QPAC

Yumi Stynes is an award-winning broadcaster and author. She has been working in Australian media for more than two decades, first as a music reporter, arts reporter and pop culture interviewer to working now as a writer and authority on sex education, consent, women’s issues, race issues, food and art. She is the face and voice of the hugely popular ABC podcast, Ladies, We Need to Talk, and co-author of the acclaimed Welcome To book series.  

Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. While in medical school, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury. He was Queensland’s first quadriplegic medical intern.

An award-winning individual both professionally and personally, Dinesh was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022. 

He is a strong advocate and leader for human rights and inclusion, serving in many capacities to build the understanding and capability of the Queensland community regarding people with disabilities.

Courtney Stewart is an acclaimed director, dramaturg, actor and teaching artist with a deep passion for intercultural works and multicultural dramaturgies. She is the current Artistic Director and CEO of La Boite Theatre.

A proud Queenslander, Courtney started her professional career as an actor before honing her talents as a director, dramaturg, diversity advocate, and change maker for some of the country’s most prolific companies and organisations, including Sydney Theatre Company (as Directing Associate and Richard Wherrett Fellow), Belvoir, and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (as Artistic Associate). 

Courtney was previously Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee, a delegate to the National Performers Committee, and a former board member for Contemporary Asian Australian Performance. 

Dr Indigo Willing is the creator and co-founder of award-winning community projects focused on diversity and inclusion.  

Her activities span social worlds that reflect her diverse background and lived experiences as a Vietnam War orphan and adoptee, an Asian Australian, academic and skateboarder.  

She is a co-founder of the women and Queer-led networks – Consent is Rad, and We Skate QLD – and is a part of the Skating/Sustainability/Health Research/Environmental Design (SSHRED) team. She is also the Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for Skateistan. Reflecting her other community connections, she is also the founder of the Adopted Vietnamese International (AVI) network, and convenes the Asian Australian Films, Forum, and News Network. 

Murray Benton is an Aboriginal Barkindji Koori man from Central West New South Wales. He is a valued part of the leadership team with Q Shelter, a peak body working to influence solutions to housing need and homelessness in Queensland. He is a member of the Child Death Review Board with the Queensland Family and Child Commission, a Board Director of Bendigo Bank Gympie Branch, and a Community Partner with White Ribbon Australia. Murray holds an impressive record of working closely with government departments and non-government agencies to deliver specialist homelessness and dignity services. He is also a fierce advocate in first nations space and achieved international exposure through his advocacy in youth mental health and suicide prevention. He has overcome many adverse childhood experience shaping the person he is today.

Mayor Jon Raven was elected to lead the city of Logan earlier this year. His new role builds on his previous work; he’d been serving the city as Councillor since 2016. Mayor Raven is passionate about creating local jobs, encouraging investment and working closely with the community to help Logan realise its full potential.

Shannon Ruska descends from the Yuggera, Nunukul and Yugambeh people of the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. He has been working on reviving and maintaining Indigenous culture through arts and entertainment for more than 23 years. In his career he has educated over 15 million people globally via live stage performances, Welcome to Country speeches and TV appearances across the globe.

From the big stages to schools, Shannon has taught over 2000 Indigenous children from the South East Queensland corner through Aboriginal song, dance and culture. Shannon has been an Advisor and Cultural Consultant for major companies such as Brisbane City Council, Qantas Airlines, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and many others in Tourism, Mining, Education, Arts and Construction. He is also a member of the QTIC Indigenous Champions Network and continues to share stories of the Aboriginal culture to bring these stories to life.