Service helps thriving North Queensland communities grow

One of North Queensland’s most prominent community services providers has celebrated a significant milestone, with NQ Community Services officially changing its name to the very fitting title of ‘Community Gro’.

Speaking at the launch of Community Gro today (1 June), Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said the change of name was reflective of the great work the service was doing to help communities in North Queensland thrive.

“This service and its dedicated staff are at the forefront of supporting North Queensland communities,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been a proud supporter of the work Community Gro has been doing in their community.

“We provide funding to 124 neighbourhood and community centres across the state, including $300,856 to Community Gro to run the very popular Upper Ross and Garbutt Community Centres.”

In January 2017, Community Gro, then known as NQ Community Services, was announced as a successful recipient of $125,000 per year for a trial period of two years under the Community Connect Initiative.

This funding provides a Community Connect worker based in the Upper Ross Community Centre, who assists individuals and families to access services – with a particular focus on members of the community who may be experiencing domestic and family violence.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said thousands of Queenslanders visited centres, like the two centres run by Community Gro, every day to access essential community services such as training programs, playgroups and housing and homelessness services.

“Through the Upper Ross and Garbutt Community Centres, Community Gro is able to provide access to information and support services for many members of our community,” Mr Harper said.

“This includes referral and advocacy, counselling for people experiencing homelessness, violence and financial pressures, free access to computers, internet and phones, computer tutoring, JP services and free legal advice.”

Community Gro CEO Susan Perry thanked the Queensland Government for their partnership and for recognising the value of community centres more in recent years.

“What community centres do well, is meet gaps in service delivery, we don’t target any one social issue, what we do is assist community members to get the help they need,” she said.

“At Community Gro, we do this exceptionally well through the Upper Ross and Garbutt Community Centres.

“Community Gro has formed lasting partnerships with organisations across the sector to provide much needed services in the Upper Ross and Garbutt.”

Find out more about Community Gro services at http://communitygro.org.au

For more information about neighbourhood and community centres in Queensland, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/community/your-home-community/neighbourhood-community-centres

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389