President’s Report

Mark Tyrell

Acknowledgement of Country

I would like to start by acknowledging the Wulgurukaba people who are the traditional owners of this land that we meet upon today. I also acknowledge the Bindal people whom we share this great nation with and pay my respect to them, their culture and to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Further acknowledgement

I am pleased to offer the President’s Report for Community Gro for the Financial Year 20212022. I wish to firstly recognize the support of the Federal member, Phillip Thompson OAM MP; State members, Minister Scott Stewart MP, Aaron Harper MP, and Les Walker MP; civic leaders, Mayor Jenny Hill and Deputy Mayor, Mark Molachino.

2021–2022 Year in reflection

The Board of Community Gro has successfully overseen another year of operation, during a year of growth. I would like to personally acknowledge the members of our Board, Aman Bargri, Zammi Rohan, Stephanie Gillman, Marnie Bricknell, Karl McKenzie and Sandra CrosatoMatters, I thank you for your contribution to Community Gro and your ongoing commitment to support the organisation.

Community Gro continues to provide quality services to our communities and provide a safe place-based service to Upper Ross and Garbutt residents. This year has seen continued brand awareness as we have worked towards a greater recognition of our services in the Townsville Community. This success has resulted in an increase in our programs, funding and support by businesses, partners and stakeholders and we are grateful for this continued investment in such important work.

Community Gro has continued to refine our financial systems, and this year has seen another successful financial audit. Our Corporate service structure, policies and procedures continues to be a focus of the team, to ensure we are meeting best practices standards for HR, Finance and Administration. Like many similar organisations the programs that we deliver would not be possible without the support of government funding. Thank you to:

• Australian Government, Department of Social Services

• Brotherhood of St Laurence

• Queensland Government, Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy

• Queensland Government, Department of Education

• Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

• Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment

• Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care

• Townsville City Council

• Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services

• The Smith Family

• Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand

Future Focus

Looking towards the future, Community Gro has been successful in several tenders for new programs including a new Youth Hub for Garbutt funded by Department of Industry Science and, Energy and Resources, a new family support program funded by The Smith Family which aims to support reengagement into schools, a new financial resilience program funded by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, and a new playgroup for families with children 0-3years funded by The Smith Family. These programs will continue to meet the need for services in our communities and demonstrate our commitment to supporting the Upper Ross and Garbutt communities with best practice programs.

Recognition of Staff

At Community Gro we are privileged to have staff that are both passionate and committed to the work that they do and the organisation itself. We have an outstanding leadership group that provides an environment for all staff to feel safe and allow them to grow and develop their skills. I extend my gratitude and thanks to all staff of the organisation.

Recognition of Volunteers

I would also like to formally acknowledge and thank the many wonderful volunteers that turn up year after year to assist the organisation in delivering the many varied programs that we offer. I have often said that the value these wonderful people provide Community Gro is priceless. On behalf of the Board and myself, again, thank you for all your help.

In closing I would like to re-assure our members, patrons, staff, volunteers and stakeholders that Community Gro will always strive towards excellence and continue to flourish. We look forward to another wonderful year of operation in 2023.

Mark Tyrell Board President

CEO Report

Kathrin Meehan

I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work, live, and walk, the Wulgurukaba people and the Bindal people. I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.

I am incredibly proud of our achievements over the past 12 months and the ongoing commitment, dedication and care demonstrated by the Board, staff, and volunteers at Community Gro. This year has seen Community Gro expand the range of services and programs available to the community. We have introduced several programs, activities and services which provide further place-based support to our community. This has resulted in a significant expansion of our staffing numbers and Community Gro will soon be a staffing cohort of 41 staff.

I want to take the opportunity to thank the Board members for their continued support of myself and our organisation. Our Board is an admirable representation of kindness, compassion, and dedication in our community, and I am very fortunate to have a diverse range of experts to provide support, education, and knowledge to myself and the staff. Thank you to Mark, Aman, Zammi, Marnie, Stephanie, Karl, and Sandra for your support of me and for your continued commitment to support the organisation to work effectively with the community.

I want to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Community Gro, for their tireless efforts, dedication, care, compassion, and amazing spirit in all aspects of our work. Community Gro staff have provided quality services to our community through hard work, creativity to finding solutions, tenacity to stay with someone in their time of need, and continued ability to laugh. Our work is not always easy, but our shared values and dedication, and our ability to support each other, has provided some amazing outcomes for clients and community. Community Gro is also extremely fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting our organisation and continue to show up and work hard, demonstrating an amazing community spirit. Thank you in particular to Andrew, Auntie Gertie, Wilma, Kelvin, Tracy, Leita, Noel, Ted, Peter, Pepper and Skye who have been committed to Community Gro over several years and continue to provide staff and community with support.

I want to acknowledge our funding bodies, partner organisations, and sponsors who have worked alongside us to deliver support to the community through challenging times. Community Gro has partnered with a range of organisations, businesses and stakeholders who share our values and mission to support our community. Significant donations have been received from Sensory Group, Aaron Harper MP, Efex, Dominos Kelso and DSDSATSIP staff. It is through donations of time, money and support that Community Gro has been able to achieve amazing outcomes for individuals, families and community.

Our focus this year has been on growth of presence and support in our communities. Community Gro is focussed on providing quality services to our community and our approach is to listen to the needs of the community and find ways to meet the needs. In addition, our focus has been on streamlining process to ensure best value for money. This has resulted in Community Gro implementing a new client management system, improved financial process and several programs which has created efficiencies for staff and improved processes.

Community Gro had some challenges this year. The beginning of 2022 commenced with Community Gro needing to pivot quickly due to high numbers of COVID cases in our community. Community Gro staff were responsive, adaptable, and ensured continuation of services in innovative and different ways. While Community Gro continued to provide services throughout the lockdown, staff and volunteers were relieved to get back to normal business and while COVID remains, we continue to provide services while adhering to our COVID safe policies and procedures.

This Annual Report will highlight our achievements across our programs providing services to the Upper Ross and Garbutt communities. Some of the highlights for us this year include:

• Our Annual Family Fun Day on Saturday 25th June with over 2000 people attending. This day was significantly larger than previous years, with Townsville City Council providing increased funds for Community Gro to host a large-scale family event in the Upper Ross.

• Community Gro was successful in a grant from Queensland Country Bank to purchase a new Kia Carnival for the Garbutt Community Centre. This is through the Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grants Program. This has provided additional support for the community through transport options for clients and emergency relief delivery.

• Community Gro was successful in a grant for increased security systems at the Garbutt Community Centre. This grant was provided by Safer Communities Fund which provided additional cameras and safety measures to ensure the community centre is a safe space for all.

• Community Gro was successful for a grant through Aurizon to improve our Upper Ross community garden which has now evolved into a partnership with Northreach Upper Ross Baptist Church for the Good Soil Project.

• Community Gro was successful for a grant to provide a Road Safety Workshop, bikes, and helmets to Kelso School students through Department of Transport and Main Roads. This was successful with 20 children receiving new bikes and helmets and learning about road safety.

• Community Gro was successful for two grants from the Port of Townsville, for a washing machine and dryer for the Garbutt community Centre and Emergency Relief Funds to provide support to clients.

• Community Gro held successful Community Christmas Parties at Garbutt and Upper Ross Community Centres with over 200% increased attendance in 2021 compared to previous years.

• Community Gro received a grant from Ergon Energy for upgrade to the Upper Ross kitchen to increase usability for community.

• Community Gro was successful in a grant from Gambling Community Benefit Fund for a washing machine and dryer at the Upper Ross Community Centre and increased office space for staff at the Upper Ross.

• An announcement from Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy of increased funding for Neighbourhood Centres for Garbutt and Upper Ross into next financial year.

• Community Gro was approached to provide auspice of the Townsville NAIDOC events and this has been a significant learning opportunity for Community Gro.

• Upper Ross Community Centre was granted management of the Emergency Relief funds from Althea Projects for the Upper Ross Community.

• Community Gro raised brand awareness through wrapping of all the Community Gro fleet vehicles.

• Community Gro staff, along with Indigenous Artist Sharon Phineasa, created the Community Gro story through Indigenous artwork (next page).

Community Gro will continue to provide support into the future and our next 12 months are going to be focussed on setting ourselves up for the next three years. Our focus will be on establishing our new programs: Garbutt Youth Hub, Financial Resilience Program, Parent-Child Mother Goose, and Linking School and Community. In addition, our three-year Strategic Plan will finish in February 2023 and our focus is on developing a strategic plan which guarantees our continued support to the community.

I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Board, staff, volunteers and community to deliver a safe and welcoming space and meet the needs of our changing community.

Kathrin Meehan CEO