort in his role as a non-executive director.
Ms Trina Hockley AM is a well-respected business owner of the L & M Group of Companies and an experienced, qualified non-executive director with a background in training, education, sport, employment, retail and governance (BHMS, GMQ, FAICD, JP (Qual).
Ms Trina Hockley AM is a well-respected business owner of the L & M Group of Companies and an experienced, qualified non-executive director with a background in training, education, sport, employment, retail and governance (BHMS, GMQ, FAICD, JP (Qual)). Highly sought after for both her business and governance acumen, Trina is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and is the Chair of DV Connect. Trina is also the Chair of Ohana for Youth, Arcadia College and Ohana College. Trina sits on the Board for United Disability Care. Trina co-founded Women in Power to mentor other women.
Trina's volunteering has seen accolades as an Outstanding Volunteer to the Indigenous Community and has received a 20-year Leadership Award from the City of the Gold Coast. Trina is an avid advocate for youth education and development and is a community engagement liaison for the SES. Trina has been recognised with an Australian Honour and is a Member of the Order of Australia.
Nick is a passionate Gold Coast business leader, who was educated on the Gold Coast and an alumni of All Saints Anglican School and Griffith University.
Nick is a passionate Gold Coast business leader, who was educated on the Gold Coast and an alumni of All Saints Anglican School and Griffith University. The successful Founder, Director and CEO of several international tourism and recruitment companies, with operations in several countries. This includes Gap Year and Working Holidays, as well as bespoke and corporate travel for global organisations. After his own Gap Year, at just 18 Nick started his entrepreneurial endeavours which has led him to developing and acquiring multiple companies. Helping young people around the world achieve their independence through Gap Year and Working Holidays, he has a strong insight into the aspirations of students. Nick brings extensive experience and networks in education to the Board, as well as strong commercial and entrepreneurial skills.
Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles is a Professor of Education and Sustainability at Southern Cross University. She commenced her career as a primary-secondary school
teacher. Professor Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles was one of the youngest women in Australia to be made a full professor at the age of 37.
She is the Executive Dean of SCU’s world-leading Faculty of Education, as well as the
Research Leader of the ‘Sustainability, Environment, and the Arts in Education’ (SEAE)
Professor Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles’s research centres on climate change,
childhoodnature, posthuman philosophy, and child-framed research methodologies. She is
particularly focused on the pivot points between education, science, and philosophy. She
has led over 40 national/international research projects, and is presently the lead researcher on a 2024 Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery grant on climate change education. She has published more than 150 publications with her latest book entitled ‘Climate Child Imaginaries’ (Routledge).
Amy has been recognised for both her teaching and research excellence in environmental
education, including an Australian Teaching Excellence Award (OLT) and an Australian
Association for Environmental Education Fellowship (Life Achievement Award) for her
outstanding contribution to environmental education research.
Amanda is also the Treasurer of RADFLY a not for profit organisation with the vision to raise money and awareness for young people at-risk on the Gold Coast and a strong partner of Ohana For Youth and Arcadia College. Amanda is a founding Board Member of Arcadia College. Amanda is a CPA and has extensive financial accounting experience. Amanda has been providing taxation and business advice too small to medium businesses and high net worth individuals for over 30 years. She provides the Board with a depth of experience in finance, accounting and audit.