SUFY

13/02/2026

Today marks 18 years since the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the nation for past laws, policies and practices that have impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations and their descendants.

Today, we honour the survivors who shared their truth, the families and communities who continue to carry the impact of forced removals, and the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples across generations.

The apology was a significant moment in our national history, but it does not close the chapter. Apologising means committing to change. Words alone are not enough. Australia’s formal apology acknowledged past wrongs, yet First Nations children and families continue to be disproportionately removed from their homes. True apology requires dismantling the systems that continue the harm.

We encourage our community to take time to reflect on this day and watch this video by Link-Up Qld of the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations -

Footage sourced from Reconciliation Australia and Indigenous Film Services.

29/01/2026

Queensland Continues to Build Homes for All, Now and Into the Future.

50 organisations representing people with disability, older people, families, carers, and the disability, housing and community sectors, have welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to retain implementation of the Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) within the National Construction Code (NCC).
Follow this link to read the joint statement:
https://qdn.org.au/our-advocacy/campaigns/keep-livable-design-standards/

Alt text:
A picture of a house, text reading: Queensland Continues to Build Homes for All, Now and Into the Future. And 50 logos of organisations supporting the joint statement. Organisations are: Aged and Disability Advocates Australia, Amparo Advocacy, Australian Network for Universal Housing Design, Arafmi QLD, Autism Queensland, Better Hearing Australia, Basic Rights Queensland, Caxton Legal Centre Inc, Checkup, Community Housing Industry Association, Community Living Association, Council of the Aged Queensland, Community Resource Unit, Complex Supports Bespoke Solutions, Deaf Connect, Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland, DV Connect, John Robert MacPherson AM, Griffith University, Guide Dogs Queensland, Kyabra Community Association, Lutheran Services, Mental Health Lived Experience, Peak Queensland, Micah Projects, Neighbourhood Services Queensland, National Disability Services, Outback Independent Living, Palliative Care Queensland, Peak Care, People with disability Australia, Queensland Advocacy Inc, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, Queensland Council of Social Services, Queenslanders with disability network, Q Shelter, Queensland Youth Housing Coalition, Rights in Action, Supported Accommodation, Providers Association, Shelter NSW, Spinal Life, Sporting Wheelies, Speaking Up For You, The Summer Foundation, The Advocacy and Support Centre, Tenants Queensland, University of Melbourne

26/01/2026

SUFY stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples and acknowledges that this day represents the beginning of ongoing injustice.

We recognise the strength and resilience of First Nations Elders, community members, and advocates who have led generations of protest for their rights and for this day to be understood as a day of mourning.

This video is a helpful resource to unpack the true history of January 26th:
https://youtu.be/2G4u89_jnfE?si=hY6kD3A27Le-kPon

SUFY remains committed to listening, learning, and advocating alongside First Nations Peoples for justice, equity, and self-determination.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

12/12/2025

What a fantastic AGM!! Recently SUFY held their AGM for 2025, and it was wonderful to see so many long-term members and new members as well. It was great to share with you all what we have been up to for the last year. We said goodbye to our Chairperson Hugh Rose-Miller who resigned from the Management Committee after 8 years of dedication to SUFY. Mike Barwick also left the Management Committee after 7 years as our Treasurer and committee member. Thank you, Hugh and Mike.

We also welcomed two new Management Committee members - Aunty Semah Mokak-Wischki and Alex Marks. We know you will make an enormous contribution to the governing of SUFY. Thank you to our members and friends for attending. It is the highlight of our year.

10/12/2025

Thank you SUFY friends & members for all of your support this year! Our wonderful Manager, Advocates and Administration Team will be taking a well deserved break over Christmas 🎄⭐

SUFY will be closed from 5:00pm on Friday, 19 December 2025, and will re-open at 9:00am on Monday, 5 January 2026.

[Image description: cream background with cartoon red and white candy cane's, mistletoe and round lollies at the top, and two green trees drawn in the middle. SUFY's logo in blue with a Santa hat on the 'S'. Navy text that reads "CHRISTMAS CLOSURE. Closed: From 5:00pm, Friday 19 December 2025. Reopening: 9:00am, Monday 5 January 2026]

17/11/2025

Our office will be closed this Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of November for our Training and Strategic Planning Days.

We will reopen from Monday the 24th November at 9am.

You are welcome to to leave us a voicemail or send us an enquiry form through our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible - https://sufy.org.au/contact/

If it is an emergency, please call 000.

You can also call lifeline on 13 11 14.

Contact Us Speaking Up For You Inc (SUFY) 07 3255 1244 sufy@sufy.org.au Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (AEST) Ground Floor, Unit 1, 225 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 PO Box 5649 West End, QLD 4101 MAKE A DONATION BECOME A MEMBER Thank you so much for listening to me and speaking to your adv...

11/11/2025

SUFY will be holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 3rd of December 2025.

Please see further details below:

Location: Hotel West End - 10 Browning St, South Brisbane

Time: 4:15pm arrival for a 4:30pm start

RSVP: Please RSVP by Wednesday 19th of November and confirm the following:
- If you will be attending in person or via video link.
- If you are attending in person, do you have any dietary requirements we should be aware of?
- If you have any accessibility adjustments.

You can RSVP by calling SUFY on 07 3255 1244 or via email to sufy@sufy.org.au

We hope to see you there! 😁

[Image Description - Image of SUFY Staff in front of a plant background with a blue text box that says 'Speaking Up For You 2025 AGM!! Wednesday 3rd December at 4:30pm (4:15pm arrival) Hotel West End - 10 Browning St, South Brisbane or via video link.]

06/11/2025

We are hiring!!

Please see more information about the available position below:

Position 1: Individual Advocate (Brisbane)
Application will close on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 5pm with commencement on Monday 5th January.
To view on Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/88351746
To view on Ethical Jobs - https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sufy/disability-advocate-individual-advocate-2?locations=5

[Image Description: Indigenous Artwork made by Yiman artist, Duane Doyle, specifically for SUFY with red and yellow background which includes black and orange boomerangs, black waves with red and yellow dots on the outside of them leading into the centre of the painting, blue hearts, yellow smiley faces and red hand prints with smiley faces. Big blue circle in the middle that has white text that says ‘WE ARE HIRING!! 1 x Individual Advocate for Brisbane]

22/10/2025

10/10/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day.

The objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world, to mobilise efforts in support of mental health and continuing efforts to reduce stigma.

This year, Mental Health Australia’s theme for World Mental Health Day is Connect with your community.

Connecting with our communities – the people and places where we feel safe, seen and heard – can help us feel cared for and supported, which is good for our mental health.

A community can take any shape. Community can mean:
🟠 friends, loved ones, your mob
🟠 multicultural centre
🟠 community choir
🟠 community garden
🟠 book club
🟠 running group
🟠 local volunteer group
🟠 LGBTQIA+ group

More information about World Mental Health Day - as well as resources including a calendar for the month of October with daily wellness tips - can be found on the Mental Health Australia website - https://www.mentalhealthaustralia.org.au/get-involved/world-mental-health-day/download-your-2025-mental-health-day-calendar/

[Image description: beige coloured banner with purple coloured text on the left hand side that says 'World Mental Health Day' with orange coloured text underneath it that says 'connect with your community'. Image of 3 people sitting on a blue rug together chatting and enjoying a bowl of food. In the top right hand corner of the banner, there is the date of World Mental Health Day 10.10.2025]

12/09/2025

Today marks the Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Adopted by the United Nations on 13 September 2007, this important declaration recognises the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples around the world, highlighting the right to culture, language, identity, and self-determination.

This historic declaration was decades in the making and was shaped by the tireless advocacy, resistance, and leadership of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Elders, leaders, and activists from around the globe, including First Nations advocates from Australia, worked persistently to ensure their voices and rights were recognised and respected on an international level.

SUFY stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples and reaffirms our commitment to walking alongside communities in the fight for justice, recognition, and human rights.

Always was, always will be.

[Image Description: Black background with a boomerang on the left-hand side taken from the SUFY Artwork by artist Duane Doyle. White writing on the right-hand side that reads "Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples"]

08/08/2025

We are hiring!!

Please see more information about the available positions below:

Position 1: Intake Worker

Application will close on Monday the 18th of August 2025 at 5pm with commencement ASAP.

To view on Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/86209757?ref=hirer-jobs-list

To view on Ethical Jobs - https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/SUFY/intake-worker-4

Position 2: Individual Advocate (Brisbane)

Application will close on Friday the 22nd of August 2025 at 5pm with commencement ASAP.

To view on Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/86315827?ref=search-standalone&type=standard&origin=showNewTab =221dd8f50bddea627be7c3ef59e179a3e32c43dd

To view on Ethical Jobs - https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sufy/disability-advocate-individual-advocate-1?categories=13&keywords=Speaking%20Up%20For%20You&locations=5

Position 3: Individual Advocate (Moreton Bay)

Application will close on Friday the 22nd of August 2025 at 5pm with commencement ASAP.

To view on Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/86304934?ref=search-standalone&type=standard&origin=showNewTab =04e5e24c46da66af31178f8d541c02cdc415f4c9

To view on Ethical Jobs - https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sufy/disability-advocate-individual-advocate-moreton-bay-1?categories=13&keywords=Speaking%20Up%20For%20You&locations=5

[Image Description: Indigenous Artwork made by Yiman artist, Duane Doyle, specifically for SUFY with red and yellow background which includes black and orange boomerangs, black waves with red and yellow dots on the outside of them leading into the centre of the painting, blue hearts, yellow smiley faces and red hand prints with smiley faces. Big blue circle in the middle that has white text that says ‘WE ARE HIRING!! 1 x Intake Worker, 1 x Individual Advocate for Brisbane, 1 x Individual Advocate for Moreton Bay’]