Board change at storied charitable trust
Christine Castley OAM, a respected private, public and not-for-profit sector executive, has been appointed chair of the board of governors of Queensland Community Foundation (QCF), Samay Zhouand, the Public Trustee of Queensland, has announced.
Mr Zhouand said the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC would retire as QCF chair and from its board of governors on 26 September 2026. Ms Castley, who is CEO of the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, joined QCF’s board on 08 May and will assume the role of chair on 27 September.
QCF, founded by former Queensland Premier the Honourable Mike Ahern AO in 1997 under the trusteeship of Queensland Public Trustee (QPT), has distributed almost $57 million in funds to Queensland charities over the past 29 years.
Reputation for trusted financial stewardship
Mr Zhouand said Ms Castley was perfectly suited to the challenge of leading and safeguarding the state’s foremost charitable trust.
"Christine comes to QCF with a reputation for clear strategic judgement, practical implementation and building trusted relationships across government, community and industry stakeholders," Mr Zhouand said.
"These skills are vital to QCF’s provision of meaningful support for Queensland communities over the long term."
Ms Castley was appointed to a to a five-year term as CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, which is a Commonwealth statutory agency attached to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, in April 2026.
She was previously CEO of Multicultural Australia from 2020-2025 and between 2009-2020 held senior positions in the Queensland public service, including as Deputy Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Housing and Public Works.
Ms Castley has served as chair of the Australian Multicultural Council and the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, as co-chair of the Queensland Community Alliance and as a board member of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, as well as a panel member of the Australian Government’s Multicultural Framework Review.
She is currently deputy chair of DVConnect and a board member of the Residential Tenancy Authority (Queensland) and the Queensland Theatre.
Ms Castley said she was honoured to be part of QCF’s remarkable story of connecting generosity with purpose.
"Strong communities don’t happen by accident," she said. "They’re built through the efforts of people and organisations willing to invest in the wellbeing and opportunity of others.
"I’m looking forward to working with my fellow governors, QPT, donors and charitable partners to ensure QCF continues to deliver enduring impact for Queenslanders."
Groundwork laid for QCF’s sustainability
Mr Zhouand paid tribute to the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC, under whose leadership QCF matured its strategy and deepened its engagement with regional communities.
"Margaret’s focus on integrity and sustainability helped position QCF as an even more trusted and respected philanthropic institution," Mr Zhouand said.
"She’s laid the essential groundwork for continued growth and innovation for years to come."
During her Honour’s nine-year tenure as chair, QCF’s board implemented the Australian Foundation for Charitable Trusts in partnership with QPT and QIC. This move improved the investment performance of QCF’s funds and led to a reduction in QCF’s investment management costs.
Between 2017-2025 QCF’s funds under management increased by almost $84 million and $35 million in investment income was distributed to Queensland charities.
In 2023 QCF’s board championed the creation of Queensland Gives to raise the trust’s public profile, support donors and undertake fundraising and administration for QCF. The board also streamlined digital donation processing.
"I’m proud of the QCF board of governors’ work over the last nine years and I’m confident Christine will bring important new perspectives and strengths to the role of chair," the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC said.
Queensland Gives CEO Tara Castle thanked her Honour for her steadfast support and leadership.
"QCF is now the second-largest community foundation in Australia and Margaret has been a significant part of that growth and the impact it’s had in Queensland communities," she said.
QCF help’s charities help Queenslanders
QCF was established with $300,000 in funds under management, to be what the Honourable Mike Ahern AO envisaged was a perpetual source of funding for Queensland charities.
QPT’s investment strategy has helped those launch funds grow to just over $170 million, and the income the funds generate has supported more than 300 charities and charitable initiatives, by providing almost $57 million in grants and distributions, including $7.2 million in 2026.
Mr Zhouand said he looked forward to continuing QPT’s strong relationship with QCF under Ms Castley’s leadership, as well as with the Ahern family, which remains closely connected to the trust.
"We have a shared commitment to continuing the excellent work started by our former premier Mike Ahern and built upon by Margaret McMurdo, to ensure QCF has an increasingly meaningful impact across Queensland communities," he said.
