Our College Board
Darren Oliver – Board Chair
Darren has served on the Board of the Association for Parent Controlled Christian Schools of Brisbane for the past 9 years and is currently in his third year as Board Chair. With 20 years of executive leadership experience, Darren is CEO of software company ValuePRO, and has previously held positions including Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer in various companies. In recent years, he has also served as a director of the Ipswich-based home nursing service, CiMaS Nursing Services.
Ryan McMahon - Vice Chair
Ryan graduated as Westside Captain in 2005 and pursued engineering, aviation and ministry studies. He is a commercial pilot, flight instructor, founder and director of two businesses and has served in many areas of Cityhope Church, including on the executive team from 2018-2019.
In his current role as Head of Remote Pilot Operations at Aviation Australia, Ryan leads a national team in the development, delivery and compliance management of Aviation qualifications. Drawn to innovation and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about seeing people fulfil their God given potential. It is a great privilege to be on the Westside Board—an opportunity to give back to the school and community that gave him much.
Rechelle Edwards - Secretary
Rechelle has been part of the Westside community since 1987, commencing her association with the College as a Year 1 teacher. She also spent time as a Prep and Year 4 teacher before serving as the Head of Junior Primary from 2007-2019. After extended leave she returned to Westside as the Secondary Careers and Pathways Coordinator from 2021-2023.
Rechelle is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She serves on the Christian Religious Instruction – Greater Ipswich Region Board, and supports mission work in Zimbabwe, Solomon Islands and Western Queensland. Rechelle continues to serve in education as a casual academic with the University of Queensland, mentoring and supporting pre-service teachers.
Deb Acason – Treasurer
Deborah Acason (nee Lovely) OLY LLB (Honours) BCCJ is a Christian and past student of Westside Christian College (1988 - 1996), and has three daughters currently attending the school. Deborah is a two-time Olympian and five-time Commonwealth Games medallist in weightlifting. She has served on the Board of Directors for business and club, state, and national sporting organisations.
Deborah grew up in Ipswich after her parents moved from Brisbane to co-found Goodna Christian School, now Westside Christian College. Her mother Ainslie was one of the first teachers, and her father served on the Board for almost a decade.
Deborah was admitted as a Legal Professional in the Supreme Court of Qld in 2011 and previously worked for Crown Law. Deb has had extensive coaching involvement in private schools around Brisbane and Ipswich and has previously served as a Sport and Recreation Officer.