About Linda

Photo of former Australian High Court Justice Michael Kirby presenting Finalist Certificate to Linda Harnett, at the Workforce Council Innovation Awards
Australian High Court Justice, the Honorable Michael Kirby presents Linda Harnett with a Finalist Certificate for the Workforce Council’sMichael Kirby Award for Inclusiveness.’ Linda led an early childhood education service to become the first in Australia to develop and implement a Reconciliation Action Plan

Linda Harnett Biography

Linda Harnett MA, BCW, Dip Bus, Dip HR, ADRC has worked in the Community Services sector since 1977, as both professional and volunteer.

She played a leadership role in the establishment of a Domestic Violence Service and Women’s Refuge, and a Community Legal Service.

She worked with homeless persons, and as a youth worker, helped children placed into the Care of the Children’s Services Department.

She has worked as a Coordinator in Disability Services, and as the Manager of a Family Day Care Service (28 years).

Linda’s leadership and commitment to the principles of reconciliation led Brisbane’s Bayside Family Day Care to become the first Australian early childhood education service to develop and implement a Reconciliation Action Plan.

In May 2003, Linda was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal by the Commonwealth Government for ‘Distinguished Services to Early Childhood Education.’

A longtime member of the Management Committee of Reconciliation Queensland Incorporated (RQI), since 2019 she has worked with RQI as the Regional Engagement Coordinator, Education Sector.