1990 – 2024
Planning meeting is held at St Mary’s Tewantin.
Committee is called the Sunshine Coast Deanery, made up of nine Parishioners in the Maroochydore area, who see the need for the establishment of an Anglican school in one of the fastest-growing areas of the State.
The school is two years in the planning.
First school council meeting is held.
The original committee is happy to gain the interest of two leading Coast professionals, builder Rod Forrester (1988-1995), who is elected the Foundation chairman, and architect Jim Birrell, who is elected the Foundation’s vice-chairman.
Philosophical Statement for the school is drafted.
School name options are discussed – Oxley, Flinders, Carby (local tribe), Sunshine Coast Anglican College. In September, the name Matthew Flinders Anglican College is resolved.
School committee begins looking at potential school sites in Mountain Creek, Kawana, Sippy Downs and Bli Bli.
Deanery meeting is held with Queensland Minister for Education B.G. Littleproud.
Stringybark Road site is chosen as school site. Cost is $10,000 per acre. It is an 18 hectare-citrus orchard. Deposit of $7,000 is required.
Principal position is floated and more than 50 Expressions of Interest are received. Stephen Matthew confirmed by School Council as being selected for Principal, to start on 17/07/1989.
Rod Forrester commences as Chairman of the Flinders Board.
Building plans presented to council.
Flinders P&F is formed.
Construction of the school commences in September and a ceremony is held to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone.
Stage 1 of construction includes six main classrooms, a laboratory, a multi-purpose room for library, music and languages, and a full-sized basketball court.
Logo is designed by Max Hornibrook of Buderim. It is a mix of Christian and nautical themes in school colours of white, navy and jade. The Flinders uniform is designed by Mrs Suzanne Matthew.
The College takes part in its first Australia Day parade in Buderim. Fifty students and all 16 staff attend.
29 January: The first day of school for Matthew Flinders Anglican College students and staff.
Foundation Students – 161 students from Years 5-8
Foundation Teaching staff include Chris Bull, Greg Cook, Reverend Stephen Holmes (Founding Chaplain), Debi Howarth, Leanne Hunt, Wayne Jupe, Suzanne Matthew, Cheryl Nonmus, Neville Rowley, Sharon Rushton, Rowena Turner, Clair Warren, Carol Smeeton
Foundation Administration staff include Colin Fitzgerald, Andrew Collie, Ian Hopkins, Karenlee Spillane, Pam Scott, Dianne McLaren, Sharon Garrett
1 March: The first Flinders Swimming Carnival is held at Buderim State School.
18 March: The College community celebrates the official opening of the College by Sir Walter Campbell, Governor of Queensland.
The first parent and teacher interviews are held at the end of Term 1.
The first school camp for the Year 8s is held at Camp Duckadang, Avoca Vale.
The first Student Staff Council is formed to drive fundraising projects to help those in need in the community. First School Council includes Pat King, Bob Webster, Alf Gerlach, Greg Cox, James Birrell (Vice-Chairman), Tom Hogan and Rod Forrester (Chairman)
Stage 2 of construction commences, including new classrooms, resource centre for languages, music room, administration building, manual arts building, sports courts, oval and running track, walkway from Ballinger Road to the campus, senior school entrance, maintenance sheds, tuckshops, and more.
Construction continues with new classrooms, administration buildings, manual arts building, tuckshop and more.
The Flinders P&F begins.
The first full Primary years are offered from Years 1-7.
Classroom Blocks J and K open.
Flinders’ 25-metre swimming pool opens.
Flinders’ first swimming carnival is held on site.
Flinders’ first production is held. The show is ‘Oh, What a Lovely War’
Flinders’ first Art Show is held.
Flinders’ first Japan Tour is held.
Flinders’ first Duke of Edinburgh Awards are held.
Flinders’ Senior Rugby team win the Grand Final!
Stage 4 construction commences with the building of the library administration block, the lecture theatre, a tuckshop and the uniform shop.
The girls winter uniform is introduced.
The Flinders House system is formalised.
Business subjects are introduced to the curriculum.
Stage 5 of construction commences with classrooms for home economics and maths, as well as computer laboratories.
The Inaugural Flinders Fair is held.
The first Flinders prefects are inducted.
The community celebrates the opening of Stage 4 and 5 classrooms.
Flinders celebrates its first graduates.
The first Prep classes are introduced.
Chairman Rod Forrester retires. John Stevenson commences as Chairman of the Flinders Board.
Opening of the Sports Centre, Rainforest Walk to Banana Oval
Flinders begins its Old Flinderians alumni association.
The Flinders Foundation is established.
College Production – “Little Shop of Horrors”
1996 – Beginning of internet connectivity at the school
1998 – The Primary School quadrangle opens
1999 – Captain Matthew Flinders Bicentenary (1799-1999) is celebrated.
1999 – The College celebrates 10 years of foundation!
1999 – Principal Stephen Matthew retires (1989-1999). Anthony Vincent commences as Principal (1999-2013)
1999 – Bruce Winther commences as Head of Primary
1999 – Inaugural cricket Firsts Versus Old Flinderians match is held.
2000 – College Production – “This is where we came in”
2000 – Erol the Emu is adopted at three weeks old. Errol is still living his best life at the Flinders Farm.
2000 – Masterplan commences to build Design Technology and Secondary Library, upper floor Music and Drama block, and a new Primary Administration building.
2000 – Chairman John Stevenson retires. Stephen Philips commences as Chairman of the Flinders Board.
2001 – Commissioning of Anthony Vincent as Principal
2001 – College Production – “Babes in Arms”
2003 – New Primary Library opens
2003 – College Production – “The Boyfriend”
2003 – First staff member, Ian Hopkins retires
2005 – College Production – “Calamity Jane”
2006 – Construction begins on 10 Year Plan including extending Primary Carpark, Chapel, Central Administration and Flinders Performance Centre
2007 – Flinders Early Learning Centre opens
2007 – College Production – “High School Musical”
2008 – Chairman Stephen Phillips retires. John Gardiner commences as Chairman of the Flinders Board.
2009 – College Production – “West Side Story”
2010 – Primary Pavillion – “Big Red Shed” opens
2011 – College Production – “Grease”
2013 – Official Opening of the Flinders Performance Centre
2013 – College Production – “Guys and Dolls”
2013 – Anthony Vincent retires
2013 – Flinders Early Learning Centre Discovery Garden opens
2013 – Chairman John Gardiner retires. Carolyn Bradbury commences as Chair of the Flinders Board.
2014 – Eddie Groughan commissioned as Principal
2015 – College Production – “Wizard of Oz”
2016 – Official Opening of Forrester Fields, named in honour of Rod Forrester
2016 – Evan Gilbert commences as Chair of the Flinders Board
2016 – Travis Schultz commences as Chair of the Flinders Foundation Board (2016-2020)
2017 – Stuart Meade commissioned as Principal
2017 – Official Opening of Flinders Aquatic Centre
2017 – College Production – “Spamalot”
2017 – Head of Primary, Bruce Winther retires
2018 – Trudi Edwards commences as Head of Primary
2019 – College Production – “Little Shop of Horrors”
2020 – College Celebrates 30 years of Excellence In Education
2020 – John Gannon commences as Chair of Flinders Foundation Board
2020 – Reverend Kathrin Koning is commissioned as College Chaplin
2020 – College opens the new Year 7 Precinct as part of the Flinders Masterplan
2020 – Class of 2020 graduating students are the first to receive ATAR in new Queensland system
2020 – Flinders responds to COVID-19 pandemic with remote learning in late Term 1 and into Term 2
2020 – Flinders produces first Middle School Musical Production with “13: The Musical”
2021 – The College opens the Flagship Centre and the Wonderarium as part of the Flinders Masterplan
2021 – The Creative Arts Program produces “Legally Blonde” (Secondary School production); “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Secondary production); and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Middle School Musical)
2021 – Flinders new uniform goes on sale, to be worn from January, 2022
2020 – On 10 August, an event is held to celebrate the opening of the masterplanned Year 7 Precinct.
2021 – In January, the new masterplanned Flagship Centre opens for learning for students in Years 5 and 6.
2021 – The new masterplanned Wonderarium opens for learning in the Flinders Primary School on 29 October.
2023 – Principal Stuart Meade retires December 2023. Mr Meade was the fourth College Principal. Find his reflections here.
2024 – Flinders welcomes Ms Michelle Carroll as the College Principal from January 2024.
2024 – In January, the new masterplanned Infinity Centre opens for learning in the Secondary School.
2024 – The official Commissioning Service is held to induct new College Principal, Michelle Carroll on Tuesday, 30 January in the Flinders Sports Centre.
Stringybark Road
Buderim QLD 4556
Australia
