Harmonie Downes

I am applying to the board of QDN for the following reasons:

1. Personally, I have lived experience of disability, I have had low vision since birth and am a parent of a young adult with disability. I have been a carer of my sibling with a psycho-social disability in and out of the psychiatric system. I have direct experience in what has worked and what could be done better within the education, healthcare systems and in the employment sphere as an advocate and service user.

2. Professionally, I have worked in the disability sector for the past 15 years including as a sole trader supporting my community to grow their skills for socioeconomically benefit. I have done amazing things in my career including working on the national arts and disability strategy in November with Arts Access Victoria, I have piloted the first accessible public art tour with Arts ACT precovid, I have supported writing submissions to funders on what gaps they need to fill, I have co-designed programs too. I have delivered massive street festivals working from a ‘burn’ framework (accountability for self and others), have recently been a board secretary for 5 years including managing their finances writing treasurer reports, training volunteers, managing all sorts of events and projects (a very operationally driven board with no employees only contractors). I currently work with Vision Australia to drive better employment outcomes for people who are blind and have low vision. I work in employment services. I have written millions of dollars of grant apps across numerous orgs for projects I have wanted to get going and can drive things from start to finish and then reevaluate and re-deliver.

3. Why QDN? I love the work seeing the community become fierce leaders, I have seen the work QDN in growing member capacity over many years. It is very intentional to see this process in all the QDN Engage work I have done to date. I can contribute knowledge on funders, networks, governance, marketing and grants. I like change so if you want someone to innovate / shift and help support this. I am comfortable to do this as well as consolidate and ground current work. I also will assist in elevating others who want support to do this work also. I have benefited from various consults and the Art of Hosting, which was held today, so perhaps it’s time to give back.