Karyn Walsh

Karyn Joan Walsh AM is an Australian social justice advocate.

Walsh is known for her work as a founding member of the not-for-profit organisation Micah Projects where she is the chief executive officer.^[1][2][3]

The organisation was established in 1995 based on a St Mary's social justice initiative known as Project Micah, with an aim to engage with people experiencing various forms of adversity.^[4][5] The organisation's name relates to the prophet Micah who, according to Micah 6:8, said "Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly".^[4]

Walsh is credited with working with the Department of Housing and other agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Queensland to ensure 1,700 people such as the homeless and those escaping domestic violence to emergency housing during the lockdowns.^[6][7][8]

Walsh originally trained as a nurse at the Mater Hospital in Rockhampton in the 1970s during which time she volunteered at a women's shelter and became the city's first outreach youth worker for the homeless.^[9]

During her career, Walsh has served in numerous roles including as the president of the Queensland Council of Social Services, as a former executive member of the National Coalition for Gun Control, as a former coordinator of the Domestic Violence Resource Centre, as a member of the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Implementation Council, as co-chair of Queensland's Anti-Poverty Week, as a council member at the Queensland Mental Health Commission and as a director of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness.^[9][10][11]

In recognition of her work in the field for over 40 years, Walsh was awarded an honorary Doctor of Social Work and Nursing from the University of Queensland in 2016.^[9]

In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, Walsh was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the community, supporting people with mental health issues, the homeless and children through various social welfare initiatives.^[12]

Walsh was named as a Queensland Great in 2021 as a reward for her social justice advocacy ..^[6]