Jeremiah House charity sets sights on million dollar land parcel

What started as a men’s domestic violence support service now helps anyone in the community who needs it. Now, this exceptional duo has a plan to get Bundaberg’s homeless off the streets.

Two Bundaberg men have a million dollar plan to get Bundaberg’s homeless off the streets.

Peter Symes and Robert Stoker first founded the Jeremiah House charity to address the gap in support for male domestic violence victims.

But their efforts in the community have expanded to include support for female domestic violence victims as well as all vulnerable people in the community - whether it be through hard times or homelessness.

In fact, they’ve just donated four tonnes of clothing and a tonne of bric-a-brac to some of the poorest people in Fiji.

The pair run Jerry’s Place, a local op-shop for those in need. The store has expanded to include a depot for commercial rag sales on Woondooma St and a furniture warehouse on Verdant Siding Rd that is open 7am-1pm every Saturday.

“When people come here, they get what they need,” Mr Stoker said.

“We give away more than we sell. We help people.”

Mr Symes and Mr Stoker are at the coalface of the region’s homelessness crisis.

Every day, people come through their doors seeking help and support.

Sick and tired of waiting for something to happen, the pair decided to take action and are in the processes of purchasing a million dollar parcel of land.

The grand plan is for a series of stages - the first being the construction of toilet blocks and amenities, so that homeless people have a safe place to camp in tents.

From there, caravans and cabin accommodation will follow.

The property will also include a community garden where non-working residents will be asked to contribute 10 hours’ of their time a week.

Mr Stoker said he would own the land, but 10ha would be dedicated, free of charge, for a homeless park.

He will lease another 16ha of the 364ha property to a farmer to help cover costs.

Peter Symes and Robert Stoker are on a mission.

The former businessman and charity head said the total cost of the project would be about $3-4 million.

Once he owns the land, he can apply for infrastructure grants.

“That's the only way I can get it done, but I can, once I own the land,” Mr Stoker said.

“That's how we’re getting it done.”

The pair hope to see the blueprint for the immediate tackling of homelessness extended across the nation - with an op shop and homeless property in every state.

The model used for their charity is already being picked up globally, with interest from the UK.

“I dreamt about this as a kid,” Mr Stoker said.

He first met Mr Symes years ago when he walked in to hospital one night to see his mum, and Peter had been working as a nurse caring for her.

“While he was caring for her, he's telling me a bit about himself,” Mr Stoker said.

Mr Symes was also a vice-resident at Vinnies, while Mr Stoker had been running Strategix Training.

The two realised they had a lot in common and exchanged numbers.

“On the way out of the hospital that night I was thinking ‘wow I think I’ve just met the person I need to do what I’d like to do, my dream’,” Mr Stoker said.

“I told him about it a couple of weeks later and his eyeballs popped out of his head and he jumped out the chair. I said ‘so do you want to do it with me?’ he says ’yes’ so I said ’mate, you’re the founder too, we’re 50/50 and we’ve done this together’.”

Mr Stoker and Mr Symes said the number one thing needed for now was money and professional volunteers.

They are in desperate need of professional volunteers who can assist with fundraising events, grant submission writing, marketing and a secretary.

To help, contact Jeremiah House Vulnerable Persons Service on 0484 721 823 or email [e-mail]

The charity also has a webpage and donations can be made to ANZ (BSB) 014 522 (account number) 469637519.

Originally published as Jeremiah House charity sets sights on million dollar land parcel