Beyond DV founder Carolyn Robinson, a leading advocate for domestic and family violence recovery and prevention, has been named a 2026 QUT Outstanding Community Impact Alumnus for her work supporting women, children and families affected by domestic and family violence.
The honour was announced at the annual QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards last night (October 29) at the university's Gardens Point campus in Brisbane.
"It feels surreal; it's not something that I ever imagined I would be recognised for," she said.
"When we do the work that we do, we're not looking for accolades. We just want to do the best job we can."
Ms Robinson completed a Graduate Diploma of Education in Early Childhood at QUT after beginning her teaching career and developing a passion for working with young children.
Inspired by her family’s lived experience and more than 30 years in education, she founded the Beyond DV charity in 2017 to support women and children recovering from violence, through education and community-based support programs.
With community collaboration, in 2022 she also established Australia's first HOPE Hub at Westfield Carindale, with the secure community space now being replicated in several other shopping centres, with support from the Queensland Government.
In 2023, she collaborated with Small Steps 4 Hannah and a Brisbane philanthropist to build a transitional housing complex, Hannah's Sanctuary.
She is also the creator of two groundbreaking apps – the "Love&Learn" teen relationship app and the "Ask a Mate" app that harnesses the voices of high-profile male role models to provide advice and guidance to teenage boys and young men.
Ms Robinson said her teaching background played a significant role in shaping Beyond DV’s approach.
"I think my teaching qualifications and my teaching experience really helped me to hone in on the specific individual needs that our families had," she said.
"Everything we have built around recovery and healing has been based on what they have told us they need to rebuild."
Ms Robinson said she had felt strongly supported during her time at QUT as a mature-age student balancing study, work and family life.
"When I became a student at QUT I was really impressed with the level of support that we were given,” she said.
"And I really felt like I was embraced by the QUT community."
Ms Robinson said graduating from QUT remains one of her proudest achievements.
"My QUT graduation meant even more to me because I was navigating life as a mum and also working and studying," she said.
"It was a lot to have to deal with. But I felt so supported as I did study.
"It gave me really the confidence that I could do anything when I finished that qualification."
Ms Robinson said she would encourage current students to embrace opportunities and remain open to unexpected possibilities.
She said that outlook had helped shape both her career and the growth of Beyond DV.
"I feel that I've been able to use all of those experiences from my study through to my work experience to help me now do the work that I do through the charity," she said.
Ms Robinson’s recognitions include being named Queensland Volunteer of the Year in 2026 and receiving Brisbane City Council’s Australia Day Achievement Award in 2021. She is also Chair of the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery Alliance.
Media contact: QUT Media, media@qut.edu.au
