On 1 July 2022, long-time Chief Executive Mark Tucker-Evans left COTA Queensland initially to take a 3-month sabbatical in Europe before repurposing his next stage in life.
We acknowledge the work Mark has undertaken to benefit the whole sector and wider communities over the past twenty-one years.
He has worked tirelessly to recognise the impact of systemic inequalities, disadvantage and discrimination on some Queenslanders as we age and has been committed to speaking out on these issues.
Mark’s experience in previous chair or director roles amplifies his expertise, particularly in matters related to health systems and supports, social services, and quality care:
- Assistant Commissioner – Consumer Issues, Health Quality Complaints Commission
- Foundation Chair – Health Consumers Queensland
- Chair – Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS)
- Chair – Institute Health Communities Australia
- Executive Member of Queensland Clinical Senate and Queensland Clinical Networks
- Director of Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), General Practice Queensland (now known as CheckUP Australia) and Health and Community Services Workforce Council
- Member of Queensland Government’s COVID-19 Seniors Taskforce.
He was instrumental in COTA Queensland hosting the 13th Global Conference on Ageing. He was paramount in establishing and maintaining Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the following organisations:
- Local Government Association of Queensland Ltd (LGAQ)
- Probus – South Pacific
- University of Queensland – one of the first universities to be Age Friendly.
- University of the Third Age (U3A) Network
Mark demonstrates his commitment to inclusive and healthy ageing communities through participation in advisory panels in diverse areas such as Older Person’s Health Clinical Network, Centre of Research Excellence in End-of-Life Care, Ministerial Housing Council, Sports Minister’s Advisory Council, Department of Transport and Main Roads Stakeholder Committee and related TMR Reference Groups, COVID-related advisory groups including Queensland Health’s COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Working Group.
We thank Mark for his work and we wish him all the best on his travels around Europe.
