Management Committee

Jennifer Smith

President

Jenny’s extensive background in a range of human services has given her the opportunity to work with, and forge strong relationships with many people with disabilities and their families. Jenny was involved in the long lead up to Capricorn Citizen Advocacy becoming incorporated.  She was a member of Capricorn Citizen Advocacy’s Steering Committee and became a foundation Board member at the time of incorporation.  She has consistently held executive roles since then, until taking a break for a couple of years, returning as Secretary and then as President again in 2015. 

An extract of her roles is as follows:

• Citizen Advocate since 2013
• Former Deputy Chairperson of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (QDAC)
• Former Director of Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
• Former President of the Qld Community Services Employers Association (QCSEA)
• Current Management Committee member of Capricorn Community Development Association (CCDA) since
• Core member of the Citizen Advocacy Study Group (Australia) since 2016
• Member of Planning Committee for the “Advancing Citizen Advocacy” conference held in Melbourne during February 2023
• CCA’s delegate to the Qld Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN) and the Combined Advocacy Groups of Qld (CAGQ – currently in recess)
• Employed as a Decision Support Advocate at Qld Advocacy for Inclusion
• Team member of 6 Citizen Advocacy Program Evaluations (CAPEs) & participated in 4 CAPEs at Capricorn Citizen Advocacy
• Has participated in numerous CA and SRV training events and conferences and has a deep commitment to good CA practice and the sustainability of the CCA and the movement in Australia.

In her spare time, Jenny loves to travel with her partner Peter; continue their ecological restoration of their patch of tropical forest at the Capricorn Coast; and lavish affection upon their rescued pussy cat, Bo-Bo.

Sharon Lowe

Secretary

I became interested in Citizen Advocacy when I attended a Social Role Valorisation (SRV) workshop early in my career as an Occupational Therapist (OT). 

I was  concerned regarding the vulnerability of people with disabilities, in particular those with few interpersonal relationships of a freely-given nature. 

I joined like-minded people in CQ to explore advocacy options – and Capricorn Citizen Advocacy is the outcome.  I have always being involved as an Associate Advocate to provide support to the Program and Advocates in the areas of SRV & OT as they pertain to protégés. 

I joined the Management Committee in 2015 and have the role as Secretary. 

I also became an Advocate for a young boy in 2018, and am appreciative of the opportunity to get to know him.

Peter Edman

Treasurer

Michelle Pownall

Committee Member

Michelle has been involved with Capricorn Citizen Advocacy since 2013.  She is now also a Management Committee Member bringing her practical insights as a Citizen Advocate to the governance of the program.  She always supports our Pizza Nights (Advocate Get Togethers) and 

Michelle is well known for her vibrant personality, teamed up with a can do attitude, a love for people and an ability to tell funny stories. 

Jim Byrne

Committee Member

Jim served for five years as a Committee Member from 2009 to 2014, including two years as Vice President.  After a break he re-joined our board on 17 October 2017.   

Jim’s working life started in England as a Mechanical Engineering Draughtsman and emigrated to Australia in 1974.  In his mid twenties in 1975 he developed spasmodic double/quadruple vision.  This eventually resulted in major life changes.  He underwent surgery in 1981 to remove a brain tumour from around the pituitary gland and also suffered a minor stroke, three bouts of pneumonia and an episode of pleurisy.  In 1986 he underwent a second surgery to remove a regrown tumour and unfortunately came out of the operating theatre completely blind.

Jim did not let this stop him.  He received a guide dog in 1986, enrolled in TAFE at Rockhampton and learned to type.  He commenced university and completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 and was the first blind graduate at Central Queensland University.  This lead to an appointment in 1992 as the Disabilities Officer at CQU; being their first blind employee. He joined no less than nine local boards and management committees after graduating.  Thankfully this included Capricorn Citizen Advocacy.

Jim had five-way cardiac bypass surgery after suffering a heart attack at work in 1993.  In 1999 tumours were diagnosed extending down his brainstem around his spinal chord.  This also resulted in surgery and Jim became very weak in his arms, legs and tongue.  It took six months before he could walk outside without the help of walls and furniture to hold him up.  In 2000 he underwent radiation treatment for more brain tumours which caused a similar period of weakness and also an extended recovery.

Jim needed two stents for arteries in 2004 and then a good break from surgery ensued until 2017 when a new ‘gamma knife’ costing $4.3 million was used to destroy three brain tumours with great success.  Jim reports that he still has five tumours in his head.

Despite all of  his mighty health battles over the years, Jim has never let his ongoing situation deter him from making the most of every day and from doing things that amaze others.   In 1996 he was awarded a “Special Award” on Australia Day for services to the community. 

Jim cleans his own house and makes his own furniture, however he does need someone to assist with the ironing and gardening.  Anybody who knows Jim will attest that he possesses a wicked sense of humour; this includes regularly poking fun at himself.   

He has a positive, determined, sunny side up personality and a wealth of wisdom and knowledge making him a very important member of our team.

Kevin Ongheen

Committee Member