The four peak Principals’ Associations supporting professional development for their members, along with the Board of Principals Australia, have pleasure in announcing the appointment of a new CEO for Principals Australia.

Ms Liz Furler has extensive experience both within government as a senior executive and as CEO of non-government organisations. Originally in the health field, she was appointed the first Ministerial Adviser in Women’s Health in Australia in 1984, and spent some years in the South Australian and Tasmanian governments before being appointed to the Commonwealth Health Department where she rose to First Assistant Secretary. Liz’s career in health is characterised by her focus on policies and programs aimed at reducing inequalities, strengthening prevention and primary care, and health promotion. She worked in education for the first time in 2002 when she joined ANTA. Since joining the South Australian Department of Education and Children’s Services in February 2008 to lead the Policy and Inter-Governmental Relations work, she has been involved directly in high-level COAG and Ministerial forums shaping the future of schooling, early childhood development, skills and higher education.

With her knowledge of national policy settings, her track record in leading complex and challenging reform, and a particular interest in the translation of evidence into policy and practice, Liz is ideally equipped to assist Principals Australia with the next phase in its development. This entails a review of the organisation’s options for growth and sustainability, consolidating the current operation, identifying opportunities for business development and diversification, and building the capacity and partnerships required to ensure that principals and their associations make a significant contribution to Australia’s education sector and the broader national social and economic agenda.

Neville Lyngcoln

Chair