The Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards saw member Sandy Smith recognised for her community service awarded the Citizen of the Year 2025. Sandy who lives in the Redlands has been the contact for Quota Brisbane supporting Maybanke Crisis Centre for over ten years. Sandy has coordinated the collection of toiletries, cleaning products and linen for women and their children who are out of home due to domestic violence (DV).
New to the Redlands in 2014 Sandy joined the Redlands Lady’s Friendship Group. Members of the friendship group kindly donated items which were collected by Sandy. Sandy organised the items into bags which were sewn by a group of ladies in Toowong. Inspired by the Red Rose Foundation Sandy advocated for safe spaces to be available to women who have been affected by DV by writing to the local council requesting the spaces surrounding the red seats to be welcoming and safe. On behalf of Quota Brisbane, Sandy has also coordinated the collection of toiletries for the Redlands Mental Health Unit.
Sandy was acknowledged for opening her home to raise money for Cancer research and Share the Dignity at the Australia Day Awards held at the Alexandra Hills Convention Centre. Sandy serves as a Quota Brisbane delegate on the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) Management Committee and in her second year as President. Under her leadership the NCWQ Advocacy Hub was started. The Hub welcomes members to be involved in the advocacy work of the Council guided by the Advisors. In the absence of a State Coordinator, Sandy has coordinated the advocacy for a review of the way student HECS fees are calculated and for paid student work experience as part of a response to the University Accord. More recently Quota Brisbane under Sandy’s guidance contributed to the NCWQ submission relating to the Volunteering in Queensland Inquiry and submission in response to the Cost of Living Crisis.
