Board
Matt Gardiner
Matt is the Executive Director of Australian Services with Save The Children, leading a large, professional workforce across every state and territory. He has a background in relationship and trauma counselling, family support, mental health, family law mediation, violence prevention and community development. His experience has included leading Australia’s first Social Impact Bond to mature in Australia, and an innovative pay by result contract based on risk/return modelling.
Passionate about social justice, improving systems and therapeutic practice, Matt is an experienced practitioner and has held senior executive roles at some of Australia’s leading not-for-profits and has sat on several governmental advisory committees. He is proud to contribute to the ongoing strength of QCOSS in its strategic objectives and to represent members across the state.
Matt is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has undergraduate qualifications in psychology and counselling, Masters in Clinical Counselling, Grad. Dip. in Strategic Leadership and is currently studying an MBA.
Colleen Tribe
Colleen is the General Manager of Roseberry Queensland, delivering programs in housing and tenancy, youth shelters, early intervention mental health, high intensity psychological services and clinical care coordination to young people, youth and family services, education and employment pathways.
Having worked in the Central Queensland (CQ) area for more than 20 years, Colleen has achieved success leading and managing a cross section of areas in schools, education projects and is now devoted to continually growing Roseberry Qld, and ensuring regional areas are serviced adequately.
Having an array of experience on boards, Colleen is currently also serving on the Rio Tinto Here for Gladstone, Advisory Board, Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Board (GAPDL) and CQUniversity Gladstone Regional Engagement Committee. She enjoys the professional learnings from each, being part of a leadership team and giving back to the community.
Faiza El-Higzi OAM
Faiza is a general member of QCOSS with over 20 years’ experience in the community sector as a board member, manager and volunteer, focussing on emerging African, Arab and Islamic communities.
She is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (2020) and Queensland Government Multicultural Award for Outstanding Individual (2018). Faiza has extensive experience working with young people and refugees. Currently Faiza is a member of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council and Metro South Health Consumer Advisory Committee. Faiza was the Human Rights Advisor for the National Council for Women and is a member of the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Committee.
Faiza has 10 years’ experience in government at both state and federal levels in strategic policy, research and industry development. Her experience in the NGO sector includes community development, refugee settlement and youth engagement.
Faiza has several qualifications including a post graduate level in Architecture, Project Management, International Business and Education. She is currently a PHD scholar at the University for Queensland focusing on gender studies.
Kevin Mercer
Kevin is the Chief Executive Officer of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland. He joined in February 2019 with more than 30 years of experience in management across a range of sectors, including 10 years in the aged care, community care, disability and retirement living sectors.
Kevin also held management positions in marketing, business development and logistics in a range of industries including retail, manufacturing, consulting, telecommunications and energy sectors.
Kevin has served as the Chief Executive Aged and Community Care of Mercy Health Australia, and as the Chief Executive Officer of Holy Spirit Care Services.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Canterbury. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the CEO Institute of Australia. Kevin has also completed Catholic Health Australia’s Ministry Leadership Program.
Rachelle Patterson
Rachelle is Chief Operating Officer, Human & Community Services with Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Limited. She believes every person should have the same opportunities regardless of background, education or challenges faced.
Rachelle has held a number of executive roles across out-of-home-care, mental health, research and human services. She has worked in urban, regional and remote settings across the Queensland, NSW, ACT and Western Australia. Rachelle’s work across rural and remote Australia has taught her that best practice and evidence-based models are not always broadly applicable to their intended populations.
It is her combined experiences working in policy environments, executive level positions and also several frontline sector roles that have brought her to this position. Rachelle is passionate about working with funding providers and policy makers to develop programs and models that are flexible enough to respond to any community or individual.
Linda McClelland
Linda is a regional member and has worked with and on boards within the not-for-profit sector for 30 years. As CEO of Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, she has grown the centre into the lead community service provider in the Hinchinbrook area.
Linda has grown the centre through her passion for empowering others. This manifests in her commitment to teaching and mentoring, having taught community services through TAFE to both senior high school students and Indigenous workers from throughout North and Far North Queensland.
At a strategic level, she has contributed to the development of the sector training, the recognition of Queensland neighbourhood centres through Queensland Families & Communities Association, and the needs of the housing sector through the Townsville Housing & Homelessness Network.
Lee-Anne Simpson
Lee-Anne is currently an Area Manager with Carers Queensland delivering Local Area Coordination Services for the National Disability Insurance Scheme across Central Queensland.
Throughout Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, the Central Highlands and beyond, Lee-Anne works to promote and advocate for proper service delivery in regional, remote and rural communities. She has a passion for making sure community organisations get the support they need.
Lee-Anne has also held several senior management positions across a range of Central Queensland regions, developing partnerships and networks, and working with a diverse range of stakeholders to deliver collaborative projects.
She has worked across a range of project streams including, child protection, domestic and family violence services, family and relationship services and disability services.
CEO and Directors
Annette Schoone
Corporate Services
Scott Brown
Research and Advice
Pip Englund
Members and Partners
Ryan O’Leary
Sector and Community
Aimee McVeigh
Aimee is QCOSS’ Chief Executive Officer, and a strong advocate for equality, opportunity and wellbeing for all Queenslanders.
As a community lawyer and human rights advocate, Aimee led the successful campaign for a Human Rights Act for Queensland.
Aimee has qualifications in communications and law, attaining a Master of Laws (International and Public Law) from the University of Melbourne. Her work as a lawyer focussed on human rights and discrimination, guardianship, estate planning, child protection and domestic violence.
Prior to joining QCOSS, she worked in various senior and advisory roles, including at the Disability Royal Commission, Disability Law Queensland and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Legal and Advocacy Service.
Aimee has been engaged by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples as a gender advisor, and has worked with a number of non-profit organisations in Queensland, including during the Child Abuse Royal Commission.
She was also a state finalist for the 2017 Australian of the Year Awards, and a finalist for the 2019 Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Medal.
She has worked across a range of project streams including, child protection, domestic and family violence services, family and relationship services and disability services.
Annette Schoone
Annette brings more than 20 years of senior management experience to QCOSS, having worked in local government roles in both Australia and New Zealand providing leadership in a diverse range of business areas – including events, community development, libraries, performing arts, social planning and research, marketing, media, governance and business support.
“I am proud of the corporate services team – although small in numbers they look for inspiration and innovation, are gutsy, ambitious always willing to go the extra mile,” she says.
After travelling and volunteering in Cambodia in 2016, in 2017 Annette returned to work in the not-for-profit sector, initially for an organisation providing humanitarian and refugee settlement support. She joined QCOSS in March 2018.
“I love to travel,” she says. “There’s nothing better than appreciating life, and your own life, exploring new places and having new adventures and experiences… creating new memories, connecting with many diverse people and cultures, and understanding history – including the good, the bad, and the sad!”
“(Here at QCOSS) there are a range of key projects currently being progressed by a small but committed and enthusiastic team,” she says, which include a new HR and payroll system, intranet refresh, and investigating other enabling technologies – amongst many other things.
“(We’re also) developing a physical co-location project with a number of other Peaks.”
“I enjoy working at QCOSS as it is a trusted leader in the community services sector,” she says. “(Because of) its agility and flexibility to respond to opportunities, challenges and change – and the ability to work on a range of projects.”
She says a significant piece of work is also putting a bigger focus on organisational culture and staff engagement, ensuring staff share a sense of direction, and are strengthened by unity.
“(It’s important) that every single employee feels that they are valued, belong and are contributing to their own and the success of the organisation.”
Honorary Life Members
The QCOSS Board has recognised these exceptional individuals for their contribution and outstanding service.
Honorary Life Membership
QCOSS is proud to represent the interests of our members and the broader community services sector to bring our vision for equality, opportunity and wellbeing for every person, in every community to life. With members ranging from individuals to large organisations working across the globe, QCOSS relies on and works with our membership in order to achieve our shared vision.
Throughout our history, the organisation and the QCOSS Board have welcomed many passionate, outspoken, driven and revolutionary thinkers who have shaped social change in Queensland today. As a sign of respect, and recognition for the exceptional contribution and outstanding services brought to the organisation and the broader community, the board can nominate individuals as Honorary Life Members.
We recognise past life membership recipients of honorary life memberships and remain grateful for their involvement and dedication to QCOSS and Queensland communities.
QCOSS honorary life members
Les Halliwell
George Barker
Cyril Gilbert OAM
(Margaret) Peg Whiley
Rev Colin Arkell
Alma Hartshorn AM
Professor Edna Chamberlain AM
Vera Raymer OAM
Prof Dr Margaret Steinberg AM
Karyn Walsh AM
Helga Biro OAM
The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO
Peter Emery
Mark Tucker-Evans
Our Patron
QCOSS is supported by the vice-regal patronage of His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.
Our Patron
QCOSS is supported by the vice-regal patronage of His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. His Excellency accepted the role in 2015 when he was appointed Governor, in acknowledgment of the vital state-wide work QCOSS does to reduce poverty and disadvantage.
The Governor is committed to enhancing social cohesion and encouraging Queenslanders to build thriving, equitable communities. In an address at Government House, His Excellency noted the extensive range of areas where QCOSS is implementing practical, outcomes-based programs – from domestic and family violence to homelessness to the unmet demand for services for our culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
Together with QCOSS, His Excellency, the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland is confident that the vision of a Queensland free of poverty and disadvantage can be achieved if, together, we acknowledge and confront these challenges with courage, commitment and compassion.