Stronger Together
Our Professional Team
Raoul Wilson
CEO
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Vulnerable people who requires knowledge, capacity, capability or a combination of these three needs.
Tell us a bit of your background?
Born in Prospect SA and lived most of my life in the NT where I completed my University education. After serving in the Australian Defence Force, I moved to FNQ where I worked for several NGOs. I enjoy reading comics, doing yoga and working out.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Hot chocolate with almond milk and the occasional lime lemon and bitters.
Ayub
General Manager
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I am deeply committed to advocating for the rights and autonomy of individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to communication, services, and respect, particularly concerning restrictive practices and human rights. My dedication also extends to systemic and mental health advocacy and protecting vulnerable clients from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Ultimately, my focus is on upholding the dignity, rights, and autonomy of all individuals, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I have lived in various countries throughout my life journey and still haven’t found a place to call my own. I speak five languages. With years of experience in senior operational roles, I specialise in Social, Community, NDIS, DOH, and QH. My background includes international humanitarian aid, refugee settlement, and nonprofit and business sectors. I ensure compliance with industry standards, manage resources, and lead teams to achieve operational excellence. Leveraging my expertise in operational management and logistics. I create a culture of guidance, drive results collaboratively, and align with the organisational mission.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
I have a deep appreciation for good coffee—it has to be just right! While I enjoy a variety of foods, I do face some challenges since I’m gluten and lactose intolerant and halal options. That keeps things interesting, but I always manage to find something delicious!
Kate
Team Leader
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Restrictive Practices. I am passionate about this because it is a poorly understood issue in this sector and can be a massive cause for breach of human rights.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I have a background in counselling and human resources. I am currently enrolled in a dual degree in law and psychology. I have worked in multiple roles in the community services sector.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
I love to eat spicy food.
Brigot
Team Leader
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
The face-to-face human-to-human connection with vulnerable people. This gives community members with complex needs knowledge and awareness for capacity building. At the grassroots level, this empowers those in need to self-advocate and be independent.
Tell us a bit of your background?
Born in the mountains of PNG, I grew up on a farm in North Queensland. I am an experienced hairstylist and the proprietor of an 11-year-old business. I have worked as a lab technician in a mine, on cruise ships, in the child safety and community services sector. I am passionate about self-care, nutrition, health, and sports especially lifting heavy things.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Green juice and plant-based mudslide cheesecake.
Jerry
Principal Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Advocacy in the Mental health space and for vulnerable clients who are exposed to Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I carried out various work roles in different areas of the human service sector, including Community Projects (Disaster Management), Medical and Geriatric Social Work.
I also gained experience working with people with disabilities and mental health illnesses with Rights in Action. Currently, I am the Principal Advocate for the Cairns and Townsville offices.
I have a background in social work and is passionate about working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Being a firm believer in person-centred, narrative, and solution-focused approaches, I strive to do the best for the service users. I consider Rights in Action a platform to further learn and assist clients by appropriately addressing risk & discriminatory practices and further protecting the rights of people through ethical practices.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Mediterranean Cuisine.
Jason
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I am very passionate about the rights of PWD’s and giving them a voice, to heard, so their needs are met.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I have worked in the disability industry for several years and worked extensively on closing the gap initiatives of Cape York Peninsula.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Thai food
Doreen
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Physical community access. Because it is always forgotten about.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I have moved to Cairns from Germany in 2003 and love everything about FNQ. I am mum to a beautiful teenage girl living with Cerebral Palsy, who inspired me to advocate as a community member to improve accessibility in and around Cairns. I love that I have been able to support many individuals with their disability related issues since I started working with RIA in 2021.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Shandy
Hagar
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I love helping people change a small part of their lives for their growth and happiness. I believe smile are contagious and help grow happiness.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I am a Dad of 2 big beautiful boys, I am a proud veteran of the Australian Army.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
I prefer Gin and Tonic with plenty of ice and good food.
Sarah
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I am passionate about all matters in disability advocacy, but at the moment I am particularly enjoying working with and supporting consumers in AAT reviews of their NDIS plans – I have background knowledge of the legal mechanisms of the AAT and similar tribunals so getting to exercise that knowledge has been very rewarding.
Tell us a bit of your background?
I lived in Townsville when I was a kid, and have recently moved back to the North Queensland sunshine after more than 20 years living interstate and overseas. I am looking forward to finishing my GDLP and being admitted as a lawyer, hopefully by the end of the year.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
My favourite cuisine is Peruvian food! I could eat ceviche with all the classic trimmings every day of my life and I would never get tired of it.
Julie
Community Engagement Lead
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
At the moment, I am very passionate about being able to work closely within remote communities to empower PWD toward building their own capability for self-advocacy, ensuring that they know how to have their voice heard on matters that are important to them.
Tell us a bit of your background?
Long-term ex-Government employee as a convenor for both Youth Justice and Child Safety, as well as mediator for Dispute Resolution Service. I am also a business owner in the Disability Support Work industry.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Shiraz
Jeanette
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why? My strongest passion lies in advocating for the rights and autonomy of individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to communication, services, and respect. I believe everyone deserves to be heard and to make their own decisions, free from discrimination or interference
My background:
I grew up in Papua New Guinea and moved to Cairns as a teenager. Before joining Rights in Action, I worked in project management at an architectural firm and served as President of a junior rugby league club.
Favorite Food:
Nothing really, just love trying new food.
Dorothy
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I am passionate about advocating for the general rights of vulnerable people is a cause that deeply resonates with me. Whether due to their age, socio-economic status, cultural background. It is important that their voices are heard and their dignity is preserved.
Tell us a bit of your background?
With my experience working with the children for more than 5 years in the care of Department (Child Safety) many of whom come from diverse but predominantly First Nations backgrounds, has given me the commitment to supporting those who are marginalised and overlooked. I am dedicated to standing up for the underdogs, ensuring that their needs are heard and their rights are protected.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Cultural Island food and can never go wrong with H20.
Genevieve
Admin Coordinator
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Accessibility – Everyone should be able to enter and leave any premises of their free will
Tell us a bit of your background?
My role is to provide administrative functions to the RIA team, and the clients that require our service. Having come from a retail background, I am also more client/customer-focused and willing to assist where possible whilst keeping within RIA’s policy and procedures.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Seafood marinara pasta with white wine sauce
Chante
Admin Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Being able to help people with what they need/want.
Tell us a bit of your background?
Born in Brisbane and grew up in the church. If you don’t see me at work, I’m in the gym trying to catch up to Brigot.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Triple whopper cheese from Hungry Jack’s haha
Roxanne
Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
I am passionate about advocating for the rights of those with psychosocial disability as I have experienced first hand the stigma and challenges associated with navigating the current system.
Tell us a bit of your background?
After growing up in Cairns I moved to Sydney for 15 years returning a few years ago. Since then I have worked as a disability support worker and a mental health peer worker.
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Any and all seafood.
Rachel
Advocate
Have Something Else To Discuss?
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CAIRNS
Address: 2/192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt, QLD
Mail: PO Box 1041N, Cairns North, QLD 4870
Telephone: 07 4031 7377
Facsimile: 07 4031 7383
Email: [email protected]
TOWNSVILLE
Address: 1, 1-3 Barlow Street, South Townsville, QLD
Mail: PO Box 3065, Hermit Park QLD 4812
Telephone: 07 4725 2505
Email: [email protected]
OUR OPENING TIMES
Monday to Friday 9am –4:30pm