The Bright Sparks project is back for 2025 with new opportunities to support people with disability. This initiative focuses on empowering people with disability to become confident energy consumers during rising electricity prices, helping them make informed decisions to reduce their energy expenses.
Through the project, people with disability will gain a better understanding of their energy bills, learn how to compare plans, and discover available supports for managing financial difficulties.
Workshops, resources and tools are co-designed and delivered by QDN’s Energy Champions who are people with disability.
QDN’s Energy Champions are people with a broad range of lived experience of disability and include people who have visual, hearing, physical and intellectual disability.
The first phase of Bright Sparks started in 2017. You can learn more about this past project at Bright Sparks 2017.
Why is this important?
People with disability have increased energy needs to manage their health and wellbeing. It is important that with the rising cost of electricity, people with disability are empowered customers, and feel confident to take action and make choices to reduce their energy usage.
When are Bright Sparks workshops on?
Workshops will be delivered throughout 2025.
Gatton Workshop
21-March, 10am – 12noon
Lockyer Neighbourhood Centre
14 Crescent St, Gatton
Bookings:
Gillian Holton
Phone: 07 5462 3355
Email: centcord@lockyercc.com.au
Mt Gravatt
26-March, 10am – 12noon
uLaunch Mt Gravatt
Suite 4, 11 Shire Rd, Mt Gravatt
Bookings:
Leigh Levonpera
Phone: 0436 459 595
Email: leigh.levonpera@ulaunch.com.au
Toowoomba
28 March, 10am – 12noon
Suite 2B, Level 2/145 Herries St, Toowoomba City
Bookings:
Leigh Levonpera
Phone: 0436 459 595
Email: leigh.levonpera@ulaunch.com.au
Cairns North
8 April, 10am – 12noon
Spinal Life, Healthy Living Centre
2-4 Smith Street, Cairns North
Bookings:
Margaret McDonald
Phone: 4047 7600
Email: CairnsHLC@spinal.com.au
Cairns
9 April, 9.30am-11.30am
Centacare FNQ
10 Thomas Street, Cairns
Bookings:
Nathan Lee
Phone: 4044 0114
Email: Nathan.lee@centacarefnq.org
Manunda
9 April, 4.00pm – 6.00pm
ARC Disability Services
92 Little Street, Manunda
Bookings:
Brooke Ledbury
Phone: 4046 3630
Email: brooke.ledbury@arcinc.org.au
Edmonton
10 April, 10am – 12noon
ARC Disability Services
51 Louie Piccone Way, Edmonton
Bookings:
Brooke Ledbury
Phone: 4046 3630
Email: brooke.ledbury@arcinc.org.au
Goodna
28 April, 10am – 12noon
Goodna Neighbourhood House
33 Queen St, Goodna
Bookings:
Luck Choummanivong
Phone: 3818 1648
Email: goodnanh@yahoo.com.au
Maroochydore/Nambour
14 May, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Loud and Clear, Qld
Venue: TBA
Bookings:
Leanne Hollis
Phone: 0423 201 787
Email: loudandclear@p2pqld.org.au
Yarrabilba
29 May, 10am – 12noon
The Buzz, Yarrabilba Community Centre (YMCA)
65 Basalt Drive, Yarrabilba
Bookings:
Daniel Kapeen
Phone: 3555 6577
Email: thebuzz@ymcabrisbane.org
Visit the QDN Events Calendar and search for Bright Sparks for more.
https://qdn.org.au/events
Where are Bright Sparks workshops being held?
The workshops will be delivered in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Cairns.
How do I register to attend?
To find a workshop near you, visit QDN Events OR contact QDN at 1300 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au.
QDN can also deliver specific workshops at organisations in the locations above. If you are a disability peak body, disability service provider or community organisation and you would like to find out more about us hosting a Bright Sparks workshop at your organisation for the participants you support, please complete the Expression of Interest form: Bright Sparks Host Organisation.
There is no cost associated with hosting a workshop at your organisation.
For more information, please contact QDN at 1300 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au.
This project is operated through the Enable Grants Program and funded by the Department of Energy and Public Works in Queensland Government.
Energy Champions
We asked our QDN Energy Champions for their thoughts on Bright Sparks and their top tips for saving energy.
Janine Aitken
“I wanted to be involved with the bright Sparks project as someone who relies on air-conditioning to temperature regulate, I understand firsthand how important it is to save money without sacrificing health or quality of life. ”
Amy Cooper
"I’m passionate about educating and advocating for people with disabilities and empowering them to advocate and be empowered themselves. I’m also very passionate about saving the planet as we’re in a climate crisis."
Advice I would give about being an energy saver:
- Always remember to turn off what we call “vampire devices”. If you have your toaster or coffee machine plugged in, my advice is to unplug them when not in use because this can save a lot of power in the long run.
- In regard to being an empowered customer, I would suggest looking at as many different providers as you can. If you live in an area with multiple providers, like Southeast Queensland, check every so often to see if you can get a better deal.
Abigail Makim
“I wanted to get involved in the Bright Sparks project because I believe strongly in the twin powers of community and participation - good for one, good for all! My one piece of advice is to learn how to make the most out of the cooling breezes of summer and warming sunrays of winter for bill-busting cosiness in your home.”
Sarina Patti
“I wanted to be involved in Bright Sparks to be part of the solution…helping to provide better options and giving power to the customers, enabling their dollar to go further. Also, offering easy to understand concepts and reducing costs to those who are marginally affected and disadvantaged.”
Nadia Brady
“I got involved in Bright Sparks because I want to find energy saving ideas that will help me as a person with disability. I try to be an energy saver, but it can be challenging when I don’t know where to start and advice doesn’t fit with my disability. My biggest piece of advice for saving energy is to start to get curious about what’s going on with your power usage and your power bill. I’ve learned a lot by chatting about energy usage with family, friends and especially other people with disability. This information has helped me make easy changes in my life that add up to some big energy savings.”
