FNQ Connect welcomes new director as initiative grows

FNQ Connect, located within The Cairns Institute, has welcomed a new director to guide the now fully-staffed backbone team ahead of its cross-sector leadership table in August.

The initiative, inspired by the fundamental belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a good life regardless of their age or postcode, is being led by Eleanor Loudon, who brings a wealth of experience in Locally Led collaborative approaches, international development, and organisational leadership, including as the former CEO of Engineers Without Borders, Australia.

“Putting those with lived experience of disability in the centre of the changes that affect them, and joining up – across sectors – is the only way that the changes made are relevant, real and lasting. It takes time and trust, and I'm excited to join at this stage of the initiative, because the FNQ Connect movement has been building for years,” said Eleanor Loudon.

“There is urgency to address the problem of access and equity in Far North Queensland and a shared commitment to doing things differently,” she continued.

Recently, FNQ Connect reconnected with various members of the community via several reference groups, including Service Providers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people with Lived Experience of Disability, as part of an ongoing journey towards a more connected and responsive disability and healthcare system.

Project Lead Professor Ruth Barker said the initiative was one of the first examples of a ‘disability-focused collective impact project’ in Australia.

“What we needed next was a way of working that could turn our shared intent into real impact. The collective impact approach gave us that structure. It gave us a methodology that unites diverse
players around a common agenda, supports aligned action, and tracks progress and learning together over time,” said Professor Barker.

Having been part of the project since the very beginning, Principal Research Officer Katrina Bird said the focus was not about putting services in more places – it was about doing things differently based on how things ‘really’ work on the ground.

“It brings local voices into the room, centres community leadership, and focuses on making support more coordinated, culturally responsive, and easier to navigate. If we get this right, it could mean less duplication, fewer people falling through the cracks, and a system that’s more attuned to the way people live across this region,” said Katrina Bird.

The FNQ Connect pilot initiative has received $4.5 million in joint funding from the state and federal governments; hosted by James Cook University.

AUGUST 2025