Karyn Joan Walsh AM is an Australian social justice advocate.

Walsh is known for her work as a founding member of the not-for-profit organisation Micah Projects where she is the chief executive officer.[1][2][3]

The organisation was established in 1995 based on a St Mary's social justice initiative known as Project Micah, with an aim to engage with people experiencing various forms of adversity.[4][5] The organisation's name relates to the prophet Micah who, according to Micah 6:8, said "Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly".[4]

Walsh is credited with working with the Department of Housing and other agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Queensland to ensure 1,700 people such as the homeless and those escaping domestic violence to emergency housing during the lockdowns.[6][7][8]

Walsh originally trained as a nurse at the Mater Hospital in Rockhampton in the 1970s during which time she volunteered at a women's shelter and became the city's first outreach youth worker for the homeless.[9]

During her career, Walsh has served in numerous roles including as the president of the Queensland Council of Social Services, as a former executive member of the National Coalition for Gun Control, as a former coordinator of the Domestic Violence Resource Centre, as a member of the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Implementation Council, as co-chair of Queensland's Anti-Poverty Week, as a council member at the Queensland Mental Health Commission and as a director of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness.[9][10][11]

In recognition of her work in the field for over 40 years, Walsh was awarded an honorary Doctor of Social Work and Nursing from the University of Queensland in 2016.[9]

In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, Walsh was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the community, supporting people with mental health issues, the homeless and children through various social welfare initiatives.[12]

Walsh was named as a Queensland Great in 2021 as a reward for her social justice advocacy ..[6]

References

  1. ↑ Wenham, Margaret (28 June 2012). "Kids in care next stolen generation". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia.
  2. ↑ Broadstock, Amelia (12 May 2017). "Charities call for more support to help Brisbane's most vulnerable". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Gramenz, Emilie (17 April 2021). "Queensland's homelessness crisis worsens as rents soar, government assistance reduced". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Who We Are: Our History". Micah Projects. Micah Projects Inc. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "20 Years of Micah (booklet)" (PDF). Micah Projects. Micah Projects Inc. 2015.
  6. 1 2 "2021 Queensland Greats recipients". Queensland Greats Awards. Queensland Government. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  7. ↑ Elliot, Ellen-Maree (7 April 2020). "Bold plan to house every rough sleeper in Brisbane to protect them from pandemic". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. ↑ MacKenzie, Michael (13 May 2020). "Housing the homeless now and after the pandemic". Life Matters. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 "Citation for Honorary Doctorate Recipient, Ms Karyn Walsh" (PDF). 2016 UQ December Graduation Ceremonies. University of Queensland. 16 December 2016.
  10. ↑ "Advisory Council Members: Karyn Walsh". Queensland Mental Health Commission. Queensland Government. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "Speakers: Karyn Walsh". National Homelessness Conference 2018. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
  12. ↑ "Award Extract: 1769887". It's an Honour. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.


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