Every day, the community services sector strives towards a future where equality, opportunity and wellbeing are enjoyed by all Queenslanders.
The work of the community sector is meaningful, impactful and inspiring. At the same time, it is complicated and challenging.
Changing our state requires imagination, daring, dedication and skill.
The 2025 QCOSS Conference builds on what the community sector does every day – we dream outside the constructs of what our societies think is possible, we dare to enact those dreams and we roll up our sleeves to do the work that is needed to maintain our dreams, all in aid of changing our current state to the future we envision.
Every day our sector works to create shared prosperity, support for every person and a future where equality, opportunity and wellbeing are not just ideals but reality.
Working towards this change is convoluted and rife with setbacks. It requires bravery, vulnerability, perseverance and belief that bending the arc of history towards progress is possible.
Above all, it requires an audacious dream; a dream that’s grounded in the evidence of what’s needed, paints a picture of who we can be and lifts all of us.
This conference stream urges delegates to think outside the constructs of what they hold possible and begin to radically imagine a better, fairer future for our state and all Queenslanders.
DARING
Much of Queensland’s boldest social change has its genesis in the community services sector. Our sector is made up of the people who roll up their sleeves, take on challenges, forge new partnerships and show us that change can be achieved through delivering projects, programs and services grounded in understanding our communities.
This conference stream celebrates the courage of our sector and the advocates, radicals, visionaries and changemakers who have dared and delivered social impact in Queensland.
DOING
Without the work, a dream is nothing. For the sector to enact its dreams, we need to ensure our teams have the right skills and experience, and that we’re striving together toward organisational excellence.
The vehicle to enabling our vision is developing our workforce, organisational skills and capability.
This conference stream gives organisations and individuals in the community services sector the tools and skills they need to achieve their dreams.
Meet our 2025 QCOSS Conference speakers
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Keynote Speaker
A leading voice against domestic violence
When her 11-year-old son Luke tragically lost his life at the hands of his father, Rosie Batty was catapulted into the media spotlight. But from the very start, she made sure her story was never just about her own horrific tragedy. With fierce determination and incredible courage, Rosie channelled her grief into a tireless and inspirational crusade against domestic violence, becoming a beacon of hope and a powerful catalyst for systemic change.
From the day Rosie so bravely fronted the media after her son’s death, she has given voice to thousands of domestic violence victims – and her impact has been extraordinary.
Appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Government’s Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council, set up in response to the country’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence, Rosie was determined to put victims at the centre of policy decisions.
From being named Australian of the Year to receiving the Pride of Australia National Courage Medal and the prestigious Order of Australia, Rosie’s accolades speak volumes about the indelible mark she has made on our world. Her relentless dedication has also seen her inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, named by Fortune Magazine as one of the world’s top 50 greatest leaders, and voted as the most influential person in the not-for-profit sector on Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 list… twice.
Rosie has also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast for her contribution to raising national awareness and action concerning Family Violence.
But perhaps Rosie’s most enduring legacy lies in her innate ability to inspire others. By sharing her own journey of healing and resilience, she has empowered countless others to find hope in the face of adversity. To not only find the strength to confront darkness, but also the courage to find a way forward.
Rosie Batty is not just a survivor; she is a leader, a champion and a symbol of hope for a safer, more compassionate future.
Keynote Speaker
A leading voice against domestic violence
When her 11-year-old son Luke tragically lost his life at the hands of his father, Rosie Batty was catapulted into the media spotlight. But from the very start, she made sure her story was never just about her own horrific tragedy. With fierce determination and incredible courage, Rosie channelled her grief into a tireless and inspirational crusade against domestic violence, becoming a beacon of hope and a powerful catalyst for systemic change.
From the day Rosie so bravely fronted the media after her son’s death, she has given voice to thousands of domestic violence victims – and her impact has been extraordinary.
Appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Government’s Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council, set up in response to the country’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence, Rosie was determined to put victims at the centre of policy decisions.
From being named Australian of the Year to receiving the Pride of Australia National Courage Medal and the prestigious Order of Australia, Rosie’s accolades speak volumes about the indelible mark she has made on our world. Her relentless dedication has also seen her inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, named by Fortune Magazine as one of the world’s top 50 greatest leaders, and voted as the most influential person in the not-for-profit sector on Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 list… twice.
Rosie has also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast for her contribution to raising national awareness and action concerning Family Violence.
But perhaps Rosie’s most enduring legacy lies in her innate ability to inspire others. By sharing her own journey of healing and resilience, she has empowered countless others to find hope in the face of adversity. To not only find the strength to confront darkness, but also the courage to find a way forward.
Rosie Batty is not just a survivor; she is a leader, a champion and a symbol of hope for a safer, more compassionate future.
Keynote Speaker
MC
Dinesh was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh 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. Dinesh was born in Sri Lanka, then moved to Australia at the age of ten during the civil war.
Dinesh has completed a Bachelor of Laws at the Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law, Emergency Medicine Certificate at the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, and Doctor of Medicine and Griffith University. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors under a Disability Leadership Scholarship.
Dinesh works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Griffith University and assistant professor at Bond University. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury, co-leading the BioSpine research team.
He is a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. Dinesh was a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission. He is an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includeability program. He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. He is an advisory board member to HealthyLife, a Woolworths company. Dinesh is a John Monash Scholar. He is an independent non-executive director of George Steuart & Co, one of the oldest companies in the world and oldest in Sri Lanka. Dinesh is a non-executive director of the Housing Hub, started by the Summer Foundation.
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. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.
MC
Dinesh was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh 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. Dinesh was born in Sri Lanka, then moved to Australia at the age of ten during the civil war.
Dinesh has completed a Bachelor of Laws at the Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law, Emergency Medicine Certificate at the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, and Doctor of Medicine and Griffith University. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors under a Disability Leadership Scholarship.
Dinesh works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Griffith University and assistant professor at Bond University. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury, co-leading the BioSpine research team.
He is a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. Dinesh was a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission. He is an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includeability program. He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. He is an advisory board member to HealthyLife, a Woolworths company. Dinesh is a John Monash Scholar. He is an independent non-executive director of George Steuart & Co, one of the oldest companies in the world and oldest in Sri Lanka. Dinesh is a non-executive director of the Housing Hub, started by the Summer Foundation.
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. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.
On the second night of the QCOSS Conference, we celebrate the individuals and organisations who support those Queenslanders doing it tough every day, at our sector’s biggest night of the year: the Queensland Community Impact Awards (QCIA).
Nominations open soon.
JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY HEROES!
Join us for a special gala dinner during the QCOSS Conference to celebrate our sector’s community heroes! The Queensland Community Impact Awards (QCIA) is our sector’s night of nights – an opportunity to come together to shine a light on the individuals and organisations who go above and beyond for their communities and support the Queenslanders who are doing it tough every day.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, BCEC brings over 27 years of industry knowledge to deliver exceptional, world-class experiences with award-winning service, and a commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. BCEC has a global reputation for excellence as reflected by 192 awards including the AIPC APEX ‘World’s Best’ Convention Centre Award for 2016-2018, and Runner Up in the AIPC APEX Award for 2020-2022. BCEC is the major driver of business events in Queensland and has created more than $4.9 billion in economic benefit for the state. BCEC’s corporate responsibility program focuses on giving back to the community and minimising environmental impacts.
