Integreat Queensland would like to introduce you to Integreat Queensland Board member, Jill Armstrong. Jill is currently the Regional Manager of Multicultural Australia where she leads a team working in central Queensland, the Darling Downs and Townsville.

Jill’s high-level communication and mediation skills have been developed through 12 years’ experience working in a variety of roles within out-of-home care and settlement organisations, and she has also worked extensively with Life Without Barriers, delivering services within foster care, disability support, aged care, and mental health.

Jill said after graduating from the University of Queensland in Psychology in 1993, a few years later she moved into a career in child protection working in intensive foster care and residential care and in 2015, she applied to be the Regional Manager for Multicultural Australia based in Rockhampton.

“I was very interested in working with people from other cultures,” she said. “Whilst these sectors were very different, it allowed me to continue to assist people to celebrate their culture, build their skills and take their place in the community however, our greatest challenge is assisting people who were seeking asylum in Australia.”

Jill explained that she currently manages several programs at Multicultural Australia including ParentsNext, Skilling Queenslanders for Work, Community Hubs, and Community Development.

“These programs work with people from different parts of our community with all of them assisting people to build their skills and confidence and prepare them to work and participate in the community,” she said.

Jill believes multiculturalism helps build a stronger and more diverse community where everyone is valued for their unique skills and knowledge.

“Multiculturalism helps us to be accepting of difference, to be curious and open, and to be proud of who we are as individuals and as a country,” she said.

“I am proud to be a Board member with Integrate Queensland because it helps me to learn more about the great work the organisation does and get to know the community better. I hope that I can contribute to building the association and working to make our communities inclusive and welcoming.”