Garbutt Community Centre

Courtney Hart

What an adventure the Garbutt Community Centre has had over the past 12 months! We have grown so much as a Community Centre; not only have we grown with hard working staff and new programs, but we have also seen an increase in community members attending our centre for advice, referrals, and support.

We have continued to support our local community members of the Garbutt and Townsville West area and have seen some positive changes in regular clients that have been through a tough time to now having a job – part-time employment and popping in the Centre to say hello every now and then. It is great to see such a positive change since having regular employment. We love seeing our clients have an increased feeling of independence and accomplishment.

We have also been fortunate enough to have linked in with OzHarvest, which is an amazing food rescue organisation. Our Garbutt Centre receives a weekly delivery of rescued food items from local Woolworths in Townsville. This initiative has helped us to be able to provide food support to our local community members that are in need food assistance. As we are all aware, Emergency Food Relief is one of our highest needs in community, so it has been fulfilling to see people take healthy wholesome foods home to eat.

Garbutt Community Centre has also been fortunate enough to receive extra funding for some great programs in the next financial year. Thanks to the funding from The Smith Family, we have our Linking to Schools Project and our Parent-Child Mother Goose Program which will commence next financial year.

Regular Programs

• Common Ground Art and Craft Hub

• Community Kitchen

• Kids Afternoon Tea Program

• OzHarvest – free food hampers for community

• Basketball Hoop

• School Holiday Program

• Be Connected – computer classes 50+

• Tiddas Yarning Circle

• JP service

• Orange Sky – free laundry service

External Program Using Facility

• Thriving Kinnections – Family and Domestic Violence Resource Group

Our lovely volunteer Tracy has been with us for two years. We have been so grateful to have such a hard-working volunteer who cooks all our meals, organises lunch and assists with Arts & Crafts activities for our Common Ground Art & Craft group.