Leigh Frame, Regional Coordinator Assistant, joined GBA after 22 years in emergency services. She was searching for something different, “a new challenge and good people to work with.”

GBA’s mission to support regional communities immediately resonated.

“Every time I go to Barcaldine, it feels like home,” she says. “The people out there aren’t just colleagues – they’re supportive, they make things happen, and they genuinely care.”

Despite not being an engineer, Leigh has quickly immersed herself in water services and coordination across the regions. Her background in emergency services has sharpened her ability to support councils, communicate clearly, and build strong relationships.

For Matthew and Leigh, managing such a large cohort of councils isn’t a burden because their strategy centres on respect, presence and understanding.

“You need to understand what councils are dealing with, because this is all on top of their business‑as‑usual,” Matthew says. “And you can’t do it alone – we have a strong team at GBA behind us.”

But their biggest tool is simple: show up.

“For our guys in the bush, nothing replaces seeing someone face‑to‑face, in their town, using their facilities, drinking their water,” Matthew explains. “Engagement skyrockets after every in‑person meeting.”

Leigh agrees: “Investing the time is huge. They appreciate you being there, because they’re so far removed from the city. The social side feeds the professional side.”

While all projects have merit, Matthew highlights the recent regional infrastructure review in South West Queensland as one that could be transformational.

The comprehensive strategy brought clarity to the region’s water and sewerage challenges and provided the evidence needed to capture the attention of “the money makers.”

“It’s not a project that will sit on the shelf collecting dust – it’s creating dust,” he says. “It’s become a catalyst for funding, and other regions now want to model their work on it.”

GBA is now developing a delivery strategy for the suite of projects identified in the review, positioning the region to act quickly once funding is secured.

And while flagship projects draw attention, the coordinators emphasise that small‑scale, business‑as‑usual work like sewer relining or reservoir cleaning can deliver immediate and meaningful improvements to communities.

Despite covering thousands of kilometres for QWRAP, both Matthew and Leigh maintain active lives on their own rural properties.

Leigh, a mum of three, spends her spare hours on her 20‑acre hobby farm, juggling home projects, kids’ activities, and staying fit.

Matthew also comes from a farming background and balances raising cattle, fixing pumps, and chasing a toddler with his passion for aviation, motorbikes, and all things mechanical.

“We both come to work for a rest,” Leigh jokes.

When asked why QWRAP matters, Matt says that at its heart, QWRAP is an enabler.

“It doesn’t stop councils from doing things, and it doesn’t always make them do things either,” Matthew says. “But it puts the right people in the right place at the right time.”

For councils, QWRAP provides:

• access to project management and engineering skills they wouldn’t otherwise have
• cost savings through regional collaboration
• technical reporting that unlocks much‑needed funding
• support to deliver essential water and sewerage services

And beyond the technical benefits, both Matthew and Leigh say the social value of QWRAP is just as important.

Quarterly meetings bring operators and managers from across the outback together, providing space to talk shop, share challenges, support each other, and build genuine mateship across council boundaries.

“It’s opened doors for councils that couldn’t do it on their own,” Leigh says.

Through their leadership, dedication, and deep connection to the communities they serve, Matthew and Leigh are strengthening the capacity of 21 councils to deliver safe, reliable water and sewerage services across remote Queensland.

Their work personifies what QWRAP is all about: collaboration, capability, and commitment to regional communities.