New members for Queensland Carers Advisory Council

A new Queensland Carers Advisory Council has been appointed to represent the interests of the state’s thousands of dedicated carers and ensure they have a voice in the government decision-making process.

Disability Services Minister Tracy Davis who announced the advisory council during Carers Week said eight members had been recruited.

“I am pleased to announce that following a recruitment and selection process, a new Queensland Carers Advisory Council has been appointed,” she said.

“The new Council members, drawn from across Queensland, are passionate about supporting carers and come with a wealth of experience.

“Their life experience and skills will greatly benefit the council and contribute to finding solutions to the issues that carers face in their community.”

The new council members are:

·      Sue Campbell, Kawungan (carer representative)

·      Teresa Pilbeam, Maudsland (carer representative)

·      Alice Corcoran, Cleveland (carer representative)

·      Leigh-ann Elliot, Anstead (grandparent carer representative)

·      Debra Cottrell, Carers Queensland (carer organisation representative and inaugural member)

·      Alison Little, Anglicare Southern Queensland (carer organisation representative)

·      Marj Bloor, Arafmi Queensland (carer organisation representative and inaugural member)

·      Maree Lubach, Queensland Council of Grandparents (grandparent carer representative and inaugural Council member).

Four additional council members have been selected to represent the Departments of Health, Justice and Attorney General, Education, Training and Employment and Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. 

Ms Davis said the Council would play a significant role to advise the Newman Government about relevant issues to ensure carers received the ongoing support and recognition they deserved.   

“I look forward to working with the council to gain a better understanding of the priorities and challenges faced by carers,” she said.

The theme of Carers Week 2013 is Be Care Aware and encourages people to understand more about unpaid family carers. The week runs 13–19 October 2013. 

[ENDS] 17 October 2013

Media Contact Minister Davis’ office 3235 4280