Our Staff

Richard Stokes is the current Chief Executive Officer of ABSA.

He first worked in boarding in 1980 in Adelaide at Immanuel College as a full-time supervisor, and upon completing his BA and Dip Ed he moved to Brisbane in 1982. At St Peters Lutheran College he took on the role of Assistant Senior Boarding Master, and in subsequent years become co-ordinator of boarding at St Peters.

In 1996 he took on the new challenge of Dean of Residential Care at St Joseph’s Nudgee College, a boarding school of nearly 600 boys, and held that role until he retired from a direct boarding role at the end of 2005.

Richard has been involved in ABSA or its previous versions since 1985, holding positions including Treasurer, Secretary and President, and was appointed the first part-time Executive Director for the newly formed Australian Boarding Schools Association in 2007. The role became a full-time one in 2011.

Richard became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in June 2024.

Richard is happily married to Karen, and has two adult children who both enjoyed growing up in the boarding environment!

Jared has previously worked at ABSA and is here with us again. Jared has worked with schools since 2012, bringing us further knowledge in this field. Jared brings fantastic customer service, strong administration skills, a will to succeed and a positive, can do attitude each and every day. 

He finished high school in 2011 at St Joseph’s Nudgee College where he valued his education, sport and his mates. University called and Jared began a Bachelor of Health, Sport & Physical Education. Whilst at University Jared worked with ABSA and also AFL QLD in trying to provide a healthy and active lifestyle to students across QLD. He then moved on to a full-time position with one of our partners at the time. 

Jared still loves his sport, any form of travel and spending time with family and friends. 

Caitlin is the Training and Communications Coordinator at ABSA.

After Caitlin graduated high school, she went on to study a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland. 

Since being out of high school, Caitlin has learnt a variety of different skills and brings a wide range of value to our team here at ABSA. 

Caitlin grew up in Brisbane, and spent most of her life surrounded by schools as both of her parents worked as school teachers which has given her the passion and love for a successful and safe education for each and every student. 

Caitlin enjoys spending her free time travelling or spending time with her loved ones. 

Thomas Dunsmore, the ABSA General Manager, started his role as Office Manager of ABSA in late April 2012, and moved into the role of Operations Manager at the conclusion of his Traineeship in April 2013, and General Manager in early 2016.

During 2012 he completed a Traineeship in Business with ABSA and has achieved a Certificate III in Business, a Diploma in Business and a Diploma in Management.

Tom has completed a Diploma of Business at Bond University and is now studying a Bachelor of Commerce at ACU. 

One of the key aspects of his role is to build partnerships with organisations who support this industry. One of his focuses is to provide support for all staff involved in boarding through providing more opportunities for professional learning through events .

Thomas finished high school in 2011 at St. Joseph's Nudgee College. After graduating he has held a few jobs including bar work, landscaping and since then has happily moved in to his role of Office Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager.

Over Tom’s time with ABSA, he has had the opportunity to visit over 200 boarding schools and work short stints in boarding houses around Australia.

Outside of work his interest include playing basketball on a regular basis, traveling to new places, fishing and new experiences.