Board Communique June 2026
Dear Members
Principals Australia Research Foundation Ltd.’s (PARF) Board met at Mercure Canberra, Braddon on Monday 25 May 2026. The agenda included 5 key matters:
1. Director administration
2. Investment portfolio manager
3. Funded Research Projects 2025 and 2026
4. Research Funding round 2027.
5. Review of the Research and Funding Program
Director administration
The AGM on 21 April 2026 re-elected, one Director; Ros Oates, nominated by APPA and elected one new Director; Andy Mison, nominated by ASPA. The Board acknowledged retiring Director, Michael Hall, and approved a letter of appreciation to him acknowledging his contribution to the establishment and work of PARF.
As required by rule 19.4 of the constitution, the Board elected office bearers. Dennis Yarrington was appointed to continue as Chair and Jayne Heath was appointed as Deputy Chair.
The Board confirmed Directors on the Investment and Finance Committee: Matthew Wigzell (chair), Deb Dalwood and Andy Mison. The Board confirmed the appointment of the following Directors to the Research Funding Panel: Jayne Heath (chair), Robyn Evans and Ros Oates.
Investment Portfolio Manager update
The Board received an update on the performance of the investment portfolio, noting the portfolio had performed well considering the unpredictability of the market and current international tensions.
Funded Research Projects 2025 and 2026
The Board received presentations from APPA and ASPA on the 2025 research funded projects. The Board noted and discussed progress reports from 2026 funded projects: ACTPA on Navigating System Reform: ACT Principals’ Leadership, Agency, and Collaboration in Times of Change; ASPA/ANU on System Leadership in Action: Co-designing approaches that empower principals as catalysts of reform; QASSP on Why We Lead; and APPA on Developing Principals to Lead.
Research Funding Round 2027
The Board resolved that the 2027 Research and Development Funding Guidelines and 2027 Application Form be approved. The Board resolved that the closing date for 2027 applications will be 21 September 2026 and the indicative amount of $100,000 be available for projects approved for funding. See Website for guidelines and application form.
Review of the Research and Development Funding Program
The Board resolved to establish a working group to develop a review process to assess the efficacy of the Research and Developing Funding Program and the impact of funded research projects.