Welcoming Australia Summit Series, Townsville

Lineup

• More details about How do we create and nurture belonging? Key findings, Lived experience reflections, and Pathways forward for Townsville

  How do we create and nurture belonging? Key findings, Lived experience reflections, and Pathways forward for Townsville

  Drawing on key findings from the Settling Well in Regional Australia: Experiences of people from refugee backgrounds study, this panel brings together people with lived experience of regional settlement in Townsville to share what it feels like to belong, and how we could nurture belonging within and beyond organisations. Chaired by Settling Well researcher Dr Paul Hodge (CQUniversity), the session offers practical, 'lived' insights that summit participants can draw on to guide the day's sessions. Speaker bio Dr Paul Hodge is a human geographer from Central Queensland University who lives and works on Darumbal Country, Rockhampton. Paul is QLD Lead for the Settling Well in Regional Australia research project which is a 5-year longitudinal study foregrounding the experiences of people from refugee backgrounds living in regional communities in Victoria, New South Wales and QLD.

• More details about What it means to belong: Measuring social cohesion and why it matters

  What it means to belong: Measuring social cohesion and why it matters

  Belonging is a key foundation of building social cohesion within communities. In this session, Phoebe from the Scanlon Institute will walk through the role belonging plays in building resilient communities and the fundamental role it plays in building social cohesion. Presenter bio: Phoebe is a quantitative social researcher with expertise in survey analysis, applied policy research and evidence-based reporting. As Research Analyst at the Scanlon Institute, she leads day-to-day quantitative research delivery, including data collection, analysis, synthesis and drafting of technical outputs. She has strong experience working with nationally representative datasets, including the Mapping Social Cohesion survey. Prior to joining the Scanlon Institute in 2024, Phoebe previously worked as a Statistical Analyst at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, where she worked in both the Census and Financial Statistics divisions.

• More details about Insights from regional Queensland: Workforce projects which are solving recruitment and retention challenges

  Insights from regional Queensland: Workforce projects which are solving recruitment and retention challenges

  Presenter: Renee King, Welcoming Workplaces Welcoming Workplaces supports businesses to become ‘employers of choice’ by developing inclusive employment practices that foster retention and enhance workplace diversity and community partnerships. Renee will share two case studies: The outcomes of a two year partnership with Workforce Australia working with employers in Toowoomba and the Western Downs regions. And how the Goondiwindi community "took to the air" and connected with Kiribati forming a community partnership for closer economic relations.

• More details about Employer Perspectives - Pathways to Employment for CALD Communities

  Employer Perspectives - Pathways to Employment for CALD Communities

  This panel will be led by local leaders from Townsville Multicultural Support Group and Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland, joined by local employers to discuss: - perspectives on hiring and supporting jobseekers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds - building employment pathways that connect training, work placements and lasting jobs - retention, workplace culture and support that goes beyond the first day on the job - whole-of-community collaboration between industry, education providers and community organisations Speakers Dr Lisa McDonald, CEO, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Townsville and North West Queensland Dr Tra Nguyen, General Manager, Townsville Multicultural Support Group Renae Dowling, General Manager People and Culture, Townsville City Council

• More details about What does Active Inclusion feel like in our public sports facilities and civic places?

  What does Active Inclusion feel like in our public sports facilities and civic places?

  A panel of people with Lived Experience sharing what Active Inclusion means to them, facilitated by Maia Tua-Davidson, Welcoming Clubs Lead. Facilitator Bio Maia Tua‑Davidson brings deep expertise in building welcoming, inclusive environments across sport and community organisations, alongside hands‑on leadership as a coach, volunteer and small business owner.

• More details about Panellist: Mariam Mohamed Omar

  Panellist: Mariam Mohamed Omar

  Mariam Mohamed Omar is a Townsville-based community and disability services professional with experience in mental health, family support, advocacy, and culturally responsive engagement. She has worked with refugee and multicultural communities and contributed to the Settling Well in Regional Australia research project. Mariam is also the Managing Director of Able Haven, a Townsville-based NDIS provider focused on inclusion, empowerment, and community connection. As a mum, she values family time and enjoys cooking and spending time with her children. Mariam enjoys walking along the Strand and at Riverway.

• More details about Panellist: Renae Dowling, Townsville City Council

  Panellist: Renae Dowling, Townsville City Council

  Renae Dowling is an accomplished People and Culture executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across local government, state government and the criminal justice sector. Renae is a North West Queensland local talent who has built a strong reputation for leading complex workforce and organisational change initiatives that strengthen culture, capability and performance. Throughout her career, Renae has held senior leadership and project management roles with Townsville City Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Queensland Corrective Services, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the Queensland Parole Board, National Probation Service (United Kingdom) and other Queensland Government agencies. Her expertise spans workforce planning, organisational development, industrial relations, governance, leadership development and large-scale transformation programs. As General Manager People & Culture at Townsville City Council, Renae leads the organisation’s people strategy, overseeing workforce planning, employee relations, talent management, organisational development and culture. She is currently focused on strengthening employee engagement, building leadership capability, enhancing workforce experience, and positioning Council as an employer of choice in a competitive labour market. Most recently, Renae successfully led enterprise bargaining negotiations for almost 1,700 employees and spearheaded the development of Council’s employee engagement strategy. She is currently overseeing implementation of several organisation-wide initiatives including enhanced employee feedback mechanisms, a new reward and recognition program, and capability development, leadership framework and performance management frameworks, all designed to strengthen trust and communication across Council’s workforce. Known for her practical and people-centred leadership style, Renae is passionate about fostering inclusive, high-performing workplaces where people, organisations and communities can thrive.

• More details about Panellist: Dr Tra Nguyen, TMSG (Townsville Multicultural Support Group)

  Panellist: Dr Tra Nguyen, TMSG (Townsville Multicultural Support Group)

  Thi Huong Tra Nguyen, known as Tra, is the General Manager at TMSG. Tra has extensive knowledge of TMSG programs and leads with a strong strategic mindset previously managing Townsville's Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) at TMSG. Tra leads a team which delivers several impactful programs funded by Federal and State Governments, as well as through partnerships and consortiums with other organizations. These include: • Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) • Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) • Community Action for a Multicultural Society (CAMS) • Diverse Queensland Workforce (DQW) • Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) • Safer Pathway for Culturally and Linguistically for Women (SPW) • Health to Health (H2H) • Multicultural Health Engagement Project (MHEP) Under Tra's leadership TMSG continues to be a trusted and welcoming space for individuals and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Through regular group work, training, community engagement, and events, TMSG fosters social connections, enhanced English literacy and digital skills, supported the development of other life skills, and celebrated both individual and community successes. TMSG remains a safe haven for hundreds of women and children seeking to escape domestic and family violence or enhance their understanding of human rights. Additionally, we have helped individuals build safer lives, improve their well-being, and strengthen their mental health. Tra has a Doctor of Philosophy from James Cook University, Master of Social Science and Bachelor of Sociology.