• Grayscale
  • Resize Font
  • Translate Text

    • Accessibility

    Read Aloud

    Search

    1300 363 783
    JOIN QDN
    1300 363 783

    Inclusion Matters

    Inclusion Matters - Putting inclusion into action

    Inclusion Matters Forums – Putting inclusion into action

    You can help to strengthen disability inclusion in your community across housing, employment, education, health and transport.

    Now, and into the future—by everyone.

    Inclusion Matters forums, hosted by local QDN Peer Leaders showcase what real inclusion looks like across the seven outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy. Join people with disability, families, allies and organisations as we share ideas, solutions and practical actions for building stronger, more inclusive communities – together.

    About the forums:

    In 2025, we held Regional in-person community forums and online forums that brought together over 450 attendees. These attendees included people with disability, family members and careers, community and peak organisations, members of local and regional councils and community members and advocates. All who saw the need for community collaboration to tackle the inclusion barriers we are facing in our local communities.  

    • Hear from local leaders and changemakers about what works and what’s needed next.
    • Join conversations about how we can make inclusion stronger across housing, employment, education, health, transport, and community life.
    • Turning good ideas into real change – share your insights and shape inclusion in your community.

     These key community events continue into 2026 and are now live!  

     Join the conversation by registering for your local Inclusion Matters Forum or an Online Forum today. 

    Upcoming Forums:

    Rockhampton Inclusion Matters Forum

    Where: Rockhampton Leagues Club, Corner of George & Cambridge Street, Rockhampton City
    When: Wednesday 29 April
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-rockhampton-2026/

    Guest Speakers

    A man with a navy button up shirt and beard
    Anthony Clements

    Anthony Clements brings over a decade of experience in the employment and training industry and commenced his role as the Fitzroy Employment Facilitator—now Job Coordinator—for the Local Jobs Program in 2021. He has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to developing practical pathways that support individuals into meaningful employment while enhancing workforce skills across the region. With a deep understanding of the local labour market and strong regional connections, Anthony applies his experience to support initiatives that drive job creation, inform workforce development, and address local employment challenges.

    A man in a suit with a checkered tie and dark glasses
    Damon Morrison

    General Manager of Communities and Lifestyle at Rockhampton Regional Council. With a background in law and executive leadership. Damon oversees the essential services, cultural programs, and community partnerships that drive the region’s liveability. He is passionate about expanding local housing opportunities and building an inclusive, resilient Rockhampton.

    Damon Morrison is a senior leader in local government, currently serving as the General Manager of Communities and Lifestyle at Rockhampton Regional Council. Originally from Tasmania, Damon’s career began in the legal sector before transitioning into strategic advisory and senior local government roles in Queensland.

    Damon drives community-led change and regional liveability through his leadership across four key pillars: Growth and Community Partnerships, Open Space and Recreation, Planning and Regulatory Services, and Communities and Culture.

    Having served on the Council’s Executive Leadership Team for several years, Damon has a proven track record of driving long-term policy and cross-functional success. Prior to his current appointment, he provided high-level governance and strategic direction through the Office of the Mayor and as General Manager of Workforce and Governance. During this time, he was instrumental in coordinating major community advocacy campaigns, establishing responsive community grant programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and optimising Council’s internal safety and engagement frameworks.

    Now leading the Communities and Lifestyle portfolio, Damon leverages this experience to advance regional housing strategies and inclusive community development. As a dedicated local raising his family in Rockhampton, he is deeply invested in fostering a resilient, accessible, and thriving region for future generations.

    A man with black bracers, checkered shirt and a beard
    Dan Smith

    Dan Smith works closely with communities across Rockhampton and Livingstone local government areas, supporting inclusive approaches to early childhood, family wellbeing and community life. He currently leads the federally funded Communities for Children initiative that brings together community organisations, services, government and local leaders to work on shared priorities.

    Dan is passionate about inclusion that is practical, local and shaped by lived experience. His work often sits at the intersection of employment, education, safe and connected communities and strong support networks. He is especially interested in how people, systems and services can work better together so communities are easier to navigate and more inclusive for everyone. Dan values listening first, learning alongside others and building change with communities rather than for them.

    A man wearing a tan hat and checkered shirt with glasses and a silver moustache
    Des Ryan

    Des Ryan is the Deputy Chairperson of Queenslanders with Disability Network and has a twenty-year history with not-for-profit boards in Central Queensland providing care services to people with disabilities or training. Des has been a board member of Spinal Life Australia’s since 1996, resigning in January 2018, and leading the transition from a community-based board to a mixed board with a diverse skill set from the business and corporate sector.

    Des has worked across a vast range of organisations supporting people with disability, including work to increase the employment of people with disability. Des has a strong interest also in Information Technology and has his own established database business Able Disabled. Des was awarded the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2000, and Companion of Central Queensland University in 2008 and is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal in 2013 for his service to people with disability.

    With 50 years personal experience with a disability, Des is working to influence change, driven by the members of this network so that we can influence the direction of the NDIS into the future. Des says the highlight of his life as a person with a disability has been employment and volunteering. These are the two areas, in my mind, that put the cream on the cake. I would like to be able to maximise that opportunity for many others now and into the future.

    A young man with a simple black t-shirt
    John Clayton

    John Clayton is a Service Integration Facilitator at QShelter with over 10 years of experience in community development and stakeholder engagement. Specialising in cross-sector collaboration and systems change, John works to amplify lived experience and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Currently advancing his research studies at CQUniversity, John is passionate about translating complex challenges into values-driven, co-designed solutions for a more inclusive region.

    Ruve Kent

    Ruve Kent is a Sport4All Inclusion Coach based in Central Queensland, working with schools, sporting clubs, councils and community organisations to build more inclusive and accessible sport and recreation environments for all people.

    Originally from Charleville in South-West Queensland and now living in Rockhampton, Ruve brings an understanding of both remote and regional communities and the importance of strong community relationships, trust and lived experience in creating meaningful inclusion.

    Ruve is a proud Kooma woman with connection to Country in South-West Queensland. Her work is guided by community, cultural respect and the belief that inclusion is not just about access, but about people feeling safe, respected, valued and like they truly belong.

    Ruve also lives with ADHD, which gives her personal insight into neurodiversity and disability inclusion. This lived experience shapes her approach to working with clubs and organisations, helping them understand the importance of flexible environments, different learning styles, and inclusive coaching practices so that everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.

    Through her role with Sport4All, Ruve is passionate about helping organisations embed inclusion into everyday practice, not just in policy, and creating environments where all young people can participate fully, build confidence and feel proud of who they are.

    A man wearing a navy button up shirt and dark glasses
    Stephen Coulter

    General Manager of Communication, Engagement and Membership at Queenslanders with Disability Network. Stephen has over two decades of experience working in communication, media and marketing, mostly within the not-for-profit sector. Having worked for Spinal Life, PresCare, Centacare, Brisbane Airport Corporation, QPCU and The Co-Operative Society (UK), Stephen also has a personal connection to people living with disability, which drives his commitment to social justice, inclusion, and equality. 

    Inclusion Matters #4 Forum

    Topic: Personal and Community Support
    Where: Online via Zoom
    When: Wednesday 13 May
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-4-online/

    Roma Inclusion Matters Forum

    Where: Roma Explorers Inn, 44778 Warrego Highway, Roma 4455
    When: Wednesday 17 June
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-roma-2026/

    Inclusion Matters #5 Forum

    Topic: Education and Learning
    Where: Online via Zoom
    When: Thursday 16 July
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-5-online/

    Longreach Inclusion Matters Forum

    Where: Longreach Civic Centre, 96A Eagle St, Longreach, 4730
    When: Wednesday 16 September
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-longreach-2026/

    Inclusion Matters #6 Forum

    Topic: Health and Wellbeing
    Where: Online via Zoom
    When: Thursday 15 October
    Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
    Click this link to register: 
    https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-6-online/

     

    What is Australia’s Disability Strategy?

    Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (ADS) is a national framework that all Australian governments have signed up to. It sets out a plan for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia over 10 years.

    The topics for the Forums are linked to the Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) 7 outcome areas:

    1. Employment and financial security
    2. Inclusive homes and communities
    3. Safety, rights and justice
    4. Personal and community support
    5. Education and learning
    6. Health and wellbeing
    7. Community attitudes

    Past Forums

    To see past forums, please follow this link: https://qdn.org.au/our-work/inclusion-matters-past-forums/

    If you have any questions or need support, please contact Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) on 1300 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au. 

    Queenslanders With Disability Network uses Accessibility Checker to monitor our website's accessibility.