‘Local treasure’ looks back on 40 years of essential service

The managers of a Mackay not-for-profit are looking back on its humble beginnings as a place of refuge for people with a disability as they celebrate 40 years of service.

Secretary Manager Marijan Bigby and Therapist Pauline Sauce at the Engedi Hub in Mount Pleasant, January 25, 2025

From its conception as a house of refuge for people with disabilities, to supporting more than 240 clients today, Engedi has grown a lot in its four decades.

The Mackay not-for-profit has become a “local treasure” for some of the city’s most vulnerable, and it turned 40 on Saturday.

While its catering has ballooned to now offering a range of multidisciplinary services through a growing workforce, their original vision still lies fresh in the minds of those who turn its wheels.

“We’ve come a long way in the 40 years, but we’re still pushing to be able to have that goal for every person with a disability to be able to live full and valued lives out in the community,” long-term secretary of Engedi, Rose White, said.

In 1985, a small group of parents formed a respite care centre after noticing a gap in community support for their sons and daughters with disabilities.

Two years later, a permanent home was donated to the group to create a refuge called Engedi House, spawning a new chapter for Mackay.

Mrs White, whose son went through the program, recalled the group’s early days when demand for community-based care was ripe, yet few services were available.

“It's a long road to be a parent of a disabled person,” she said.

“There was a need because there was no support, you just left your child at home.”

Fast forward to today, and thanks to the introduction of the NDIS and funding from disability services, Engedi has ten independent social living houses with 20 support workers.

One of their most treasured facilities, however, is the social hub in Mount Pleasant.

Pauline Sayce has been working with Engedi as a therapist since 2021 and says what separates Engedi today from other support services is its reach.

“A participant can come and see across the board need instead of having to go to different buildings organisations,” she said.

“We’re learning how to fit into their world.”

Secretary Manager Mariejan Bigby says as the Hub’s multidisciplinary approach is unique to Mackay, they have become the only providers of essential therapies, especially pediatric care.

“We’ve had to close speech, but it was getting up to two years on the waitlist,” she said.

While the demand for disability services has only grown in recent years, so has the demand for its carers.

“One of the big things that we need to remind ourselves is that none of this would happen without the wonderful support workers who work in this industry because without them, it wouldn’t be possible,” Mrs White said.

Originally published as ‘Local treasure’ looks back on 40 years of essential service