Relationships Australia (Qld)

Technology is most powerful when it helps people connect. We were proud to join colleagues across the Relationships Australia Federation in exploring how AI can be harnessed for social good — supporting safer, more accessible and person-centred services. Thank you to Future Government Institute and NCS Group Australia for facilitating such an engaging discussion. #Relationships #Innovation #SocialImpact #AI

New national data released today shows gambling harm is growing, and Queensland is among the hardest hit. The National Gambling Prevalence Study Pilot 2024 reveals: • 70.2% of Queensland adults gambled in the past year. • 1 in 6 Australians are now at risk of gambling harm. • Young people and First Nations communities are disproportionately impacted. At RAQ, we know the impacts go beyond dollars lost, they touch families, mental health, and community connection. Healthy relationships are the foundation of thriving communities. It’s time for action.

The latest How We Live HILDA report confirms what we see every day: the rising cost of living is reshaping Australian families. - Social connections appear to be weakening.    - Single parents are doing it tougher than ever.  - Housing insecurity is rising across age groups.  - Australians are retiring later in life.   - Women still carry most of the unpaid care work. At Relationships Australia Queensland, we know financial stress doesn’t just hit the hip pocket, it ripples into relationships, mental health, and community connection. Healthy relationships are the foundation of thriving communities. That’s why we’re calling for stronger supports for families, affordable childcare, expanded mental health services, and urgent housing security measures. Together, we can help families not just survive but thrive For the full report follow this link: https://lnkd.in/g6wg3DVK

🌏 From Singapore to Queensland: Strengthening support through innovation and connection This month, CEO Natasha Rae GAICD represented RAQ at two transformative events in Singapore: ➡️ NCS Group Impact 2025, where our General Manager of IT Brad Butcher also represented RAQ  ➡️ The Singapore Mental Health Conference. RAQ attended these events with a clear mission: to build meaningful relationships, explore global innovation, and bring home insights to amplify impact in Queensland. Both conferences spotlighted how tech and AI are reshaping support services when guided by care, equity, and connection – values that we echo at RAQ. 💬 “Our world is small. The need for human connection, mental wellbeing, and strong, healthy relationships is universal,” Tash reflected. 💬 “We are no longer asking when AI will become relevant – but rather, exploring how it is already reshaping industries, including ours,” Brad shared. These insights support our strategic direction, which focuses on: ✅ Targeting areas of greatest impact  ✅ Delivering the right support at the right time  ✅ Driving innovation with data and technology  ✅ Championing relationships as key to wellbeing. We’re proud to be part of a global movement toward more connected, inclusive, and responsive services. Thank you, Singapore, for the warm welcome and inspiring conversations. #NCSImpact25 #SingaporeMentalHealthConference 

This week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) in Queensland. GHAW is a time to acknowledge the serious consequences that gambling harm can have on individuals, families, and communities. It also raises awareness of support services, highlights the issues driving harm, and calls for meaningful action, including legislative reform. We started this important week with our biggest annual launch yet at Kedron-Wavell Services Club in Chermside, Brisbane. Nearly 400 attendees joined us, including key stakeholders from government, the gambling and sporting industries, support services, and the community. Thank you to: • Bill Owens FAICD, Chair of the Board at RAQ • Uncle Alex from Kurbingui  • The Honourable Deb Frecklington MP GAICD, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity • Victoria Thomson, Commissioner for Liquor, Gaming, and Fair Trading • Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford of the Queensland Family and Child Commission • Ben Ikin, CEO of the Queensland Rugby League • Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation QLD (OLGR) • Department of Justice QLD • All of the RAQ, Gambling Helpline, and Gambling Help Service staff members • Mark and Adam, two lived experience speakers who bravely shared their story. Read more about the event here:

Last week, we celebrated NAIDOC Week across Queensland by getting out and about in the community and connecting with First Nations individuals and families.   This year’s NAIDOC theme was “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy,” which called on all of us to honour past achievements and legacies while looking towards the bright future led by emerging First Nations leaders. This year also marked the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC – a significant and powerful milestone.   At RAQ, our practitioners, counsellors, and community educators spent the week engaging with our local communities. We attended NAIDOC events in Southwest Queensland, Ipswich (hosted by Ipswich City Council), Mackay, Townsville, Inala, and more. Thank you to everyone who attended these events for the opportunity to make meaningful connections and share stories.   We also took the time to reflect on how we strive to honour, listen to, and elevate First Nations voices and cultures in our services and programs.   Spending time with our communities – especially during such a meaningful week – helps us strengthen our relationships and raise awareness about barrier-free access to safe, culturally informed support services.   “NAIDOC Week is a time for us to sit with our local community. To listen to families and children as we do activities together.” –Helen Poynten   This NAIDOC Week, and every week, we’re reminded of the enduring strength and legacy of First Nations Peoples as we continue to work together toward a future grounded in truth, growth, and shared respect.   We’re proud to offer safe, respectful, and culturally informed support to all Australians.     #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC #NAIDOCWeek2025 

We’re incredibly happy to share that the Relationships Australia initiative Neighbours Every Day, and Neighbour Day in particular, was acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the few campaigns that significantly increased social connection and wellbeing. In WHO's landmark report titled From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies, they highlight the urgent need for action in response to widespread social isolation and loneliness. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e2RKNP7j   Released just last week, the report underscores the importance of community initiatives in strengthening social bonds and preventing loneliness. This is a message we strongly support at RAQ. We know firsthand the power of connected communities and their impact on mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.   The Neighbours Every Day campaign was founded over two decades ago and has been a core part of Relationships Australia since it was gifted to us in 2014. It encourages Australians to build respectful and supportive relationships within their communities. It’s especially meaningful to see its impact recognised globally.   To learn more about Neighbours Every Day and how you can foster connection in your community, visit the official website: https://lnkd.in/gQhiktKR

This year marks a powerful milestone for NAIDOC Week – 50 years of honouring, listening to, and elevating First Nations voices, cultures, and resilience. NAIDOC Week is a time for all of us to reflect on the enduring strength and legacy of First Nations Peoples, and work together toward a future grounded in truth, growth, and shared respect.   First Nations Peoples are disproportionately impacted by gambling harm, being 10 to 20 times more likely to experience gambling harm than other Australians. That’s why this NAIDOC Week, we're connecting with First Nations communities to promote safer gambling practices and raise awareness of culturally informed support services.   By connecting with our First Nations communities during NAIDOC, we can strengthen community relationships and help ensure First Nations individuals and families have access to support that is safe, respectful, and free from barriers.   Our Gambling Help Service (GHS) is proud to offer safe, understanding, and culturally appropriate support.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gCjbF5D9 Source: Reducing gambling harm in First Nations communities – Responsible Gambling Victoria #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOCWeek2025 #SaferGambling #GamblingHelpQueensland #GamblingHelpService

Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a complex issue with far-reaching impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Addressing DFV requires innovative, collaborative solutions that include everyone impacted by violence to create real, lasting change. That’s why we welcomed Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm’s comments about our domestic and family violence co-response model in the Courier Mail earlier this week. “I have seen and heard firsthand how successful the domestic and family violence co-response trials have been in the Cairns district,” Ms Camm said. The co-response model is a first-of-its-kind pilot in which RAQ specialist DFV practitioners attend police callouts alongside officers. Regional Manager Alisha Lyngcoln, who oversees the operation, says the approach has significantly improved safety outcomes. “To be able to respond and give the options directly to victim survivors and persons using violence, we’re able to provide some of the agency support that some people might not reach out to,” Ms Lyngcoln said. Domestic violence is everybody’s business. Together, we can find a way to make our homes and communities safe. #domesticandfamilyviolence #domesticviolence #dfv #enddomesticviolence

RAQ has walked alongside many brave victim survivors through our Redress Support Service (RSS). We acknowledge the courage shown in seeking healing and justice - as well as a safer future for children - by sharing their stories at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. We recognise that the news of the passing of Pope Francis may bring up a range of emotions. It's okay to reach out for help.   If you or someone you love has been impacted by institutional child sexual abuse, free support is available through RAQ’s Redress Support Service by calling 1800 552 127. Learn more about RSS: https://lnkd.in/gqD-AqvX