Welcome to our World

At Signal Flare we are passionate about community and inclusivity. We believe that we are all members of this community, regardless of where we sleep at night. We know that people are inherently good and our experience is that many want to help the individuals and families who experience homelessness, they just don’t know how.

Signal Flare offers people the opportunity to contribute to a more cohesive community that is strong(er), more compassionate and more inclusive. We aim to narrow the gap between those experiencing extreme hardship and those who don’t. And this is where you come in. In the context of our BBQs for the Homeless and Others in Need everyone can contribute by donating goods, food, services and funds, time and attention, heart and expertise that are all offered at our events. Does this sound like you? Please contact us if you want to jump in!

Meet the Team

Berni, Perry and John share a common goal, to make a difference.

President

Bernie Palings

My name is Berni Palings. My encounter in 2011 with Grant the Polite Guy, then one of the many homeless people of Brisbane, changed my life. I heard about the isolation, stigma and overall challenges faced by homeless people on a daily basis. My compassion and desire to make a difference extended into the complex field of homelessness. We co-founded Signal Flare in 2013 and haven't looked back.

I am a counsellor by trade running my own practice and I am grateful to live my passion both in my professional and volunteer capacities. I am proud of what Signal Flare does time and again. With my focus on people, I build and maintain relationships with volunteers, support services, community groups and guests and oversee our charity on a daily basis.

As President, I like to express my great appreciation to our dedicated core team, without whom none of what we do would be possible.

Treasurer

Perry Jenks

I am Perry Jenks, and am dedicated to making a positive impact through my involvement with Signal Flare. Motivated by a sense of compassion and a commitment to social causes, I really love working with the team, and we get to meet and help so many different people out there.

With a degree in Accounting I bring over 30 years experience in working with small businesses to make a difference and achieve their goals.

Born on the Gold Coast I have seen a lot of change and still love the South East Queensland corner. In my leisure time I enjoy a bit of surfing, play a bit of squash and relax with the family.

Secretary

John Hoday

I’m John Hoday, a Canadian, and have a degree in Business Management, focused in the energy sector. Being the CEO of a small business, my experience assists in running Signal Flare day-to-day, as well as having the opportunity to be hands-on for events.

Through living internationally for the past 19 years of a 30+ year career, I have seen and been deeply impacted by those less fortunate in many countries.

This has driven me to Signal Flare, and

the past 12 years in Australia have opened avenues for me to integrate and give myself to a very worthy cause.

Gallery

We believe that by working together, we can create a world where everyone has access to basic necessities and can live with dignity and respect.

Our Mission

Our mission at Signal Flare is to provide food and clothing to the homeless in our community. We believe that every person deserves access to these basic necessities and we work tirelessly to make this a reality.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a world where everyone has access to basic necessities and can live with dignity and respect. We believe that by providing support and care to those who need it most, we can make a positive impact in the world.

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