My team and I are committed to working to help you create the community you want.
Support for community organising
A community is made of people working together, and I am thrilled to be able to support groups in the community who have got together to solve a shared problem, to work towards a shared vision, or to create a shared resource. Here are some of the ways the Ryan office can help you organise:
- Printing newsletters, flyers and other materials
- Free use of event equipment including marquees, folding tables & BBQ
- Help promoting your group or event
- Free use of the Ryan meeting room
- Raffle prizes for community fundraising
- Letters of support
I know funds are often a challenge: see the Community Grants page for information about funding opportunities.
Support for individuals and families
Even in good times, navigating the complexity of different layers of bureaucracy and regulation can be challenging. My office can help people in the Ryan community to deal with individual issues, decipher jargon in official documents, and advocate on complex issues.
Some of the ways we've helped Ryan families include:
- advocating for people caught up in visa-processing delays
- helping people renegotiate NDIS plans
- clarifying government policy
- supporting people to complain about decisions made by a public authority.
Contact my office on 3378 1599 or [email protected] I try to respond personally to everyone who contacts my office by email, and my team will always do their best to help out.
Free Community Meals
Come along to one of our weekly free community dinners across the electorate. No need to RSVP, just come along and share a meal with friendly and welcoming members of the community.
St Lucia - Guyatt Park
Wednesdays 5 -7pm
The Gap - Alfred and Lucina Best Park
Wednesdays 5 - 7pm
Kenmore - Akuna Street Park (near no 56)
Thursdays 5 - 7pm
Local Community Pantries
Office of Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP
188 Moggill Road, Taringa
24/7 pantry on site
Community Hub
Mondays 10:30 - 12:30
St Andrew’s Indooroopilly, 89 Fairley st
24/7 pantry on site
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre
3379 6963
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm
38 Thallon St, Sherwood
Picabeen Community Centre
22 Hoben St Mitchelton
07 3354 2555
Free BBQ every Tuesday 12-1 and people can collect pantry items there.
Community Support Contacts
Housing Support |
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(07) 3377 3111 |
Anglicare Southern Queensland offers temporary accommodation and support for people who are experiencing homelessness. |
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1800 474 753 |
The Queensland Government Homeless Hotline is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. |
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| Qstars |
1300 744 263 |
QSTARS is a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters. |
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134 RSL (134 775) |
RSL Queensland provides emergency accommodation assistance to Queensland veterans. |
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Disability Support |
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1800 818 338 (07) 3637 6000 |
Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia provides a range of advocacy services. |
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3354 4900 |
AMPARO Advocacy provides advocacy for vulnerable people with disability from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. |
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1800 422 015 |
People with Disability Australia does a range of work including individual advocacy. |
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1300 130 582 (07) 3844 4200 |
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) provides systems and legal advocacy for people with disability in Queensland. |
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1300 363 783 (07) 3252 8566 |
Queenslanders with Disability Network has a range of services for people with a disability including supporting local support groups. |
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(07) 4031 7377 |
Rights in Action does a range of work including individual advocacy for people with a disability. |
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Speaking Up For You is an independent social advocacy organisation for people with a disability. |
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Domestic Violence Support |
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1800 737 732 |
1800 Respect is a 24/7 confidential information, counselling and support service. |
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Women’s line: 1800 811 811 (24/7) Men’s line: 1800 600 636 Sexual assault helpline: 1800 010 120 (7.30am – 11.30pm, 7 days) |
DV Connect provides a range of services for people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, including emergency transport and accommodation, safety planning, crisis counselling, information and referrals. |
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Food and Other Emergency Support |
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(07) 3198 4410 Open on a Monday from 10.30am. North West Community Hub, 180 Jubilee Terrace, Bardon |
The Pantry offers food vouchers, non-perishable food items, bread, fruit and vegetables to people with health care or pension cards. |
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(07) 3367 7222 |
The Red Cross Migration Hub provides emergency relief for people seeking asylum who do not have another income. |
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Food services: (07) 3379 6963 Housing: (07) 3379 8316 |
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre provides food and bread as well as housing services. |
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1800 846 643 |
Vinnie’s Call Centre can connect you with a range of Vinnie’s services including emergency financial assistance, food and furniture. |
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Legal Services |
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Social security and disability discrimination advice: 1800 358 511 (07) 3847 5532 Women’s employment issues: 1800 621 458 |
Basic Rights Queensland operates telephone advice services by appointment. |
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(07) 3214 6333 |
Caxton Legal Centre provides a wide range of legal services, see here for more info. |
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Apply for free legal help from the Court & Tribunal Services or Pro Bono Connect service using the online application form. |
LawRight provides access to pro bono lawyers. |
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Client Information Service Centre: 1300 65 11 88 Indigenous Information Line: 1300 650 143 Youth Legal Advice Hotline: 1800 LAQ LAQ (1800 527 527) |
Legal Aid Queensland provides a range of legal services for financially disadvantaged people. |
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(07) 3124 7160 |
The LGBTI Legal Service offers free and confidential legal advice to Queensland residents who identify as members of the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex community. |
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1300 753 228 |
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) is an independent, accessible tribunal that efficiently resolves disputes on a range of matters. The tribunal’s purpose is to provide a quick, inexpensive avenue to resolve disputes between parties and make decisions. |
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1300 130 670 |
Formerly the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland. QHRC handles complaints and training on discrimination, vilification, victimisation and sexual harassment, under the Anti-Discrimination Act. |
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(07) 3846 9300 |
Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) gives free legal advice in refugee and immigration matters to people living in Queensland. |
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(07) 3738 7000 1800 017 288 |
The Queensland Government’s dispute resolution centres can help to resolve civil disputes. |
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Statewide Legal Advice Helpline: 1800 WLS WLS (1800 957 957) Rural, Regional and Remote Legal Advice Line: 1800 457 117 |
Women’s Legal Service provides legal advice helplines for women undergoing hardship in Queensland. |
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Mental Health Support |
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(07) 3157 1555 17 Station Rd, Indooroopilly QLD 4068 |
Headspace provides free or low cost counselling and support services for young people aged 12-25. |
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24/7 Hotline: 13 11 14 Crisis Text (12pm-midnight): 0477 13 11 14 |
Lifeline is a 24/7 mental health counselling and crisis support hotline. |
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1300 MHCALL (1300 642 255) |
MHCall is a 24/7 confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to public mental health services to Queenslanders. |
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(07) 3235 9059 1800 00 MHRT (1800 006 478) |
The Mental Health Review Tribunal is an independent decision making body. The purpose of the Tribunal is to review the involuntary status of persons with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability. |
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1800 184 527 |
QLife is a peer support and referral service for LGBTI people, operating 3pm-midnight every day. |
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1300 659 467 |
The Suicide Call-Back Service provides 24/7 phone and online counselling. |
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Other Supports |
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| Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme |
For Queensland households experiencing problems paying their energy bills as a result of an unforeseen emergency or a short-term financial crisis. This is a one-off emergency assistance payment of up to $720 once every 2 years. |
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(07) 3357 5377 1800 177 725 |
Children by Choice provides counselling for sexual and reproductive health, including pregnancy and contraceptive options. |
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1800QSTUDY (1800 778 839) |
StudyQueensland’s International Student Support provides a range of services including a hotline for advice and referrals |
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1800 55 1800 |
Kids Helpline is 24/7 phone counselling service for people aged 5-25 needing support for any reason. |
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