Logan’s mild-mannered change-maker

Cath Bartolo is proof you don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to have impact.

Her mild manner and gentle approach belie a tenacity that’s helped change thousands of lives for the better across 30 years of community sector work in the City of Logan.

If you’ve needed help in Logan with housing, employment or raising a family, or have been impacted by substance misuse or domestic and family violence, there’s a good chance you’ve accessed a program Cath’s had a hand in.

Starting work in Logan as a teacher in 1989, Cath soon came into contact with the organisation now known as YFS Ltd. Today, YFS is one of the most respected not-for-profit services in South East Queensland, and Cath has been its CEO for the past 20 years.

In November, Cath’s long-standing community contribution was recognised with the Stan Wells Award, the top honour at the City of Logan Safe City Awards 2021. She was surprised and humbled by the recognition, and quick to pay tribute to the people and teams she’s worked with over the years.

‘The award represents the work of YFS – our staff, partners and clients – rather than what I’ve achieved,’ she says.

‘The story of YFS is the story of our staff and clients. It’s the story of our partners – the community, police, politicians and Council.

‘YFS can’t work with people in isolation. It’s critical we work with others and help people navigate the services available, and we’ve been able to be effective because of those partnerships.’

Cath has been a part of YFS since 1992, when she became a board member of what was then Youth and Family Services.

The organisation began in 1983, 2 years after Logan was declared a city. (Youth and Family Services transitioned to being a company in 2013 and shortened its name to YFS Ltd to reflect the broader nature of its services.)

Cath says YFS highly values being a part of the Logan community.

‘We’ve grown up with the city. Logan is an amazing place and we’re proud to be based here.’

When Cath first joined the YFS board, she was teaching at the Centre Education Program in Kingston. She enjoyed the nature of the board work, so much so, it prompted a career change.

‘As a teacher, I realised that for kids to succeed, their families needed support.’

Cath wanted to be part of that support. She studied a Bachelor of Social Science and went on to manage Logan Youth Connections, the disability service that amalgamated with Youth and Family Services in 1996. Then, in 2002, she was appointed YFS CEO.

Throughout her tenure with YFS, Cath has embraced opportunities to partner with the community, government and other organisations to find better ways to help the people who need it the most.

She’s seen first-hand the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in our community, and understands that new approaches are needed to help people create lasting change in their lives.

‘Our purpose at YFS is to back vulnerable people to overcome adversity and to thrive,’ Cath says.

Last year alone, YFS helped 7,000 people through programs at its Slacks Creek headquarters and Jimboomba office (the latter operating since 2017).

When asked about career highlights, it’s the stories of the people that are front of mind for Cath.

‘We recently celebrated 20 years of service for 2 of our carwash staff who are working with disabilities,’ she says.

‘Greg (one of the 20-year workers) came to us and said: “Will you employ me to wash your cars?”. At the time we were using a commercial operator. We said yes, and that service is still going today.’

It was the first foray into a social enterprise for YFS, which went on to establish Substation33 in 2012, an award-winning social enterprise that offers flexible training and employment opportunities through e-waste recycling.

‘We’re a local agency, and we know it’s the little things that can make a big difference in people’s lives, especially when it comes to getting a job. We see what employment brings people – how important it is.’

Also important to Cath is the partnership YFS has built with First Nations people.

‘Since our inception, there has always been a First Nations board director. We currently have 13 First Nations staff and in 2020 launched our cultural framework.’

Cath often reminds staff they don’t always get to see the positive impact of their work. ‘What we do is for long-term change. It’s not a quick fix,’ she says.

‘Sometimes it’s years later when hear about how people’s lives have changed because of the support we could give. We’ll cross paths with someone who’ll say: “You helped me when I was young and now, 20 years later, I’m paying off my own house. You gave me the break I needed.” Or: “You’re the people who helped my parents”.’

Those who know Cath agree that one of her greatest strengths is her calmness and sensible approach to challenges, even in emotionally-charged situations.

Often, Cath and her team are with people who are the midst of trauma. She says she always tries to understand what’s happening for them in those moments.

‘It’s important to be calm, especially when working with people who are vulnerable. If they sense you’re stressed, it’s not going to help them,’ she says.

‘I’m lucky in my DNA to be pretty calm.’

And the City of Logan is a better place for having Cath Bartolo in it.

A few of Cath’s career highlights

Substation 33

The acclaimed YFS social enterprise is where volunteers and employees recycle e-waste and gain confidence and skills to help them get a job they’re able to keep. The Kingston-based facility is also an innovation incubator.

R4Respect and Men4Respect

Two of the responses by YFS to domestic and family violence, these ground-breaking programs are helping change attitudes and behaviour.

Logan: City of Choice Leadership Team

Cath was a founding member of Logan: City of Choice Leadership Team, where she worked alongside Logan City Council, the Queensland Government and Australian Government in a unique collaboration to address some of Logan’s long-standing challenges. Outcomes included the Logan Together initiative and Not Now, Not Ever in Logan.

Cath has donated her time on the Queensland Council of Social Service Board for 8 years, and, in more recent years, has volunteered on prominent Logan community organisations: the Logan City of Choice Leadership Team; the Logan Local Advisory Group for Better Futures, Local Solutions; Logan Together; the Logan Child Friendly Community Consortium Trust; Not Now, Not Ever in Logan; and the Edmund Rice Flexi-School.

She currently chairs the Logan Housing and Homeless Strategy Group, is the secretary for Not Now, Not Ever in Logan, and is a member of the Logan Together Leadership Table.

EDITOR’S NOTE (26 January 2022):  As part of the 2022 Australia Day honors, Cath was one of 155 people made a Member of the Order of Australia, for her significant services to youth, social welfare, and Logan.

By Paula Weston