About NWYAS Inc.

Learn More
The Organisation

More Information

Information on financial, strategic and organisational matters can be found here.

Vision, Mission Statement and Values

These principles are the foundation for why and how we deliver a service.

Annual
Reports

Download our Annual Report Documents. To find out details of how we assist each year.

Strategic
Plan

NWYAS conducts Strategic Planning to help us define the goals of our organisation for the immediate future and the strategies by which these goals will be achieved and resourced.

Our History
About Us

The History of NWYAS Inc.

North West Youth Accommodation Service Inc. (NWYAS) was established in 1985 as a local community response to the needs of homeless and at risk young people.
The organisation formed as a response to local need which was brought to the attention of the community by Father Wally Dethlefs. A group of local residents that included a bank manager, engineer, student, quantity surveyor and minister of religion came together to form the Enoggera Boarding Group in 1985.
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Who Are We
NWYAS Inc.

NWYAS Board

The NWYAS Board exercises oversite and governance of North West Youth Accommodation Services. Consisting of community members who volunteer their time, they are responsible for strategic decisions, financial management and planning.

Chair

Sue Thomson
Vice Chair

Hans Geffert
Treasurer

Heath Goldfinch
Secretary

Jake Araullo
General Member

Amanda Ronan-Hearn
General Member

Ella Craig
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Read and Download

Our Annual Reports

These annual reports provide a statistical breakdown of who we deliver a service to and the resources we provide.

NWYAS 2021-2022 Annual Report

November 10, 2022 Annual Reports

NWYAS 2020-2021 Annual Report

December 13, 2021 Annual Reports

NWYAS 2019-2020 Annual Report

October 12, 2020 Annual Reports
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Interested In Becoming a Supporter?

Support Us

About NWYAS Inc.

North West Youth Accommodation Service Inc. centres our practice with at risk young people.

Quick Links

Contact Us

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm

Contact Details

Tel: (07) 3855 5233
Email: info@nwyas.org.au

Office Location

3/47 Blackwood Street
Mitchelton QLD 4053

Postal Address

PO Box 6307
Mitchelton QLD 4053

Funding Information

NWYAS is partially funded by the Queensland Government.
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We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people, as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work.
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Sue Thomson

Chair

Sue Thomson has a strong background in marketing, communications and engagement. She has held executive level marketing and management roles across public, private and not for profit sectors, delivering integrated marketing communications programs in local, domestic and international markets.

On a personal level, Sue has volunteered for different organisations in Queensland that offer early intervention and prevention programs for vulnerable and socially disadvantaged children aged 1 to 11, and support services for at-risk youth aged 12 to 25. She joined the NWYAS Management Committee in 2020 and is excited to be working with the team to provide services that support the vulnerable in our community.

Hans Geffert

General Member
Hans is an experienced strategy and public policy professional with close to 20 years experience working with the Federal and Queensland Government. He has held a number of strategy, policy and corporate financial advisor roles including advising on a range of social and economic policy issues in areas such as treasury, trade and investment, and sport and recreation as well as providing financial and risk management advice to the Queensland Government. He is passionate about driving reforms across government and industry that strengthen organisational capability and empower individuals to achieve success, and together working toward a stronger and sustainable community.
Hans brings a depth of experience in working collaboratively across government, industry and community stakeholders, applying evidence-based problem solving and research methodologies and a strong commercial acumen to tackle diverse and complex policy and strategic business challenges.
Hans joined North West Youth Accommodation Service as a Board Member in 2021 inspired by stories from young people that have benefited from the support provided by North West Youth Accommodation Service, and motivated by the opportunity to play a role in helping to tackle youth homelessness in the region and supporting vulnerable young people in the community at a pivotal stage in their lives.
Hans holds a Masters of Business Administration from Durham University in the United Kingdom and a Masters of Applied Finance from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, together with a Bachelor of International Business from Griffith University.

Heath Goldfinch

Treasurer

Heath joined NWYAS in early 2021.  As a CPA with experience in the Not-for-profit, construction, publishing and engineering sectors, Heath brings to his role broad operational leadership.  He is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Multicultural Australia.

Heath aims to provide a solid understanding and interpretation of financial data so as to bring confidence to decision making. A firm believer in personal agency, Heath seeks to support his colleagues by showing genuine regard and working collaboratively towards common goals.

A Buddhist in the Tibetan tradition, Heath has previously served as Treasurer for Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre in Camp Hill. A worldview predicated on universal kindness and compassion has provided a natural desire for community service. And what better service than to put one’s skills towards the empowerment of vulnerable youth on their journey to independence.

Jake Araullo

Secretary
I’ve been working with NWYAS since the early 2019 and am currently a non-executive board member and the company secretary. Working primarily in politics and non-profit NGOs I have seen firsthand the strong positive impact and influence that well supported community sector organisations can have on a local area.
Living locally, I am keenly aware that the community we build together is the community we will pass down to future generations. My hope is that through working with NWYAS I will help in strengthening and growing our organisation. This means the community that we leave behind for our children and theirs is one of empathy, compassion and true, meaningful support for those who need it most. These are values that NWYAS demonstrates on a daily basis, and why I am proud to be associated with the organisation.

Amanda Ronan-Hearn

General Member
Amanda Ronan-Hearn has over 10 years’ experience across a range of industries with roles predominantly within Human Resource Management and Marketing. Having worked as the National Recruitment Specialist at BoysTown, Human Resource Advisor supporting commercial and corporate departments at Virgin Australia, Executive Search Consultant at Arete Executive, Recruitment Specialist at Vita Group, along with senior marketing roles in a boutique HR consulting firm and leading Australian publishing house Australian Academic Press.
She holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management and Advertising, and Bachelor of Creative Industries majoring in Media Communication. Amanda has previously been a member of the QUT Alumni Board, QUT Young Alumni and was co-founder of the Creative Industries Alumni group.
Amanda’s experience gained in marketing, stakeholder engagement and project management ensures the ability to provide an exceptional level of customer service. Amanda is committed to achieving outstanding results by applying her diverse experience and knowledge.

Ella Craig

General Member
I have been a non-executive board member with NWYAS since mid-2020 and have thoroughly enjoyed diving feet-first into this position. I currently work as a lawyer, dealing predominantly with corporate governance and commercial litigation matters, and am excited to use my professional experience to build and support NWYAS in any way I can.
Growing up in Mitchelton, and attending the local state schools, I am passionate about creating positive social change for the area and the surrounding suburbs. I firmly believe that housing is a basic human right, and I appreciate the opportunity to work closely with a group providing direct support for some of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in our communities.

Harry Kacak

General Member
Harry has dual degrees in business and information technology. Harry’s career began with a major consultancy, where he worked with client leadership to develop strategy, improve performance, and improve risk and governance processes.
Harry left consulting in 2019 to direct his career toward helping communities, especially young people. Joining the North West Youth Accommodation Service Board in 2021, Harry is now focussed on impacting the for purpose sector.
Harry is motivated by helping others, and with honesty his most core value, believes in leading through transparency and vulnerability. Driven by learning and growth, he is always seeking new and innovative ways to tackle challenges.

Sharon Gingell

Chairperson
Sharon Gingell has been the Coordinator of Northside Connect since March 2012. She has over 26 years’ experience in the Community Sector and has worked in the areas of homelessness, family support, domestic violence and mental health.
Sharon joined the NWYAS Board at the 2020 AGM and has an interest and commitment to ensuring that all young people are housed in safe, appropriate accommodation with access to the support and services they need to achieve their goals and dreams.