It was an absolute privilege to host Jo Westh, Steezy and the 4 Voices volunteers last week at Thynne + Macartney’s first event celebrating the firm’s upcoming 130th anniversary.
Jo shared with our guests and colleagues, her experience in helping people who are suffering from the pandemic of disconnection, particularly those in our communities who are also affected by homelessness and domestic violence.
A full-house heard Jo’s personal story from corporate career to CEO of Orange Sky (her son was one of the co-founders) to backing herself by taking out a mortgage over her home to launch 4 Voices and the very first 4 Voices van, Aurora, just ahead of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns.
On behalf of the people she has met and helped, Jo told their stories demonstrating the real life impacts of disconnect that happens to people when they don’t have access to technology, particularly when trying to get government assistance.
Inspired by Jo, Thynne + Macartney donated $5,000 to 4 Voices.
“Jo and her team are inspirational,” said partner, Peter Jolly, who attended the lunch, “We are living in confronting and challenging times as our communities struggle with homelessness and domestic violence. By profiling people like Jo who are seeing it first-hand, we hope to be able to play a very small part in changing the course of people’s lives.”
While we all escaped the dreary and rainy day outside and enjoyed the shelter and comfort of Level 32, Riverside Centre, the brand new 4 Voices van Hope was parked in the Riverside forecourt where volunteers shared the 4 Voices message more broadly with the Riverside community.
“When we were considering how to mark this important event in the firm’s history, we reflected on the values of our founding partners. When Andrew Thynne died in 1927, the Brisbane Courier commented on his dignity, his kindness and his candour,” said Chairman of Partners, Marc Maskell, “Jo’s passion and drive to make a real difference made her an obvious choice to be the first of Thynne + Macartney’s Great Queenslanders”.
About 4 Voices
4 Voices launched on 8 March 2020, just ahead of the first Covid-19 lockdown. A registered charity with a mission to connect girls and women seeking change by reducing social and digital isolation, domestic and family violence, and homelessness through the power of connection:
– Social: offering non-judgemental conversation over a cup of tea, coffee or Milo.
– Digital: using technology to help people connect with friends or family and helping to use smartphones and computers.
– Employment: helping find meaningful work by preparing resumes, setting up job alerts, practising interview techniques, finding volunteer work or even a start-up business.
– Community: connecting vulnerable people to other service providers who can help them.
Find out more about 4 Voices here.
About Thynne + Macartney’s 130th anniversary
On 1 March 2023, Thynne + Macartney will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the partnership of Andrew Thynne and Sir Edward Macartney.
As part of the celebrations, Thynne + Macartney is profiling people, businesses and charities who have helped to build Queensland, and those who are playing a significant role in the development of Queensland in the years ahead, particularly as we head towards #brisbane2032.
While there are many platforms recognising high profile Queenslanders, the focus for Thynne + Macartney will be on those people, charities and businesses who have quietly helped to build Queensland and communities across the State, just like Jo.
Know a Great Queenslander – please nominate here.
