GUEST SPEAKERS
October 1st, 2022
GEOFF MCDONALD
Born and raised in Toowoomba, Geoff is a fifth generation business owner along with his wife Lisa and parents John (Cracker) and Joan McDonald. Their company Cracker Print and Paper has a trading history dating back to 1901. Geoff's dedication to his pre-press trade was recognised with being awarded the Queensland Printing and Graphic Arts Apprentice of the Year in 1992.
Geoff has a long history of community involvement as a patron, ambassador, board member and life member of a number of community, business, sporting and charitable organisations.
Geoff is a person with strong commitment, enthusiasm and energy to continually improve the lifestyle, economy and global standing of the Toowoomba Region.
Geoff was appointed as Deputy Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council on 23 April 2020.
CLAIRE MOORE
Always a Toowoomba woman, though she has lived away from home for many years. Claire has worked in the Australian Public Service in Departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Social Security, including 3years in North Queensland. She was the state secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union for three terms and then a Labor Senator for Queensland until 2019, where Claire held the position of Shadow Minister for Women and Community Services, and later Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
Claire Moore has been a long term member of UNNA, having been encouraged by. Margaret Reynolds. She is currently the President of UNAA Queensland division.
HANIFF ABDUL RAZAK
Graduated from the Singapore Armed Forces Officer Cadet School as a Commission Officer, Haniff left the service with the rank of a Captain in 1993 to do community work. In 2006 was given a major assignment to develop and launch the Harmony Centre Singapore, a pioneer centre in interfaith and cultural engagement. The Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Singapore. His work includes promoting inter-faith dialogue and engagement at all levels: leadership, community, grassroots, youths and students through seminars, workshops, experiential learning journey and visits.
In 2010 was invited by the Venerable Master Chin Kung AM Founder and President of Pure Land Learning College Association INC to help set up the Multi-Faith and Multicultural Centre, Toowoomba Australia. His work has taken him to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, France, England, Wales, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, either presenting papers or participating in conferences and seminars related to peace building. Was recognised by the local media as one the most influential member of the community coming in 43 of the 100 identified in Toowoomba. In 2018, was awarded Paul Myatt Safer City Award for being recognised as’ An Individual whose life can inspire the rest of us to do better with our own.’ Currently, the Director of the Multi Faith and Multicultural Centre, Pure Land Learning College Association INC.
JOHN SMITH
John has been a dedicated yoga and meditation practitioner for over thirty five years having studied with many experienced teachers from Australia and India in Meditation and Yoga/Wellness Philosophy.
John has been involved as a volunteer with the Heartfulness Institute for the past 35 years, during which time he was integral in managing many UN events including in 2007 “One World, One Humanity - Steps and Obstacles Towards Unification of Humanity” In support of United Nations Day. And other events for World Environment Day, Human Rights Day, International Day of Yoga, International Day of Peace, Families Day and Multifaith coordinated events for mutual respect and harmony and is a director of Heartfulness Institute (Aust).
