TASC is made up of solicitors, social workers, advocates and business services professionals: a caring, qualified team who are here to help.
We are led by a Chief Executive Officer and a voluntary Board of Directors, who are selected to represent the community and for their demonstrated commitment to our vision and mission.
The Board and CEO set TASC’s strategic direction and are responsible for financial and legal accountability to funding agencies and the community.
We make a difference in people’s days, and show compassion and care for them. When we help people achieve a positive outcome, we know that what we do matters.
(TASC Solicitor)
OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Frances Klaassen OAM
POSITION: Chief Executive Officer
Frances Klaassen OAM joined TASC National as CEO in February 2020, bringing a reputation as an innovative collaborator in the South West Queensland community sector.
For the last 25 years, Frances has been at the forefront of establishing new services in the Toowoomba, Warwick and Southern Downs region to support families, children and young people in vulnerable circumstances, and members of multicultural communities.
As Regional Director for Mercy Community, Frances implemented a diverse range of services including the nationally award-winning Cultural Diversity Hub (incorporating the Community Action for a Multicultural Society or CAMS Program), and the region’s multi-award winning Settlement Grants program. She introduced the Women’s Wellness Centre in Toowoomba; the Indigenous Foster Care program, which was later transitioned to Goolburri; and partnerships with organisations like Playgroup Australia and Lifeline Darling Downs to fill gaps in early intervention programs in the region.
As the champion of groups like the Local Level Alliance and Refugee and Migrant Settlements Services Interagency, Frances has driven successful collaborations to support the region’s diverse communities. In 2015, Frances received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to children and families through social welfare organisations.
Frances began her career as a social worker in child protection, and has operated her own businesses in hospitality, training consultancy and mediation. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland and is accredited as a mediator with the Attorney-General’s Department.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
TASC’s team consists of around 40 professional and support staff across Legal, Social Justice and Corporate Services. This includes solicitors (lawyers), advocates, social workers, and professional and business services staff (including managers, accountants, and staff in finance, ICT, marketing, reception, assessment/ intake and administrative roles).
Our management team brings strong experience in the legal and community sectors along with a passion for social justice to TASC.
David Manwaring
POSITION: Principal Solicitor; Manager, Legal Services
David joined TASC in 2017 and has a dual leadership role with our organisation. As Legal Services Manager, David coordinates and manages all aspects of TASC’s legal service. This involves ensuring clients receive high quality support in accordance with service agreements, policies, and TASC’s mission and values. As Principal Solicitor, David ensures services are compliant with the Community Legal Centres Australia Risk Management Guide and relevant statutory obligations; and oversees TASC’s contributions to legal policy development and law reform.
David has specialised expertise gained from a career spanning both the legal and health sectors. His legal career started in medical negligence with Maurice Blackburn in Maroochydore and later as the Human Rights Lawyer with Queensland Advocacy Incorporated in Brisbane. Before moving to law, he was a registered nurse with experience in mental health, general and occupational nursing.
David’s background as a frontline mental health worker has given him a unique insight and commitment to social justice, which underpins his reputation as an expert on restrictive practice as a human rights issue. He speaks and consults extensively on this topic, including as an invited speaker to the United Nations and the Disability Royal Commission, to ABC radio and other media, and to government, legal and advocacy bodies.
David has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Masters of Law, all from Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
OUR TEAM LEADERS
Kym Allen
POSITION: Team Leader, Social Justice Services team
Kym joined TASC in 2014 and is now the Team Leader, Social Justice Services. Her role involves supervising a team of dedicated Social Justice Advocates with diverse specialties in disability, mental health, and tenants’ rights.
Prior to joining TASC, Kym worked in the fields of mental health, child protection and carer support. Her previous roles include Program Coordinator for the St Vincent de Paul Society and facilitating the first Compeer Mental Health Friendship Program in Queensland.
Kym has a Bachelor of Social Work, a Bachelor of Arts degree (Media Studies and Gender studies) and a Certificate III in Financial Services. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Allana Janke
POSITION: Senior Solicitor
Allana is a Senior Solicitor based in TASC’s Ipswich office. She joined TASC in 2012 and works primarily in the area of Family Law. In her role, Allana provides people in the Ipswich community with free legal advice about parenting matters, divorce and domestic violence and family violence. She is also on the roster as Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer in the Ipswich Magistrates Court; and provides advice through the Family Relationship Centre as part of its partnership with TASC in Ipswich.
Allana supervises a team of Solicitors across TASC’s network of offices in Ipswich, Toowoomba and Roma. She also represents TASC on groups including the Regional Legal Assistance Forum in Ipswich.
Before starting with TASC, Allana worked in a private law firm in Ipswich practising primarily in Family Law as well as managing cases related to Criminal Law, Civil Law and Wills and Estates. While completing her university studies, she worked in a variety of fields including as a Receptionist in a private law firm and as an Administration Officer at Wolston Correctional Centre.
Allana has a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, both from Queensland University of Technology (QUT). In 2008 she was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and to the High Court of Australia.