Company History

The Company was incorporated on 6 December 1995 as a result of a group of inner-city business people expressing concern over the gentrification processes that were occurring in that area of Brisbane city. Its first properties were several houses leased to the Company in January 1996 by the Department of Housing followed by other long-term community houses and a number of boarding house properties over the next 10 years. Today, BBL manages these properties as well as a range of units owned by Brisbane Housing Company and private developers. Future management opportunities continue to present themselves, particularly in the area of affordable housing by private developers. BBL acknowledges through its property portfolio which currently stands at 364, the need to offer a range of accommodation types to provide a continuum of accommodation possibilities to those in greatest need.

In March 1998, the first Executive Officer of the Company was appointed and was the only staff member until January 1999 when an administration officer was added to the staff.  Property acquisition has dictated the necessity of staff growth to include managers of administration and finance, property and tenancy.  Tenant caretakers in some properties are employed as paid staff to undertake day-to-day property maintenance and gardening.

The Company gained accreditation as a community housing service provider in 2003 through the Queensland Standards and Accreditation Council and is currently undergoing this process again to align with the new national standards for community housing.

The introduction of the new Queensland Housing Act 2003 caused the Company to look at its legal entity and it decided to become registered Company limited by guarantee.  The Company was registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in 2005.

In 2005, BBL joined with Micah Projects and other key support agencies to establish the Brisbane Homelessness Services Centre in co-operation with the Queensland Government. The goal of the Centre is to continue to plan together to ensure that our collective efforts can get people housed quickly and appropriately with support, when needed, so that they remain housed and connected with community life.

BBL’s patron is Councillor David Hinchcliffe.

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Board of Management

Mr Peter Dyer is the Manager of Customer Service Sealy of Australia. He has worked for Sealy of Australia for 20 years as National Product Quality Manager, National Work Place Health and Safety Manager, National Purchasing Manager, Victorian Accountant, Queensland Sales Executive, Accessories Manager, Production Facility Manager and Marketing expeditor. Peter has a Masters of Business and a Masters of Accounting. His Brisbane Boarders ambition is to use his skills to assist the board in making troubled lives happier and more comfortable. He has been a member and director of BBL since 2006.  Peter is currently Chair of the Board.

Dr Nick James is a lawyer and Senior Lecturer in Law at the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland. Nick’s teaching specialties are business law, corporations law, e-commerce law, succession law and legal theory. His area of research speciality is legal education. In addition to being the Chair and Secretary of Brisbane Boarders, Nick is a Vice-President of the Lawyers’ Reform Association (Qld), Secretary of the UQ Law Graduates’ Association, a member of the Legal Education Review editorial committee, a member of the Queensland Law Society Business Law Specialist Accreditation Committee, and a member of various school and university boards and committees. He has been a member and director of BBL since 2004.

Ms Esther Dyer is a commercial artist who works primarily in paintings and mosaics. She has a Bachelor of Further Education and Training and spent ten years training adults in areas including Team Building, Employee Relations, Stress Management, and Conflict Management. She is committed to helping people to become happier and more empowered in their lives. Esther has been a member and director of BBL since 2006.

Mr Garry Button is General Manager Commercial Finance with Queensland Rail (QR) responsible for corporate management of all of QR’s Business Group finance functions. He has held several senior financial and corporate roles within the QR Group and previously at Fairfax, Unilever Australia and other companies. He is a Fellow of both CPA Australia and The Finance and Treasury Association (where he is also a past national President and NSW Chapter Chairman), and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Garry has been a member of BBL since 2005 and a director most of that time, relocating to Perth mid 2006 then rejoining the board in February 2007 after returning to Brisbane.

Ms Tracy Osterfield B.Bus, CPA, MAICD operates a consultancy specialising in financial systems and providing direct advice to business principals and decision makers. Prior to this she has extensive experience working for large corporations. Tracy’s has moved her focus to smaller businesses, especially non profit to provide financial assistance. Tracy joined the board in July 2007.

Mr John Nelson was formerly the Assistant General Manager of Brisbane Boarders. His key responsibilities included the development and management of new business opportunities with private developers and government. John has previously held a variety of senior positions in the Department of Housing, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Public Works. John has a special interest in the development and implementation of innovations to increase the supply of affordable rental housing. He is a Director of the new Gold Coast Housing Company Ltd, a Director of Monte Carlo Caravan Park Pty Ltd (a State Government initiative) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has been a member and director of BBL since 2006.

Ms Leigh Eagle joined BBL in November 2006. Prior to this she was employed with a disability organisation, responsible for their business development and HR functions. Leigh’s main career for 25 years has been based in the Army managing extensive logistic projects, training organisations and the Army’s youth development program in South Queensland. Leigh has a Bachelor of Arts (languages and history) and recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropy and Non Profit Studies. As a community volunteer for over 25 years Leigh has been involved in a range of activities supporting children, animals, marginalised people and her local community. Leigh was appointed CEO of BBL in March 2007.