Alby’s responsibilities cover vast distances, stretching from Cairns to the Torres Strait.
The regional scope of his role is significant. He often travels to large centres such as Townsville, and smaller communities like Tully, building the strong local relationships that are essential for regional service delivery.
Alby first joined the Tenants’ Union in 2013, bringing prior experience from the housing and homelessness sector. In that first role he provided advice and advocacy for renters, but the regional office closed soon after due to changes to funding, a difficult time for TQ team members and tenants alike. When the organisation was refunded in 2015, he returned as a Senior Advice Worker before moving into coordination and management. This progression reflects both his expertise and his commitment to people who rent their home. As Alby explains, “I’ve grown up from a little fella to a manager […] It’s given me confidence, direction, and challenges I never thought I’d have”.
During his time with the organisation, Alby has also seen Tenants Queensland expand significantly. Despite this growth, his focus has remained the same: “I think day-to-day all I’ve got to do is help those that come to our organisation, whether or not it’s empowering them to do it themselves or educating them to know what to do and who to call”. His perspective highlights the consistent mission of Tenants Queensland – to improve conditions for renters across the state while adapting to the needs of an expanding service. As he puts it, “Nothing’s really changed in that: the work is still all about improving things for those that are renting their home in Queensland. It’s extremely satisfying work. I can’t imagine wanting to work for a different organisation”.