My Name is Shane Cowan, my wife Leanne and I were blessed with three girls, the youngest daughter has a disability all are now young ladies over 25.

I am 65 years old, born, lived and raised our family in the same Brisbane suburb. I have always enjoyed being active and was heavily involved in sport representing my school St Lawrence’s and the State of Qld at all levels of swimming. I left school and worked teaching all ages to swim through the summer months and a small welding business in the winter period, as there were not many heated pools in Brisbane then.

Later moving into the community sector, where I have worked for over 40 years helping people gain skills through experiential learning, working predominately with long term unemployed who require assistance with retraining or attaining new skills to move into employment.

I continue to work for the same not for profit community organisation and have been the manager for the past twenty-five years. As manager I have developed a strong management team that over the twenty-five years, have grown from 8 staff, one organisation, to now employing over 250 staff managing Ten community organisation, plus two for Profit enterprise.

I was involved in local politics, and still involved on the board of the local South East Chamber of Commerce, Vocational Education Training and Industry Group, Redlands Tourism, Gabba Senior Citizen and have been a Rotarian for sixteen years (W/gabba Club).

I have also been honoured by being awarded an Order of Australia, for Community work, from the Queensland Governor, a pride of work from the Rotary Club of Balmoral and a number of Certificates of Appreciation for assistance given to local and international community organisations.

I still get a trill out of helping others, love camping, sailing, swimming (all water sports), cycling, walking, in the workshop making, repairing things and good food.

Attended Toowoomba High School and Newcastle Institute of Technology.

Currently Manager at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Qld

Past District Governor Rotary District 9630

Attended Wavell State High School and Accountancy at Qld Institute of Technology

Currently Manager of Reid Maddison Accountants

Past District Treasurer for District 9630.