David Conry
David Conry was awarded the honour of Queensland’s Australian of the Year in 2007 for his work in creating the organisation Youngcare. Youngcare and David awoke the community to the appalling situation of thousands of young people with high care needs residing in aged care. Many more reside in other inappropriate forms of accommodation and tens of thousands being cared for at home by ageing parents and other family members with limited resources and future options.
Youngcare has constructed, in only a few years, two residential complexes that provide dignity, appropriate care and a lifestyle.
They have also launched a national ‘at home’ care grant program and a national service called ‘Youngcare Connect’, providing thousands of individuals and their families a source of information and guidance for when they are struck by the tragedy of illness or injury.
David has been given several other awards for his service, including the John Studdy Award for services to those with MS and Queensland’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2009.
With David affected personally by the issue of placing his wife into aged care when just 31, he remains a passionate campaigner to ensure that the wishes of those with high care needs are heard and addressed by the community, business and all levels of government.