This October, Australia comes together to recognise National Carers Week, a time to reflect on and celebrate the vital work of unpaid carers across the country. As the peak body for carers in our state, Carers Queensland is at the forefront of advocating for recognition, support and positive change for all carers in our state. In this special episode, we sit down with three carers who each share how their lives changed when they became carers, the challenges and support they've found along the way and the advice they have for new carers.

Welcome to our special Harmony Week 2025 podcast. This year we're celebrating the theme of Everyone Belongs, which emphasises the importance of embracing our differences and fostering a sense of belonging for all Australians.

In this episode, we talk to Rawah and Samah - two young sisters who successfully obtained entry to Australia from Iraq via humanitarian visas. After meeting access to the NDIS, the sisters say they have been ‘reborn’.

Each year on December 3, people around the world participate in International Day of People with Disability. The day is dedicated to celebrating the contributions and achievements of people with disability while also promoting awareness, understanding and acceptance within our communities. The day provides a chance to positively impact the lives of the 5.5 million Australians living with disability. This episode is dedicated to this significant day. 

As a Rainbow supporter and ally, Carers Queensland has been actively involved in a range of events to celebrate Pride Month. Our teams proudly attended Brisbane Pride by marching in the rally and hosting an information stall at Pride Fair Day in Musgrave Park. We also co-hosted a panel discussion at the first Logan Loud and Proud Festival held at the Kingston Butter Factory.

In this episode we hear from Carers Queensland staff and a range of NDIS participants who share their stories and what inclusion means to them. First up, we hear from the main organiser of the Carers Queensland Brisbane Pride March and stall, Evie from Lutwyche.

Here at Carers Queensland, we're celebrating National Carers Week. This year's theme is a million reasons to care and is an opportunity to celebrate carers and raise community awareness across Australia about the diversity and impact of their caring roles. Join us in celebrating Australia's 3 million unpaid carers and show them you care.

Carers Queensland is fortunate to employ wonderful staff, including our First Nation's local area coordinator from the Ashmore office, Stephanie. Steph is the mum and carer of ten-year-old daughter Dakota, who was diagnosed with level three autism at the age of eight and has since received the support of Carers Queensland and the NDIS. I had a great yarn with Steph about her journey as a mum and carer, what being a carer means to her, and some of the important self-care strategies she's developed over the years.

In this episode, we feature 41-year-old Hani Watson from Brisbane, who'll be competing at the Paralympics in Paris as Australia's first female para powerlifter in twelve years. Hani was born with bilateral metaphysical dysplasia which bowed her tibia and femur bones, resulting in numerous surgeries and painful recoveries. She was introduced to powerlifting at an early age, yet becoming a Paralympian never crossed Hani's mind until a few years ago.

In 2021, she was classified for the sport and competed at the World Championships in Georgia, breaking an Oceana record and finishing 8th overall at only her second competition. Hani also broke Australia's 16-year medal drought in the sport when she won bronze in the women's heavyweight at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 with a best lift of 127 kg. Our interviewer Emily caught up with Hani before she flew out to Paris and started by asking her how her journey in powerlifting first began.

Our Carers Queensland Local Area Coordinators continue to support local organisations to make practical changes to ensure people with disability have the opportunity to meet like-minded people in our community, participate in social activities, and build skills and experience. The community garden in Yarrabilba in the Logan region is managed by a dedicated team of volunteers, including today's guests, both of whom live with this ability and hold positions of responsibility on the gardens management committee.

First up in this episode, I chat with 27 year old Talecia from Yarrabilba, who lives with functional neurological disorder. Through her role as treasurer and garden manager, Talecia and her team have created a highly accessible garden, providing a wide range of community benefits, including produce that stems from their open garden policy.

Erik Horrie, a 44-year-old rower from the Gold Coast, represents the spirit of a Paralympian and has said that the “honour of being a paralympic medallist holds an even greater significance”. Several years ago, Erik's path was dramatically altered by a car accident that led to Paraplegia, which became the catalyst for his love of competitive rowing from 2011.

A highly decorated para-athlete, Erik competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Rio 2016 Games and the 2020 games in Tokyo, cementing himself as Australia’s most successful Para-rower, with silver in the PR1 men’s single scull, adding to his two silver medals from the two previous Games. He is the first Australian rower to win three Paralympic medals. And this year, Erik is jetting off to Paris to represent Australia in para-rowing, once more. Our interviewer Emily caught up with Erik and started by asking him about how his para-athletic journey began.

Well, it's been four years since the summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo. During a time of COVID lockdown. The 2020 Games featured the highest number of athletes ever to compete at a Paralympics, with 4403 participants, including 1453 female para-athletes, the highest number in the history of the games. Four years on and the Paralympics are back bigger than ever, this time in Paris, France and here at Carers Queensland, we’re thrilled to share the stories of just some of these champions, with you.

In this episode, we feature two Para-swimmers, Rachael Watson from Brisbane, two-time Paralympian and gold medallist who is soon off to Paris to defend her title, and a young, aspiring swimmer from the Sunshine Coast, 17 year old Tiaan Haupt, whose dream it is to compete on this world stage.

The theme for this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations is Keep the Fire Burning - Black, Loud and Proud. Carers Queensland recognises the strength and vitality of First nations people and continues to work together with local communities to support First nations people with disability and carers by continuing the journey to reconciliation within Australia, we have developed our own reconciliation action plan as we strive to create social change and economic opportunities for First Nations Australians built on trust, respect and collaboration.