What is the RIGHT help – can we work together to make our community resilient?
Burdekin Life Article - 08.02.24

The start of 2024 has been a bit of a wild ride for all of us.  We have come out from ex-TC Kirrily with a few dents and, hopefully, many lessons learnt.  The team has noticed some community members needing a little extra support with a variety of concerns:

  • The rising cost of living.
  • Assistance to fill out forms and access much-needed services.
  • Personal Hardship grants following TC Kirrily.
  • Assistance with cleaning up yards/trees following TC Kirrily.
  • Assistance with sandbagging properties in preparation for TC Kirrily.

These are just a few of our community members’ concerns.

Some of the above assistance has been met through Emergency Relief Funding, local community organisations or State organisations such as the State Emergency Service. However, not all assistance can be provided or is eligible to be supplied from these organisations.

On the Burdekin community Facebook group pages, some community-minded individuals offered help for free or a low cost to pick up green waste from yards and footpaths to take to the local transfer stations. To someone who is without transport or is physically unable to do these tasks, this kind of help is invaluable.

The team at the Centre would like to talk to interested people who are keen to establish a Compassionate Community network that can help build support systems with fellow community members.

Compassionate Communities are generally formed to provide community support around death, dying and grief.  We recognise that, as a community, there is still work to do in this area. However, we feel compassion could be extended to other areas of concern for our community. 

This is a call to action – who out there has some ideas and time and would like to impact our community positively?  

The Team – Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

President: Kay Duggan

Kay has been an active member of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1995 when she began volunteering in the Centre's Vacation Care Program. Kay has a background in administration and worked for CSR (now Wilmar). Her love for sports led her to play hockey and squash, and she is a Life Member of the Lower Burdekin Hockey Association (1982) and the Ayr Squash Rackets Association (1981), and she continues to be involved with the juniors in Burdekin hockey. Kay has served as the President of the Burdekin Neighborhood Centre since 2010.

This will close in 0 seconds

Treasurer: Elvie Dickinson

Elvie Dickinson has been associated with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1993. She served as the first paid Coordinator of the Centre from 1994 to 1998 and has been an active member of the Managing Committee since her retirement. In recognition of her service to the community through the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Elvie was awarded the Centenary Medal for Service by the Queensland Governor General in 2001. Elvie played a key role in establishing the Parkinson's Support Group in Ayr, which meets at the Centre monthly. Since 2001, she has held the position of Treasurer of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.

This will close in 0 seconds

Cr Fina Vasta

Fina was elected as a counsellor to the Burdekin Shire Council in 2024 and joined our Committee at the same time. She has been employed at the Ayr Police Station in an Administrative role since 1998. She was born and raised in Ayr and has a vast knowledge of the community. She hopes to bring some of that knowledge to the Centre. Fina enjoys walking and cooking.

This will close in 0 seconds

Bev Garioch

Since 2008, Bev has been actively involved with Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre and has assumed various roles within the Committee over the years. Having garnered a wealth of experience in the retail sector of the district, she has been associated with the family jewellery business for 23 years. Additionally, she has co-owned and operated a Convenience Store. Bev has been a committee member of the Burdekin Basketball Association, Squash, and is currently associated with Lawn Bowls. She has also worked with APEX and volunteered at Meals on Wheels. At our Centre, Bev is a part of the Crochet Group and volunteers her time, sharing her talent and knowledge with others.

This will close in 0 seconds

Centre Coordinator: Natalie Saroglia

Natalie has been with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1997, occupying various positions such as Committee Member, Volunteer, Administration Officer, and Coordinator. Initially, a music teacher, Natalie joined the Board as a Youth Advisory member. In 2003, Natalie assumed the role of Coordinator, and since then, she has acquired a Cert IV in Frontline Management and an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. Natalie has held several roles in the sector at the local, regional, and state levels. She finds joy in the community engagement aspect of her position at the Centre. Natalie has a keen interest in photography and endeavours to incorporate it into her work wherever possible.

This will close in 0 seconds

Community Development Officer: Jenny Cummings

Jenny first started with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre in July 2021, as a student in a 500-hour professional placement program from James Cook University. Following placement, Jenny continued to volunteer and was offered the position of Community Development Officer at the Centre after finishing her studies in early November 2022. Jenny’s academic background includes a Master of Social Work (PQ), and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction), and she is currently completing a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. Jenny is an Emergency Service volunteer with several organisations. Additionally, Jenny works as a Casual Disaster Management Officer for the Burdekin Shire Council.

This will close in 0 seconds

Finance Administration: Kim Williams

Kim has served as the Finance Administration Officer since 1995. She holds a Diploma in Children's Services and has worked in the Childcare Industry for many years. In addition to her roles as an administrator at the Ayr Community and Home Hill Community Kindergartens, Kim spends four afternoons a week with the kindy cherubs at the Home Hill Kindergarten. Kim enjoys spending time outside of work with her adult children and spoiling her two grandchildren.

This will close in 0 seconds

Frontline Administration: Susan Holznagel

Susan has been employed as a Frontline Administration Officer at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since January 2014. A lifelong resident of the Burdekin region, Susan's prior administrative experience was acquired while working as a Medical Administrator for a local Doctor's Surgery. Susan’s forte is her warm personality and instinctive empathy when someone is feeling down.

This will close in 0 seconds

Frontline Administration: Marisa O’Shea

Marisa has been employed as a Frontline Administration Officer at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since August 2021. A lifelong resident of the Burdekin region, Marisa maintains strong ties to the community and is our “go-to” person when working out who is who in the community. Marisa brings an extensive background in administration gained through employment with various financial organisations. Marisa is an excellent organiser and keeps us all on track.

This will close in 0 seconds

MyTime Burdekin Coordinator: Gwen Marshall

Gwen has been a part of the MyTime Burdekin Program for 15 years and has recently transitioned to the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre in October 2022. Prior to this, MyTime Burdekin was under the banner of CPL. A resident of Burdekin for the last 26 years, Gwen is Chappie at a private primary school. In addition to her current role at the Centre, Gwen also works for the Salvation Army.

This will close in 0 seconds

MyTime Burdekin Assistant: Angela Williams

Angela joined the MyTime Burdekin program mid 2023 as a Play Assistant.  Angela has four years of experience as a disability support worker. She is a stay-at-home mum and operates a home-baking business, mostly making birthday cakes. Angela enjoys cooking and baking for her family and the community.

This will close in 0 seconds

Vice President: Denise Wallace

Denise has been involved with the Centre since 2021 and has held several roles within the Committee. Denise has over 20 years of experience in the Childcare industry, running her own business within the Kids Club Service Industry. 

Born and raised in the Burdekin, she spent several years interstate & intrastate before returning to raise her family here. In her younger years, she was an active Basketball and Hockey player. 

Denise’s life experiences have instilled in her a strong desire to empower the community to find solutions and make every day as fulfilling as possible. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise make her an asset to the organisation. 

This will close in 0 seconds

Mary Pattison

Mary was invited to come along to some Board Meetings during 2023 as a potential board member and was so impressed by the volume of activity in the Centre that she stayed and joined the board at the end of 2023. She credits the warm welcome of the amazing people serving on the board to keep the Centre pumping as a plus for her decision.

Mary has enjoyed a 40-year career as a Primary school teacher here in the Burdekin and now takes an active role in many Community groups.  She is President of the Catholic Women's League in Ayr, helps the Burdekin Singers at their productions each year, and runs a community sing-along each week at the Queens Hotel with her friend Sandra.  Mary is a proud supporter of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre and is keen to promote any activity within the Centre.

This will close in 0 seconds

Leonie Harch

Leonie joined the board in late 2023 after attending several meetings as a potential board member. Leonie has over 30 years’ experience in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and has been self-employed for over 13 years in Ayr.

Leonie’s community activities include volunteering on different junior sports groups and P & C’s, along with Vice-President of the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations (QCPCA) – Northern Region.

This will close in 0 seconds

Secretary: Patrice Ferguson

Coming Soon.

This will close in 0 seconds

Karen Gilmore

Karen has always lived in the Burdekin region and has been involved in various ports and community volunteer organisations. She has held multiple positions, such as Treasurer of the Burdekin Basketball Association, P&C School Committee member, Relay for Life Committee member, Treasurer of the Catholic Women's League Ayr Branch, and Treasurer of the Catholic Women's League Townsville Diocese.

Karen has had an extensive career in administration and has operated her own cleaning industry business. She loves spending time with her family, travelling, walking her dogs,  and swimming in the sea.

This will close in 0 seconds