The Networking

This event is now closed for online registrations, if you are interested in attending please email kerrie@ausae.org.au.

We invite you to take a couple of hours out of your day to connect with others in the industry to discuss high level topics of real importance, develop new relationships and gain critical information. This is a rare opportunity to network with other CEOs and senior management professionals from charities, associations and other non-profit organisations. Ample opportunity will be given for you to discuss issues and network with others.

The Topic

Tom and Richard will explore the path they took to obtain every boarding school in Australia as a member, and how they have gone about keeping them over the last four years. They will talk about events, connections, relationships and publications, all of which is part of their strategy to keep all schools engaged.

The Speakers - Richard Stokes, Executive Director, Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) 

Richard Stokes is the current Executive Director of ABSA. He first worked in boarding in 1979 in Adelaide at Immanuel College as a fulltime supervisor, and upon completing his BA and Dip Ed he moved to Brisbane in 1982. At St Peters Lutheran College he took on the role of Assistant Senior Boarding Master, and in subsequent years become co-ordinator of boarding at St Peters.

In 1996 he took on the new challenge of Dean of Residential Care at St Joseph’s Nudgee College, a boarding school of nearly 600 boys, and held that role until he retired from a direct boarding role at the end of 2005.

Richard has been involved in ABSA or its previous versions since 1985, holding positions including Treasurer, Secretary and President, and was appointed the first part-time Executive Director for the newly formed Australian Boarding Schools Association in 2007. The role became a full-time one in 2011. Richard is happily married to Karen, and has two adult children who both enjoyed growing up in the boarding environment!

Thomas Dunsmore, General Manager, Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)

Thomas Dunsmore, the ABSA General Manager, started his role as Office Manager of ABSA in late April 2012, and moved into the role of Operations Manager at the conclusion of his Traineeship in April 2013.

During 2012 he completed a Traineeship in Business with ABSA and has achieved a Certificate III in Business, a Diploma in Business and a Diploma in Management. Tom is now studying Business part-time at Bond University. 

One of the key aspects he has developed for ABSA is our Social Media and Web Presence including a number of videos on best practice. A key focus for Tom is building partnerships with organisations to support this industry. The role includes active support for the Association’s member schools. Over his time with ABSA, he has had the opportunity to visit 150+ boarding schools and work short stints in boarding houses around Australia. 

Please register here online or click here to download an Event Registration form