Community Spirit: Fourth Edition (December 2005)
- Parents
- Supporting seniors
- Youth initiatives
- Domestic and family violence prevention
- Improving access to services
- Building strong communities
From the Minister
Early this year I introduced the new Department of Communities and outlined our vision and aspirations. Looking back it's been a big year for putting the vision into action.
From the Director-General
As we approach the festive season I am reminded that it can be a difficult time for many people. The pressure of managing finances and family relationships can be a real strain.
Parents
Playgroup parents get a helping hand
Learning to deal with parenthood can be hard - especially if you or your child has special needs. A new playgroup mentor program offers a helping hand.
Supporting seniors
Premier honours selfless seniors
Of the estimated 784 000 volunteers in Queensland, 10 per cent are aged 65 and over.
The sky is the limit for Alby
For Alby Wooler of Yeppoon, volunteering activities to help protect the environment stretch back over 40 years.
Caring holds the key for Neroli
Elanora-based Neroli Endacott's volunteering activities began in 1991 when she started a non-profit, after-school vacation care program at her local church, prior to government funding being made available.
Seniors reward good service
Good service never goes out of style according to Senior Card holders who nominated their favourite businesses for the 2005 Seniors Card Business Excellence Awards.
Youth initiatives
School leavers watch their mates
With the key message "celebrate but watch your mates", the safe celebration campaign around this year's Schoolies Week focused on school leavers taking responsibility for themselves and their friends.
Palm Island school age care service gears up for summer
When Palm Island's school children cool off after school with a swim at the beach this summer, they will be under the watchful eye of the island's school age care service.
Young winners paint seniors in a new light
A skateboarding senior is helping to break down barriers between Queensland's younger and older generations.
Attention centres on youth art
Young artists from the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre are making their mark on the Brisbane art scene following the second annual Youth Works Art Exhibition, which featured 90 paintings and 160 ceramic pieces.
Young leaders cross two worlds
Leading by example is something that comes naturally to 20-year-old Mount Isa resident Jessica Yamaguchi.
Domestic and family violence prevention
CEOs challenge domestic violence
Queensland men and women wore white ribbons on 25 November, in a show of support for the elimination of violence against women.
Koora hops on board to make a difference
The children from Woorabinda State School have a new role model - Koora the Kangaroo - who is providing more than just hip-hop entertainment in the classroom.
Improving access to services
Smart Service benefits people with a disability
Some of the most vulnerable people in our community are benefiting from integrated service delivery through Smart Service Queensland.
Building strong communities
Online RAIN is a hit
RAIN may not be the wet stuff that Queensland's rural communities are desperate for, but it might be the next best thing.
Arts exhibition brings out the best from the bush
The recent Bush Christmas exhibition celebrated not only the spirit of the festive season, but also the artistic talents of people from country areas across the state.
Blueprint team goes bush
Education, health and economic development were among the key concerns of more than 2500 Queenslanders who had their say on the future of rural Queensland during the Blueprint for the Bush consultation.
Hope for the homeless
For most of us, Christmas is a time of festivity and family gatherings. For some, the festive season is spent hungry, lonely and on the streets.
Voices
Families with children are often the hidden homeless. They sleep in cars, at relatives' homes, on friends' couches. As coordinator of the Family Accommodation Program, Natalie sees every day how a roof over their head and the helping hand of friendship can turn around the lives of families who have come to the end of the line.
