Community Gro acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of this country throughout Australia and their connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them, their culture and to the Elders past, present and emerging. We particularly acknowledge the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people on whose land Community Gro Inc. is located.
Empowering Change in Lives and Communities
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 Acknowledgment
I am pleased to present the President’s Report for Community Gro for the Financial Year 2023–2024.
First and foremost, I wish to extend our gratitude to all those who have supported us throughout this year:
Federal Support
We would like to recognise the unwavering support of the Federal member, Phillip Thompson OAM MP.
State Support
We also extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing State Members, Scott Stewart MP, Aaron Harper MP, and Les Walker MP, for their invaluable support and assistance during their time in office. We look forward to working with our new State members, Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie, and Janelle Poole and continuing this strong collaboration.
Civic Leaders
We are grateful for the collaboration and guidance of our outgoing civic leaders, Jenny Hill and Mark
Molachino and our new civic leaders Mayor Troy Thompson, Councillor Kristian Price and our re-elected Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney. 2023–2024 Year in Reflection
This past year has been one of significant growth and development for Community Gro, guided by the leadership and strategic direction of our Board. I would like to personally acknowledge the dedication and invaluable contributions of our Board members:
• Aman Bargri
• Zammi Rohan
• Marnie Hodgson
• Karl McKenzie
• Sandra Crosato-Matters
• Lesley Thorne
• Gurmit Singh
As this is my final year serving as Board President and on the board, I want to share what an honour it has been to be part of Community Gro’s journey. After nine years on the Board, with eight of those as President, I’ve had the privilege to witness tremendous achievements. During this time, we’ve worked with two exceptional CEOs, Susan Perry and Kathrin Meehan, both of whom have contributed greatly to the organisation’s success. We have grown substantially, adapted when necessary, and always prioritised the needs of our community.
It has been a personal honour to work alongside such a dedicated Board, and I take great pride in the role I’ve played in advancing our mission. I look forward to continuing to watch Community Gro thrive and grow, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Board, our staff, and our volunteers
for their unwavering hard work and dedication. Not every organisation can truly claim they are there for the community, but Community Gro has proven time and again its commitment to making Townsville a better place for all.
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to Community Gro and for your meaningful contributions in driving our mission forward.
The programs that we deliver would not be possible without the support of government funding. Thank you to:
• Brotherhood of St. Laurence
• Queensland Government, Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts.
• Queensland Government, Department of Education
• Queensland Government, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
• Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment
• Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
• Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
• Townsville City Council
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services
• The Smith Family
• Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand
Community Gro’s Commitment
Community Gro remains a leader in providing high-quality, place-based services to the Upper Ross and Garbutt communities. Over the past year, we have worked diligently to enhance our services and broaden our outreach to better address the evolving needs of those we serve. Our dedication to growth and continuous improvement is unwavering.
Financial Excellence
Our financial team has diligently explored avenues to ensure financial efficiency and competence, resulting in yet another year of successful financial audits. This achievement reinforces our commitment to responsible financial management.
Strategic Plan
This year, we have made significant progress on our strategic plan, reaching new milestones and advancing across each of our four key pillars.
• People and Culture
To foster an inclusive and diverse community culture that nurtures positive relationships, respect, and collaboration among people of all backgrounds, and empowers them to thrive.
• Brand Awareness
To ‘Gro’ the community awareness of our brand and to establish our organisation as a trusted and recognisable brand in the community.
• Programs and Services
To develop and implement innovative programs and services that address the needs of the community, align with our mission and goals, and create a positive impact, while ensuring sustainability and scalability for long-term success.
• Financial Growth
To achieve and maintain financial growth by implementing effective financial management practices, diversifying revenue streams, and building strong partnerships with donors, sponsors, and funders, to ensure sustainability of our programs and services.
Our dedicated and passionate staff are the backbone of Community Gro, working tirelessly each day to support and uplift our community. Their commitment goes far beyond simply fulfilling their roles—they bring compassion, energy, and a deep sense of responsibility to ensure the wellbeing and safety of those we serve. It is through their unwavering dedication that our vision becomes a reality, and their efforts are reflected in the positive impact we continue to make. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to every team member for their hard work, resilience, and for embodying the spirit of Community Gro in everything they do.
Recognition of Volunteers
Our invaluable volunteers are at the heart of Community Gro’s success, playing a pivotal role in helping us fulfil our mission. Their contributions, often given selflessly and without expectation, are immeasurable and have a lasting impact on our programs and the community we serve. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication, generosity, and time. Without their support, much of what we achieve would not be possible. We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to each volunteer for their tireless efforts and commitment.
In conclusion, I want to assure our members that our commitment to excellence in all facets of our work remains steadfast. We eagerly anticipate the continuation of our vital work, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support. Thank you for your continued support of Community Gro.
Mark Tyrell Board President
Mark Tyrell has been a dedicated member of the Community Gro Board since 2015 and has served as President since 2016. Over the years, Mark has been instrumental in the growth and ongoing success of Community Gro. His tireless efforts in supporting the staff, CEO, and fellow board members have made a lasting impact.
Mark is known for being approachable, supportive, and deeply committed to the mission and vision of Community Gro. His sense of community shines through in everything he does, and his leadership has been pivotal in guiding the organisation.
Kathrin's Reflection (CEO)
"I have been so privileged to work alongside Mark in the growth of Community Gro. He has been consistently supportive, always available, and genuinely caring. Mark has been a cornerstone of the board, bringing structure, consistency, and strength that has positively influenced our organisation. His wisdom has been invaluable to
me when I’ve needed advice or support, and his commitment to our mission has inspired us all. Community Gro has thrived under his leadership, and I am grateful for his dedication and guidance."
Stephanie’s Reflection (Board Member)
Thank you for your years of contribution to Community Gro, Mark. Your time and knowledge has been invaluable in developing the support our organisation provides our community. The Board will miss your calm, insightful input and I personally will miss your mentorship.
All the best, Stephanie Gillman.
Kathrin Meehan
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live, and walk, the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
The past year at Community Gro has been a testament to our commitment to service and community engagement. We have made meaningful strides across our programs, embracing new opportunities and partnerships to support our shared vision.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated board members – Mark, Aman, Zammi, Marnie, Karl, Sandra, Lesley, and Gurmit – for their unwavering guidance, direction, and support over the last 12 months. Their commitment has been pivotal to our continued growth and success.
Our work would not be possible without the remarkable compassion, empathy, and dedication of our staff and volunteers. Their daily contributions, rooted in best-practice principles, continue to make a profound impact. I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our funding bodies, partners, and sponsors who enable us to provide vital services to our community. Special recognition goes to efex, Domino’s Kelso, Calvary Care, Big W, Galactic Donuts, and Men and Women of Destiny Ministries for their generous contributions throughout the year.
This year, we focused on refining our practices, enhancing operations, and exploring new ways to serve our community. Key achievements include:
• Relocation and expansion of Garbutt Community Centre: Moving to a larger facility at 4 Hugh Street allowed us to increase services and enhance staff safety. The centre’s open day was a great success.
• Successful Financial Audit: Reflecting our commitment to financial transparency and accountability.
• Community Engagement: Our July 2023 Family Fun Day drew over 4,000 attendees, fostering connection and raising our brand awareness within the community.
• New Initiatives and Programs: Launching the Family Intervention Service and extending our Garbutt Youth Hub programs.
• Banking Transition: We shifted from Westpac to Queensland Country Bank to better meet our financial requirements.
• Support for NAIDOC Events: We were proud to auspice NAIDOC Townsville events for the third consecutive year.
• New Fleet Vehicles and Enhanced Administration: Introduction of new fleet vehicles and the adoption of Our Cat Herder for board administration tasks.
Our achievements are grounded in our core values of:
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, consistently demonstrating transparency and accountability in all our actions.
We are committed to include, empower, inspire and encourage others.
We are committed to respecting the diversity and voices of all people in our community and team.
We recognise the meaningful relationships and genuine human connections are at the heart of our success.
Looking forward, Community Gro remains dedicated to improving our practices. In the coming year, we will prioritise staff training, professional development, and streamlined HR practices to further strengthen our impact.
I am excited to continue this journey alongside the Board, our incredible team, and the broader community as we work together to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for all.
Kathrin Meehan CEO
Community Gro has embarked on its commitment to reconciliation, to strengthen respectful relationships with First Nations people and progress meaningful opportunities for First Nations people by:
• Providing a culturally safe workplace that values and respects the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Seeking new opportunities with stakeholders to effectively deliver services through stronger partnerships and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
Reconciliation Australia’s Framework consists of four core pillars:
The principles of reconciliation are integrated into our policies, procedures, and everyday practices. This ensures that reconciliation is not just a project but a fundamental aspect of our organisational practice.
Monthly staff meetings incorporate RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) considerations and feedback to ensure alignment and integration of deliverables across all program initiatives.
The RAP Committee has played an integral part of advising the deliverables in our RAP.
Employment strategies have resulted in increased representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our workforce, granting us a diverse workforce equipped to better provide an inclusive service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our current partnerships continue to strengthen our efforts toward reconciliation and create more opportunities for mutual learning and growth. We are exploring new partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous organisations and businesses within the Townsville region.
Indigenous Network Group led by Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships – attending and presenting to network group of social and business service providers.
PCYC – collaborating youth activities to increase participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Upper Ross Early Childhood Education Network led by Connected Beginnings, Community Gro – facilitating meetings with primary schools and community/private and public educators on closing the gap for participation in early education.
Upper Ross Early Childhood and Health
YALGA – mentoring for youth on identity.
Yumba Meta – referring families who require accommodation.
Community Gro has provided auspicing, sponsorship, support and guidance for Townsville’s NAIDOC Week celebrations for 2024 NAIDOC Week.
Community Gro participates in the NAIDOC Week celebrations by:
• Supporting participation of staff in community activities
• Auspicing the Townsville NAIDOC Committee
• Inviting community members to the centre to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
Celebrating National Reconciliation Week 2024:
• Included Education and Awareness of the importance of Reconciliation Week
• Garbutt and Upper Ross Community Centres promoted Reconciliation Week flyers, posters and colouring activities for children
• Staff promoted Reconciliation through themed email signatures – Now More than Ever
• RAP Committee members attended a RAP Launch, amongst other activities promoting reconciliation within local community
Continuous Learning
Community Gro provides support and training for staff, students, and volunteers, by investing in cultural competency training services, reconciliation workshops, RAP Committee involvement, and
Community Gro is committed to advancing reconciliation and inclusivity and promoting equality of opportunity.
We have completed our REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and now setting targets for the future INNOVATE RAP. Community Gro will conclude its RAP Impact Survey on 30th September 2024, conveying our achievements on the deliverables of the REFLECT RAP. Staff input and ideas and implementation of the deliverables have been crucial in our reconciliation journey.
In closing, the RAP Committee want to express gratitude for the ongoing support and contributions of the Board, all Staff, Students and Volunteers and Community members. Together, we are making significant strides towards Reconciliation Australia, and we look forward to continuing this important journey, and working together towards a future of understanding, respect, and equality, through the next phase of INNOVATE RAP.
Belinda Jensen
Our Upper Ross Community Centre had a busy year with over 11,000 visits through the door. Whether community are seeking assistance with emergency needs, attending programs or just enjoying our centre, each community member is welcomed by our amazing team of staff and volunteers.
With Tropical Cyclone Kirrily causing widespread power outages in our areas, we sought a grant through Ergon-Energex Community Fund to be able to better prepare our community for the next disaster event. Through this funding we were able to supply 80 households with pre and post Disaster Preparedness information and fully stocked grab and go kits.
This year we received and distributed over 37,000kg of food to community members in need through donations from OzHarvest, SecondBite and FareShare Meals. Access to these donations is critical to our families who are struggling in the current cost of living crisis.
Throughout this year we have continued to collaborate with RSPCA to have free Vet Clinics and Community Education days at our Upper Ross centre. These clinics and education days are vital to the community as without them families would not be able to learn to be responsible pet owners, afford to have their pets desexed, keep their pets up to date with immunisations, parasite protection and food.
Our 2023 Family Fun Day was held on Saturday 15 July at Charles Moroney Park with over 4,000 community members attending. This year saw us have a multitude of free activities, rides and slides for the kids of the community. This year we also hosted market stall vendors along with our community service providers, which was a huge hit with the community.
This financial year has seen us gain new programs, including Tertiary Family Intervention Service which in turn has seen us increase in staff numbers.
11,000
Colleen Doyle
The 2023-2024 financial year has been another busy one for Garbutt Community Centre! The highlight must be our relocation to larger premises, the building formally known (and well known to the community) as Castle Hill PCYC became our new home in September. A fantastic day of celebration within excess of 200 community members joining our staff, representatives from Local and State Governments as well as many service providers in attendance. We are grateful to the Townsville City Council for their support along with the State Government for their commitment to the delivery of our vitally needed community services.
The additional space has enabled us to expand the services available to Community.
This year we introduced:
• Community Café, a morning tea and social networking opportunity for the community
• Writers Block, led by Chris Price (ACVVS Program Officer) This group meets fortnightly to write postcards to residents within Residential Aged Care Facilities
• Zen Zone – seated yoga class and morning tea. Led by Kate Teys (qualified yoga instructor and staff member) this has become popular with a broad age range of community members
Outreach Services offered from the Centre increased significantly as well these include:
• Play Matters playgroup (supporting families with children with a disability)
• Feros Care offering outreach services for people with a disability
• Head to Health completed a trial outreach intake service
• Thriving Connections
Our amazing volunteers have continued to support the work of the Community Centre, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Kelvin, Sharon, Nakina and Deanne who each give so much to the Centre with their focus on the grounds, the cleanliness of our space and the wonderful food being produced in the kitchen. Without their support we would not be able achieve what we do in a clean and welcoming environment.
In the 2023–2024 year we had more than 10,000 visits to the Centre through the delivery of key neighbourhood services:
• Linking people with formal and informal supports (inclusive of ERF)
• Social connection and inclusion
• Integration through local community action
The Family Support Hub has continued to provide a range of quality services that support child and parent/carer wellbeing including Playgroup and a variety of Intensive Supports. Data continues to reflect the broad need in our local community with many families presenting with multiple and complex needs creating a negative effect on family wellbeing. A large percentage of families self-refer to our service and are seeking support in relation to:
• Parenting issues and support
• Child development and behavioural concerns
• Domestic and family violence
• Parent and child mental health
• Financial stress due to the cost-of-living crisis
• Housing instability and homelessness
• Transport/unreliable public transport
The Family Support Hub staff continued to facilitate a weekly Playgroup on Thursdays throughout 2023–2024. With a focus on early childhood development, staff have observed positive outcomes for children as parent/child engagement increased. The relaxed and welcoming environment facilitates both casual and deep conversations where parents/carers communicate their challenges.
During the 2023–2024 reporting period, despite a decrease in the number of attendances in the second six month period, the Family Support Hub provided support services to:
The Family Support Hub families access several partnering services that conveniently co-locate in the Centre on a regular basis. These services include:
• Queensland Health – Child Health Nurse and Midwifery program
• Wellways Carer Support
• Feros Care
• Department of Housing
• Department of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• Financial Resilience
• JP and Legal Services
During the reporting period Family Support Hub staff have participated in a wide range of professional development activities:
• Safe Connections: Strengthening Networks for Domestic and Family Violence Support
• Families Thriving Conference
• CPR
• Disaster Support for Babies, Toddlers and their Care givers
• Level 1 & 2 Life Coach
• Polyvagal Theory
• Surviving and Thriving as a Carer
• Art Therapy with Children
Alice Harrison
This year, we proudly launched our HIPPY Age 3 cohort while continuing to support our Age 4 participants. The introduction of the Age 3 program has been a significant milestone for us, and our new families have shown remarkable engagement with their HIPPY packs. The play-based nature of the activities not only encourages learning through exploration but has also garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from the children, making it a joyful experience for all involved.
As we welcomed Ally as our new HIPPY Coordinator, we also bid a heartfelt farewell to Shimika, who played an integral role in the program’s success. We are grateful for Shimika's contributions to HIPPY. Ally brings her own unique passion and vision to the team, and we look forward to how her fresh perspective will enhance our program and further enrich the experiences of our families as they embark on their HIPPY journeys.
The HIPPY team worked diligently to recruit new families at the beginning of 2024. Thanks to their unwavering dedication and hard work, we achieved a full cohort of 26 families in the Age 3 program. This success was made possible through our active participation in various community initiatives. We attended playgroups in the Upper Ross, engaged with families at external events like Under 8s Day, and connected with the community in nearby parks. Additionally, we hosted a series of fun and interactive events, including messy play activities, which not only provided a creative outlet for the children but also fostered community spirit and connection among families. One highlight was our delightful Teddy Bears' Picnic, where families brought their favourite stuffed animals to join in the fun, creating lasting memories.
We also continued our successful partnership with William Ross High School, which allowed construction students to design and create personalised HIPPY boxes for our 3 and 4-yearolds. These boxes serve as essential storage for HIPPY resources, enabling families to
keep their learning materials organised and accessible throughout the two-year program. This collaboration not only supports our program but also enriches the students' learning experience by applying their skills in a real-world context.
On Friday 24 November, 2023, we held a midyear graduation ceremony that celebrated the achievements of 16 Age 3 families and a full graduation for four Age 5 families. This special occasion was a heartfelt celebration, filled with pride and joy as families reflected on their journey and accomplishments. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to come together and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our families, as well as the supportive environment cultivated by our HIPPY team.
As we moved forward, we had 10 families transition into the Age 4 cohort, and we are eagerly looking forward to their graduation later in 2024. This progression reflects the strong foundation of learning and development fostered through our HIPPY program.
HIPPY continues to support families in being their child’s first teachers while fostering a love of learning in their children.
North Queensland high-schoolers making and donating HIPPY boxes
Year 11 construction students at William Ross State High School have started work on their first project for the year: making HIPPY boxes for their local HIPPY site in North Queensland.
This is the third year that students have made the boxes for donation to HIPPY Upper Ross through the local HIPPY provider Community Gro, an organisation that also links schools with community projects. The students feel honoured to be involved in helping young kids at the start of their education journey.
The 2023–2024 period has been successful for the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) building on the foundation from the 2022–2023 period. The Grey Matters! initiate born out of the ACVVS program has added The Extraordinary Ordinaries podcast and The Herberts art exhibition to join the Grey Matters! Olympics in combating those at risk of social isolation in Residential Aged Care Homes.
Active Visits Face to Face
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Active Visits Face to Face Postcards 938 370 568
The ACVVS program has prioritised face to face visits by 155 from the 2022–2023 period. Building and developing intimate one on one long-lasting friendships was a key focus in 2023–2024. The ACVVS has prioritised connecting with volunteer groups, organisations and individuals that would benefit from participating in the program.
The Postcard writers’ group is being held in the Garbutt Community Centre once a fortnight from 10.30am to 11.30am and provides a great space for volunteers to interact socially and begin a friendship with a Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) Senior. 568 postcards have been delivered in 2023–2024.
Share My Table continues to be a favourite among residents, taking place once a month at a different RACH. 10–15 residents have taken part in the social morning tea nine times, enjoying the social interaction with their peers and volunteers.
The Grey Matters! initiative has continued to grow this year. We commenced with the successful delivery of the Inaugural Grey Matters! Olympics in August 2023 delivered in collaboration with the Townsville City Council as part of the Seniors Lifestyle Expo. Six residential facilities competed with more than 100 residents playing a role either as a competitor or as part of the loud and proud cheer squad. The inaugural winners were the Good Shepherd Home.
The Grey Matters! Extraordinary Ordinaries podcast successfully interviewed eight residents from five Residential Aged Care Facilities. Capturing life stories and significant life events, Participants were pre interviewed, attended the recording studio, and took part in a presentation morning tea where the podcast was shared with family and friends.
The Grey Matters! Herberts a portraiture art exhibition in collaboration with Townsville City Council, City Libraries and the Perc Tucker Gallery provided nine art sessions for 30 residents with artist mentor Tony Fitzsimmons.
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HAVE BEEN DELIVERED IN 2023–2024
Another busy year in the Community Connect Program space and what an amazing year it has been. The program continues to support the Upper Ross Community with their immediate needs in a culturally safe and confidential space to talk about their concerns, access emergency support, information and referrals to appropriate services for their needs.
In 2024 Community Connect completed 363 intakes with the program directly supporting the immediate needs of 203 families with the top three presenting worries being Food/Emergency Relief, Financial Hardship/Rent Arrears and Homelessness.
Our Community Connect program was established on a trial basis in 2017 with Topsy Mola as the program coordinator. Topsy was fundamental in setting up the Community Connect program to be the success it is today. 2024 has seen Topsy leave Community Gro to go on to follow her dream of setting up her own business.
“Dear Miss Jensen, I was recently advised by a friend to visit your centre to utilise your free computer room and copying/scanning services.
I am currently experiencing some health challenges, and other issues, and as a retired military veteran I was very hesitant to reach out to anyone. I just wanted to say that I could not be happier that I did.
Everyone there was kind, courteous, and made me feel very comfortable. Tanara, in particular, has handled one of my issues so promptly and professionally that I was actually shocked. In these times where everything seems negative, I only wish there were more helpful and caring resources like yours.
I just wanted to thank you and your staff personally. You are a bright light in the community in these challenging times.”
Kathrin Meehan
The Connected Beginnings (CB) Rasmussen team has continued its engagement with the Upper Ross community and stakeholders through community engagement outreach, social media, newsletters, and flyers. This outreach has helped reach new families moving into the area, resulting in increased attendance at early education and health services.
A major achievement this year was the successful launch of the Seer Data platform for the Upper Ross area. Developed in partnership with Seer Data, the platform provides accessible and visually engaging community data. Although the platform is live, its ongoing maintenance will ensure it continues to be a valuable resource for the community.
In collaboration with Get Branded, CB Rasmussen also launched a standalone Facebook page. This platform has become a vital tool for promoting community events, early childhood services, and local support programs. The page has gained followers across the community and stakeholders, creating a reliable way to stay connected.
Another key initiative in development is the transport support project, designed to assist First Nations families in accessing early childhood and support services. This project, which will provide essential transport for pregnant mothers and families with young children, is set to be implemented in the coming six months.
Collaboration with Salvation Army Condon continues to have a positive impact, especially through the weekly playgroups. These gatherings offer families a space to connect, while their children engage in early learning activities. Families also benefit from access to other services like Centrelink and Orange Sky Laundry, making the playgroup an essential hub for support.
Despite challenges such as unreliable transport and limited housing, the CB team’s consistent presence and support have led to positive outcomes. Local families, particularly First Nations families, are increasingly accessing early years services with the team's help, showing the impact of ongoing community engagement.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on building relationships with early education providers and collecting data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's participation. With the Seer Data platform now in place and new AEDC data on the horizon, the team is eager to continue working with the community to support children’s school readiness and overall wellbeing.
Community Gro’s Youth Diversionary Intervention service is dedicated to enhancing young people’s understanding and capacity to make prosocial decisions. By fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment, we have experienced a consistent level of engagement, allowing youth to express their concerns and receive essential guidance. The service is designed to enhance young people’s understanding and ability to make pro-social decisions.
Community Gro’s Upper Ross Youth Diversionary Intervention Service is aimed at Youth age 10 years to 17 years who are at risk of antisocial behaviours and entering the Youth Justice system.
The program operates five days a week, Monday to Friday from 4pm to 10pm each night, providing meals, yarning circles and pro-social activities such as team building, cultural activities, cooking, sports, and games, in addition to social emotion wellbeing activities that focused on building self-esteem, self-respect and healthy relationships, reinforcing community safety and resilience.
The Community Gro Youth Diversionary Intervention service is dedicated to enhancing young people’s understanding and capacity to make prosocial decisions. By fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment, that encourages engagement with our programs, allowing youth to express their concerns and receive essential guidance.
Our group work setting promotes a supportive atmosphere of peer group learning, where young people can enjoy learning new skills with the support of professional Youth Workers.
Feedback from participants indicates that they feel higher levels of safety and support, which significantly contributes to their mental and emotional well-being.
Through our programs, youth can develop vital social skills and empathy, fostering the ability to form healthy, supportive relationships with their peers. This positive social environment helps reduce feelings of isolation, allowing for stronger community connections. Young people gain the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and maintain healthy relationships across various areas of their lives, including family, friendship relationships. This understanding contributes to a reduction in conflicts and an overall improvement in emotional well-being.
The program provides meals and lunch support to young people so that they gain a better understanding of the importance of nutrition for their physical and mental health. As a result, they are more likely to make healthier food choices, which contributes to improved overall health, better concentration, and higher energy levels.
Our services also prepare youth academically by raising awareness of various educational and career options. Increased engagement in these areas boosts motivation for further education and training, leading to enhanced academic performance and improved career prospects.
Youth who participate in our programs develop a clearer vision for their future and are more motivated to set and pursue personal and professional goals. This focus on goal setting not only enhances their self-
confidence but also provides a sense of direction and purpose in their lives.
Our Yarning Circles pave the way for effective group work with young people, encouraging inclusiveness and respect for group peers. The goal of a Yarning Circle is to create a safe and respectful space where everyone’s voice is valued, fostering trust, connection, and a collective sense of responsibility. The practice encourages deep listening, mutual respect, and the sharing of personal experiences, thoughts, and stories. The outcomes of the program offered by Community Gro highlight the multifaceted benefits of our approach to youth development. By addressing social, emotional, academic, and health-related needs, we provide a holistic support system that empowers young people to thrive. These findings underscore the importance of our initiatives in fostering a positive future for the youth of our community.
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Community Gro is dedicated to supporting young people in Townsville, particularly those at risk of engaging in criminal, antisocial, self-harm, and other unsafe behaviours. Our commitment to intervention, support, and mentoring aims to foster a safe, vibrant, and healthy community for all.
Our Garbutt Youth Hub has forged significant milestones in supporting young people in Townsville; by focusing on respect, engagement, and continuous improvement, we have created lasting positive impacts in the community. Although funding has discontinued for the Garbutt Youth Hub, we look forward to further expanding our Youth Services and enhancing the lives of the youth in our community.
The program offered a range of support to young people through structured and unstructured recreational activities, education and employment support, health and wellbeing support, healthy relationships support, and Yarning Circles focussing on the 5 Respects and safety.
1. Respect yourself
2. Respect for others
3. Respect for staff, officers and teachers
4. Respect for community, Elders and family
5. Respect for property and equipment
The program has been exceptional in delivering consistent group work within the peer age group. Group work with youth offers a multitude of benefits that enhance their personal and social development. It cultivates essential social skills such as communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution, helping them learn how to work effectively with others. By engaging with diverse perspectives, youth become more openminded and develop critical thinking abilities. The
dynamic nature of group activities fosters greater engagement, making learning more enjoyable and meaningful. Additionally, group work strengthens relationships and builds a sense of belonging, while providing opportunities for leadership and shared responsibility. Ultimately, these experiences prepare youth for future professional environments where teamwork is crucial, equipping them with skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Through case work and networking, the program has delivered essential support, helping young people attend school regularly and access the resources they need for effective learning and engagement. Parents and Grandparents conveyed their appreciation and gratitude to Youth Hub for supporting their young people’s educational needs and journey.
Community Gro held an event to celebrate Youth Week and extended this invitation to family, stakeholders and community members. The event was very successful in delivering a ‘youth focused event’ celebrating youth. Feedback from community members, parents and young people was positive. The program also provided young people the experience of attending other events celebrating youth week.
A Family Day Event marked the closure of Garbutt Youth Hub and the end of a significant chapter in community’s efforts to support at-risk youth. Many families attended with their young people as well as other community members and youth services. Young people were presented with certificates of appreciation and a yearbook of young people and their time with Garbutt Youth Hub.
The positive impacts of group work are possible due to the professionalism of staffing and their commitment to ongoing professional development that supports youth engagement and behaviour support.
Facilitation of computer and internet services access to support research and engagement in education.
Education programs to support youth with schoolwork and encourage educational attainment and employment, including resume writing classes and information services.
A community-based ‘yarning circle’ for discussions including about worries, connection to culture, rights and responsibilities.
A social-based ‘Love Bites’ program for the development of healthy and positive relationships.
Culture-based programs to develop youths’ pride, respect and understanding of heritage, with the guidance of community elders and youth workers.
Individualised case management services for participants including engagement with youth and case workers.
The provision of a safe space for youth with support services including free meals and access to facilities.
Number of clients accessing
Colleen Doyle
We successfully recruited a new FSW for the Linking to Schools program in late April. They developed positive and good engagement with the school support workers at the six different schools in this project.
Children were of First Nations background
Vincent, Aitkenvale and Heatley State Schools referred the most families.
Incoming referrals:
1. Vincent State School
2. Aitkenvale
3. Heatley State School
Outgoing referrals:
1. Financial Support, Counselling/Budgeting
2. Counselling Services – Family, Head to Health, Headspace
3. NDIS package support services
Good new referral pathways were developed including with new outreach services in the centre such as Head to Health, Ferros Care, DoH and DSDSATSIP. Sub Activity
The Queensland Financial Resilience Program has come along in leaps and bounds. The clients are benefiting in many ways having access to correct financial information and direct access to Financial Literacy.
We continue our valuable partnership with outreach to the Women’s Centre on a fortnightly basis and receive referrals from stakeholders such as: NQDVRS, Kirwan Health Campus, Head to Health, Red Cross and Althea Projects to name a few.
Queenslanders are tough. But circumstances have been a lot tougher lately.
One of the many success stories of this valued service is a gentleman participant of NDIS, approached Community Gro for emergency food relief.
Our FRW completed an intake and was able to establish rapport and learn the client was struggling with his budget.
Through further conversations, the client described having been in hospital due to poor diet. FRW asked the client for more information on the credit card to discover the client had a $12,000 debt.
FRW provided the client with his rights to address this issue assisting for a positive outcome.
A dispute was lodged, allowing the client to cease payment for the short term until a satisfactory outcome for all parties was reached. This allows the client to live with a reasonable budget and with future planning provided for healthy meals.
The Family Intervention Service (FIS) provides intensive support to families, with children up to 18 years of age, who are actively involved with Child Safety. As a Tertiary level service where referrals to the program only come from Child Safety, FIS delivers supports designed to:
• Maintain families where a child remains living at home under the ongoing intervention and monitoring of Child Safety,
• Assist in the reunification of the child/ren with their family from a care placement where this is in the child’s best interest.
The program recruited four staff to the program throughout the year. With family referrals being slow during this initial phase, Family Support Workers undertook multiple professional development opportunities including but not limited to:
First aid and CPR
The impact of parental substance abuse on the child
Introduction to Dyadic Developmental Practice
The impact of trauma on the child
Family and Domestic Violence and child aware practice
Supporting children who have experienced trauma
Partnerships and collaborations were proactively created and strengthened with stakeholders and service providers during this period in preparation for the anticipated full caseload. Some of these include Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services Team Leaders and CSO’s, Australian Red Cross, Department of Housing, Child and Youth Mental Health Service, various doctors, Head to Health, Lives Lived Well, etc.
Stats for the FY 2023–2024*
Number of referrals received 5
Number of users who received a service 5
Number of hours provided 196
Number of users with improved Life Skills 5
Number of users that have shown improvement in being safe and/or protected from harm
5
Number of users identified as First Nations 3
*User = family.
These are the summarised financial statements for the year 2023–2024. Copies of the complete financial audited statements are available.
UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
1/43 Allambie Lane, Rasmussen QLD 4815 07 4774 0144 enquiries@communitygro.org.au
GARBUTT COMMUNITY CENTRE
4 Hugh Street, Garbutt QLD 4814 07 4779 7268 enquiries@communitygro.org.au communitygro.org.au /communitygro