Community Care

Providing support to remote, rural and regional communities in NSW and Queensland

NSW Queensland
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Downs & West Community Support

After 19 years of service, Downs & West Community Support says farewell

After 19 years of serving farming families and rural communities across southern Queensland, Downs & West Community Support has officially closed its doors.

Since 2007, the organisation has provided encouragement, practical support and hope to people facing hardship. From distributing food hampers, grocery and fuel vouchers, furniture, clothing and farm supplies, to assisting with household bills and creating opportunities for connection through hundreds of community wellbeing events, every act of support was delivered with dignity, compassion and care.

Downs & West Community Support was established during what was described as the “worst drought in living history”. Looking back on nearly two decades of service, Sister Christine reflected:

“What I witnessed in those early days, and in every year since, has been the extraordinary strength, resilience, kindness and compassion of rural communities across Southern Queensland.

“While the decision to wind down this important work has not been easy, I am forever grateful for every connection made, every conversation shared, and every life touched along the way.”

Advisory Committee Chair and Treasurer Chris Garnier said the organisation’s legacy will live on through the lives it has touched.

“Nineteen years of human kindness cannot be erased from the soil of Queensland. Thank you to our donors, our volunteers, our resilient farming families, and most of all, to Sister Christine for her 19 years of selfless service.”

To every donor, volunteer, community partner and supporter who made this work possible – thank you. Your generosity enabled thousands of people to receive practical assistance, compassion and hope when they needed it most.

While Downs & West Community Support’s chapter has come to an end, the spirit of kindness, resilience and community that defined its work will continue to inspire those whose lives were touched over the past 19 years.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Practical assistance in action

How does Downs & West Community Support help?

Practical support may include providing food and household hampers, toiletry care packs, Christmas hampers and gifts.

Financial support may involve providing cash assistance, prepaid grocery and petrol vouchers, essential home appliances; paying domestic and farm bills, and purchasing stock feed; replacing water tanks, fencing and gates; and repairing machinery.

Emotional support is provided by visiting people at home or in hospital, writing letters, phone calls, and utilising appropriate referral systems as required.

Social support involves hosting Family Fun Days and Christmas Days, Wellness Days and the unique Dragonfly Health and Wellness Retreats for country women.

“Pastoral care is an integral part of our ministry, a role that lies at the heart of an integrated approach to healing and to life. While accompanying individuals and families as they articulate their fear, pain, worries and hope, we aim to respond in the present moment and assist them to find strength and to draw upon their own resources.”

Case study

Practical support and pastoral care in one chance encounter

“Pulling into a country petrol station on one of our recent trips out west, I noticed a sad-looking man refuelling his car. After a brief exchange about the weather, he went into the shop to pay for the fuel, ordered a snack then sat at a table outside by himself. Sensing his loneliness and seeing tears in his eyes I asked if I could sit with him while I drank my coffee.

He told me he was driving the long distance into Brisbane to visit his sick wife. She had spent many weeks away having medical treatment, but circumstances meant he wasn’t able to visit her very often. He was lonely and overwhelmed by fear thinking he might lose his wife of 40 years.

Fortunately, I was able to give him some petrol vouchers and two non-perishables hampers and have since kept in touch to help him prepare to have his wife home. We did a massive clean-up of the home in two days. We purchased a bed and other household linen and clothes for both, a cordless jug, toaster, and sandwich maker. Such a chance encounter is just one way we can quietly help those in need.”