Meet

The CalCC International Program Team is passionate about International Education. 

My background in international is not typical. I was fortunate enough to spend most of my young adult life travelling and working as a professional musician, playing with performers such as The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandelas, Lam Manyee, Eugene Pao, Elvin Bishop, Renee Geyer, Joe Camilleri amongst many others, as well as heading up my own contemporary jazz group. Music granted me behind-the-scenes access to a panorama of culture groups, their humour, foods and hospitality. Maori, West African, Latin American, Cuban, Italian, South African, French, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian and Scandinavian. I have spent time in enormous cities: New York, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and in remote places too, including living briefly with a Kanak family in a traditional hut on Lifou, sharing stories and songs, thanks to my involvement with an Australian Aboriginal group at the time. Throughout my musical years and escapades, I taught music at Southern Cross and Griffith universities and at a number of private schools.

If I wasn’t already rich, raising a family on the beautiful, healthy Sunshine Coast and starting work at CalCC back in ’08 has delivered spiritual wealth in spades, and along the way has motivated me to complete postgrad in International Studies (Political Science) at UQ and to develop an international program that is special and particular to this amazing College.

“What instrument?” you ask. Sign up to be a homestay or apply to enrol and I will tell you 😉

Melinda (Mel) grew up in regional Queensland, travelled around Australia with her husband and, after a very slow lap around the country (nearly eight years), they found themselves back in the Sunshine State where they are raising their two sons.

Up until recently, Mel has been running a small creative business selling statement accessories, locally and around the country, but felt a calling to serve God and support Christian education.

She has worked with international students in the tertiary sector and is now the International Officer at CalCC.

‘There is something so very special and unique about the CalCC culture and I look forward to getting to know all the staff and families that are the fibres and essence of this beautiful community.’

Ms Miki Nipperess
Interpreter & English Tutor

Every year, around Christmas and before the end of our school year, we get our entire International Team together to celebrate. 

International Staff Christmas Dinner 2022