About QCCN
About QCCN
Government & Health
Coordinating support for Local, State and Federal Government Agencies, as well as Private Healthcare Providers and Health Departments.
Infrastructure
Creating solutions for design, engineering, construction and client management organisations.
Indigenous
Working sensitively alongside indigenous agencies.
Our team of senior professionals is among the most experienced of any communication consultancy in Australia.
With each member a respected expert in their field, the team has an intimate understanding of Queensland’s regional communities and the issues they face. Enjoying solid relationships with key decision-makers and key stakeholders, they’re able to select and use the most appropriate communication mechanisms to reach the right stakeholders at the right times.
While the team has been physically positioned to maximise our regional spread, innovative use of telecommunications and IT systems allows QCCN to rapidly create virtual teams to support any project. When required, we can also assemble a physical “flying squad” to increase local resources on the ground at any location.
In addition to their roles with QCCN, a number of our senior team members also manage their own local clients and projects. This allows them to maintain the close and direct local links they need to effectively operate within their regions for the QCCN network.
Our dedicated team is supported by a wider network of specialist communication practitioners, providing input as required in a range of areas including indigenous affairs, community development, project management, and business audit.
Complete curriculum vitae for key team members are available to clients or on request. Please contact us for details.
Our Locations
You’ll find our team members permanently based in major centres across the State and supporting clients across their regions:
Townsville
David Donohue, Managing Director
David has almost three decades of professional experience in communication including 15 years managing professional communication consultancies.
He has broad professional experience and technical expertise in the design and conduct of stakeholder relations, community consultation, client negotiation, strategic management, marketing, as well as crisis and issues management.
In addition to his professional roles; he has served as the Australian Chair of the International Public Relations Association and a judge for the IPRA Golden World Awards, is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a judge in the AIM Excellence Awards, a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a member of the International Association for Public Participation.
He is supported by a strong professional team led by:
STEPHANIE CARTER, SENIOR CONSULTANT
Based in QCCN’s Townsville headquarters and supporting our Managing Director, Stephanie provides high-level strategic and operational support to clients across the network. With a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Media & Communications, Public Relations) as well as a Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management under her belt, Stephanie started off her professional communications career with one of Europe’s biggest Public Relations agencies – Stephanie spent three years working in the Public Sector team at Trimedia Communications (now Grayling Austria) before moving to Australia and joining the QCCN team in 2009.
Leading other members of the Townsville team, Stephanie provides stakeholder relations, community consultation and media support to major projects for clients including Townsville City Council, Department of Main Roads, North West Queensland Indigenous Awareness Trust, and BMD Constructions. Through her work Stephanie has dealt with environmentally and culturally sensitive projects and continually guides her team to provide high level outcomes for clients.
Stephanie is a member of both the Public Relations Institute of Australia and the International Association for Public Participation.
Cairns
LIZ INGLIS, Senior Consultant
Liz has developed a high level and intimate understanding of the Tropical Northern community and media in her two decades at the Cairns Post as Tourism Editor, Features Editor and Chief of Staff.
Since hanging her own professional communication shingle, Liz has built strong local relationships and knowledge of the Tropical North while supporting a diverse client base including Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, James Cook University, Macquarie Bank, Tourism Queensland and Ports North.
As the Cairns link in the QCCN chain, Liz will both support QCCN network-wide clients including Australian Electoral Commission and regional clients and projects focusing on media relations, issues management, consultation and engagement.
With her unsurpassed communication skills and long-term local knowledge, Liz is a valuable part of the team.
Rockhampton/Gladstone
John Schalch, Senior Consultant
John has a strong journalistic background, having been Editor-in-Chief of Capricornia Newspapers, and brings to his role extensive experience in regional media relations and stakeholder engagement specifically for local, state and federal governments. He is also experienced in managing public affairs for the health sector.
Wide Bay
Melinda Everett, Senior Consultant
Born and bred in Bundaberg, Melinda combined her love of writing and photography to become a noted regional photojournalist.
Following a career in regional media, and gaining a detailed knowledge of the area, she joined QCCN to support clients across the Wide Bay region including clients in the natural resources management, health, education and community development sectors.
Sunshine Coast
Rodger Hall, Senior Consultant
Rodger’s experience includes 12 years managing public affairs and corporate communication within Government, utilities, tourism and education sectors. His experience delivers corporate communication that stands out in a crowd supporting key messages and point of difference to effect change. He has a track record of success in developing and implementing marketing communication programs and strategies that strengthen brand equity and a positive corporate profile.
Toowoomba
Janet Kieseker, Senior Consultant
Janet is a communication professional with more than 16 years’ experience managing and implementing strategies for private and public sector clients. Janet has managed major regional and national marketing communication campaigns in a range of industries and has won a number of international awards for her communication campaigns.
She brings an integrated approach to marketing communication for QCCN clients with a focus on business development, marketing strategy, branding and public relations services. Recent projects include work for Colonial First State, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba Regional Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, Telstra Country Wide, Ergon Energy, Rural Fire Brigades Association and Australian Hardboards.
Gold Coast
Wayne Hickson, Senior Consultant
Wayne has broad professional experience with a special focus on Government communication. He has held senior positions which have involved successful media and event coordination of high-profile special events with Hobart City, Albert Shire and Gold Coast City Councils.
For QCCN, Wayne supports a number of telecommunications and Government clients.
Wayne also provides support to local clients including the Gold Coast Blaze, Kokoda Memorial Walk, Gold Coast Turf Club, Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Pan Pacific Masters Games, Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame, and Gold Coast Bike Week in public relations, media strategy, consultation and event co-ordination. Not surprisingly, Wayne has a passion for sports.
REPUTATION 
STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT