A connected and resilient community • Inclusive • Integrated • United • Cohesive
Our Mission
Meeting social and economic aspirations through empowerment of individuals and organisations. • Provide a safety net • Evolving community services •Collaboration • Advocacy
A little piece of history
Over thirty years of service to the Ingham community the Hinchinbrook community Support Centre is proud to have built a positive working relationship with the Department of Communities and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council enabling the Centre to grow, and continue to provide outstanding commitment to clients. In the words of J.M. Richardson Junior "When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: Those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened". The centre's manager is certain that current and future staff and volunteers involved with the organization will make things happen for their community.
Our Humble Beginnings
1980 - The Centre was founded by volunteers and was originally housed in the one room (ex Salvation Army) building in Herbert Street. Initially it was known as CIC (Community Information Centre). 1982 - Trained staff were employed to assist clients with specific issues. 1983 - The Townsville Road building housed the new Organization. 1989 - The building was purchased by Department of Family Services as a Neighbourhood Centre. 1994 - Establishment of a Community room for workshops, training and meetings both for the centre and the wider community. 1995 - The Centre's name is oficially changed to Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre. 2000 - The Centre celebrates 20 years of supporting its commuity. Over the following 10 years, HCSC developed and established a range of support programs and successfully offered a number of projects that benefited the Hinchinbrook Community. In particular, since the natural disasters that hit the Hinchinbrook region in 2009, and 2011 Devastated the region many projects have focused on building commuity resilience and emergency preparedness. 2010 - Celebrating 30 years of service to the Community and planning on improving and continuing to support the Hinchinbrook Shire. 2013 - Purchase and opening of the "Hub". The building, once owned by the Department of Forestry, is at 52 McIlwraith street. We also continue to operate from the Centre on Townsville road.
On the 1st of August 2014 the official opening of the Hub brought dignitaries (local and from afar) to celebrate the milestone.
Received state government funding to provide counselling and support services to those most impacted by Cyclone Ita and its subsequent flooding in our district.
2014 - July. With $22,000pa funding from Hinchinbrook Shire Council, a Community Grants Officer was engaged. In the 2014/15 year grants received totalling over $250.000 were secured for the Hinchinbrook region. - October. Kerbside Clean-up was conducted by HCSC Social Enterprise staff and volunteers. - December. Light up a Life - All members of the community were invited to "light a candle" in memory of loved ones at Christmas all money raised went to Ingham Palliative Care. 2015 - We conducted an intensive youth/parent program - PEACH Programme - Parenting, Eating and Activity for Child Health to encourage healthy eating and activity within children fostered by information parents. 2016 - We were successful in a submission to the Queensland Department of Education and Training to conduct a series of educational workshops pitch to teachers and carers of children under 10 years of age. The safer families project, which provides information and support to assist workers and carer support children and families exposed to Domestic Violence. - April We saw HCSC satisfy the requirements to maintain our registration under the National Regulatory Scheme Community (NRSCH), conducted onsite.
Our People
eThe Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre is managed by a volunteer Management Committee elected annually. Staff working at the centre:
CEO Linda McClelland
Finance Gloria Zina Anna
Support Workers Lucia Carolyn Mirella Jade
Youth Support Quinta Alana
Community Housing Marion Helene
Groups & CORES™ Marilyn
Reception Carmon Helene
Property Maintenance "The Social Enterprise Team"
Transport Donna Ian
Grant Officer Carmon
Volunteer Staff Carol, Melanie, Sylvia, Michaelina, Ian, Grace, Sean, Anne