Sue Lannen was the first President of YFS’ Board and an integral part of how YFS grew from a volunteer service established by the Chrisitan Brothers into the thriving not-for-profit corporation that continues to support Logan today.
“I volunteered at YFS for 10 years. It was a great time. When I first started, all we had was that little house at 2 Rowan Street. It was so full of people; we barely had any room.”
At the time, Sue was working as a union organiser for the Federated Clerk’s Union (FCU) and began using her extensive network to help YFS grow and deliver much-needed services in Logan.
“I was a very good negotiator. I would talk with the Premier and the Departments and ask them to help out. I was good at that because it was my job.”
“The Queensland Premier at the time was also the member for Logan and I nagged him to help us expand. That’s how we got the second building at Rowan St.”
And when the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads acquired a number of properties in Logan for a future infrastructure project, Sue convinced the department to let YFS use them as emergency housing until their earmarked demolition.
“The Queensland Government also helped us organise a bus when HIV was very prevalent to provide mobile sexual health support.”
Sue was also creative in her advocacy; after a senior elected official denied YFS’ request to open the region’s first women’s refuge in a vacant council property — on the grounds it would encourage women to leave their husbands — she explored other avenues.
“I approached the official’s wife, who was outraged and said ‘leave him to me.’ A few days later we received a call saying we could [proceed].”
Although she played an immense role helping secure resources and facilities to expand YFS’ service delivery, Sue believes the volunteers themselves were the heart of the organisation.
“We had a really good group of young people. They put in a lot of effort and were very committed to what they were doing. They put their whole heart and soul into YFS’ work.”
Sue recognises that her employer’s generosity was also instrumental in her own volunteering efforts with YFS.
“I was fortunate that the FCU actually expected us to volunteer and give back to the community, even during union time. I couldn’t have done it otherwise.”
“I had two kids to raise and a mortgage, you know. I couldn’t have taken any time off.”
“It wasn’t about the money; no one came to YFS for money. It was always about your commitment and wanting to do something for the community. We were all on the same page about that. We were all volunteers trying to support our community.”
As well as dedicated volunteers and part-time staff, Sue credits YFS’ ongoing success and growth to the organisation’s foundational commitment to listening to the community — something it has been doing since YFS’ inception.
“The Christian Brothers gave YFS a really strong foundation. Their idea was to open the organisation in Logan, an area they felt had great need, and see how the community reacted.”
“They did the groundwork, establishing some core services, and then handed it over to the community. I felt that was a really good way of doing it.”
“They didn’t come in and just open a service organisation without consulting the community or asking what people wanted or needed. They tested the waters to see where the need was and how the services were received. I think that is a big part of YFS’ success: growing out of the community.”
