News
13 August, 2025
Brains behind new injury expo
Three women with very different personal journeys are joining forces to celebrate the achievements of people living with brain injury at Caboolture’s first ever Brain Injury Expo – Flourish and Thrive – on Friday, August 22.
The free community event will run from 9am to 1pm at Apex Park, Centenary Lakes, featuring a variety of stallholders, from those who support brain injury to those who have defied the odds and created meaningful ventures, guest speakers sharing their stories, sausage sizzle, fundraising and light entertainment.
“We aim to celebrate what people living with brain injury can and have achieved,” Jo Stevens from The Brain Awareness Centre said.
Each organiser lives with a brain injury caused by a different traumatic event, yet they share one goal: “To make life better for others recovering from a brain injury.”
Each of the three nonprofit organisations focuses on a different part of the journey — offering support, connection, advocacy, and empowerment.
“Together, we are building a future where people with brain injury are seen, heard, and supported to live with dignity and purpose,” Emma Beer from The Brain Injury Group said.
The expo focuses on celebrating what people living with brain injury can achieve, to give others the knowledge that there is hope and positive change for them.
The trio’s 27 years of lived experience have shaped their commitment to providing support, connection, advocacy and empowerment.
Their collaboration has produced an event they describe as “something strong and powerful to not just those living with brain injury, but also raising awareness of brain injury to the wider community.”
One in 45 Australians live with brain injury, which can result from stroke, heart attack, car and motorcycle accidents, assaults, domestic violence, falls, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, MS, MND, cancer, tumours, medication reactions, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, viral infections or aneurysms.
“Some days being so difficult – making a slice of toast or a cup of tea is a challenge,” says Angela Kalantzis from The Brain Injury Community.
Seeing their idea become a reality, and sharing the amazing stories and achievements of those living with brain injury gives them the greatest satisfaction.
The expo will also highlight ongoing initiatives, including:
The Brain Awareness Centre’s Mindful Mornings in Caboolture.
The Brain Injury Group’s workshops and peer support in Deception Bay.
The Brain Injury Community’s events and member support in Woody Point and across SEQ.
Jo and Emma are looking for support to open a central hub in the Metro North area to better support those impacted by brain injury.
For more information and to book tickets visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1432794
