Merrilyn Rowler

My name is Merrilyn Rowler, I am 53 years old, widowed, with three children aged 29, 26 and 19, and one grand child aged 3.

I was employed for 12 years, providing accounting services for the local Franchisee of Bob Jane T Mart in Mackay. I have worked almost all my working life as a bookkeeper, managing the rental sections of two Real Estate Agencies in Townsville before moving to Mackay in 1982.

I am involved in a considerable amount of volunteer community work within my communities, and hold a number of positions on local, regional and state organizations. I am the President of the Mackay Regional Tenant Group Inc., an organisation which provides support and advocacy to public housing tenants in Mackay and region. This is a position I have held for 12 years.

I also hold the position of President and spokesperson for Queensland Public Tenants Association, the peak body for public housing tenants in Queensland . I was the inaugural President elected in 1996. The organisation is a key stakeholder for Department of Housing in Queensland , and is consulted regularly by the Department and Government on the directions of public housing in Queensland.

I hold the position of Treasurer of the Mackay Region Domestic Violence Service, a service managing 9 permanent, 2 part time workers, and 12 volunteers. The service provides counselling and support for women and children escaping domestic violence, and is a regional service. The service operates on a budget in excess of $500,000 per year, and expanding rapidly.

I was involved in a reference group, which oversaw the establishment of Community Legal Service for the region, a project funded through the Domestic Violence Service. I am involved in a reference group, established to progress the development of a Mackay Women’s Service, combining three different women’s services into one umbrella organisation, meeting the needs of women across the region.

I am also currently the Treasurer of Youth Activities Service Mackay, a service managing 2 workers and providing after school activities to at risk children from 11-16 years. The activities are run in two separate areas of Mackay, Slade Point, and Andergrove, where up to 40 -50 children a week attend after school activities.

I have been involved with organising and taking part in the Reclaim The Night March and International Women’s Day in Mackay each year since their inception. I have regularly been asked to take on the role of Media Spokesperson for both of these activities, and for Domestic Violence Prevention Week.

I was a founding member of MCNILS, (Mackay No Interest Loan Scheme), providing small loans to people unable to access commercial loans, either because of income status, or previous history. MCNILS has been running successfully since its inception.

In 2000, I was appointed by Minister for Health, Wendy Edmonds, to the Queensland Nursing Council, Professional Conduct Committee as a Community Representative.

I have recently begun a second 3 year term on the Committee.

During 2001, International Year of the Volunteer, I was involved in receiving 3 awards during that year. One as an individual, nominated by my local member of Parliament, Hon. Tim Mulherin, a second award I received was in the capacity as President of South West Mackay Neighbourhood Centre. The third award was received in my capacity as President of QPTA, who shared the award with the Tenant Participation Program in Queensland , who were winners of The Premier’s excellence award in the field of community engagement.

In 2002 I began studies on a Housing Management and Social Policy, graduate certificate at Swinburne University in Melbourne . This scholarship was offered to me by Queensland Department of Housing, but I negotiated with the Department and each year from 2002, another public housing tenant, who is a delegate of QPTA is awarded the scholarship.

In 2004 I was appointed a community representative to Ergon Electricity’s, Regional Electricity Council, for a term of 2 years.

I was honoured in 1999 with the Citizen of the Year Award in the Mackay Australia Day Ceremony. I prize this award, as it is tangible evidence of the community’s recognition of my contribution.

In 2003 I was again honoured by receiving a National Centenary Medal for community service, recognizing my service to public housing, through my involvement in QPTA, awarded by Prime Minister John Howard.

MERRILYN ROWLER