Meet the Team

Meet the Study Cairns and Cairns Student Hub team who work with members, stakeholders, external partners, along with international students living, working and studying in Cairns.

General Manager | Joanna Wood

Joanna has represented the Australian Government at a wide range of international and multilateral fora in South and South-East Asia. Joanna was previously based in Hanoi at the Australian Embassy as Education Counsellor for Vietnam and Thailand (2017-2020).

Joanna has extensive international education experience working with government and industry in India and Sri Lanka, and co-ordinated the work of the Australia India Education Council Skills Working Group (2011-2017). She has represented Australia at international meetings and hosted senior level international delegations in Australia and abroad.

In addition, Joanna led the development and pilot program of the Australian Government’s International Skills Training (IST) courses for vocational trainers and assessors. The IST courses provide a way to upskill Trainers and Assessors in competency-based training to a common global standard.

Most recently Joanna oversaw the quality assurance of Australia’s Assessing Authorities approved by the Government to conduct assessments to ensure that a potential migrant’s skills meet the industry standards required to work in a relevant occupation. 

Prior to joining the Australian Public Service Joanna worked in the private sector including business development and the establishment of a successful social enterprise.

Joanna has lived and worked in Vietnam, Thailand, India, UK and Australia.

Joanna holds a Master of Public Policy, Australian National University (ANU) and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

Student Hub Officer | Isabelle Morissette

Communications Officer | Georgia Duncan

Georgia Duncan, is local to the tropical paradise of Port Douglas, brings her passion for marketing and communications to the role of Communications Officer at Study Cairns. With roots firmly planted in the picturesque city of Cairns, she returned home after an adventure in Sydney, where she honed her skills in Business and Digital Marketing.

Georgia’s professional journey started with a strong background in fashion marketing, where she learned the art of crafting impactful content and captivating audiences. Her creative mindset and commitment to excellence set her apart in the world of marketing.

Recently, Georgia discovered a new love and purpose in the exciting international education sector. In her current role, she has the privilege of sharing her enthusiasm for all things Cairns with people from all corners of the globe. This unique position allows her to combine her marketing and communication expertise with her genuine passion for showcasing the exceptional attractions and opportunities that Cairns has to offer.

With an unwavering dedication to promoting the region, Georgia Duncan is on a mission to create memorable experiences for students and visitors alike. She is a driving force behind Study Cairns, helping to make it a global hub for education and adventure in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth.