Mackay ‘legends’ Kayleigh Brewster and Don Leckenby meet near Chances Cafe

Mackay’s 2021 Man of the Year and ‘legend’ of the disadvantaged is teaming up with the next generation at Mackay’s new homeless drop-in centre.

Kayleigh Brewster meets with Don Leckenby for the first time after years of working to fight the issue of homelessness. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A community leader in the fight against homelessness is passing the baton to the next generation of leadership, after achieving so much for our region.

Don Leckenby, an Elder at St Paul's Uniting Church Mackay and Mackay’s 2021 Man of the Year has advocated for the homeless for decades after a shocking late night discovery at his church — finding people sleeping rough beneath the church’s wooden floors.

Alarmed by their precarious conditions, including the risk of candles for light accidentally starting a fire, he joined the fight against homelessness, supporting our most vulnerable.

“We are serious people on a serious mission,” Mr Leckenby said, smiling.

He would drive each night and collect his homeless ‘friends’, taking them to shelters or places where they could receive support.

Don has also worked with SHED Happens Mackay Meetings, supporting men experiencing mental health crises.

“You’ve got to listen while they tell their stories,” he said.

Mr Leckenby’s work inspired Councillor Alison Jones and Kathy Dines to start the Mackay Drop-In Centre not-for-profit organisation which raised funds for the homeless.

“Don was going out every night and helping everyone, but we needed funding,” Ms Dine said.

The not-for-profit went on to raise $147,000 and brought Orange Sky Laundry’s mobile shower and washing machine buses to Mackay, including Mr Leckenby’s namesake ‘Don’.

Don Leckenby unveils the Orange Sky Van that bears his name.

“After Orange Sky was introduced, there was still lots of work to do but no one was doing it,” Ms Jones said.

That’s where Kayleigh Brewster comes in.

After watching a homeless friend die on the street from a treatable infection, Mrs Brewster was compelled to do more.

Since 2018, Ms Brewster has operated an op shop and cafe for the homeless and will be opening a drop in centre later in March, a one stop venue for a hot breakfast, phone charging, resting and meeting with case workers.

Mr Leckenby was wearing a broad smile as he shook Ms Brewsters hand for the first time.

Having met each other for the first time, Mr Leckenby and Ms Brewster embrace, thanking each other for the others work. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“Before I started I’d heard your name,” Ms Brewster said to Mr Leckenby.

“I’m so thankful for everything you did and it can carry on.”

“The work continues,” Mr Leckenby said with a twinkle in his eye.

The latest triumph in the fight against homelessness will be the three ‘Safe to Sleep’ buses that are coming to Mackay in 2024, which will house up to 60 individuals.

“It’ll give us time until there’s a solution,” Ms Brewster said.

Councillor Alison Jones, herself having worked with both Mr Leckenby and Ms Brewster was happy to bring the two together for their first meeting.

“It’s great that Don is able to see the fruits of his labour come to fruition,” she said.

“For us it started with him and our work continues with Kayleigh.”