High-Flying AirBnB Executive Cherishes Concordia’s Iconic Grounds and Lifelong Lessons
High-powered executive Susan Wheeldon attributes some of her business success to the lessons she learnt many years ago at Toowoomba’s Â鶹´«Ã½. The Country Manager of Airbnb in Australia and New Zealand and a non-executive director on several ASX-listed boards, Susan travels the world but still finds time to come back to Toowoomba regularly to where her school life all began. “My parents and one brother still live in Toowoomba, so I still visit Toowoomba regularly and I have such happy memories of my time at Concordia,†Susan said. “I went to Concordia for 12 years as a day student from 1985, although I wanted to be a boarder so I could get hot lunches,†she said.
“The opportunity to explore such a diverse range of subjects—from woodwork and metalwork to typing, home economics, every imaginable sport, languages, outdoor education, choir, piano, and even agriculture—fueled my curiosity and broadened my skill set.â€
“These experiences, alongside the supportive learning environment, have been invaluable in guiding me through both personal and professional challenges with confidence and determination.â€
Susan said that there were three distinct memories of the school that remain with her today.
• “Dedicated teachers who nurtured my love for learning, especially Frau Duff in German classes, left a lasting impact,†she said. “Their guidance and encouragement were instrumental in shaping my academic journey and instilling a lifelong passion for knowledge.
• “Driving down the long driveway lined with occasionally treacherous bunya trees, with the iconic Redlands building in the distance, is a memory etched in my mind. The beauty of that scene captured the essence of the College’s tranquil and inspiring environment.â€
• “And of course the enduring friendships formed at Concordia have been a constant source of support through life’s ups and downs.
“These bonds have only strengthened over the years, serving as a reminder of the deep connections that began during those formative school days.
“I still connect with friends from primary school, catching up with them in as far flung-off places as London.
“My best friend, who also attended Concordia, remains a significant part of my life—he’s the godfather of my eldest daughter.â€
Susan, now a mother of two, views the decision her parents made to send her and her three brothers to Concordia through a very grateful lens today.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Concordia. The school provided me with a well-rounded education, blending strong academic foundations with diverse extracurricular opportunities,†she said.
“The supportive community and values of resilience and perseverance that I experienced at Concordia have been invaluable throughout my life.
“It’s a place where students can truly grow, both academically and personally, surrounded by teachers who are deeply invested in their success.â€
She also attributes life-long learning and exposure to guidance from others as key to her career success.
“I started my career journey without a clear direction, initially enrolling in a psychology degree, which I quickly realised wasn’t the right path for me,†she said.
“However, I found that by saying yes to opportunities that scared me and embracing the risk of trying new roles in different industries, I was able to grow both personally and professionally.
“Lifelong learning, including completing an MBA, has been a cornerstone of my development, while the guidance from leaders throughout my career and learning from failures, has been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.â€