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  • CAIRNS
  • Cairns Address: 2/192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt, QLD
  • Cairns Phone: 07 4031 7377
  • Cairns Email: [email protected]
  • TOWNSVILLE
  • Townsville Address: 1, 1-3 Barlow Street, South Townsville, QLD
  • Townsville Email: [email protected]
  • Townsville Phone: 07 4725 2505
  • OUR OPENING TIMES
  • Monday to Friday 9am –4:30pm
Rights In Action
Stronger Together

Our Professional Team

Raoul

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.
 

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.

Katja

Advocacy Engagement Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
Tell us a bit of your background?
 
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Anything European, especially Swiss/German and Italian.
 

Karen

Advocacy Engagement Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
Tell us a bit of your background?
 
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
 
 

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.

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.

Chante

Admin Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
Responding to inquiries from individuals who contact the office, including assisting with the completion of referral forms and directing them to appropriate services that may support their specific needs in their respective fields. I had little understanding of the NDIS, ART, or the other services provided by RIA. However, after more than five months in my role as an Admin Officer, I have developed a strong passion for my work – not only due to the administrative duties but also because I am part of an incredible team that has been actively guiding and educating me about the valuable services RIA offers.
 
 
Tell us a bit of your background?

Prior to joining RIA, I was pursuing a diploma in nursing, which I had to temporarily pause due to COVID. I then became a stay-at-home mum (hardest job ever lol) before transitioning into my current position at RIA.

Preferred cuisine or beverage? 
Chicken Carbonora with coke zero

Jordan

Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?

Help and support our clients to reach a desirable outcome in all areas.

Tell us a bit of your background?

I am a Diesel Fitter by trade with over 25yrs in hard rock and coal mining industry.  

Preferred cuisine or beverage?
Prawn pasta or Pavlova.  

Rachel

Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?

Helping people is something I’ve always been passionate about; I knew from a very young age that my career path would align with my values surrounding making a difference in people’s lives whether it was big or small. Since becoming an advocate, I have gained a wealth of knowledge that has deepened my understanding of the disability space and propelled my awareness to an ever-changing industry, inspiring me to stay informed to ensure that my clients receive the help that they deserve.

Tell us a bit of your background?

I’m a proud mother of my son Elliot who is 9yoI’m a Cairns local and have lived here my entire life, I have a background working in the health & fitness industry and ran my own business as a personal trainer and disability space as an independent support worker. 

Preferred cuisine or beverage?
My favorite beverage is coffee 

Shanoha

Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?

I’m most passionate about supporting people to understand their rights and navigate complex systems. I find it incredibly rewarding to walk alongside individuals as they build their capacity, create new opportunities, and work toward their goals. Advocacy, to me is about empowerment and propelling opportunities.

Tell us a bit about your background?
At the beginning of 2025, I relocated from Brisbane to Cairns. Before joining Rights in Action as an advocate, I worked for three years in Brisbane as a support worker. I loved helping people grow their independence both in their homes and out in the community. I’m a big people person and will always go the extra mile to support others in achieving what matters most to them.

Preferred cuisine or beverage?
I’m a big fan of cheese and you can’t go wrong with a refreshing lemon, lime and bitters!

Toni

Advocacy Engagement Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
I previously worked with the Queensland Human Rights Commission for many years, where I gained valuable insight into the real-life impact of discrimination, unfair treatment, and breaches of human rights.
Through this experience, I have developed a strong commitment to supporting people to have their rights respected and upheld. I want to use this knowledge and passion in my advocacy work, with the goal of helping individuals and communities feel heard, empowered, and supported.
 

Tell us a bit about your background?

I am a born and bred North Queenslander.  Outside of work, I enjoy escaping the hustle of everyday life by spending time in nature—whether that’s camping (or a touch of glamping) in the middle of nowhere, relaxing by a quiet creek, or unwinding by the fire. That’s where I feel most at home.
I love music, and it is a big part of how I keep centred. I have been involved with Townsville local radio station Triple T 103.9FM for over seven years as a presenter, and I’ve also contributed at a leadership level, including serving on the Board and as Chairperson.
 
Preferred cuisine or beverage?
I love good coffee… but for indulgence – French champagne. 
 

Daniele

Administration Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
 

Tell us a bit about your background?

 
Preferred cuisine or beverage?

 

Geoff

Advocate
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
 

Tell us a bit about your background?

 

Preferred cuisine or beverage?

 

Tanya 

Advocacy Engagement Officer
What area of advocacy do you feel the strongest passion for and why?
 
 

Tell us a bit about your background?

 

Preferred cuisine or beverage?

 

Natacha

Advocate


I am from Portugal, came to Australia 7 years ago. I have 30 years of professional experience as a lawyer and legal advisor in three different countries. In Australia I am involved as volunteer with different community organisations, and I am an advocate at Rights in Action.

 
 

Have Something Else To Discuss?

Fill out the form to send us an email.

*Please note that this form is for general inquires only and is for NOT for advocacy issues. If you require advocacy assistance please go to our referral form.

CAIRNS

Address: 2/192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt, QLD

Mail: PO Box 1041N, Cairns North, QLD 4870

Telephone: 1800 887 688

TOWNSVILLE

Address: 1, 1-3 Barlow Street, South Townsville, QLD

Mail: PO Box 3065, Hermit Park QLD 4812

Telephone: 1800 887 688

OUR OPENING TIMES

Monday to Friday 9am –4:30pm

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