Community groups in limbo with changes at Nundah centre
Northside community groups are in limbo after being told they will no longer be able to operate from their current council-leased premises.
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NORTHSIDE community groups are in limbo after being told they will no longer be able to operate out of the Nundah Activity Centre from July.
Aurous, the head lessee at the Brisbane City Council-owned centre, has announced it will cut most of its service offerings and leave, and other centre-based services will also need to move by June 30.
The move affects Meals on Wheels, Men’s Shed, groups offering craft, yoga, mahjong and dancing, and the Faith City Worship Centre which provides community meals five days a week.
Aurous CEO Rachael Cook announced on Facebook on February 27 that, from July 1, Aurous would operate only a small core Community Visitor Scheme program “and will be terminating all over services, including membership activities, onsite at 15 Jenner St”.
Queensland Meals on Wheels Ltd CEO Evan Hill confirmed Aurous, as the operator of Nundah Meals on Wheels, had decided to relinquish it’s Commonwealth Home Support Program funding for meal services.
“Aurous have been working with QMOW Ltd on a transition plan for their Meals on Wheels clients,” Mr Hill said.
“Clients will receive advice this week in regards to their individual circumstances and the transition to another member service.”
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Mr Hill said continuity of service “is our collective priority”.
“QMOW Ltd has worked with other Meals on Wheels services in the surrounding Brisbane North to ensure every client of Aurous will continue to receive meal support without disruption.
“These services include Geebung, Chermside, Crosby Park and Stafford Meals on Wheels. No client will be left without a meal service.
“As a volunteer involving organisation, we are also focused on ensuring the current volunteers of Aurous, have the opportunity to volunteer at other services. This also forms part of the transition plan currently underway.”
Aurous Board chair Jen Ulichny said, in a statement on Facebook, that the Men’s Shed was working with Queensland Men’s Shed “to identify what location may best work and provide improved services”.
“There are a handful of other Men’s Sheds in the immediate area with better facilities and we are optimistic that this will be an expanded offering in the future,” Ms Ulichny said.
Olive Volavola coordinates Faith City Worship Centre’s Compassion for Community program, which provides meals for those in need (two dinners, one lunch and two breakfasts each week).
She said council “has a duty of care with the young and old of the community”.
“The service that we provide for the community, you can’t find that anywhere in the local area,” Mrs Volavola said.
“Some of the families who come here, this is the only meal they get in a week. Where are they going to go?
“A lot of the elderly people who come in do so because they love the interaction. We provide them with clothing, groceries and dignity bags with sanitary products for women.
“The centre has a shower and a laundry and those living in cars can come in here and shower, have a meal and throw their clothes in the laundry.
“They’re the services we want to continue to provide.”
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Val Windsor, who runs weekly old time new vogue dance classes at the centre, said she was “flabbergasted” when told the news.
The classes have been running for about 21 years; Ms Windsor, 78, and Ian Mytton, 75, took them over in September 2014.
“It was like a bombshell that hit us when we were told (about the Aurous decision),” she said.
“We are trying to find somewhere else and we are hoping to find a venue around Nundah.”
Ms Windsor said people travelled from Wynnum, Redcliffe and Caboolture to join the dance classes, which average between 20 and 40 people each Monday afternoon.
Cr Adam Allan (Northgate) said he would work hard to ensure no group was disadvantaged by Aurous’ decision.
“Council will work with all stakeholders to make this transition as easy as possible and ensure the best possible outcomes can be achieved,” Cr Allan said.
“I want to reassure everyone that this change is not immediate, the doors to the Nundah Activity Centre are not closing and we will work with groups on site to transition in the coming months.”
Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard said the centre was a community asset.
“I want sanity to prevail and Brisbane City Council to support these community groups to stay as they are supporting our community,” Ms Linard said.
“I can’t see how they can’t find an interim solution so they don’t have to move.
“Nundah Activity Centre has long been a place where the local community can come to meet and connect with others.
“The volunteers are as heavily invested in the centre as anyone; this is their place as well.
“I don’t want to move them but if we have to look for another venue we will work together as a community.”
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