Honorary Senior Fellow (March 2005)
Shay Zulpo was named an Honorary Senior Fellow in March 2005 in recognition of her service to the community.
Shay Zulpo works with and on behalf of those within our community who experience disadvantage, barriers or long or short term difficulties. She has a particular interest in young people, and has worked for many years to establish specialised support services for children and young people suffering from chronic or life limiting illnesses, including cancer. Her work with the Queensland Cancer Fund arose from personal experience. When Shay’s daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at age 9, she found that there were no support services for this ‘forgotten’ group of cancer sufferers. Typically, Shay got involved. With the support and under the auspices of the Queensland Cancer Fund, she assisted in establishing the first Brain Tumour Support Service in Australia, and established and edited the newsletter for many years. Despite her extensive involvement in issues relating to children and young adults with chronic illness, Shay is perhaps best known for her work with the Sunshine Coast Street Angels. Sunshine Coast Street Angels provides an on-street or on-site mobile drop-in facility and integrated safety net service for individuals in need. In addition to non-judgemental care, support and understanding, the service offers basic refreshments, first aid, and, where applicable, referral to appropriate services, including medical, counselling and accommodation facilities. The service also collects and collates data that will assist to identify specific community needs and issues, and inform the delivery of current and future services. For her work as inaugural Manager and President with the Street Angels project, Shay was awarded an Australia Day Medal in 2001, by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia. She was the recipient of one of only 5 Australia Day Medals awarded nationally, to unsung heroes working in the alcohol and other drugs sector. In addition, Shay was recognised in the 2001 Australia Day Awards in the Fisher electorate for her commitment to community service. Shay is also a USC graduate.