Queensland Carers Advisory Council welcomes new members

• Louise Faulkner from Wellways Australia is the newest member to be appointed to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council
• The council is also welcoming Fritha Radyk and Melissa Burke
• The council represents and advocates for more than 500,000 dedicated carers across Queensland

The state’s unpaid carers will continue to have a strong voice with the appointment of three new members to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.

Louise Faulkner from Wellways Australia is the latest appointment to the council, bringing significant personal and professional experience to her advisory role.

Based in Brisbane, Ms Faulkner is the national manager of service delivery for Wellways Carer Gateway (Queensland and New South Wales), which provides support to thousands of carers.

Two additional people have also recently joined the council, Fritha Radyk and Melissa Burke.

Ms Radyk is the new chief executive officer of Carers Queensland and takes on the position of Council chair, while Ms Burke works for the Department of Education as the executive director of student diversity, disability and inclusion.

The 12-member Queensland Carers Advisory Council was established in 2009 under the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 to advise the Disability Services Minister and to ensure voices of carers are heard.

Council members are drawn from across Queensland and reflect the diversity of carers, sharing their wealth of knowledge and lived experiences.

The current council term began on 1 February 2024 and ends 31 January 2026.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Seniors and Disability Services Charis Mullen:

“There are more than half a million carers in Queensland, and they make an invaluable contribution by supporting people who need assistance.

“I’m delighted to welcome Louise Faulkner to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.

“Louise brings lived experience as a carer and will no doubt ensure carers receive the recognition, respect and support they deserve.

“I also welcome Fritha Radyk from Carers Queensland as the new Council chair, and Melissa Burke from the Department of Education, as they continue to represent their carer organisations.

“I look forward to working with all the council members, particularly on priority areas such as raising awareness of the value of carers and improving carer wellbeing.

“Their life experience and skills will help find solutions and opportunities for carers and ensure they have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.”

ENDS