GUEST SPEAKERS
September 30th, 2023
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.
SHANNON BAUWENS
Bunya Mountains Ranger Coordinator
A cultural heritage practitioner and tribal custodian of the Wakka Wakka nation.
I aspire to see the resurrection of cultural practices, to facilitate and support unity amongst all people to “Heal country and strengthen song lines” and once again sit in circles, together, embracing the ultimate and ancient diplomacy of our ancestors.
I want to share our story to create inspiration & appreciation, forming the desire to resurrect and conserve the old ways in the management of country by utilising our traditional holistic and symbiotic practises, which promotes the protection of all that exists in our natural environment; to which we all belong.
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.
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 ofUNNA, having been encouraged by. Margaret Reynolds. She is currently the President of UNAA Queensland division.
SHUMAILA WAHAB
Shumaila is a Grade 11 student at Fairholme College. Born in Canada with a Pakistani familial background, she moved to Mackay in 2018 and Toowoomba in January 2021. She is a Toowoomba Regional Youth Leader and member of the 210 squadron, Australian Air Force Cadets. Having already achieved her Bronze, she is currently completing her Silver Duke of Edinburgh award with cadets. Furthermore, she is involved with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association. Shumaila is the youngest of three sisters and enjoys running in her free time. She has a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community and has volunteered at school book fairs, Relay for Life, Farmers Drought Relief fundraisers, tree planting days, luncheons and organisations such as Tony’s Kitchen and Humanity First. She loves to travel and has been to Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, Netherlands, France and Belgium. She enjoys immersing herself in new cultures and trying new things. She works part-time at a local pharmacy and is looking to pursue a career in finance.
YOUTH LEADER
More coming soon!
