Inclusive Counselling Collective

04/09/2025

💜 Join us for Toowoomba's Wear It Purple celebration at the Empire Theatre Lawn from 4-6pm.

Swing by our stall to say hi, make a zine, get creative, and scoop up all the little treasures (yes, free stickers!! ✨) that spark joy 🌈

04/09/2025

So excited for tomorrow! The crew at Youth Connect have done an incredible job organising so many different stalls and activities. We’ll be hosting zine-making so be sure to drop by! ✨💜

💜🌈 WEAR IT PURPLE is TOMORROW! 🌈💜

Join us from 4pm - 6pm on the Empire Theatre lawn as we celebrate with stalls, performances, food, and plenty of fun! 🎉

✨ Stall holders & activities include ✨
📚 Toowoomba Region Libraries
💜 Anglicare
💪 PCYC
🌈 PFLAG
🌱 New Leaf
🤝 Mission Australia
🧩 Inclusive Counselling Collective
💡 Momentum Mental Health
🏳️‍🌈 Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (Gayawur Rainbow)
🎲 Toowoomba Dungeons & Dragons Club / Cosplay Group
📞 Lifeline Darling Downs
💚 Headspace

🎶 PLUS:
⭐ Performances by Kiyua Performing Arts
🎨 Face painting with Smiles and Rainbows
✍️ Scribble Sesh Life Drawing
🔥 BBQ with TOMNET
🎵 Music, vibes & good times!

Wear your purple, bring your friends, and let’s celebrate together 💜🌈

29/08/2025

Today is Wear It Purple Day💜

And my heart is so full.
At , I watched young people wear their flags like capes.
They covered themselves in pride stickers.
They laughed.
They celebrated who they are.

This is what Wear It Purple is about.
It’s about telling our LGBTQIA+ young people:
✨ You belong.
✨ You deserve to thrive.
✨ You deserve to grow up.

And right now, that message has never been more important.
Back in January, the QLD government banned life-saving gender affirming care for trans youth in the public system.
Our kids feel that.
They know when their rights are being stripped away.
That’s why we have to keep showing up.
To say again and again: you are loved, you are not alone, we will fight for you.

This year’s Wear It Purple theme is Bold Voices, Bright Futures.
Bold voices are what our kids need to hear.
Voices that say: you are safe, you are worthy.
And together, we can build those bright futures.

As a trans non-binary person, this day means so much to me.
Wear It Purple was never celebrated at my school when I was growing up.
We never had q***r services visit.
I never saw a trans or non-binary adult standing proud.

Now, I get to be that adult.
Standing proud and telling young people: you are not alone.
That means more than I have words for.

A teacher thanked me today for giving up my time.
But the truth is, I don’t give anything up.
This kind of work is what gives me hope.
It's why I moved into running my own practice.
It's what keeps me going.

And at the heart of it, this day is about joy.
The joy of being exactly who you are.
The joy of being seen and celebrated.
And of knowing there is a future for you.

And next Friday, Youth Connect TRC is hosting the Toowoomba Wear It Purple from 4–6pm at the Empire Theatre Lawn.
I’ll be there with a stall (goodies restocked), ready to celebrate loud and proud 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
Hope to see you there too💜

14/07/2025

Gender is far more expansive than the boxes we’re taught to tick.

I’ve felt this truth deep in my bones for as long as I can remember.

But, like so many non-binary and gender diverse folks, I didn’t have the words for it back then.

Two years ago, I came out as non-binary.

It wasn’t a radical shift — more like a coming home.

The beginning of my journey in making space for my authentic self.

Being non-binary has meant letting go of expectations that never fit.

It’s meant learning to hold complexity with care, in myself and others.

And it’s meant finding deep joy and freedom in showing up as I am.

As a social worker, I see how powerful it is when people are seen.

When their names are spoken with respect.
When their pronouns are used.

When systems don’t require them to choose between false options.

When spaces are inclusive, accessible and safe.

So today is a celebration.

Of our community, our histories, and our voices.

And it’s also an invitation to our allies:

💛 If you want to support us, start by listening. You don’t need to understand everything to show up with compassion and respect.

🤍 Use the pronouns someone asks for and don’t make assumptions. Normalise asking and sharing pronouns in your spaces.

💜 Help build systems that don’t assume binary gender.

🖤 Make space for what doesn’t fit neatly within norms — that’s where so many of us thrive.

To my fellow enbies:

I see you.

I honour your journey.

I’m proud to be on mine, too 💫

12/07/2025

Can’t wait for this exhibition!

One of our favourite annual exhibitions!! This Wednesday at The Lighthouse Toowoomba

03/07/2025

Today marks two whole years of Inclusive Counselling Collective.

I’ve been sitting here trying to find the words to capture what this milestone means to me. And honestly, it’s kind of hard.

It feels big. And maybe a bit surreal.

I’ve just come back from a couple of weeks off, after wrapping up Windows Into Q***r Lives — one of the biggest and most beautiful projects I’ve been part of so far.

This week I’ve been slowly getting back into work, catching my breath, and reflecting on everything that’s brought me to this point.

Two years ago, I took a pretty big leap.

I stepped into private practice with hope, nerves, and a deep desire to create something different.

There have been plenty of challenges along the way.

Tired days, admin spirals, moments of self-doubt and wondering if I was doing enough or doing it “right.”

But more than anything, there’s been so much joy. So much growth. So much connection.

I think about the folks I’ve had the honour of working with.

The courage and wisdom they bring into the room.

The trust it takes to let someone into your inner world.

It’s something I never take for granted.

And honestly, I’ve learnt so much from the people I work with.

This work is deeply collaborative.
These relationships are what keep me going.

I’m also quietly proud of the relationship I’ve built with myself through all of this.

Learning how my brain works. What I need. Letting go of old ideas about how things should look.

Some days are still wobbly (hello, imposter syndrome), but I’m learning to meet myself with more care.

To show up in a way that’s real. And sustainable. And even a little playful.

The behind-the-scenes of running a business solo? Definitely not glamorous.

Still figuring out balance. Still figuring out systems. Still occasionally buried in paperwork.

But today, I want to say this clearly: I’m really proud of what I’ve built.

And I’m so very grateful for the community around me. The people who have supported this work, shared in it, shaped it.

If you’ve got thoughts on what you’d love to see more of from ICC — groups, workshops, creative projects — I’m all ears.

Thanks for being here 💛

03/07/2025

🎉🔥 Catch Us at NAIDOC Community Days Across QLD!
QC & 2Spirits will be out and proud at 5 deadly NAIDOC Community Days, bringing art, activities and connection 🖤💛❤️🌈
🌿 Gimuy Cairns – 4 July
🎨 Naamba Sunshine Coast – 7 July (flag raising ceremony)
🌈 Toowoomba – 7 July
💬 Meanjin Brisbane – 11 July
📣 Gurambilbarra Townsville – 11 July
Find us, come have a yarn, and celebrate community with us 💫
&Legacy

10/06/2025

We’re in the final 3 days of Windows into Q***r Lives — and what a journey it’s been!

This exhibition was born from love and curiosity — a passion project that’s brought together artists and audiences, stories and conversations.

It’s been incredible to watch people take their time, read the stories, and connect with the artists in ways we never could have imagined.

We’ve seen tears and laughter. We’ve heard conversations sparked by the art, and felt the energy in the room shift as people shared their own memories and experiences.

This wasn’t just an exhibition.

It was a space to be seen, to be moved, and to remind ourselves how important these stories are — especially now.

Some of the comments we've been getting (you can scroll to see the originals)

📝 “This exhibition fills me with joy. You can feel the energy in each piece…”
📝 “Wonderful, meaningful and deeply personal stories from these brave and resilient artists.”
📝 “Thank you so much for the gathering of artists who created from the heart.”

And:
"I've seen many exhibitions... This is one of the most well-rounded and impactful, heartfelt shows I've ever seen" 🤯

These are the kinds of things that keep us going and make each one of the (many) hours we spent on this exhibition completely worthwhile.

If you haven’t yet seen it, there’s still time!

We’re open:

Wednesday June 11th – 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday June 12th – 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00- 3:00 PM
Friday June 13th – 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Come have a wander, a cup of tea, and soak it up.

Thank you to everyone who’s already come by, left a note, or just spent some time in this space. It’s meant the world to us — and to the artists who shared their hearts with all of us 💛

10/06/2025

Join us for a hands-on collage and zine-making workshop led by one of our exhibiting artists ✂️

Laine is a self taught artist with a passion for messy art that explores relationship with self, emotions and experiences. Laine mostly works with paper collage but has been dipping their toes into different mediums. Laine is non-binary and uses They/Them pronouns.

During this workshop Laine will show you how to create the base for a simple 8 page paper zine, share tips for how to create impact within small collages and hopefully unlock the endless possibilities for zine creation.

In case you were sitting here wondering “What the heck is a zine!?” A zine is a DIY publication that often focuses on a specific subject. Zines have deep rooted history within marginised and isolated communities.

Whether you’re a seasoned zine-maker or just love cutting and pasting cool stuff together, this is your chance to create, connect, and experiment with paper, glue, and your own wild ideas.

No experience needed - just come as you are and get stuck in.

If you’re keen, make sure you RSVP via Eventbrite (link in bio) 😊 Only 3 spots left so be quick!

10/06/2025

👋 Swing by the Write Gallery today between 10am–1pm and join Kit (one of our amazing exhibiting artists!) for a chill drop-in creative space — Kit’s Korner 🎨✨

Whether you’re keen to make something, have a cuppa, or just soak up the vibes, it’s all super relaxed and low-pressure.

No RSVP needed — just come by, say hey, and hang out!

If you haven’t seen Windows Into Q***r Lives yet, this is the perfect excuse 🌈

09/06/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Pride event yesterday — it was something really special 🌈

There was live music, crafts, swapping and sharing, many cups of tea, and conversations that stretched across generations. We had kids and elders under the same roof, making art side by side.

Laughing. Remembering. Just being.

Together, we also raised $140 for the Trans Justice Project, thanks to the generosity of everyone who bought a raffle ticket — and to who made and donated our grand prize!

This wasn’t just an event.

It was a reminder that q***r joy is still here. That it grows in community. And that Toowoomba is full of people willing to show up for one another.

In a time when q***r communities are facing so much uncertainty, spaces like this feel especially precious.

Thank you to everyone who came, who brought their stories, and who helped create this little pocket of safety and celebration.

We’re so glad you were here. There’s always room for you 💛

07/06/2025

We're so excited for our Pride event tomorrow! Here's a few more details for those who are looking to come down 😊

We'll be at the Write Gallery at The Lighthouse Toowoomba from 10am to 1pm tomorrow. Whether you wanna relax with a cuppa, get crafty, or swap cool stuff – there’s something for everyone.

Here’s what’s happening:
🧵 Craft corner – get creative and make something to take home
🎲 Board games – from classics to silly ones
🎶 Music jam – outside the gallery, bring an instrument or just vibe
🧳 Suitcase Rummage – bring your handmade or pre-loved goodies to swap, share, or sell!
☕ Tea, chats, and good company
🍪 Snacks – bring a plate if you’d like to share!
🎟️ Raffle - gold coin donation

This is a Pride event for the whole community. LGBTQIA+ folks, allies, friends, families, neighbours – everyone’s welcome.

You can drop in at any time and stay as long as you like. But we ask you RSVP so we can make sure there's enough to go around 😊

Hope to see you there!