About Us
Whitsunday Housing Company Ltd (WHCL) is a not-for-profit (PBI) company managing emergency, transitional and long-term social housing throughout the Whitsunday Region.
Through our association with other housing groups, Government Departments and housing forums, WHCL will seek to advocate, lobby and support the housing needs of the Whitsunday region. Combined, we are representative of the regional community and endeavour to maintain an operational framework, which will continue to enable broad access to those seeking to assist it in this mission. Privacy, confidentiality, dignity and support are respected practices in the work of our organisation.
WHCL is registered as a provider under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. Registration under the national system is a significant achievement requiring organisations to demonstrate and maintain high standards in all arears of operation.
The aim of the National Regulatory System is to ensure that the community housing sector is well governed, well managed, and capable of meeting the needs of tenants, while also providing assurance for Government and investors.
Building homes, strengthening communities...
Our Mission
The Whitsunday Housing Company Ltd seeks to provide housing for those on low incomes and/or those who are limited for other reasons in acquiring affordable, safe, secure and accessible long-term housing.
Through our association with other housing groups, Government Departments and housing forums, we seek to advocate, lobby and support the housing needs of the Whitsunday region.
The group is representative of the region's community and endeavours to maintain an operational framework, which will continue to enable broad access to those seeking to assist it in this mission.
Privacy, confidentiality, acceptance and support are respected elements in the work of our organisation.
Our Services
Community Housing
WHCL seeks to provide housing for those on low incomes and/or those who are limited for other reasons in acquiring affordable, safe, secure and accessible long-term housing.
Specialist Homelessness Services
WHCL supports individuals and families at risk of/or experiencing homelessness. We provide pathways to services that focus on the client's identified goals to improve health outcomes and transition from homelessness to safe, secure, long-term accommodation.
Our People
Chairperson - Jan Clifford
Jan was born in melbourne and educated in Western Australia. Jan held senior management roles with the In Shoppe, WE & HO Wills, Toyota and the Laser Cutting Industry in Melbourne. In 1994 she decided to leave Melbourne and settled in the Whitsundays where she gained employment with Jewel Hotels & Resorts as their Regional Sales & Marketing Manager. Jan then moved on to set up her own sales and marketing company and in her first year of operation won a prestigious AFTA award. In 2008 Jan was successful in her bid to be elected to the newly amalgamated Whitsunday Regional Council as the councillor for Division 1. In 2012 & 2016 she was re-elected and continues to serve her community. She holds a diploma of Management and is currently undertaking a Diploma of Local Government. Cr Clifford serves on a wide range of boards and committees in various roles. They include but are not limited to: PCYC Whitsunday – Committee Member past Treasurer & Vice Chair Regional Centre for Social Development – Committee Member and past Company Secretary Australian Local Government Women’s Association – Immediate Past President Diploma - Australian Institute of Directors Jan has been a director since 2008. Jan was the previous Chairman and took a break from May 2013 & re-joined the Board as Secretary in July 2014 and was elected as Chairperson in September 2016.
Director - Steve O'Connell
Steve was born and raised in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane. At the end of his grade 11 schooling an opportunity presented to complete high school as part of a cadet program with the Queensland Police. In Jan 1977 he commenced Grade 12 at the Oxley Police Academy and then went onto a police basic training. Steve became a career police officer and was sworn in for service in July 1979. Forty years exactly to the day on 5 July 2019 Steve finished his police career and after long service leave officially retired on turning 60yrs of age in 2020. There is a mandatory legislated age retirement still operating in Qld Police. Steve worked as a general duty officer, Detective, Station Officer in Charge and for the last 6yrs as a senior District manager and the first appointed Inspector to Whitsunday. Steve worked over those 40yrs at Whitsunday, Proserpine, Surfers Paradise CIB, Mackay CIB, Finch Hatton, back to Proserpine and then Whitsunday. Wanting to still work, Steve commenced in August 2019 at Hamilton Island as a qualified work health and safety advisor and investigator. In August 2021 Steve was appointed as the Regional Manager for Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) at Airlie Beach. Steve has always believed community support, involvement, and service as an integral part of his work but also of his personal belief and values. He has been an active committee member of many and varied community groups and forums wherever he has lived. He devised and initiated a community youth diversion service in Finch Hatton in the old sugar mill office. It was called the PIT – People in Teens – and provided a valued community activity. He helped Council establish a similar concept in Proserpine. Then on transfer to Whitsunday he was for several years a board member of the Whitsunday PCYC. Steve continues his involvement in community service and has been accepted into the Airlie Beach Rotary Club. There was no hesitation in accepting an offer to help the community again by taking on a role as a member of the board with Whitsunday Housing Company Limited. Steve holds a Master Degree in Management with a HR specialisation from the University of Southern Queensland and Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety. Joined May 2021
Treasurer - Jackie Bluck
Originally from Mackay, graduated with a Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting in 1991, then completed her CPA whilst working on the Gold Coast as a Tax Accountant, Business Specialist and Auditor. In 1997, Jackie then moved to Central Queensland to work in the Coal Mining Industry as a Financial Accountant, then Mine Site Accountant. During her 17 years in the industry Jackie progressed to Commercial Manager for various Mining Companies. In 2014, Jackie was appointed Manager of Accounting Services, then Manager of Mining Town Projects with the Isaac Regional Council. Jackie moved to the Whitsundays at the commencement of 2016 and is the Proprietor of Hobby Central Australia as well as an Auditor for Clubs. Jackie joined the Board of Directors in September 2016.
Director - Fiona Donellan
Fiona Donnellan, a dedicated sales agent with over a decade of experience in the local real estate market. A deep understanding of the Whitsundays and surrounding regions, paired with my genuine passion for helping others, allows me to connect with clients on a personal level and support them in finding the right housing solutions. Beyond my professional role, I’m a proud mother of four and grandmother to two wonderful grandsons. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I find great joy in boating, sailing, Latin dancing, and contributing to charitable causes within our community. Originally from Mackay, Queensland, I spent 18 years living in the country, where I worked as a youth coordinator for the Oben Wide Youth Group. During this time, I organised youth festivals, leadership camps, and sporting events, building strong relationships with local councils, community groups, and non-profit organisations. These formative experiences sparked my enduring commitment to community development. In 2020, I had the honor of serving as the Australian Ambassador for the Global Kind20 Movement—a global initiative created to spread kindness during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, I’m proud to be working on a Tiny Homes Project alongside Whitsunday Housing -ban initiative close to my heart. The project focuses on providing housing and hope to homeless women over 55, offering them stability, dignity, and a place to call home. Whether through real estate or community service, I am passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and I’m proud to bring that same passion and purpose to my role as one of the Directors for Whitsunday Housing.
Associate Director - Sandy Clark
Sandy Clark is a volunteer, businesswoman, author, public speaker, freelance journalist and member of MEAA. Volunteering for vulnerable people has been her greatest passion since the 1990’s. She has worked with addicts and the homeless and is a past board member and care worker for Teen Challenge, South Australia. She is CEO of not-for-profit Dignity Zambia www.dignityzambia.com supporting vulnerable mothers giving birth in Nalolo, Zambia where she successfully fundraised to build the Arthur Wina Hospital from 2014 to current. Over 3,000 babies have been born at the hospital with no maternal deaths to date. Sandy commenced as a volunteer with WHCL in October 2022 as Fundraising/Media Director and successfully took responsibility for raising funds for the build of 4 tiny homes for homeless women in the Whitsundays - a project which was also financially supported by WHCL and is currently underway. Sandy has also been responsible for writing of press releases and liaising with local press and media to promote the progress of the project highlighting sponsors, donors and community involvement. She has also worked with volunteer designers and been responsible for keeping the website and the Facebook site up to date - www.tinyhomesproject.com.au
Chief Operating Officer
Joanne Moynihan
Finance & Administration Officer
Paloma Herbert
Tenancy Managers
Toni Healy
Hannah Brown
Specialist Homelessness Case Managers
Melissa Jones
Steven Davis
Adele Bishop
