Some have played an integral role in business or development, while others have built the future through the education of the city’s children.

The rich cultural heritage of the Quandamooka people continues to be embraced and acknowledged across the Coast, thanks to the tireless work and dedication of many elders who generously share their knowledge.

Scientists and environmentalists have also played a role, keeping watch over the koala population, the shore birds, bushland vegetation, coastline, Moreton Bay and its islands.

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Built by dedicated local people, the city is rich in art and culture, with its own performing arts centre, art galleries, winery and entertainment venues at the many pubs and clubs.

At the sports grounds, it’s not just about the players on the fields but, importantly, those behind the scenes – selling meat tray raffle tickets, running the sausage sizzles and coaching the swimmers, the tennis players, hockey teams and footballers, all the while building self-esteem among young people, promoting fitness and giving little kids big dreams for the future.

So as Quest Community News announces our arrival on the Redlands Coast, we think it’s a good opportunity to say thanks to some of the people who have helped shaped the city.

In today’s instalment of the Redlands Coast Power 30 list we honour those who work in education.

DR LYN BISHOP

Sheldon College founder and principal/CEO, Dr Lyn Bishop, has an extraordinarily long list of achievements.

Leading what has been recognised as one of state’s most-progressive independent schools, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her service to education in Queensland.

Her recognition includes: being named a Queensland Education Leadership Institute ambassador; a Queensland University of Technology Outstanding Alumni Award; Centenary Medal recipient; Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award and, Queensland and Australian Entrepreneur of the Year.

Starting her career in the late 1960s as a teacher, she has served in numerous education leadership roles, including Metropolitan East Region deputy executive director; Queensland Principal’s Association vice president and, Department of Education and Training Queensland acting director (quality assurance).

But it was her love of working directly with children that saw her walk away from department roles, armed with a vision to create a progressive independent college in the Redlands.

The journey, which has seen Dr Bishop take the college from 110 students in 1997 to today’s population of 1450, has not been an easy one.

Approvals and red tape delays meant the school buildings and grounds at Taylor Rd, Sheldon, were not ready for that first day of school.

But in typical Dr Bishop fashion, that was not a hurdle to getting on with business.

Approaching the equestrian and events centre down the road, she managed to operate classes from there for a few months until the site was ready.

It’s Sheldon College legend that teachers and parents alike would turn up early every Monday morning and set up classrooms at the equestrian centre, only to return on Friday afternoons to pack them down so functions could be held at the venue on weekends.

It’s that sort of tenacity that is behind every success, and the team of supporters including teachers, staff, parents and community members, that Dr Bishop has built.

Today Sheldon College operates every level of education, from a childcare centre to kindergarten and prep through to year 12.

The grounds include two swimming pools, an Olympic standard running track (which was used by Commonwealth Games international athletes last year for training) and a state-of-the art technology centre with film and television studios and robotic labs.

The focus is equally on academics, sport and the arts, with extension programs that see senior students participating in university courses while still at school.

Innovation abounds, to the point that even if you would like to become an airline pilot – then Sheldon College can cater for you.

But above and beyond all of these achievements, Dr Bishop is exceptionally well loved by her students.

She turns up at every school event. At musical performances she can be heard chuckling in the audience; at the bush dance she’s there selling raffle tickets and during school camps you can be sure she will drop in to visit.

One of her most heartfelt philosophies is that “the home and school working together are two of the most profound influences on earth”.

And that, surely, is something to be proud of.

SANDRA DELANEY

Every story, every word that Quandamooka language consultant Sandra Delaney has rediscovered and preserved is part of her journey to connect Aboriginal people – to create a new space where language is incorporated back into all aspects of community life.

Her work, in gathering and nurturing connection to country through language, is garnering recognition across Australia.

The woman behind the first speech delivered in Aboriginal language at Queensland’s Parliament House (delivered by MP Leeanne Enoch in 2016), last year received a Federal Government grant to further her community work restoring and passing on the learnings of her Elders and knowledge of growing up on Quandamooka country.

Ms Delaney, who is also a storyteller, painter and researcher, grew up in a time when she was forbidden to speak her own language, Jandai.

“Working on constructing Aboriginal language takes time and effort,” she said.

“It is not easy, you have to be dedicated, but I enjoy sharing this information to those who are interested.”

In her 2016 Parliament speech Ms Delaney wrote: Quandamooka jagan nga dada. Our country is also strong. Ngali jagijin marumba balga yari gana. So let us all welcome the good spirits here where we talk, think and understand.

CINDY CORRIE

As co-founder of the Sycamore School in Alexandra Hills, Cindy Corrie has redefined opportunity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The passionate mother changed the education landscape for children with ASD when she decided that if she could not find a school that met her son’s needs, she would start one.

“Sam, along with thousands of Autistic children in Queensland, face immense stress, anxiety and isolation in our schools every day – not to mention what it does to the families,” she told supporters in the early days.

With her husband Cameron, the couple embarked on designing a place to accept, build and nurture their son and other families who were struggling to find alternatives for their children.

The Sycamore School became a reality, with the doors opening two years ago.

Growing their success, the school celebrated this year by expanding to cater for children with ASD through to high school. It offers years 7 and 8 this year, introducing year 9 in 2020 and year 10 the following year.

“We really feel they should have access to a variety of ways of learning,” Ms Corrie said.

“We use an eclectic mix of intervention therapy and teaching methods.”

PAUL BANCROFT

Students at Cleveland District State High School have three guiding principles – kaizen, neoteny and ubuntu. Kaizen means to focus on improvement every single day; neoteny to retain childhood habits like humour, wonder, awe and imagining, and ubuntu is defining our wellbeing by the welling of those around us.

For nearly three decades Principal Paul Bancroft has challenged, supported and created opportunities for students to do their best at CDSHS.

He has instilled the three guiding principles as a measure of his school’s success and his students’ wellbeing.

As a leader, he has been at the forefront of shifts in curriculum, pioneering moves to bring international education programs to Queensland schools as well instrumental in the State’s shift to bring Year 7 into high schools.

He has served across the Redlands Coast as a teacher, coach, delegate on multiple committees and in 2014 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

In 2017 he received the Griffith University Jack Pizzey award at the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

To resounding applause, the longstanding CDSHS principal was recognised as Education Queensland’s best principal that year.

PENNY LIMBACH

Moreton Bay is the classroom for education warrior Penny Limbach.

The general manager of Tangalooma EcoMarines, Ms Limbach has inspired hundreds of children to protect the oceans and have a respect for our environment.

Her insight, dedication and determination has helped forge a powerful learning experience for primary school children who are not just followers carrying a message, but leaders and innovators within their own schools.

EcoMarines is built on the basis of teaching students what they need to know, then arming them with the confidence and the tools to return to their own classrooms and playgrounds to spread the message.

And it works.

Young EcoMarines have been responsible for projects such as reducing waste in their schools, creating artwork out of rubbish, establishing bag co-ops, developing food waste management systems and participating in foreshore clean-ups.

Dunwich State School pupils created a video showcasing North Stradbroke Island to demonstrate how vulnerable local marine life is to pollution.

When students from across greater Brisbane were asked late last year to present their school’s end-of-year report – in front of a crowd at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre – every one of them stood confidently on the stage at the microphone and spoke about the projects they had driven.

It was an inspiring vision, and a snapshot of a future safe in the hands of these young leaders.