College Board - Tamborine Mountain College

The College Board oversees the strategic direction and financial management of the College. Comprising dedicated volunteers, Board members generously give their time and meet monthly during term. Beyond governance, they actively engage with the College community, attending events and functions throughout the year.

Lance Cordingley

Chair - LLB, BCom, MQLS, Member of TMC P/L

Lance Cordinglay is proud and deeply honoured to serve Tamborine Mountain College as Chair of the Board. A lifelong South-East Queensland resident—something of a rarity in the Gold Coast region—Lance has had a long standing connection to Tamborine Mountain. His family farm was located just down the range at Tallai, and he has been familiar with the Mountain for most of his life. One of his earliest memories includes a particularly perilous visit in the mid to late 1960s, navigating the greasy Goat Track in an old Land Rover with very little traction. Many visits followed, until Lance and his wife Ruth made the best decision to move to the Mountain permanently, with Lance commencing legal practice locally in 1991.

Lance is especially proud that his three children are alumni of Tamborine Mountain College and of the adults the College helped encourage them to become.

With nearly 40 years’ experience as a solicitor and a deep belief in the value of volunteering, Lance has contributed extensively to the local community. His past and current roles include Chair and Field Officer of a Rural Fire Brigade, Chair of the Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association, Board Member of Gold Coast Tweed Bowls, Chair of Club Tamborine, and long-standing President and avid bowler with the Tamborine Mountain Bowls Club. In 2023, he was honoured with Life Membership of both Club Tamborine and the Tamborine Mountain Bowls Club.

In both a professional and pro bono capacity, Lance has served as honorary solicitor to Gold Coast Tweed Bowls, the Queensland Blind Bowls Association, Club Tamborine, Mibunn Bowlers, and Canungra Bowls Club, as well as supporting the local junior rugby league club and numerous other community organisations.

As Lance approaches retirement from full-time legal practice, he remains committed to staying active and engaged through volunteering in the community he treasures and proudly commends it to others.

Michael Kyle

Director - OAM, LLB, Notary Public, Member of TMC P/L

Michael John Kyle OAM was born in 1950 and raised and educated in Brisbane. He graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws in 1972 and commenced his legal career the following year with the Southport firm then known as Adamson & Co.

Michael remained with the firm for his entire professional career, serving as a partner until his retirement. His legacy continues through his two sons, who have now taken over his interest in the practice.

Throughout his career, Michael has been deeply involved in community service, with Tamborine Mountain College being a significant part of that commitment. He has served as a Board Member since the College’s establishment in 1995 and spent a decade as Chairman of the Board. Michael considers it a privilege to have played a part in the remarkable growth and development of the College over the past three decades.

In January 2018, Michael was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his extensive contributions to the community.

Michael and his wife, Trish, are the proud parents of four children and delighted grandparents of eleven grandchildren.

Vanessa Bull

Director - OAM, Member of TMC P/L

Vanessa Bull OAM is a long term resident of Tamborine Mountain and a deeply committed advocate for the local community. Over many years, she has contributed extensively to community leadership, civic service, and volunteer initiatives that support the Mountain and its residents.

Vanessa served the community for more than a decade as a Councillor with Beaudesert Shire Council and was Deputy Mayor for part of that time.

Beyond Tamborine Mountain College, Vanessa remains actively involved in a wide range of community organisations. She is Patron of the Tamborine Mountain Little Theatre Group, President of the Tamborine Mountain Show Society, Disaster Coordinator for the Tamborine Mountain Lions Club, a member of the local Disaster Preparedness Group, and a licensed local snake catcher.

Vanessa’s strong sense of community service is deeply rooted in her upbringing. She emigrated to Australia in 1964 with her mother, Elizabeth Marshall, and siblings as “Ten Pound Poms.” Vanessa credits Elizabeth’s strength, generosity, and commitment to giving back as lasting influences on her own values.

“It’s about being community minded and doing things that are beneficial, but also enjoyable,” Vanessa says — a philosophy that continues to guide her enduring contribution to Tamborine Mountain College.

Sheila Ponting

Director - FCPA, BBus (Accounting), Member of TMC P/L

Sheila retired from her Gold Coast based accounting practice after 24 years as a sole practitioner, providing accounting and advisory services to small business clients.

She has extensive experience in governance and community leadership, having served as Chair and Treasurer of Surfers Paradise Rotary and completed a three year term as Assistant Governor of Rotary District 9640. Sheila currently serves as a Director of Common Ground Gold Coast, an organisation committed to creating supportive housing that strengthens local communities and enhances wellbeing and social connection.

Sheila holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants.

Alicia Haynes

Vice Chair - TMC Foundation Student and College Captain, BPharm, Member of TMC P/L

Kevin Lynch

Director - MEd, BSc, DipEd

Kevin Lynch brings more than 43 years of experience as an educator across New South Wales and Queensland, having served in notable independent schools most notably the Shore School in Sydney, and on the Gold Coast All Saints Anglican School, and Saint Stephen’s College. A specialist Secondary Mathematics teacher, Kevin has contributed to both student wellbeing and academic leadership throughout his career.

He has served as a Year Level Coordinator and held key academic roles, including Head of Mathematics and Director of Studies at Saint Stephen’s College, where he helped shape curriculum direction, staff development, and student learning outcomes.

From 2010 to 2024, Kevin was Principal and CEO of Hills International College, where he led the College through significant growth and strengthened its profile within the Hinterland Independent Alliance, alongside Tamborine Mountain College and The Kooralbyn International School.

Following his retirement at the end of 2024, Kevin joined the Tamborine Mountain College Board as a Member and Director in early 2025. He is committed to supporting the College’s strategic direction and ensuring continued excellence in teaching and learning.

Raymond Cantrell

Director - B.Bus (mgt), Engineering (civil), Management consultant

Ray Cantrell is a proud Tamborine Mountain College alumnus and former College Captain who continues to give back to the community that shaped his early years. Ray holds formal qualifications in both Civil Engineering and Business Management, providing him with a strong technical and commercial foundation across the construction and infrastructure sectors.

With extensive experience leading complex projects, Ray is also licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission for the provision of project management services. His professional background spans strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and the delivery of major capital works, bringing valuable industry insight and governance capability to the College Board.

Deeply committed to education and community advancement, Ray is passionate about contributing to the long term growth, sustainability, and excellence of Tamborine Mountain College.