Mr McAlpine's career in the education field began in 1974 as a high school teacher, progressing through the ranks of Deputy Principal, Principal, Inspector of Schools to Executive Director (Schools). He was appointed to his current position of Regional Executive Director, Sunshine Coast Region in 2008.

In 2000, as District Director and later Executive Director, Schools for the Nambour Education District, Mr McAlpine was involved in the establishment of Central Queensland University Noosa and the development of the Bachelor of Learning management (BLM) program on the Sunshine Coast.

His involvement included planning, advocating and championing this initiative in a range of forums at both the local and state level. He also allocated Education Queensland staff to work on projects associated with the BLM and CQU Noosa and allowed the University to occupy space in the Cooroora Secondary College from 2000 for a number of years. Mr McAlpine was also an active member of the CQU Noosa Steering Committee from 2000 to 2007.

Mr Chancellor, without these business partnerships, programs such as the BLM do not thrive. Partnerships require people who have vision and a solid commitment to the task at hand. Mr McAlpine has all these qualities having played a key role in the development and establishment of the BLM program and the associated partnership.