TSD's mid year snapshot: Fresh faces, big ideas and bold impact
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The Social Deck team, family and friends enjoying a sunset cruise at the Noosa River.
Latest news from TSD
The year has kicked off at full speed here at The Social Deck as we welcomed fresh faces, exciting new projects, and more opportunities to make meaningful impact with communities right across Australia.
One of our proudest moments this year came in January with the release of the National Autism Strategy. We were proud to facilitate inclusive consultations throughout 2023 and 2024 to help shape this strategy. This work with the Department of Social Services and the Oversight Council highlighted the value and importance of having people with lived experience at the centre of the strategy development.
You can find out more about the National Autism Strategy on our blog.
We’re also thrilled to share that we’ve been recertified as a B Corp! We achieved our highest score yet of 120.3! Achieving and maintaining this certification continues to push us to grow as a purpose-driven business, embedding social and environmental responsibility into every decision we make.
To support our growing work, we’ve welcomed some new team members to The Social Deck team this year:
- Alice Browne and Georgia Marett join us as Senior Research and Behaviour Change Consultants
- Jordan McArthur steps in as a Senior Impact and Engagement Consultant
- Jane Britt brings her expertise as a Senior Consultant and Advisor, particularly in disability policy and engagement
Keep an eye on our blog for more news and updates!
What we've been working on
Research for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to address and respond to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV)
We recently supported the Queensland Government in a research project to better understand the unique and additional barriers, challenges and experiences that people from multicultural communities' face when seeking support for domestic and family violence (DFV).
To do this, we spoke with 145 community members representing 41 diverse cultural backgrounds as well as community leaders, organisations and government. We also heard from more than 538 community members through an online survey.
Interviews, roundtables, and kitchen table conversations were often hosted in partnership with local community centres and organisations. We prioritised culturally safe and trauma-informed engagement.
We feel deeply grateful to everyone who shared their stories, insights, and time with us.
If you’d like to read more, two of our recent blogs share insights into our work to better understand DFV in Queensland - and how we ensure this is done safely.
Building flood resiliency with the Resilient Homes Fund
More than 23,000 residential and commercial properties were impacted and approximately $7.7 billion in social and economic damages occurred during the 2022 Brisbane floods. We are proud to be working with the Resilient Homes Fund (RHF), a joint $742 million response from the Australian and Queensland government to help those in flood-affected areas.
The Resilient Homes Fund offered eligible homeowners funding to either raise, retrofit or demolish and rebuild their homes. Our team has been working with the RHF to create communication and design products, along with offering support at networking events between builders and homeowners, to help those who applied for funding meet their deadlines. With fund applications now closed and building deadlines approaching, we now shift our focus to the general public, where we have been attending community events to spread information and awareness on resilient housing solutions.
Lilly at the Milton Markets spreading awareness of resilient housing solutions.
Communications support for the new classifications for gambling-like content in video games.
This year we've been working to help raise awareness and understanding of the new classifications to help parents spot gambling-like content in video games their kids play. We've supported the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sport and the Arts (rolls off the tongue nicely, doesn't it?) with a public relations strategy and implementation.
This strategy includes resource development - like info sheets, an explainer animation and social media content; case studies with kids, parent, carers and grandparents; speaking to experts in parenting, academia and gaming industry to understand and share their insights on the matter; and proactive media and stakeholder engagement - including a webinar later in June.
We tested our early communications and key messages through one-on-one interviews and focus groups and made some adjustments to make sure our communications worked for the target audiences.
You can check out some of the resources including a handy conversation guide for parents at the Australian Classification website.
Supporting the National Assistance Card Brand Awareness
We’ve also been supporting the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania in rolling out the National Assistance Card (NAC) to Autistic people nationally. The Card gives people a way to communicate their access and support needs—whether they’re on public transport, at a shop, or speaking with emergency services.
This project reflects the heart of what we do—creating accessible communication, inclusive experiences, and engagement that leads to real change. If you want to find out more about the card go to the National Assistance Card website.
What we've learnt
Government and Social Research Conference (GSR) 2025
Our Directors, Mel and Kate, had the privilege of presenting at the 2025 Government and Social Research Conference in Canberra, hosted by The Research Society. Their presentation on ‘Evidence Meet Empathy’, explored how robust research and meaningful consultation can, and should, work together to inform better government and social outcomes.
From left: TSD Director Kate, Georgia – TSD Senior Research and Behaviour Change Consultant, and TSD Director Mel at the GSR 25 conference.
At The Social Deck, we believe that good research doesn’t just produce insights, but can build trust, strengthen community voice, and help decision-makers better understand people and communities so that policies reflect diverse experiences and realities. Mel and Kate shared our team’s experience in both consultation processes and social research, and how they can learn from each other to strengthen the evidence base and the social impact of public policy.
It was refreshing to hear that so many others at the conference are also grappling with the same ideas and embracing methods that involve people with lived experience and integrating approaches. We’re grateful to be part of this evolving conversation, and excited to continue learning from others who are equally committed to doing research differently.
B Corp Recertification
We’re proud to share that The Social Deck has been recertified as a B Corporation – for the third time – with our highest score yet: 120.3 points! B Corp certification isn’t just a label for us; it reflects our ongoing commitment to using business as a force for good, ensuring we operate with purpose, transparency, and impact across people, planet and communities.
We’re one of 9,500+ B Corps globally, and we’ll keep challenging ourselves to do even better for our clients, partners and the communities we work with. You can hear more on our recertification from our Practice Manager Pat, via his blog.
Our People
Georgia is one of our Senior Behaviour Change and Research Consultants with a background in behavioural science and public policy. She loves nothing more than getting stuck into a research problem and extracting insights from complex qualitative and quantitative data.
Our Senior Research and Behaviour Change Consultant, Georgia Marett
Georgia’s main interest is in environment and sustainability, but she also finds room in her heart for topics like financial decision making, increasing opportunities for diverse communities, access to healthcare and education, and anything to do with sport.
She joined The Social Deck in early 2025 after time in the Victorian Public Service’s Behavioural Insights Unit. Georgia works remotely from Melbourne (currently contesting the title of coldest employee at TSD with those in Canberra).
When not at work, Georgia loves cooking, reading, doing crafty things (currently knitting, previously watercolours), and watching football (AFL only) or cricket, as the season allows.
Out of office
Clean Up Australia Day 2025
Earlier this year, we headed down to Sunshine Beach for Clean Up Australia Day. After ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through Queensland and Northern NSW, it was an important opportunity for us to lend a hand, playing just a small part in the recovery and restoration of our beautiful coastline.
Some of the TSD team at Sunshine Beach for Clean Up Australia Day 2025.
ECCQ International Women’s Day Breakfast
Casey, Alix and Jane attended the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)’s 2025 Ethnic Network International Women’s Day Breakfast in Brisbane, exploring this year’s theme ‘March Forward: Its’ time to turn promises into progress’. The Social Deck has partnered with ECCQ on a number of areas over the past few years and we were proud to be a part of this event.
Sunshine Coast Table Tennis Business Challenge
In March, Suzie, Steve and Ollie took part in the Sunshine Coast Table Tennis Business Challenge down in Birtinya. No amount of inspirational sports movies, pump up speeches or hype playlists could have prepared us for the gruelling competition that was waiting for us. A special shoutout to Pat, who helped run such a successful event.
Suzie, Steve and Ollie moments before stepping into the table tennis arena.
TSD Planning Days 2025
In May we had our annual planning days, with the whole team coming together on the Sunshine Coast, to catch up, work in-person on projects, and embrace this year’s team building exercise – a Thai-styled cooking class.
It was a cooking class that combined a tasteful blend of creative interpretation of instruction, with a pinch of ‘I’ve watched at least one season of MasterChef’.
Our teamwork and communication, the foundations on which this company were built on, being pushed to the limits as the pots and pans started clanging, temperatures rose, and fresh aromas blanketed the air. Plenty of “yes chefs” and “did you put that in already” being thrown around as we navigated our way through the kitchen.
Fortunately, we were able to lean on the experienced hands of The Spirit House head chef, to help us plate up some Thai meals packed with flavour for everyone to enjoy. Following the cooking class, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset river cruise with friends and family.
The festivities didn’t stop there! We embraced the opportunity to celebrate our diverse cultures by hosting a Feast for Freedom lunch, where team members brought in homemade dishes that reflect their heritage and traditions.
It was also a moment for meaningful reflection. Together, we explored our individual strengths and were introduced to a platform for giving and receiving feedback. This was a great opportunity to discuss how we can best use feedback to grow, both personally and as a team.
The team at The Spirit House working on their Thai cooking skills.
The Social Deck is a B-Corp certified agency specialising in research, communication, social marketing and engagement.
This artwork was designed and produced by Gubbi Gubbi and Githabul artist, Shauna Hill for The Social Deck.
The Social Deck acknowledges the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. Our staff live and work on the lands of many First Nations peoples, including the Gubbi Gubbi or Kabi Kabi people, the Turrbal and Yuggera people, the Bundjalung people, the Ngarigo and Ngunnawal people and the Wadawurrung people. These peoples have lived on and cared for these lands for thousands of generations, and their sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders past and present.
Think green and read from the screen.
