Melissa McMahon has dedicated her adult life to serving her country, state and community.
As an 18 year old she enlisted in the Australian Army and received the Queen’s Commission into the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police. In 1997 Melissa furthered her passion for service, joining the Queensland Police Service. After completing studies at the Police Academy, Melissa worked in General Duties uniform policing on the Gold Coast, in Logan and in the Oxley District over a period of nine years. Melissa was promoted to Sergeant and commenced a posting as a recruit instructor. Melissa’s last posting was to the Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit in Police Headquarters as the Senior Project Officer for Domestic and Family Violence. In this role Melissa was involved in implementing the recommendations from the Not Now, Not Ever Report, primarily responsible for addressing cultural change and improving Strangulation investigation responses within the Queensland Police Service.
Throughout Melissa’s policing career she maintained her Australian Army service through the Reserves, attaining the rank of Major. Melissa has deployed on overseas operations twice since 2008 leading specialist teams in field roles and as a staff officer and advisor.
Melissa is a qualified workplace trainer and assessor and has completed Bachelor degrees in Behavioural Science (Psychology), Education (Secondary) and Policing.
As a mother of three children, including a child with a disability, she knows how important health, education and other support services are to young families. Melissa has been heavily involved in children’s charities such as the Starlight Foundation and Mater Little Miracles in Brisbane and the Babygrow Appeal in England.
After spending a number of years as a middling player, Melissa also freelanced as a rugby league journalist/photographer and worked with the Queensland Rugby League promoting women and girl’s involvement in rugby league and was often seen on the sidelines reporting on local and interstate womens matches.
Melissa has been living and working in Logan since the 90s and has chosen this city to raise a family and work for the community. As vice president on the Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre she is passionate about the importance of community and local issues. She was proud to work with a dedicated volunteer committee that recognised Beenleigh Township’s 150th year in 2017, and is working with key stakeholders to celebrate the return of the Beenleigh Cane Festival, a distinct Beenleigh Event.
Since being elected to the new seat of Macalister in November 2017, Melissa has worked tirelessly in the community to deliver real outcomes for the residents of Macalister.
