BOARD
CHAIR
Sherrie meyer
Sherrie became active in QHVSG in 1995 as a founding member. Her family has also been involved in the group since that time in a number of roles. Sherrie was the president of the organisation from 1995 through to 1998, as well as a staff member from 1998 through to 2006. Sherrie is committed to promoting education, awareness, and training within the organisation and to the wider community to promote the needs and the welfare of families impacted by homicide. As a previous board member, Sherrie understands the challenges that come with negotiating a broad range of systems to promote the multitude of needs experienced by our membership; within government, non-government and private sectors. Sherrie has a Registered Nurse License (FLA – USA), a Bachelor of Social Work and is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, where she specialised in Child Trauma Counselling for 15 years. In that time Sherrie has consulted and liaised with various agencies, such as Police, Child Safety, Education, Health and Mental Health, Victim Assist and the Department of Justice, as well as not-for-profit and private organisations. Sherrie is now in private practice and provides trauma counselling and psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. She also provides group art therapy specialising in trauma healing and recovery. In 2024, Sherrie was selected to join the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, where she provides input from the perspective of the victim of crime.
treasurer
Dr. Conor O’Brien
Conor’s professional career spans 15 years in which time he has held various commercial, economic and policy advisory roles. Conor has worked within a variety of private and public office organisations including utilities and global advisory firms, as well as the Queensland Parliament. Conor possesses intimate knowledge of Queensland policy and law-making processes, along with professional and academic experience in infrastructure development and financing. In 2023, Conor graduated from the University of Queensland’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. During his medical studies, Conor focused on developing the skills necessary to achieve excellence in patient-centered care through the translation of biomedical and psychosocial knowledge to the clinical environment. Conor has special interests in critical care and rural medicine, and management of patients experiencing traumatic stress. Conor joined the QHVSG Board in 2021 after learning of the important and unique contribution the organisation makes to the wider community through both support and advocacy for those impacted by homicide. Within his role on the board, Conor works to assist in the development and execution of the QHVSG’s operational and strategic objectives to ensure the organisation’s capability, enabling it to continue to deliver the highest quality support services and advocacy.
Secretary
Monique Ferrario
Monique became a member of QHVSG when her 36-year-old brother Mitchell was murdered in April 2009. Monique is a professional early childhood educator and has run her own successful business for over 20 years. She has been a volunteer with QHVSG since 2010 and in 2015 first served on the QHVSG Board of Directors as a general board member. As a peer support group leader, Monique is aware of the importance of peer support. She has supported many members through home visits, telephone support, court support as well as facilitating the monthly Gold Coast support group meetings. Monique is committed to raising awareness in the community, supporting our education programs and providing advocacy for our members; she has shown complete commitment to making a difference in the lives of our members. Monique is a dedicated fundraiser and has volunteered at many events, has organised events such as the 2015 Brisbane Walk for Support and Family Fun Day, the Annual Night of Recognition, the Christmas Celebration, the Children’s Christmas Party, and the Member Weekend Retreats. Monique was recognised for her volunteer efforts in 2014, 2018 and 2022 when she was presented with the QHVSG Volunteer Of The Year Award.. Monique feels privileged to support our members in memory of her brother and finds a great deal of comfort in surrounding herself with people who have experienced homicide in their lives.
Director
TRACIE DE BOE
In 2006 Tracie's family was touched by the unimaginable loss and trauma homicide causes to those left behind. Tracie gave birth to her youngest child just 3 days after her father was killed. Since then, Tracie has been a member with QHVSG, which has left a profound and lasting impact on her. Tracie continued to follow QHVSG's advocacy, community leadership and member support efforts and remains deeply respectful of QHVSG's role in walking alongside families through some of the hardest times of their lives. Tracie is dedicated to strengthening the organisation's long-term sustainability, advocacy presence and member experience. With more than 30 years in the Australian Public Service, Tracie is motivated to support evidence-based decision making that enhances QHVSG's resilience and capacity to serve members well into the future. Having personally walked the path that many members are on, Tracie holds a deep respect for the courage, strength, and resilience in this community. Tracie began her public service career as a teenage in 1993 and has worked across compliance and fraud investigation, complex financial assessment, appeals, compensation, policy development, and program management; she took a career break from 2006 to 2015 to focus on healing and supporting her children following their own experience of homicide. During that time Tracie worked in financial services, health insurance, schools and undertook study, later returning to the public service in 2015. Tracie is currently the Director of the In Home Care and Inclusion Policy team within the Federal Department of Education.
Director
MICHAEL KELLY
Michael’s family has had a long association with QHVSG. When his mother, Olveene, was murdered in 1992, his grandparents, Graeme and Enith Pettigrew, became involved with the organisation in its early years. Graeme served as Vice President of QHVSG from 2000 to 2001. Michael was admitted as a solicitor in 2006 and has practised law for nearly two decades, specialising in estate planning and administration. In 2019 he established Generations Law, a Brisbane-based law firm of which he is the principal and sole director. In that role, Michael manages all aspects of the practice — from legal advice and client services through to governance, compliance, finance, and operations. Michael holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, as well as a Master of Laws (Applied Law) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. Michael joined the QHVSG Board of Directors in 2026. His motivation to serve stems from his own experience of homicide and from observing its lasting impact on his family over many years. He understands that the effects of homicide are deeply personal and vary from person to person. Michael believes that perspective has genuine value at a board level, particularly in shaping decisions about member services and support.
Director
JULIE WATERS
Julie became a member of QHVSG in July 2011 when her son Damian Leeding was murdered. Initially, Julie went to the meetings for support, but it soon became apparent that this organisation was unique in what it did for its members and so she realised her desire to be a part of helping others through this horrific journey. Julie is committed to supporting the board and the QHVSG team to achieve greater outcomes for its members in all facets of the organisation, be it support, legislative reform, education programs or research projects: she aims to build awareness and develop an inclusive engagement strategy. Julie is a keen advocate of law reform and continues to support members through the implementation of new strategies in the hopes to achieve positive outcomes for our members. Julie is currently the chairperson for the Body Corporate Committee where she lives on the Gold Coast. Julie has previously worked as a girl guides leader, and she has been active with various sporting groups such as Nippers, soccer and swimming clubs. Julie has strong ties within the community and has relied on these networks to successfully source and secure major prizes for our fundraising efforts. Julie has helped coordinate projects such as the QHVSG Brisbane Family Fun Day, the Walk for Support, the International Women’s Day Dining with Daisies Breakfast, the Gold Coast Family Fun Day, as well as the Inaugural Annual Night of Recognition and Christmas Celebration.
Chief Executive Officer
Brett Thompson
Brett has a Bachelor of Education and has worked at executive levels since 1998. His work across private, government and not-for-profit sectors has provided him with an extensive range of experiences to bring to QHVSG. After a successful twenty-year career in secondary education, Brett made the shift to the not-for-profit sector. This change was inspired after undertaking nine years of voluntary work as an ambulance officer in a small community, where Brett found a great sense of personal satisfaction in being able to help people in crisis. During his time in that voluntary role, Brett saw the impact of homicide on individuals, families, and an entire community. Brett has worked on government legislative review committees, ministerial forums, and has successfully advocated for systemic and legislative changes on local, state and national levels. Brett was appointed as CEO of QHVSG in May 2017, where he is proud to be able to serve.
MEET OUR PATRON
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) recognises and values the Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group (QHVSG) as a trusted and essential partner in supporting individuals, families, and communities tragically impacted by homicide.
The QHVSG provides specialist, trauma‑informed support that complements police services by offering compassion, continuity, and advocacy at a time when it is needed most.
Through education, personalised assistance, and community connection, the QHVSG plays a critical role in helping victims navigate grief and trauma while strengthening community resilience.
The QPS sincerely values the dedication and professionalism of the QHVSG and is committed to further strengthening the partnership between our organisations.
Patron, Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing APM
Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service
