A Closer Look: The State of Homelessness in Queensland

EXPERT PANEL | Q&A | NETWORKING

The UNAA Young Professionals Network - Queensland is excited to invite you to our next event on October 2nd: A Closer Look: The State of Homelessness in Queensland.

Join our expert panellists as they talk about:

• The homelessness situation in Queensland, how it has transpired and how to understand it;
• What we can do as everyday young professionals to help solve the issue; and
• The role of private, public and volunteer organisations in solving the housing crisis.

Introducing our panellists:

Jackson Hills - Manager Policy & Strategic Engagement, Q Shelter

Jackson has spent more than 15 years working with non-for-profit and community organisations. Including 12.5 years with Tennis Australia, two years with the Australian Football League (AFL) and some time at the Australian Sports Commission. 

He has been actively involved with the Trish MS Research Foundation, The Salvation Army, Set Free Care, and several other charities. After sport, Jackson moved into local and state government roles, supporting several state politicians and local councillors in their community work and media engagement and more recently, Jackson has been leading the policy and strategic engagement efforts at Q Shelter, Queensland’s peak body for housing and homelessness services. 

Jackson has a Master’s in Business Administration (SCU), several accreditations from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and studied politics and policy at Deakin University. In addition to sitting on the Common Ground Gold Coast Board, he is an executive committee member of National Shelter, advisory board member at Collective Leisure, and a mentor to young people at the Gold Coast Youth Service.

Sue Pope, CEO, Common Ground Queensland

Sue commenced in October 2022 as the CEO of Common Ground Queensland. Sue has more than 20 years’ experience working in the non-profit health and community sector in Queensland in a variety of senior policy, advocacy and service delivery roles. Her expertise spans a diverse range of portfolios, including alcohol and other drugs, mental health, primary health care, chronic disease, rural and remote health, prevention, community capacity building, and parenting and family wellness. 

Sue has a passion for person-centred system and service design and evaluation, and for improving service quality by amplifying the voices of people who use housing, health and community services.

Pam Barker, CEO, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS)

Pam Barker is the CEO of Brisbane Youth Service (BYS); an organisation dedicated to supporting homeless and vulnerable young people and their children. Providing a holistic approach, BYS assists young people and families secure stable housing, address physical and mental health challenges, receive domestic and family violence support, build successful relationships and support networks, and access pathways to education and employment. 

With over a decade of experience working with children and young people, Pam is deeply committed to achieving better long-term outcomes, particularly for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including those in out-of-home care. Her diverse background spans the corporate private sector, policy development, advocacy, and service delivery.

Ticket pricing:

• $10 General Admission
• $15 Bring a friend and save! (Price includes 2 General Admission tickets)
• $5 Equity Ticket - We don’t want anyone missing out because of price! If cost is at all a concern, please select this ticket type - no questions asked.

Key Event Info:

• Venue: QCA Lecture Theatre and Gallery (SO5), Griffith University, South Brisbane QLD 4101
• Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM for a 6:30 PM Start
• Dress code: Business Casual
• Refreshments Provided

Registration essential

We look forward to seeing you!

As always, we at the UNAA respectfully acknowledge that this event will be hosted on the land of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and fully commit to working together now and in the future.