In The Media

MACKAY REGIONAL NEWS | 2nd July 2021

DAILY MERCURY | 3rd July 2019

DAILY MERCURY | 22nd March 2019

DAILY MERCURY | December 2018

DAILY MERCURY | 26th October 2018

On 12 September 2019, we acknowledged R U Ok? Day at the 4 George Street Centre.

Since 2021 and with the support of SecondBite we have assisted many Mackay community members with basic food needs. Initially, many community members present with food insecurity as they live in primarily homelessness, in crisis accommodation or on a government income. However, this has changed over the last 12 months to include the "working poor".

Projects such as this are not achieved alone. This presentation highlights a first-hand experience of a local participate connection with the Midweek meal initiative and one of our local corporate volunteer sponsors.

This short video was created to celebrate the long history of our Neighbourhood Centre. Since our establishment in 1989, we proudly continue to support our local community.

This video is a time capsule of our experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the challenges faced and the strengths that got us through this time. Four staff members share their experiences through the lens of personal impacts, as well as changes to their program delivery:

Nicolette Ffrost - TNH General Manager

Claire Christensen - Integrated Family Support Hub Program Coordinator

Alexandra Whippy - Good Beginnings Home Based Family Support Program Coordinator

Venetia Aprile - Emergency Relief Program Officer, Mackay Regional Financial Wellbeing Program Officer

The video was filmed during August-September 2020.

In 2020 we had an idea of starting a community pantry. This morphed into a weekly connection activity which we named ‘Pie Day Friday’.

In early 2021, we partnered with Coles and kicked off our Food Diversion Program. To date, more than 40 tonnes of food has been diverted from landfill.

In September 2023, we were semi finalists in the Queensland Community Achievement Awards for this Program.

In 2024, we received funding to deliver a Cultural Connections in Mackay Project the aim of which is to provide meaningful opportunities for local Mackay CALD communities to learn firsthand about the heritage of our First Nations people. Activities will focus on cultural walks, talks, workshops, and yarning circles to promote diversity, equality, and harmony.

Volunteering is a powerful pathway for personal growth, enabling individuals to transcend their challenges and contribute to the broader community. Volunteering encourages individuals to challenge their abilities to enhance resilience, self-confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Ultimately, volunteering is both a personal and communal endeavour, fostering a vibrant, inclusive society.

The Neighbourhood Hub was honoured as the Highly Commended recipient of the Multicultural Queensland Awards 2024, Diversity and Inclusion Champion in Brisbane during August 2024. The award recognises an organisation which has gone above and beyond to break down barriers for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, creating ways to help people find a sense of belonging in Queensland.