Welcome Major Deborah Robinson, Principal of Eva Burrows College

In January 2019, Major Deborah Robinson assumed the role of Principal of Eva Burrows College in The Salvation Army Australia Territory. Deborah’s timely appointment comes at the culmination of major structural reforms within The Salvation Army and an historic time nationally, as The Army reimagines a national centre for education and learning excellence.

A passionate Christian leader with remarkable intellect, wisdom and interpersonal skills, Deborah Robinson is acknowledged within The Salvation Army as one who is committed to the empowerment and encouragement that comes from innovative and quality education. Deborah’s commitment to the power of community and journeying together is a credit to her, as is her fervent desire to help people find the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference in the world around them.

Having held leadership roles within the College environment in the past, with her most recent being Assistant Training Principal with a focus on Officer Formation, Deborah’s contribution saw the review and reshaping of the formal learning experiences for Cadet Officers.

An advocate for flexible learning, Deborah recognises that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education and learning needs to change. Her passion is to see a new holistic and staged focus, that is marked by different blended educational approaches and capability-based outcomes. As a result, the focus will be on academic outcomes that ensure education and learning is preparing all students to respond to the emerging needs of a 21st Century environment.

Being highly collaborative and collegial, Deborah is proactively ensuring that Eva Burrows College will continue to strengthen its partnerships intentionally, with none more important than the College’s formal relationship with the University of Divinity. This augurs extremely well for the College in being an innovative centre of learning, education and training excellence for The Salvation Army’s officers, employees, volunteers and external students across Australia.

Under the leadership of Major Robinson, a newly formed and highly capable national team of education and learning specialists spanning Higher Education, Vocational Training and Strategic Corporate Learning has been bought together to start work on laying a solid foundation for the new national College to strengthen its capability and capacity to be a centre of excellence in education, training and learning for everyone. These are exciting times for Eva Burrows College as it expands its commitment to empower and encourage people for life, mission and service.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Gabrielle McMullen AM stated:

I am delighted to welcome Major Deborah Robinson to her new role as Principal of Eva Burrows College. Her strong focus on learning excellence and flexible approaches across the spectrum of higher education, vocational training and workplace learning will contribute to the University of Divinity’s mission to promote high quality education and grow partnerships.

This article was submitted by:

Philip Clark
General Manager Learning & Development
Eva Burrows College
The Salvation Army Australia Territory