Cocktail for a cause: Frock up for urgently-needed child care roof

Wee Care’s leaky roof has become a crisis after heavy rains caused internal damage at the foster care centre. They’re hoping a charity cocktail party event in July can raise the money needed.

Water damage at the Wee Care building due to an ageing roof.

Wee Care’s leaky roof has become a crisis after February’s heavy rains caused internal damage at the emergency childcare provider’s Railway Estate centre.

Althea Project CEO Paula La Rosa said the ageing roof wasn’t able to withstand the volume of rain seen in February’s intense monsoonal downpour.

“While we have done ongoing repairs over the years, we’ve now reached the point where a full replacement is the only viable option,” Ms La Rosa said.

“The internal damage from the February rains took weeks to repair, limiting our capacity to care for children and support their families.

“A new roof is essential to ensuring we continue delivering this critical service without disruption.”

Ms La Rosa said the biggest issue was the mould risk, as the not-for-profit couldn’t use the water-damaged rooms until they were professionally cleaned for mould and bacteria.

The not-for-profit is hoping to use its July charity cocktail party event as a roof fundraiser, and is urging locals to buy tickets and businesses to consider a corporate sponsorship.

“By attending, you would be quite literally helping keep a roof over a child’s head,” Ms La Rosa said.

Wee Care is an emergency child care and residential care service run by the Althea Projects.

The service was created by Townsville families after 1971’s Cyclone Althea left many parents homeless or hospitalised, and their children in need of temporary care.

Paula La Rosa from Althea Projects at the Railway Estate building they use as a community centre.

Because Wee Care receives government funding, the emergency child care is free and available 24/7.

Wee Care provides short term care overnight and during the day, for children whose families are in crisis because of homelessness, hospitalisation or other emergency situations.

Wee Care takes in children from 0 – 11 years of age, and has the ability to transport children to and from school and assist with their homework while they are in care.

In addition to Wee Care, the Althea Projects also run a foster care program in partnership with the Department of Child Safety, train up foster parents, and run the local homelessness meal service.

The reach of the Althea Project’s foster system extends to Magnetic Island, the Burdekin, Charters Towers and even Hughenden.

Tax deductible donations can also be made directly to Althea Projects at givenow.com.au/altheasangels

Althea Projects Cocktail party | $130 per ticket

July 26, 2025 (6pm to 10pm)

At Allure Events, 68 McIllwraith St, South Townsville

Ticket includes: canapes, grazing table, two drinks, lucky door prize, entertainment, keynote speaker Julie Cross.

Originally published as Cocktail for a cause: Frock up for urgently-needed child care roof