HELPING HANDS AID FRIENDS IN NEED
PASSIONATE locals are keeping a centre providing vital services for residents afloat.
The North Townsville Community Hub, based in Deeragun aims to maintain the wellbeing of its people.
Its services include emergency relief for people struggling to put food on the table, a Centrelink access point, and medical care for babies and young children.
Manager Sandra Elton, who took a significant pay cut to run the hub, said the facility was kept operational through time given by selfless people.
“It’s because of the satisfaction that this kind of work brings, being able to help people, and I’m very lucky to have a dedicated team of volunteers,” she said.
“We only have funding for 1.5 staff. All of the hours are filled by volunteers.”
Ms Elton said the organisation was crucial because of the lack of public transport available to residents.
“Especially out here, it’s very limited and there are a lot of job seekers who can connect with career services through the free internet and computers we have,” she said.
“We also collaborate with the Rollingstone and Hinchinbrook bus services. If our clients need it, we can book them a place on that.”
The hub runs an Op Shop, which Ms Elton describes as well stocked because of a “very generous donor base and very generous community”.
She said the community hub was “critically underfunded” and needed more paid staff.
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