BREAKING NEWS: THE former principal of Australia's most prominent indigenous college has made her first appearance in court for allegedly obtaining nearly $9 million in government funding dishonestly.

Jean Illingworth, 65, did not enter a plea to one charge each of fraud and obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

The matter was adjourned to be heard again in the Cairns Magistrates’ Court on May 14.

The Kuranda woman is a one-time Australian of the Year award winner, and presided over the mostly indigenous day and boarding school at Gordonvale for the three years police allege “ghost pupils” were used to gain funding.

Ms Illingworth was stoof down and was suspended on full pay in March 2011 while the investigation took place, and was charged two weeks ago.

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