Meet our latest health hero Taylor O'Grady, Acting Consumer Engagement Facilitator - Mental Health.
How long have you been with WBHHS?
About 17 months.
How do you describe what you do?
I work alongside consumers, carers, and staff to make sure lived experience voices are at the centre of how we design and improve mental health services across Wide Bay.
A big part of my role is supporting the statewide Crisis Support Spaces project — especially the Promotions and Partnerships working group — which focuses on helping services connect better with their communities.
Basically, I get to bring people together, share stories, and turn feedback into action that makes a real difference.
What's best about your job?
The people, hands down! I get to work with so many passionate and creative individuals every day.
It’s really rewarding to see ideas grow into projects that create positive change and help make our services more inclusive, culturally safe, and recovery focused.
What was your path into health care?
I’ve always had a passion for working with and advocating for vulnerable people.
I started out in education, then moved into Family Wellbeing Services, and now I’m enjoying my journey in health.
I was given the opportunity to begin my health career with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Team, supporting mums, bubs, and families through the First 2000 Days program. Each of these roles has let me live out my passion for culturally safe care and community connection.
Moving into consumer engagement felt like the natural next step — I still get to listen, learn, and keep community voices at the heart of everything we do.
What does being part of a team mean to you?
To me, teamwork means collaboration, trust, and respect. Everyone brings something unique, and the best outcomes happen when we combine our strengths and lived experiences.
I love being part of a group that values different perspectives and supports each other to grow.
When you're not at work, you are....
Usually chasing after my kids! We love being outdoors, whether it’s camping, fishing, or doing something creative together. I’m happiest when we’re slowing down, spending time together, and just enjoying family life.
What do you enjoy about living in Wide Bay?
I love the balance here — we’ve got the beach and the bush so close together. It’s the perfect place to raise a family and stay grounded.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I’m a bit of a creative at heart — I love weaving and making things. I’ve also been known to turn just about any work idea into a visual or interactive project. (It just makes things more fun!)
What song are you listening to most right now?
That's a hard one. Spotify tells me that my most listened to song in the last four weeks was ‘Sally, when the wine runs out’ by Role Model. It’s definitely a vibe for Saturday morning cleaning!