MEET THE NOMINEES

Dr Allan Peake, Toowoomba

Αs an agricultural scientist for 25 years I have demonstrated many attributes that would help me ensure QDN has the highest quality governance if I were elected to the board.

As a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO I have used my high-level skills in evidenced-based decision making in order to run high quality experiments and publish the results in scientific journals. I am strategic in the way I make decisions which means I carefully analyse problems to understand the underlying issues, and then decide on the best solutions that will make a genuine difference in the long-term. I have high standards and a strong ethical philosophy that means I honestly report lack of progress and negative outcomes when they occur, rather than resorting to the half-truths, spin and ‘box-ticking’ that are becoming so common in many areas of society.

My work at CSIRO has also demonstrated my ability to manage budgets, read financial reports and understand legal documents and contracts, as I regularly manage multi-million-dollar projects on behalf of large funding agencies and use many subcontractors to help achieve project objectives. I am experienced in managing employees using comprehensive workplace health and safety and equal employment opportunity procedures, working to deadlines and importantly, keeping projects on track by staying in touch with stakeholders to make sure that the projects make a real difference to farmers.

I also have 4 years’ experience in a Not-for-Profit governance role as founding board chair of Outlook Christian Church in Toowoomba from 2010-2014. This role provided a deep understanding of the need for clear yet comprehensive governing principles, and the importance of having open lines of communication and clear lines of responsibility both amongst the board and between the board and senior management. I also led the development of both staff and organisational performance metrics, and demonstrated financial acumen in my role as treasurer which required me to establish the financial reporting and budgeting processes.

I have a genetically inherited hearing disability that has worsened through my life to its current rating as ‘profound’ that means even with hearing aids I struggle to participate in conversation in many situations. As a result of my disability I have experienced direct and indirect discrimination and bullying both in the workplace and social settings.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

People with disabilities have unique skills and experiences that can benefit and improve society. Although I have experienced some extremely poor behaviour over the years, I have worked up the courage to hold managers accountable and ensure that workplace bullying is called out and addressed to the benefit of others as well as myself. As a cricket coach I have discovered I have greater visual awareness due to my hearing loss, and this has proven invaluable in identifying and correcting technique flaws in the young cricketers who now come to me for private lessons.

I am fortunate to have benefited greatly from continual education, and I believe that education is key to improving the lives of all disadvantaged people within society, especially those with a disability. I would very much like to improve the focus of QDN in this area if I am elected to the board and help achieve our goal of enhancing the leadership and influencing capability of people with a disability. I would also like to help empower disabled Queenslanders to ‘call out’ and tackle the injustice that they experience, helping to achieve our goal of protecting the rights of people with a disability and letting people know about what is like to live with a disability.

I believe my experience would be beneficial in assisting QDN with strategic leadership and professional governance, to help Queenslanders with disabilities to not just participate in but improve society through their unique gifts and perspectives. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to carry out this role on your behalf.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Annamarie Newton, Brisbane

Hello fellow QDN members. I am seeking your support and vote for a position as a board director. I will bring to the role my own lived experiences plus experience gained from raising a child with challenging complex disability which have been exacerbated by systemic and subtle discrimination.

My professional background prior to children was in Banking and Finance. I currently assist in the family run hospitality business utilising my Business degree (Employment Relations) which has encompassed all the theoretical principles which underpin due diligence, accountability, transparency, and good board governance.

In practical terms, I have been involved with board work and the importance of organisational reputation performance with a not-for-profit organisation as the Vice President, held many committee positions for a range of different organisations which all must enact effective decision-making processes, understanding and compiling financial statements and returns, understanding legal ramifications and the organisational structure encompassing the roles and entities of the Board, Executive Officer and staff. I have had some experience in strategic planning several years ago and have been proactive in disclosure matters of conflict of interest where indicated and take no further part in the discussion surrounding identified issue/s. Through my community advocacy, I have had exposure to public speaking, media interactions and appearing in court.

Through my life-long challenges with multiple disability, I have become a passionate and robust advocate for the disadvantaged person, in trying to give them a voice and to empower those who do not understand or know how to navigate government department’s; particularly health and education, public and private hospital systems, multinational corporations and the wider community.

I have realised to be an effective advocate for systemic change which is inclusive and enabling, a person most also be involved in changing the political and economic landscape by using the collective voice. The collective voice through organisations like QDN can address discrimination surrounding Education, Health, Centrelink and NDIS, which ultimately impacts on the type of education, training, and employment prospects for those with disability

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Ashleigh Broom, Brisbane

Ash has worked in LGBTIQ+ health for over 11 years across various health promotion roles, drawing on their health degree and lived experience as a community member. These roles have involved working across the spectrum of health promotion approaches from education and outreach through to policy develop and organisational quality improvement.

Ash is able to translate strategic plans and visions into project deliverables and communicate these conceptual relationships to multiple audiences. In addition they’re a collaborative leader that builds confidence and skill in my staff which ultimately creates a dynamic, autonomous and strong workforce.

Currently Ash is coordinating state wide training, consultancy, accreditation and workforce development at the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health and has researched, developed, delivered and evaluated inclusive practice training for service providers for over 6 years.

Ash identifies as a non-binary queer person and enjoys embracing their ADHD which drives their interest in a plethora of hobbies and exploring new ideas and experiences. Ash is currently painting, learning Auslan, learning silver smithing and geocaching

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MEET THE NOMINEES

David Preston, Brisbane

David has worked within the not-for-profit sector for the past 20 years.

In that time, he has been a Quality Auditor whose function is to ensure non-profit Organisations provide a safe and inclusive environment. Strict adherence to the process guarantees that individuals with disabilities have their rights upheld and that they are free from discrimination, abuse and neglect.

David’s considerable in Risk Management and Governance allows him to focus on improving organisational responsibility and accountability. This would be a significant benefit to the QDN Board and its associated members.

David is approachable, knowledgeable and will always make decisions that are right for the business without conflict and with impartiality.

He currently sits as a Board Member for a non-profit organisation in NSW. He has held this position for 4 years and has assisted with improving their Organisational Reputational Performance and has been instrumental with increasing their profits 3-fold.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Having run his own very successful business for over 10 years, David understands the necessity to keep a ‘helicopter view’ on what is happening within the business. Therefore, as part of his strategic Planning process, he has implemented KPI’S for all Staff (including himself) and has developed a collaborative culture to empower Staff to achieve both business and personal goals.

As part of his ‘knowledge bank’ and to minimise the Risk to his own business, David ensures that he is up to date with industry best practices including professional development, legal obligations and corporate management.

Having a disability himself, David has the utmost respect and empathy for people with limitations and works tirelessly to ensure the best care and support is provided to all.

David is passionate about equality and making a difference in people’s lives and will advocate for anyone that he feels had been let down by the ‘system’.

David is looking forward to working with the QDN Board to achieve better outcomes for all its members.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Eric Rushton

During my life as a person with a disability I have experienced many things, such as; discrimination, physical hardship and at times personal problems, yet I have not only overcome them I have learnt many lessons along the way. Many of my “life Lessons”, I have applied to my working life.

Most of my working life has been involved with Shopping Centres and the Project Management of them, this entails Leasing Negotiations, Layouts, Budgeting Outgoings, (this could involve anything up to a couple of million dollars,) and Budgeting Income which could involve many millions of dollars. My role in Centre Management also included negotiations with tenants and the public, often try to reach a win, win situation.

When in management roles I usually had office staff of at least five persons with a Maintenance / Cleaning staff of up to six people.

Since retirement I have always been involved with trying to better those of us with a disability, for a better life, with a better understanding by the public at large, and especially the Medical Fraternity, especially General Practitioners and Specialists.

For some years I have been a Volunteer member of Spinal Life Australia, I travelled around Queensland giving talks on Polio and Disabilities in general, my talks included a Power Point presentation, which I designed myself.

I also chaired meeting groups for people with Post-Polio and later Peer Groups for people with a Disability.

Currently I am part of:

Ipswich City Council - Community- Reference Groups – Community Reference Group West Moreton Health - Springfield Ripley Community Reference Group Justice of the Peace – Chairman of the Greater Springfield Area

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MEET THE NOMINEES

I have been called upon to consult with Ipswich Hospital on various matters regarding patient handling, during those occasions I have pointed out the lack of understanding that some of their nursing staff have about those who are in a wheelchair, (pressure cushions, assistance with toileting, and lack of cooperation with the patient’s carer.)

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Jane Britt, Brisbane

Why would Jane Britt be an asset to the QDN Board?

We know that every Board needs key skills and expertise.

What Jane offers is attractive because she has a unique blend of: personal experience with disability, expertise in the disability sector, a reputation for high quality performance, passion for advocacy and relative youthfulness.

Let’s start with experience.

Jane has been working at Blind Citizens Australians in the role of National Policy Officer since July 2019. She previously worked for the Disability Leadership Institute as an Engagement Guru and undertaken freelance writing for the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) and Eureka Street, on disability issues. Jane worked in Vision Australia’s Graduate program in Service Innovation and Design.

In addition, Jane has also:

provided advice and feedback for government consultations through QDeNgage. been a member of the Expert Advisory and Quality Review Panel for Women with Disabilities

Australia (WWDA), to develop a virtual centre for women and girls with disabilities (Human Rights expert).

been a member of a Reference Group for Deafblind Australia. been an active member of Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN). Founder of Achilles Brisbane, a not-for-profit organisation assisting people with disabilities to

lead an active lifestyle. In her role of President, she developed membership of over 50 athletes, and an online community group of 300 people.

With this extensive experience come benefits which would be a great advantage to any Board in the disability sector.

Jane is well-known and respected in the sector and has wide networks thus bringing the gift of new perspectives.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Jane has experience across the disability sphere – gender, education, human rights, legal parameters, innovation and design showing flexibility and comfort with diversity and challenge.

Jane is an expert committee member understanding group dynamics, teamwork, decision-making, confidentiality and the critical importance of strategic thinking – she understands the demands of Board work.

Jane is very well informed of initiatives and challenges in the sector and has the research expertise to lead discussion and strategic thinking on a range of issues. She is also refreshingly media savvy – an asset for any Board.

Is that all?

No. Jane also brings another quality of far greater importance. Call it enthusiasm or passion, she lives and breathes disability advocacy and rights. There is a commitment and energy within Jane which is a tremendous asset to her work and the wide-ranging groups to which she contributes.

Finally it should be mentioned that Jane holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies, and BA Honours (Psychology) from the Australian National University

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Janine Aitken, Brisbane

Ever since relocating back to South East Queensland from FNQ and encountering QDN, I do a cheer of “Damn Right!” in my head every time I ready the motto “Nothing About Us, Without Us”.

I have over a decade of experience in law predominately working in unions advising members of their industrial and legal rights in relation to their employment.

I am a 2010 Law graduate from James Cook University, Cairns Campus. Where I was Student President of James Cook University Cairns Campus Student Association from 2005 – 2007, this was during the implementation of Voluntary Student Unionism, during this time my role was all encompassing and I was exposed to a wide spectrum of operations not normally seen by the Student President, JCUCCSA is a non for profit organisation with a multi-million dollar budget, I am extremely proud to say I was the president during VSU and played major roles in ensuring it did not fold during that tumultuous time, in fact it was one of only four student associations that survived VSU in the whole country. It is because of my exposure here I have a thorough understanding of Governance.

I have a large and varied background having made a living in the arts as a dancer, a movement facilitator, worked as a residential & commercial property manager, marketing manager, bio security officer, campaign manager, political organiser & Industrial Organiser.

While I am equipped with exceptional negotiation, training, innovative thinking, communication, legal & financial skills - none of that matters without the ability to work as part of a team. I believe in working together, information sharing, teamwork and mentoring others, it is through positive inclusion, identifying and bringing others with lived experience with us that we will make the world a more inclusive place.

I am plugged into diverse community groups, from cultural groups, to sporting groups, artistic groups, conservative business groups and political groups of all persuasions, I have a long history of mentoring including activating and mentoring people who are now members of parliament taking them from community campaigns into sitting members of state and federal parliaments and local government across multiple party lines.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

I am active in several women’s groups and have a long history of advocating for Women’s rights including fundraising for domestic violence. I have spearheaded many campaigns and a strong recruiter and mentor to young women. I continue to teach and choreograph women with disabilities assisting them to tell stories through the medium of dance, and spoken word, working together with my students who have varying mobility limitations to deliver the best performance outcomes without endangering the student or diluting their disability visibility in any way.

I am proud to be not only a founding member, but now the current convenor of Labor Enabled, wanting to be more involved in creating inclusive, positive policy and outcomes for people with a disability; it was through Labor Enabled where I first came into contact with QDN.

I have my own podcast sharing stories of working with a disability. During the initial covid lockdown I was fortunate to have been invited to appear in the first worldwide neo arts Disabilitease, showcasing disabled performers from Berlin, America, England, and Germany, which has led to the founder being offered a permanent accessible theatre showcase in Liverpool, England

I have Multiple Sclerosis, while those first 18 months post diagnosis were tough, as I battled a self-imposed isolation, depression, confusion, I genuinely feel blessed for my MS now, as it has allowed me to see the world in a different light, I have been fortunate to be offered opportunities within the MS community to mentor newly diagnosed people and share my story.

My values and that of the QDN are aligned, I know I can add value across the areas of focus, having worked in 5 of them, I would be honoured to add my vast skills and voice to the QDN board that is why I’m asking for your vote

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Joel Teuwen, Brisbane

Hello members of QDN,

I would like the opportunity to serve on the board of Directors for QDN, as I have a genuine understanding for the importance of quality disability advocacy that is needed here in the South East. Having cerebral Palsy spastic diplegia myself, I know how vital it is for disabled members of the community to have access to all the appropriate support services that QDN can advise on.

I am a full time DES (Disability Employment services) employment consultant so I am well aware of the improvements that are needed in a number of important areas like employment and transport short comings that need continual improvement in order to make realistic life goals for disabled Queenslanders.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Dr John MacPherson, AM, Brisbane

Current Director / Standing for Re-election

John is a founding member of QDN and also a Life Member. He has served on the board uninterrupted since our founding. John has filled the positions of President, Treasurer and Deputy Chair at various times during his tenure.

John brings long experience and clarity of thought to a board. He is noted for being innovative, forward thinking and flexible. His operating paradigm is framed by human rights and social inclusion. John works cooperatively and respectfully with other board members and staff.

A board member has ethical, legal, financial, social and regulatory responsibilities amongst others. With his long experience John understands these and other responsibilities and is comfortable working in them, accountable to members at all times.

John believes that QDN is a member driven organization and so should reflect its members’ views. As Brisbane City Council’s Community Development Officer – Disability from 1990 to 2019 John was committed to consultation with community and with QDN members. The person who will not listen will not learn.

John now works at the Department of Transport and Main Roads and has been tasked with modernising the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, a process that demands high degrees of consultation and cooperation with stakeholders.

As QDN’s representative on the Qld Rail Accessibility Reference Group, John was at the forefront of the campaign to make the NGR trains accessible. When this campaign ended in victory John proposed and participated in the working group that allowed people with disability to drive the modifications to the train.

John is now participating in the Cross River Rail project and is advocating for an outcome that is both fully inclusive of people with a disability and that also acknowledges the rights to equal treatment in the public transport environment.

John was recently made a Member of the Oder of Australia for his services to people with disability.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Among John’s many interests are:

Accessible public transport, Universally designed and accessible housing, and Social and economic inclusion of people with disability.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Nigel Webb, Brisbane

Current Director / Standing for Re-election

I believe that my personal values align with the mission, vision and values held by QDN. I have been an active member of the Board of Directors since June 2009 and I have learned much from the experience of others with disability in the Queensland community. I believe too, that all people with disability have a right to participate in the social and economic life within their community. I acknowledge that many Queenslanders with disability are excluded from the most basic experiences of ordinary life.

I have worked either voluntarily or in paid capacity for more than 25 years to support valued lives of people with a disability starting from my experiences of institutionalisation as a child committing to assisting people to achieve better lives within community rather than in congregated or segregated settings where choice and control often is not exercised by the vulnerable person. I think I have demonstrated through QDN an unwavering commitment to stand alongside and represent people who are often unseen or unheard.

I have had a variety of governance and Board of Directors’ experience providing strategic advice in both government agencies and non-government or not-for-profit organisations consistently throughout my life in areas of public policy largely in relation to disability related issues in more recent years’ public health policy.

For QDN during 2020/21 I will offer the following personal commitments;

To actively increase the QDN Membership from 2000 to 3000 or more. QDN will always be more effective with greater numbers. QDN intends to expand its ‘Peer Network’.

To work proactively with elected Members of the Queensland Parliament to promote QDN’s 2020 Election Platform ‘My Disability Matters’, to engage key portfolio’s to deliver policies that support inclusion, choice & control for people with disability & their families.

To speak out about the introduction of so called ‘Independent Assessors’ commencing in February 2021 to determine eligibility and ‘reasonable & necessary’ resourcing for NDIS participants. The Australian Government Productivity Commission Report (2011) determined ‘… the disability support system is underfunded, unfair, fragmented, and inefficient, and gives people with a disability little choice and no certainty of access to appropriate supports….’ QDN will oppose any similar return.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

To review the Interim Report Findings & Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability due in October 2021. To support any person with disability who seeks representation before the Commission to be heard and supported to disclose their experience in an appropriate and respectful manner.

To continue contributions to the National Disability Strategy: Beyond 2020 (consultations close 30 September 2020) and The National Disability Agreement. It is important that social & economic participation of persons with disability is its centrepiece. With resources provided to Australian Government Departments to deliver programs with measurable outcomes including legislative reforms.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Peter Tully, Ipswich

I was born in Murwillumbah 24th November 1965 and not long after this, my family moved to Brisbane so that I could attend CPL QLD at New Farm.

During my time at New Farm, I was involved in all areas of the centre up to my early 20’s, from schooling, therapy programs, swimming, drama, hostel (both Harold Crawford House plus Sevenoaks) and the adult workshop.

Upon my family return to Brisbane after 4 years in Townsville where I also attended Aitkenvale Special School, where I still returned to New Farm for regular treatment, I attended Rocklea activity adult workshop, before leaving to start my own computer business.

In October 1997 I moved to Ipswich from the Brisbane Bayside suburb of Wynnum, while continuing my IT business at Coopers Plains, while also joining the staff at Catalyst Church in July 2002 as a volunteer doing their IT which I’m still doing today 2020.

My now wife Linda and I met in 2004, while Linda was a Maxi-Taxi driver and we started dating November 2007, before getting engaged on the 26th December 2008, then married on the 19th September 2009 at Catalyst Church, together as a family we now support each other with our disability challenges along with also supporting our son Nick who is in full-time care.

After I joined QDN late 2006 / early 2007, I was excited (with the support of my now wife) in April 2009 about being asked by QDN (Queenslanders with Disability Network) to take on the volunteer role Ipswich Regional Facilitator, as together we believe with our background knowledge plus working with other agencies in the Ipswich area, we can assist in making Ipswich a place where people with disabilities want to come.

What a journey it has been with QDN during the past thirteen years, as I joined as a single man in 2006 with my wife Linda joining in 2008, where together we still support the Ipswich Community as we have since April 2009, with Peter putting his name forward in the past for the QDN Board in 2010 plus again in 2015 (got accepted but due to personal reasons withdrew my acceptance), followed by Peter receiving a QDN Life Membership in 2017.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

With my life experiences mentioned above both personal and family along with the community engagement experiences, gain from both my past volunteer and contractors roles both within QDN and within the community, is why I’m putting my name forward for the QDN Board again at the 2020 AGM.

I believe if accepted to be the part of QDN Board with my life experiences summaries above that, I will be a valuable member of the QDN Team as I offer my life experiences to the QDN Board.

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Sharon Boyce, Toowoomba

Current Director / Standing for Re-election

My name is Sharon Boyce and I am currently a director at QDN and I need your vote to continue in this role. Just to let you know a little bit about me and why it would be good for you to vote for me to continue on the board of QDN. I am experienced in working and understanding personal, Board and organisational performance. I have always demonstrated effective decision making processes across many areas and always with real transparency.

I am an author, educator and disability advocate. I work across a number of areas and perform many different roles. I aim to promote a true understanding of disability and diversity. Recent experiences with septic shock and intensive care stays have also led to a strong commitment to exploring issues of complex health needs and disability. I founded Discovering Disability and Diversity and helped design the Discovering Disability and Diversity experiential hands on Disability Awareness program which helps students and teachers and care, community and doctors and health workers experience and explore a wide range of disabilities, instead of just talking about them. I am skilled in planning and research.

My awards and recognition include:

Received the Human Rights Award for Individuals 2008 for her contribution to creating inclusion across the Australian community,

Honoured with the Queensland Regional Achiever Regional Service Award 2012, Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

Awarded the Australia Day Regional Citizen of the year for work in awareness raising and creating inclusive communities (2013)

YWCA – Top 125 Queensland Women Leaders (2013) Dept of Communities Local Hero Award (2015) University of Southern Queensland's Community Services Alumnus Award for (2016) USQ Alumnus of the Year Award (2016) Toowoomba Business Disability Award for Social Inclusion (2017)

I have experience and networks that will link with QDN to make our organization better and stronger. All members will be listened to and will have a voice and the opportunity to share their concern or ideas with me at any time. I am open and honest and believe in creating a fully inclusive world. I am

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MEET THE NOMINEES

the current chair of the Queensland disability council and the independent advisory council for the NDIS. I can link all these areas and networks together and share ideas and communications across the sectors. We need to listen to people with disability and encourage them to have a strong voice and great ideas. I will do my best to ensure this always happens. I will advocate strongly and share ideas and ask for opinions of all members.

QDN is a great organization and I hope you will give me your support to continue working as a director and with government and other disability organizations to make it even better. I understand disability policy and the processes behind governance and how to engage in best practice. I understand the legal obligations for the organization. We need rights and to have real choice and control of our lives. As a group we can make this happen. Please give your vote and I will not disappoint you

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MEET THE NOMINEES

Wayne Maitland, Gordonvale

My name is Wayne Maitland, I am 67 years old, married to Marjorie (on the 2nd October this year will be our 49th), We have two children (one deceased), 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

In 2005 I had a fall which required me to have an above knee amputation. 2010 was diagnosed with advanced degenerative joint disease that required me to move fulltime to a wheelchair for mobility.

2011 was the beginning of my interest in the plight of people with a disability, after attending a meeting convened by Every Australian Counts, with guest speaker Fran Vicary, Chief Executive Officer Queensland Disability Network (now State Director at NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission). The information Fran provided in that meeting, really struck a chord with me. After leading the majority of my life, as an active, carefree, able-bodied man, I was now experiencing and dealing with the social and environmental injustices that all people with a disability endure every day.

Since that time, I have kept abreast of the workings towards the implementation of the NDIS and more importantly, what is happening to those that are “not” eligible for this scheme (475,000 eligible, 4,025,000 Australians not eligible).

I am the currently the Cairns Area Convenor and have been for (approx.) four years. After being approached by my fellow convenors, before the 2019 AGM, suggesting I stand for the 2020 election, and after further discussions in March, I decided to give due consideration to their request, and have decided to put myself forward for a position on the board.

Please refer to my cover letter for an insight, as to why I am putting forward my nomination for the Board of directors and my resume which has more detail about my past work experience.

With your support and voice we can move Queensland Disability Network to the next level of representing all people with disabilities. I would love the opportunity to discuss further “what you would like to see me bring to the Board, as one of your representatives”?, over a distant cuppa & virtual bickie.

I appreciate you spending the time to read my application as writing to promote myself does not come to me as naturally as advocating for others.

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