Message from the Minister
Serving Queensland
It was a privilege to be part of this year’s Disability Action Week Awards which recognise people in our community who are making a real difference in the lives of people with a disability. The outstanding contributions of community organisations, people with a disability and government agencies are improving people’s lives every day.
Disability Action Week kicked off with a family fun day in Townsville where I was one of thousands of people who turned out to celebrate. It was the same story around the state with hundreds of people joining in numerous activities to encourage the community to see beyond the disability.
In October we marked Mental Health Week with the announcement of two innovative programs that will assist people with mental illness on the road to recovery and increased independence.
One of our main features in this edition explores these transitional and residential recovery programs.
This is also the time to think about preparing for the summer season of cyclones and storms. We look at practical steps people can take to prepare for natural disasters and how the Department of Communities is working with other government agencies to get the community back on its feet after a disaster.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday season and look forward to telling you more about how we are assisting different groups of people to participate more fully in community life in 2009.
Lindy Nelson-Carr
Minister for Communities
and Disability Services