Debbie Hansen and Martin Lubrano will lead the Australian Primary Principals Association from January 2027, with principal voice and workforce sustainability among their priorities.
The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) has elected Debbie Hansen as its new President and Martin Lubrano as Deputy President, with both taking up their roles in January 2027.
The leadership change will see Ms Hansen succeed current President Angela Falkenberg and take responsibility for representing more than 7,600 government, Catholic and independent primary school principals nationally.
Ms Hansen brings more than 20 years’ experience as a Queensland state school principal, having led seven schools across a range of communities. She is currently President of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), a QASSP Life Member, and has previously served on the APPA Board and National Advisory Council.
Her priorities as APPA President include strengthening the voice of practising principals, addressing workforce sustainability, reducing administrative demands on school leaders and promoting educational equity.
Ms Hansen said she was honoured to lead the national association and would focus on ensuring the perspectives of primary school principals informed national education discussions.
Her appointment comes as school leaders continue to manage workforce pressures alongside increasing administrative and operational demands.
Outgoing APPA President Angela Falkenberg said Ms Hansen’s experience at school, state association and national levels would support the association’s advocacy work.
“Deb brings a unique combination of frontline principal experience, association leadership and national advocacy,” Ms Falkenberg said.
“She has consistently championed the voice of practising principals and understands the opportunities and challenges facing primary schools across Australia.”
Mr Lubrano will serve as Deputy President after previously serving as Immediate Past National President of the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA). He has held senior leadership positions at Trinity Grammar School and Barker College and has contributed to APPA through its National Advisory Council and Board.
His experience includes educational leadership, national policy advocacy and collaboration across the education sector. He has also contributed to national education reference groups and led initiatives focused on expanding educational opportunities for Indigenous students and school communities.
The new leadership team will continue APPA’s work with governments and education stakeholders on issues affecting primary schools, including workforce sustainability, education policy and the practical implementation of reform.