Greater Brisbane Area
DEMOCRACY+JUSTICE Bronwyn passionately defends: highest ethics in public discourse | law-making institutions | rules-based international order | recognition first nations people | whistle-blower protection | freedom of responsible, fact-checked press | sustainable economy/environment | free+fair trade Opposed to arbitrary deprivation of liberty | advocate for humanitarian/human rights+social justice QUALS 1996 FAICD; CDC Dip 1995 AFAIM 1984/85 Master of Law (1st Class) Cambridge-top 19% Major in international law Only Australian (8 in LL.M year) graduating1st class (See: 1Jul1985 The Times,London) Awarded Emmanuel College Prize | Elected Hon Bachelor Scholar 1988 Feb-present Solicitor, Supreme Crt NSW 1981 Feb-present Solicitor, Sup Crt Qld- after 2 yrs postgrad full time work/study 1980 Feb-Bachelor of Laws LLB UQ FULL TIME CAREER 15+yrs Legal/Mgment Exec | Post-professional Trainer | University Senior Administrator Collaborative leader - deep interest in people, their well-being teams, innovation during disruption, transparent communication, performance management, personal/organisational development Former Intellectual Property specialist solicitor | commercial negotiator | top-tier law firms | London & Sydney Commercialising advanced technology/large innovation projects/IP Advising leading International multi-national companies | Australian universities/businesses | State/Local govts On international committees At 33, Senior Exec (SES1) Qld Att-Gen’s dept | only woman | youngest of 15 Senior Crown Law Execs Simplifying complex matters helps all parties identify needs/wants to find practical, resourceful, mutually beneficial solutions. Win/win/win. Won practitioner negotiation competitions: LES 1989 Sydney; AICD 1996 Brisbane. London1987: "the other side of the transaction" General Electric's GEISCO, offered a permanent USA job-recognising: professional fairness, willingness to help all sides, ability to distil/clarify issues, attention to detail, foresight in troubleshooting, insight, honesty 1997-2004 PART TIME 8+yrs Nurturing children/intensive watch for 4 yr old type1 diabetic post-flu * National Examiner AICD * Principal of Mgmt Consultncy * GOVERNANCE 1991/3 Brisbane Youth Service Mgmnt Cttee/Bd 1997/8 Non-Exec Director-Qld Dairy Authority industry bd 1997/8 Chair QUT Law Founders' Scholarship Cttee 1997-2004 National Education Cttee-AICD 2001/3 President-Holland Park Kindergarten Assoc FULL TIME 2006-26 FULL RECOVERY Severe physical disabilities+neurological, emotional Unable to work Extreme dissociated childhood abuse 1981+VOLUNTEER
In 2022 AICD reported it was still the largest company director institution in the world with over 50,000 members - a testament to the commitment of Australia's director community to ongoing professional development. AICD members who steward organisations from many sectors, public and private companies, not-for-profits, government organisations and First Nations organisations, bring a breadth of expertise and perpectives. The AICD is an independent and trusted voice for directors and for good governance and was the first Director organisation to link membership to professional education standards. Members recognise the AICD's education programs are world-class. In 2025 the AICD celebrated 50 years of the Company Directors Course as "the world's leading governance course" - see Company Director Journal, May 2025.
DIPLOMA In first half 1996 I completed the AICD Company Director's Course Diploma awarded with Order of Merit (within top 5% nationally for pass of 90% +). This Diploma was awarded on the recommendation of the University of Sydney Graduate School of Business. I subsequently received a surprising telephone call from Fran Morris, Manager AICD Education Services, Sydney asking would I become a national examiner in the course, as they were impressed with my examination answers. I agreed, particularly as marking could be worked around a baby and a toddler. NATIONAL EXAMINER for the AICD flagship "company director's course". Marking examination papers from courses held in capital cities and regional centres throughout Australia, from Perth to Hobart to Darwin and the eastern States. In some exam periods, I was the only examiner for the AICD in Australia. Centralised AICD administration was based in Sydney. I was Examiner when assessment was by 3.5 hour examination requiring 3 compulsory problem-solving essays on each of these topics: corporate governance; strategic direction; financial management. I discontinued my examining role when the assessment was diluted to (computer markable) multiple choice quiz style assessment. MEMBER | NATIONAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE deciding on all aspects of educational quality and standards and methods for assessment in the "company director's course". TUTOR 1998 I delivered course material for the Toowoomba CDC course.
5+ years on the National Education Committee. (Refer- AICD Annual Reports on NEC members). National Education Committee met approximately bi- monthly in Sydney to set and review the curricula, course materials and delivery methods for the AICD flagship "company directors' course" - a comprehensive director development program.
BOOK AUTHOR (2020-2022)-Awaiting revision Review High Court decision Pell v The Queen [2020] HCA 12. (2nd trial Victorian County Ct; 1st appeal Vic Ct of App). Historic child abuse cases need trauma-informed law reform. Roman Church context Once-children not to be disadvantaged by inevitable time lapse RESEARCHER | ASSISTANT EDITOR Grandfather's 1974 unpublished original 2023 June: Duncan Thompson "Rugby League, Coaching and Contract Football" Dasch Publishing,Toowoomba Qld PUBLICATIONS (1985-1990) Jan 1985 “In a Class Apart? Educational Negligence Claims Against Teachers” Thompson B.E. Vol 1(1985) QUT Law Jnl 85-109. Reviewing 7 USA "educational malpractice" cases. Can teachers be professionally liable for students' failure to learn? When? Required reading some NSW primary teacher B.Ed. courses - late 1980s/early90s Favourably mentioned Dr Paul Gerber (1986) 60 ALJ 249 1990 “Franchising–a Path through the Pitfalls” Thompson B.E. Company Director Jrnl, Aug 1989 “Franchising Dangers” -Thompson B.E The Business Bulletin, Sept REPORTER Intellectual Property Reports, Butterworths, London-headnotes Faccenda Chicken v Fowler 1986: confidential info/employees/trade secrets/unreasonable restraint of trade? SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS 1989-2016 2016 “Healing the Children Within. Childhood-age-appropriate therapy for traumatised adult clients" Treatment for Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma >Second International Conference on Childhood Trauma, Australian Childhood Foundation, 2,000+ delegates, Melbourne Convention Centre 2016. 1990 “Intellectual Property and Trade Practices Issues in Franchising” > Annual Symposium, Qld Law Society, Gold Coast, March 1990 > Faculty of Law Seminars, University of NSW, Sydney, Aug 1990 > Young Lawyers Section, Law Society of NSW, Syd 1989 1989 “What Went Wrong? A review of failed franchises. Is there a common cause?” Thompson B.E, McGlinchey J.G > First National Convention of Franchisors’ Assoc'n of Aust, Gold Coast
PART TIME 1986-95 MYALGIC ENCEPHELOMYELITIS (ME) post viral 9 years. Age 28-37 CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS) 3 GPs+2 Physicians diagnosed ME (UK)/CFS (Aus) Halted work/social/sporting life - intermittently Since 2021 long covid | ME/CFS is better understood Ended 1995-months after birth 1st child. Hormonal/body reset? A complex multi-symptom, multi-system neuro-immune condition Physical+neurological illness | involves swollen hippocampus | immune system affected Affects cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, metabolism Weakens immune system Energy loss, ineffective sleep, nausea, severe pain, dysfunction in body systems/strength, muscle weakness, respiratory flu-like symptoms, gastro-intestinal problems, brain fog, involuntary brain "shut down", disorientation, loss cognitive function FULL TIME 2006-2026 COMPLEX CHILDHOOD TRAUMA. Aged 48-68 Clinical Psychologist, Dr Frank J Walsh diagnosed Adult Symptoms of DISSOCIATED Extreme Abuse in childhood Atrocity 100s x severe abuse/torture events in my childhood (infant to 16) by both parents/others Symptoms-daily/varying severity 20+ years 2006 Brain/body collapse: Grand-mal type seizures 6 weeks 24 hrs/day/7 days a week Extreme neurological disabilities Could not stand/walk length of my corridor Sometimes spoon fed Lost most executive brain/cognitive function Approx 2 yrs largely bedridden Could not read/listen to radio/watch television Excruciating physical pain Always highly intelligent, hard worker the essential work to recover was the hardest of my life Working drug-free, somatic (physical) psychotherapy to recover Self/brain function 2006-26 Physical (body oriented) pain/seizures released past horrific experiences Required my full attention, courage, energy, resources, determination 2010-24 Twice weekly physical rehabilitation, physiotherapy/pilates Nurtured 2 involved children Community Volunteer Presenter childhood trauma Adapted to satisfied if I can contribute I recovered Grieve working life lost-20 yrs
10. 2012-14 Planning Laws illegally misapplied by BCC | QPEC= Denial of Rule of Law by these public institutions. Raised concerns: Meetings:*Chair,Crime+CorruptionComm'n *BCC: Councillors; CEO+Chief Legal Officer+Head Ethics Correspondence:*Chief Justice Qld *Chief Judge District Crts *Attorney-Gen/Justice Min LEGAL development is progress. Illegal development reduces community livability/lowers nearby property values. BCC/QPEC statutory duty to UPHOLD/APPLY City Plan (Qld Govt legislation). BCC/QPEC acting "ultra vires" giving approvals wrongly to allow discretion where the City Plan restrictions are MANDATORY=unlawful, void ab initio, of no effect, can't be enforced in court Multi-appeals in one neighbourhood=oppressive/expensive. Solution? Class actions against BCC | Enquiry into QPEC/BCC? Reform proposals a) Independent review/audit by Special Panel (retired) higher court judges into questionable QPEC decisions. Panel to correct any (void ab initio) outcomes. Not costly Appeals for neighbours b) ALL QPEC must supply written reasons c) ALL QPEC judges must APPLY City Plan as legislated 9. 2010-12 Social Responsibilities Cttee St John's Cathedral 8. 2007+ Sponsor World Vision Children | 2020+Sponsor Smith Family Children 7. 2001-4 Holland Park State School early primary reading, writing, maths, science 6. 2001-2 President, Holland Park Kindergarten 5. 1997 Inaugural Chair, QUT Law School 20th Anniversary Cttee. Conceived/established the Scholarship and Trust, set parameters, raised initial funds for QUT Law Founders' Scholarship + Tom Cain Trophy. 22 years later, April 2019, 8 Scholarships $10,000 each awarded to 1st year LLB students experiencing financial hardship 4. 1991-3 Brisbane Youth Service-Management Cttee=Board 3. 1981-4 Amnesty International, Qld Branch, Regional Lawyers - Group Leader+ Co-ordinator 2. 1982-4 Lobbying to amend Qld Govt Superannuation Scheme: equal benefits for women 1. 1981-2 Caxton Street Legal Service volunteer solicitor-nights
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE in GESTALT THERAPY (2011) 1st yr B.A psych UQ (1994) CERTIFICATES Counselling(1991); Training(1989) Mindfulness training-several decades 1989+ 2012 I trained in year 2 of 4 yr Masters Gestalt/group therapy-disappointedly not well enough/old trauma to attend final residential week-November Special consideration applicn refused-and so barred from continuing Dissociation in trauma-what is the brain/body doing? Attended trainings/workshops/conferences: trauma, childhood trauma, complex trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, trauma held in the body, the vagus nerve/poly-vagal theory Over 20+years with my somatic psychotherapist, we worked through my repeated dissociation as the abused child victim of serial abusers - physical, sexual and emotional abuse. As an adult in therapy, I experienced (assisted + supported) "age slipping" into "younger me" parts of myself "frozen off" by dissociation at the time of abuse. (Not the DID experience-"personality splitting"creation of alternate personalities) Working through extreme abuse decades earlier, required all of me, my whole physiology and intellect - a highly intelligent, determined, capable woman who was a resilient, resourceful child. I had to live through/experience full physical/emotional impact of, and my child and adult response to, every childhood abuse event Hours + hours of work in physical body-oriented somatic psychotherapy, releasing trauma held in the body at cellular, metabolic level More hours post-session recovery, integration + resolution work as the brain/body physically creates new neural pathways becoming my recovery in understanding, awareness and function Somatic body-oriented psychotherapy is a drug-free therapy to full recovery However, it requires us to body-release all of one's terrifying past - to endure, know and heal your (locked off/dissociated) childhood terror+physical pain 2016 I presented short paper-2nd International Conference on Childhood Trauma-Melbourne.