The Atherton Neighbourhood Centre is located at 38 Mabel Street, Atherton opposite Overflow.
The centre is open every week from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.
The centre closes on public holidays and two weeks over the Christmas period.
After hours emergency assistance is available by contacting the Men's Helpline on 1300 789 978, the Tableland's Women's Centre on 4091 5100 or Lifeline on 131114.
The ANC is a non-profit organisation providing community based programs funded by several government departments including:
Qld Department of Communities
Qld Health
Commonwealth Department of Family & Community Services.
The Centre utilises best-practice management, accounting and reporting methodologies with operations being overseen by a management committee made up of volunteers from within the community, elected annually at the General Meeting.
The management committee is responsible for ensuring appropriate governance of the centre. They meet monthly to review progress, approve expenditure and provide direction for long term growth and prosperity. Each management committee member is involved in sub-committees aligned with programs delivered by the centre which also meet monthly.
Cathy Darcey, the centre manager leads the support team and is responsible for the day-to-day operations. Currently the centre employees 19 people covering book-keeping, community development, childcare, family support, home & community care, as well as administration deliverables.
Working with the centre manager, the ANC also oversees a volunteer program currently consisting of 36 community members who gain valuable experience working in a service oriented environment.
All of the programs delivered by the ANC are overseen by the centre manager.
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Whether you are new to the area or have lived on the Tablelands a lifetime, the ANC provides information, referral and advocacy services to anyone who needs assistance.
With close ties between health, welfare, social and business organisations and service providers, the friendly ANC staff are able to answer questions about living, working and growing on the Tablelands – whatever your query or concern - all you need to do is ask and a supportive ear will be ready to listen and assist.
We can provide direct support services in times of need, help you to access services and assist in development projects.
Outline services.
As well as these services, which will be discussed in detail shortly, the centre also provides emergency relief in a time of crisis. Vouchers are available for food, fuel and medicine.
Our community development worker, Virginia Berry, works Wednesday through to Friday.
She is an experienced facilitator, able to work with community groups to help establish effective team dynamics, roles & responsibilities, turn visions and ideas into workable and achievable activities, and provide guidance to help teams work together to achieve goals. Virginia is also available to:
assist with funding applications
provide management advice including help with processes such as meeting procedures, keeping records etc
help deal with issues or problems.
Some examples of the groups that she has assisted recently include the Millaa Millaa Lions club, Atherton Chamber of Commerce, Seed Savers’ Up North, Local Food Network, Tablelands Futures Group, Malanda Girl Guides, Men’s Crisis Group, Child Sexual Assault Service.
As an active member of several groups, Virginia can provide information on what is happening within the community by various clubs, associations and organisations as well as providing opportunities for networking.
Every three months the ANC facilitates the Tableland Community Council networking meeting which brings together representatives of community oriented organisations to discuss priorities and planned activities as well as providing a setting to discuss visions for the region.
Community development projects are identified and implemented throughout the year. One current project is Tinaroo Days – aimed at assisting youth at risk of entering the justice system. Tinaroo Days are held throughout the year incorporating team building, leadership and self awareness activities aimed at building self esteem and a stronger sense of responsibility for actions. This program has been operating for two years and is proving to be rewarding for participants.
A current community development project which is gaining momentum is Shire Pride. With the assistance of the Atherton Chamber of Commerce, ANZ Bank, Wadleys Photobarn, Atherton Council and local businesses, the project is involving community members in helping to identify what is great about the shire and what could be improved. Foreseeable outcomes of this project will be the encouragement and adaptation of landholders to improvements, identification of areas of focus for Council maintenance, and a greater sense of identity and pride towards the towns within the shire by residents.
Other community projects include:
Partnerships for prosperity – businesses, service and community groups working together for the good of the Tablelands
Training voluntary management committees – providing a practical guide to managing community organisations
Tablelands Futures Group
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Operating for six years, the Family Support program helps fill the gap within the community which has been formed based on the reduced occurance of an extended family - providing support, advice and assistance.
The family support program provides:
professional, confidential counselling and support for children and youth; their parents, family or caregivers who live on the Atherton Tablelands
Face-to-face counselling
Child focussed therapy
Family support
Experienced Family Support Workers and Counsellors are available throughout the week to talk confidentially about issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, parenting skills, relationship issues, social isolation, mental health, legal matters, seperation or divorce, grief or loss, housing and accommodation, life skills such as self esteem, assertiveness and communication, addictions including drug, alcohol and gambling as well as self harm or suicide.
Our main focus is on childrens welfare and a purpose built child counselling room provides a welcoming space for children.
Home visits and telephone counselling are available also.
This is a free service and no referral is necessary.
Parenting courses are held throughout the year for parents and carers. There are three types of courses, tailored to specific child growth periods. They are:
Under school age
Primary school age
Teenagers
Generally the courses run for six weeks during school terms and involve 2-3 hours per week.
The Family Support staff work cooperatively with other agencies including the Tablelands Womens Centre, hospital, schools, Dept of Housing, police, sexual assault service, mental health, legal services, Centrelink and the Dept of Families to name a few. We provide referrals to specialist care providers when necessary.
The Home & Community Care (HACC) service enables the elderly and people with disabilities of any age to remain in their home.
Eligible people can receive assistance with many home maintenance and safety problems including modifications. Examples include:
Pressure cleaning of paths and driveways
Mowing lawns
Fitting grab rails in showers and toilets – or anywhere else in the house
Designing and making ramps or chair raisers
Making special rails for outside steps
Organising pest control inspections and quotes – concession rates apply
Providing advice on any maintenance problem that is causing concern
To find out if you are eligible, you need to contact the Tableland HACC Assessment Team on 4091 0202 for an assessment
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For those going to court, Cathy is available at the Atherton Courthouse every Tuesday morning to help.
You can ring the ANC before hand or contact Cathy when you arrive at Court.
Limited hours childcare centres are located in Atherton and Yungaburra for children up to 5 years old, providing assistance to parents and carers.
The service is not available on public holidays or four weeks over the Christmas/ New Year period.
The Playgroup/Enrichment Program is currently utilised by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within Atherton.
Along with providing a volunteer program at the centre for members of the community who want to gain valuable skills working in a dynamic workplace, the ANC also maintains a community volunteer register outlining details of all available work opportunities within the Tablelands area.
The centre manager facilitates the volunteer training program which involves a six week course covering:
rights & responsibilities of a volunteer and the organisation you are working for
communication skills
conflict resolution
values & beliefs
strengths & weaknesses
basic office skills
This course is available for volunteers who work at the ANC as well as other organisations.
Cut price administration services are available throughout the week including photocopying, printing & binding, laminating and faxing to members of the centre.
Membership is $5.50 per year for individuals or $11 per year for groups/ organisations. Membership benefits also include a quarterly newsletter.
For those earning less than $35,000 per year, assistance is available for completing tax returns and other tax office requirements.
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Along with the customised child counselling room and offices for the HACC service, counsellors, community development worker, staff and volunteers, the ANC has a separate meeting room available seven days, day and night.
free to community groups - low cost to other groups
dual airconditioning
tea & coffee making facilities
whiteboard, overhead projector, TV & video also available
Currently used by the older womens network, soroptimists, theosophical society, QWERK (support group for parents of children with ADD), legal aid and tax help as well as regular pilates classes.
To book contact ANC on 40913733.
The ANC gardens providing a wonderful space to relax and reflect with murals and gardens created by people fulfilling community service obligations or giving their time through volunteering.
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