Melina Windolf is Regional Manager for Southern Queensland, which is a new region encompassing everything from the Gold Coast to the Western border of Queensland. Melina is married to Darryn and has two young adult children, Talitha & Levi. Melina worked for SU QLD for three years as a chaplain, before taking on a more senior role managing a team of chaplains in the Logan district, where she served for a further three years. Prior to SU QLD, Melina worked for 10 years with Education Queensland in a variety of roles, including as an administration officer. She has a great understanding of school systems, and working with communities, councils and churches.
Melina has a team of five Field Development Managers, including Sam Sawden (Gold Coast), Rob Verreynne (Logan & Scenic Rim), Sharman Irvine (Ipswich Valley & Somerset), Dave Cowie (Toowoomba) and Bob Britton (Western Downs & Maranoa).
Melina’s region has 176 chaplains in 242 schools and the diversity of the region presents both challenges and exciting opportunities. For example, practices that might work on the Gold Coast may prove ineffective out west. Just this week Melina, David and Sharman were working with and encouraging the chaplains from the Gatton district who are supporting the Lockyer District High School through the recent tragedy of murdered school girl Jayde Kendall. The daily opportunity to serve schools and their communities, particularly at times of crisis, is a passion close to Melina’s heart.
Melina travelled last week to Tara, Miles, Roma, St George , Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe and Warwick with CEO Peter James and Field Support Adviser Janet Stebbins to meet our many hard working volunteers and LCC chairs. With Bob Britton they visited many schools and principals…
“One of the nicest things was the rural hospitality and the way schools, churches and communities all work together to make the chaplaincy service happen and to bring support to young people. Thanks for doing your part!”