Members Stories

Kate Dufty, a Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) 2021 Emerging Leader Graduate, was recognised for her substantial impact on the Gladstone community through her volunteer work.

Daisy Walton, a proud Kunja/Mithaka woman, has generously donated her art piece to QDN to be used as a design for the Longreach Gidgee Yarning Circle. Daisy describes the piece as a “representation of the group”.

Danielle Pittis who has been a QDN member since 2020 and graduated in the first cohort of QDN’s Emerging Leaders program in 2021. Danielle says that the program “…gave me the opportunity to become a leader and grow my leadership within QDN, and other parts…

Carmen’s journey into her leadership position, has been one full of resilience and adaption. From navigating her diagnosis, and professional pathways, to leadership opportunities within QDN and across Queensland.

Uncle Willie Prince’s journey is as powerful as it is poignant. Born on the Cherbourg mission on Wakka Wakka country, he is a proud Kalkadoon man whose early separation from community shaped his resilience.

For Janelle Colquhoun, music and sport have always gone hand in hand. A classically trained soprano who has performed on stages around the world, she also lives with disability, which has shaped her advocacy for inclusion.

“I am what they call a multi-sport athlete,” Sara begins. “I first started out in athletics as soon as I can remember. I played basketball, went to World Juniors for athletics, did Nationals in basketball, even joined the shadow squad for the under-25 Australian team.”

“We don’t need special treatment — we just need opportunities to be part of the system like everyone else.”

“If we ask the right questions, we’ll see patterns in the barriers. Then we can target solutions, not just guess.”