QDRN Sector Stakeholder Committee
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We are excited to introduce our newly established 2025 Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) Sector Stakeholder Committee.
Dr. Talitha Kingsmill (Chair - Queensland Disability Research Network)
Dr. Talitha Kingsmill is a Non-Executive Director, consultant, educator and solicitor with 25 years’ experience across the private, public and NFP sectors in law, education, educational leadership, research, digital citizenship, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and policy development. With 18 years of experience working and raising a family while living with a vision disability, Talitha is a passionate advocate for equitable, accessible opportunities for all. Talitha believes that access in all its forms is fundamental to equitable opportunity so that individuals may live their best lives. Her lived and professional experiences provide rich insights to the confronting and very real challenges and obstacles for people living with disability and equip Talitha to be a powerful and articulate disability and inclusion advocate. Talitha’s doctoral research concerned the integration of digital citizenship (safe, responsible and respectful online engagement) in secondary school curriculum. She has published and presented within Australia and internationally in the field of building individual and collective digital citizenship capacity. In 2017, Talitha was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award for exceptional academic achievement in advanced studies in educational leadership. Talitha understands that a collective voice achieved through consultation and collaboration is powerful, and passionately advocates for this.
Dr. Talitha Kingsmill is a Non-Executive Director, consultant, educator and solicitor with 25 years’ experience across the private, public and NFP sectors in law, education, educational leadership, research, digital citizenship, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and policy development. With 18 years of experience working and raising a family while living with a vision disability, Talitha is a passionate advocate for equitable, accessible opportunities for all. Talitha believes that access in all its forms is fundamental to equitable opportunity so that individuals may live their best lives. Her lived and professional experiences provide rich insights to the confronting and very real challenges and obstacles for people living with disability and equip Talitha to be a powerful and articulate disability and inclusion advocate. Talitha’s doctoral research concerned the integration of digital citizenship (safe, responsible and respectful online engagement) in secondary school curriculum. She has published and presented within Australia and internationally in the field of building individual and collective digital citizenship capacity. In 2017, Talitha was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award for exceptional academic achievement in advanced studies in educational leadership. Talitha understands that a collective voice achieved through consultation and collaboration is powerful, and passionately advocates for this.
Jesse Althaus (Systems Advocate, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion - QAI)
Jesse has been working with Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) since 2022, and is a Systems Advocate for the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN). Jesse is passionate about ensuring that her systemic work is informed by the voices and experiences of people with disability and has a keen interest in the rights of children and young people with disability, and people with disability who are engaged in the criminal justice system.
Jesse has been working with Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) since 2022, and is a Systems Advocate for the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN). Jesse is passionate about ensuring that her systemic work is informed by the voices and experiences of people with disability and has a keen interest in the rights of children and young people with disability, and people with disability who are engaged in the criminal justice system.
Simon Clough (Psychosocial Peak Body Coordinator, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland - MHLEPQ)
Simon has spent the past 22 years working across Queensland in homelessness, disability employment, mental health, health promotion, and harm reduction. From frontline outreach to senior management, he has always done his utmost to support and stand alongside community. Simon is deeply passionate about peer work and lived experience practice. For the past 12 years, he has worked in lived experience identified roles, drawing on the expertise he has gained through managing his own mental health challenges and staying closely connected to peers within a broader social and political movement. This ongoing connection guides and informs every aspect of Simon's work. His approach is grounded in advocating for innovation and systemic change, with a strong focus on community empowerment, coaching, and mentoring. He is committed to challenging the status quo in health and social services and helping build systems that are more humane, inclusive, and person-centred.
Simon has spent the past 22 years working across Queensland in homelessness, disability employment, mental health, health promotion, and harm reduction. From frontline outreach to senior management, he has always done his utmost to support and stand alongside community. Simon is deeply passionate about peer work and lived experience practice. For the past 12 years, he has worked in lived experience identified roles, drawing on the expertise he has gained through managing his own mental health challenges and staying closely connected to peers within a broader social and political movement. This ongoing connection guides and informs every aspect of Simon's work. His approach is grounded in advocating for innovation and systemic change, with a strong focus on community empowerment, coaching, and mentoring. He is committed to challenging the status quo in health and social services and helping build systems that are more humane, inclusive, and person-centred.
Nina Carrr (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
Nina Carr is a lived experience advocate and speaker working across health, disability, and justice systems. She brings a values-driven approach to every role she takes on—ensuring that people with disability are not only heard, but central to shaping the systems that affect their lives. Nina contributes to advisory groups, co-design projects, and inclusive policy conversations across Queensland, collaborating with universities, healthcare services, and key community stakeholders both within Queensland and nationally. She holds a strong vision for a world where people with disability can prosper—one that is built by us, for us. Whether she’s presenting, mentoring, or behind the scenes driving change, Nina leads with compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion.
Nina Carr is a lived experience advocate and speaker working across health, disability, and justice systems. She brings a values-driven approach to every role she takes on—ensuring that people with disability are not only heard, but central to shaping the systems that affect their lives. Nina contributes to advisory groups, co-design projects, and inclusive policy conversations across Queensland, collaborating with universities, healthcare services, and key community stakeholders both within Queensland and nationally. She holds a strong vision for a world where people with disability can prosper—one that is built by us, for us. Whether she’s presenting, mentoring, or behind the scenes driving change, Nina leads with compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion.
Kate Dufty (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
Kate has been occupied full-time as a Community Advocate since 2019 but has a twenty year history of disability advocacy. Her passion is bringing the lived-experience perspective to every conversation about disability. She champions the concept of co-design. Gladstone is the main focus of Kate's community work but she also engages on a wider level, particularly with Queenslanders with Disability Network.
Kate has been occupied full-time as a Community Advocate since 2019 but has a twenty year history of disability advocacy. Her passion is bringing the lived-experience perspective to every conversation about disability. She champions the concept of co-design. Gladstone is the main focus of Kate's community work but she also engages on a wider level, particularly with Queenslanders with Disability Network.
Ewan Filmer (Manager, Capricorn Citizen Advocacy)
Ewan has worked at Capricorn Citizen Advocacy since July 2013. Before CCA he worked for 25 years in six local governments around Queensland including Rockhampton Regional Council. Before commenced at CCA, Ewan worked for Anglicare supporting prisoners leaving jail and was employed at CQ University, Rockhampton. Ewan has great job satisfaction in helping CCA continue to recruit and support good matches. He loves that Citizen Advocacy is able to help make a real difference in vulnerable people's lives. Citizen advocacy understands that unpaid, freely given relationships are of crucial importance for vulnerable people, as these relationships act as a check and balance to paid supports from various service providers. They also can combat loneliness which is a recognised as world wide epidemic across all social strata in all advanced economies. After CCA's advocacy funding changed in 2023, Ewan began to focus more on areas outside of Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast, working in advocacy for people in rural, regional and remote locations. Ewan is a life member of a special school P&C, member of CQ University's Regional Engagement Committee, grant writer for a local Scout Group and member of a local church.
Ewan has worked at Capricorn Citizen Advocacy since July 2013. Before CCA he worked for 25 years in six local governments around Queensland including Rockhampton Regional Council. Before commenced at CCA, Ewan worked for Anglicare supporting prisoners leaving jail and was employed at CQ University, Rockhampton. Ewan has great job satisfaction in helping CCA continue to recruit and support good matches. He loves that Citizen Advocacy is able to help make a real difference in vulnerable people's lives. Citizen advocacy understands that unpaid, freely given relationships are of crucial importance for vulnerable people, as these relationships act as a check and balance to paid supports from various service providers. They also can combat loneliness which is a recognised as world wide epidemic across all social strata in all advanced economies. After CCA's advocacy funding changed in 2023, Ewan began to focus more on areas outside of Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast, working in advocacy for people in rural, regional and remote locations. Ewan is a life member of a special school P&C, member of CQ University's Regional Engagement Committee, grant writer for a local Scout Group and member of a local church.
Dr Olivia Gatfield (Research and Community Engagement Manager, Autism CRC)
Dr Liv Gatfield is the Research and Community Engagement Manager at Autism CRC, working across the Research Office and the Sylvia Rodger Academy initiative, which delivers nationwide programs aimed at empowering autistic adults. Liv is part of the autism community and has worked closely with autistic people through her research, training and teaching for over 25 years. With degrees in psychology, human services and education, she is an accomplished academic, researcher, therapist and educator, and has held a number of teaching and research positions at Griffith University.
Dr Liv Gatfield is the Research and Community Engagement Manager at Autism CRC, working across the Research Office and the Sylvia Rodger Academy initiative, which delivers nationwide programs aimed at empowering autistic adults. Liv is part of the autism community and has worked closely with autistic people through her research, training and teaching for over 25 years. With degrees in psychology, human services and education, she is an accomplished academic, researcher, therapist and educator, and has held a number of teaching and research positions at Griffith University.
Katie Grehan (Manager, Outback Independent Living Inc.)
Katie Grehan is the Manager of Outback Independent Living Ltd (OIL), the peak body for people with disability in Central West Queensland. She brings a background in business and governance, holding an MBA from UQ and credentials in non-profit governance and inclusive leadership. Katie has worked across community, government, and industry settings, with a focus on strategy, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. Her work at OIL includes supporting co-designed initiatives, facilitating government engagement, and strengthening siloed systems in remote areas. Katie is passionate about ensuring disability research reflects the lived experience of people in rural and remote communities.
Katie Grehan is the Manager of Outback Independent Living Ltd (OIL), the peak body for people with disability in Central West Queensland. She brings a background in business and governance, holding an MBA from UQ and credentials in non-profit governance and inclusive leadership. Katie has worked across community, government, and industry settings, with a focus on strategy, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. Her work at OIL includes supporting co-designed initiatives, facilitating government engagement, and strengthening siloed systems in remote areas. Katie is passionate about ensuring disability research reflects the lived experience of people in rural and remote communities.
Michelle Moss (CEO, Queenslanders with Disability Network)
Michelle has worked in the human services sector for almost 30 years including disability, health, and domestic violence. She has worked in both Government and non-Government sectors in a variety of roles including direct support work, complex behaviour support, policy, training and education, consumer and community engagement and project management. Michelle's work is founded on a strong commitment to ensuring the voice of people is part of the public policy and the design, planning and evaluation of services and systems.
Michelle has worked in the human services sector for almost 30 years including disability, health, and domestic violence. She has worked in both Government and non-Government sectors in a variety of roles including direct support work, complex behaviour support, policy, training and education, consumer and community engagement and project management. Michelle's work is founded on a strong commitment to ensuring the voice of people is part of the public policy and the design, planning and evaluation of services and systems.
Maria O'Hara (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
Maria lives in Cairns, FN Queensland, and her disability is Visually Impaired. She lives with her husband and family. She advocates for all disabilities and serves on a few other committees. Her main commitment is Secretary for Action For Change Inc. It is an organisation made up of people with disability and their carers and families. We are disability people helping Disability people.
Maria lives in Cairns, FN Queensland, and her disability is Visually Impaired. She lives with her husband and family. She advocates for all disabilities and serves on a few other committees. Her main commitment is Secretary for Action For Change Inc. It is an organisation made up of people with disability and their carers and families. We are disability people helping Disability people.
Andrew Pope (Inclusion Advisor, Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety)
Andrew Pope, based in Brisbane has both lived experience of disability and disability policy experience having worked in Government (in areas promoting the inclusion of people with disability) for the past 18 years. As a former Australian Representative for Athletics at the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in 1998 and 2002, a Reserve for the Australian Athletics Team at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and a Queensland Representative in Paralympic Football (Soccer), Andrew appreciates the importance that sport can play in promoting the inclusion of people with disability within their communities. He has recently used these experiences as part of his role as a Senior Advisor, within the Games Independent Infrastructure Delivery Authority (former Games Venues and Legacy Delivery Authority). Andrew understands the importance that research can play in improving the inclusion of people with disability in their communities.
Andrew Pope, based in Brisbane has both lived experience of disability and disability policy experience having worked in Government (in areas promoting the inclusion of people with disability) for the past 18 years. As a former Australian Representative for Athletics at the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in 1998 and 2002, a Reserve for the Australian Athletics Team at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and a Queensland Representative in Paralympic Football (Soccer), Andrew appreciates the importance that sport can play in promoting the inclusion of people with disability within their communities. He has recently used these experiences as part of his role as a Senior Advisor, within the Games Independent Infrastructure Delivery Authority (former Games Venues and Legacy Delivery Authority). Andrew understands the importance that research can play in improving the inclusion of people with disability in their communities.
Belinda Thompson (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
With lived experience in neurological disorder, tourettes and respiratory disease all diagnosed later in life, and as a mother of two children, one with neurodivergence, Belinda has an understanding to bring to this committee. She is a citizen scientist with previous admin health experience and regional convenor of a neurological group and co-convenor of a QDN group.
With lived experience in neurological disorder, tourettes and respiratory disease all diagnosed later in life, and as a mother of two children, one with neurodivergence, Belinda has an understanding to bring to this committee. She is a citizen scientist with previous admin health experience and regional convenor of a neurological group and co-convenor of a QDN group.
Peter Tully (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
Peter Tully is a Partner of DCA Mentoring Supports. Peter’s main focus is peer mentoring capacity building. Peter meets people where they are at and allows the journey to become theirs. Peter and his Partners have managed various contract engagements, and currently work to contracts that support people with disability through focus areas of concern such as health, housing, employment, technology, and emergency responses. In all Peter’s work, his lived experience and decades of service in the disability sector bring a deep understanding and expertise in building new pathways towards inclusion and heightened community awareness. Peter sees firsthand the roadblocks and successes that people with disability live daily. Peter advocates not only on behalf of individuals but also at all levels of local, state and federal governments and sees the value and necessity of co-design. Peter continues his life’s work with the support of his wife Linda in bridging the gap with his ultimate goal to see inclusion so entrenched in communities that it “just happens without thinking about it”.
Peter Tully is a Partner of DCA Mentoring Supports. Peter’s main focus is peer mentoring capacity building. Peter meets people where they are at and allows the journey to become theirs. Peter and his Partners have managed various contract engagements, and currently work to contracts that support people with disability through focus areas of concern such as health, housing, employment, technology, and emergency responses. In all Peter’s work, his lived experience and decades of service in the disability sector bring a deep understanding and expertise in building new pathways towards inclusion and heightened community awareness. Peter sees firsthand the roadblocks and successes that people with disability live daily. Peter advocates not only on behalf of individuals but also at all levels of local, state and federal governments and sees the value and necessity of co-design. Peter continues his life’s work with the support of his wife Linda in bridging the gap with his ultimate goal to see inclusion so entrenched in communities that it “just happens without thinking about it”.
Nerine Williams (Advocate & Citizen Scientist)
Nerine is a Disability Advocate and Citizen Scientist. Nerine draws on lived experience of physical and neurological disability to provide peer-to-peer supports as an Assistive Technology Mentor. Prior to adult-onset of a neurological condition, Nerine’s career centred on education and stakeholder engagement, spanning the fields of human resources, information systems, governance, and leadership. Nerine is an active member in the disability community, serving as a director on the board of the Queenslanders with Disability Network, convening the North Brisbane FND peer support group and supporting other peer leaders in their local communities.
Nerine is a Disability Advocate and Citizen Scientist. Nerine draws on lived experience of physical and neurological disability to provide peer-to-peer supports as an Assistive Technology Mentor. Prior to adult-onset of a neurological condition, Nerine’s career centred on education and stakeholder engagement, spanning the fields of human resources, information systems, governance, and leadership. Nerine is an active member in the disability community, serving as a director on the board of the Queenslanders with Disability Network, convening the North Brisbane FND peer support group and supporting other peer leaders in their local communities.
This committee bring together a diverse and influential group of stakeholders, including representatives from disability peak organisations, government, disability advocates, individuals with lived experience of disability and citizen scientists.
The QDRN Sector Stakeholder Committee spans vast geographical regions across Queensland, including Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Cairns, and the Whitsundays.
The QDRN Sector Stakeholder Committee reflects our commitment to fostering collaboration, inclusivity and innovation in disability research, ensuring that diverse perspectives and expertise drive meaningful outcomes for the sector.
Page last updated: 04 Aug 2025, 02:17 PM
