Decades of significant service to children, youth, and the community is the reason Julia Davison is set to be awarded as Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
The Noosa Heads resident knows a thing or two about being a CEO, and plans on continuing to share her knowledge with future leaders.
“I was very surprised and I wasn’t expecting it but it is really great to be recognised,” Julia said of receiving the honour.
“I was a little emotional actually because it came out of the blue.”
She was the founding chief executive officer of Goodstart Early Learning in 2011, a director of Cape York Girl Academy in 2015, and the director of Paul Ramsay Foundation in 2023.
“I’m very proud of the time I spent as chief executive at Goodstart Early Learning and that’s why I moved to Queensland from South Australia in 2011 to lead the turn around of the ABC Learning Centres,” Julia said.
“In addition to the financial turnaround, I’m very proud of what we all achieved for children and families.
“We significantly improved the quality of early childhood education in the 700 centres across Australia and became one of the most inclusive centres with no child being turned away. Often it’s too hard for early childhood centres to take children with additional needs but we accepted everyone at Goodstart.”
Her impressive resume includes CEO of Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide; CEO of WorkCover SA; and Assistant Chief Executive in the Royal Hospital National Health Service Trust in the United Kingdom.
“I’ve also been proud of the world I’ve done with Cape York Girl Academy, working with First Nations students,” she said.
“I was also chair of the board of Catherine House in South Australia, working with women who experienced homelessness.”
Julia said the four most important traits for a CEO to succeed were passion, resilience, tenacity and empathy.
If she could give one piece of advice to her 21-year-old self, or any other young person, it would be to back yourself.
“Have the confidence to do the things that perhaps you think you can’t do,” she said.
This year, Julia has semi-retired to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle in Noosa, but she’s still using her experience to help the community.
“I’m on the board of Paul Ramsay Foundation, which has a mission of breaking cycles of disadvantage,” she said.
“I’ve recently completed an executive coaching course at the European Business School. I’m doing CEO and leadership coaching mainly in the not-for-profit sector.
“In 2023, I retired from full time work and decided I needed a break. This year I’ll do more coaching but I want to limit the amount so I can enjoy Noosa and be semi-retired.”
