Seamus Campbell

StartUp Tablelands were proud to attend the Tablelands Regional Council Excellence Awards Gala Dinner as finalists, joining an inspiring group of businesses, organisations and community leaders from across the region in celebrating innovation, leadership and community impact.

The organisation was recognised as a finalist for their collaborative work on the PeoplePurposePlace Ginn Road Housing Project, an innovative community-led initiative exploring new approaches to affordable, sustainable and socially connected housing on the Atherton Tablelands.

Being selected as finalists was a significant honour and recognition of the vision, dedication, and hard work of many people involved in the project. StartUp Tablelands sincerely thanks the Tablelands Regional Council for acknowledging the importance of collaborative solutions to regional housing challenges and for recognising the value of community-driven innovation.

The Ginn Road Housing Project was founded on the belief that some of the region’s most complex challenges can be addressed through partnership, shared expertise and community engagement. The collaboration between StartUp Tablelands and PeoplePurposePlace has brought together complementary skills, experience, and networks to develop practical and scalable housing solutions that place people, community and sustainability at their centre.

The gala evening itself was a wonderful celebration of the achievements and dedication that continue to shape the future of the Tablelands. While the project did not take home an award on the night, being named a finalist was an achievement in itself and a reflection of the growing support for innovative housing models that strengthen communities and improve housing accessibility.

The event was exceptionally well organised and created a warm and inspiring atmosphere that showcased the strength, innovation and community spirit of the Tablelands. It provided a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow community leaders, organisations and businesses that are all contributing to the region’s prosperity and resilience.

StartUp Tablelands and People Purpose Place remain committed to advancing affordable housing initiatives, social enterprise projects and community partnerships that create lasting positive outcomes for the Atherton Tablelands and beyond.

“We are extremely thankful to Tablelands Regional Council for the recognition and for hosting such a fantastic evening. Being named finalists was an honour and reflects the commitment of our volunteers, partners, supporters and community members who have contributed to the PeoplePurposePlace Ginn Road Housing Project. The awards highlighted the incredible innovation, passion and community spirit that exists throughout our region,” said Jenny Sader, representative of PeoplePurposePlace and StartUp Tablelands.

Startup and Innovation Tablelands has garnered many awards from local and regional awards competitions.  “Great to be back in the game,” enthused one of its longest-serving executives, Seamus Campbell.  “ST has had a renewed vigour since Christine Doan has come back to health and has renewed her active role in the organisation.  You’ll be hearing more from us again soon!”

Description

After a long period of serious illness, the media queen is back – and this time with a quieter, more reflective tone.

In this video, we take a step back from the hype and talk honestly about community building: what it really looks like, where it starts, and what’s happening on the ground at Gin Road. No motivational speaker energy here – just a genuine conversation about what’s working and why it matters.

If you’re interested in collaborative living, intentional community, or simply building something real with the people around you, this one’s for you.

Topics covered:

• Returning to health and what changes with it
• Why community building calls for a quieter approach
• Early signs of success at Gin Road

Transcript

Hi all, I have a little different topic today. I want to talk more about community and community building, and where that starts and where I might be able to contribute.

But you know what? I was ill for so long, and so desperately ill. And it’s so wonderful to be going up in my health again. And it’s been so interesting to see that the media queen came back.

But when you’re talking about community building, it isn’t really appropriate to be “yay rah” like some kind of American motivational speaker. It requires a quieter tone. I wonder if I can manage that, because I really want to talk about the community at Gin Road. I think it’s becoming a great success already.

But I need a little bit of quiet time to talk to you.

2026 03 30  Media Release

 Malanda gains an unusual new home.

A bold vision for a new kind of living has come to life on the Atherton Tablelands, as the first residents settle into the collaborative housing project at 42 Ginn Road.

Local artist’s rendition of the Ginn Road Mob’s ‘homehold’. 

What began as an idea—part practicality, part idealism—has evolved into something more tangible: a functioning, connected community. The new residents, already calling themselves The Ginn Road Mob, bring together a diverse mix of personalities, backgrounds, and life experiences. Each individual arrives with their own goals, strengths, and challenges, yet together they are forming something greater than the sum of their parts.

“They may still be in a bit of a honeymoon phase,” says project lead and property owner Christine Doan, “but what we’re seeing is extraordinary. There’s a genuine sense of connection, mutual respect, and willingness to engage. It already feels like a team.”

The initiative was inspired by a concept from Townsville’s Darren Finlay, who envisioned “homeholds” rather than just houses—spaces that balance privacy with meaningful social connection.

“My vision was to create affordable households combining privacy and sociability,” says Finlay. “A better word is ‘homeholds’. Houses are everywhere, but true homes are becoming rare. We need to return to building places where people can genuinely live well together, using the best of what we know today.”

Early signs suggest the idea is working. Initial meetings among residents have combined practical organisation with open, honest communication—ranging from day-to-day logistics to shared hopes and aspirations.

“GRM is already a team,” says Doan. “Conversations have covered everything—from the nitty-gritty of living together in a new space to solving challenges constructively, to expressing optimism and making concrete plans for a shared future.”

The PeoplePurposePlace credo is that the development of the whole person has to be the basis of improving our housing situation.  Good design and affordable rent is only the start of the its ‘homing’ solutions.   Its primary purpose is to offer residents tools and guidance in communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution—key elements in sustaining a healthy collective ‘homehold’ over time.

For Jana Mueller, a PeoplePurposePlace ambassador and member of the support team, the project represents something deeply meaningful.

“The gratitude I feel is hard to put into words,” says Mueller. “To see such a diverse group of people come together with a shared intention to live collaboratively—not just in theory, but in the day-to-day reality of life—is incredibly powerful. This is about more than housing. It’s about rediscovering what it means to belong.”

As the Ginn Road Mob settles in, the project stands as a living example of what can happen when thoughtful design, careful selection, and a shared purpose come together.

From concept to community, Ginn Road is no longer just a place—it’s becoming a way of living.