The MNC celebrated the end of 2021 with our annual Christmas Day Breakfast, before the doors reopened again in 2022 with immediate adjustments being made in consideration of COVID. Many of our regular services were postponed but we’re pleased to announce their recommencement.
Celebrating Christmas 2021
Set in the beautiful grounds of the MNC, our annual Christmas Day Breakfast was again a success. An MNC signature event since 2001, each year it is made possible by the great support we receive from community through businesses discounting their products or donating, and people volunteering their time in the leadup and on the day.
A special thanks goes to Alison Smith who stepped up to coordinate this year’s event, along with backup from Jim Straker and Suzanne Millar Mustard. As mentioned many volunteers also contributed considerable time to make this event a success. THANK YOU to all who contributed and participated.
We’d also like to specifically acknowledge the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Minor Grant’s team for their repeated sponsorship of this event, and to the generous individual (wishing to remain anonymous) who contributed significant funds. Great to have local indigenous elder BJ Murphy and his family join us for Welcome to Country and to hand out gifts as Santa. Musicians Jenny Fitzgibbon, RubaTuba, and Rob Longstaff brought a great vibe to the morning’s festivities, plus Karen and her team from Montville Coffee treated us all to specialty tea and coffee served with love!
Businesses, groups and individuals who contributed:
BJ Murphy • Bunnings Caloundra• Jenny Fitzgibbon • Maleny Bakery • Maleny IGA • Maleny Lions • Maleny Quality Meats• Maleny Rotary• Maleny SUPA IGA • Maleny Woolworths • Maple Street Co-op • Maple Street Meats • Michael Thompson • Montville Coffee • Nan & Pop's Fruit n Veg • Rob Longstaff • RubaTuba • SjW Mushrooms • Sunshine Coast Regional Council • Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy
A rich tapestry of MNC's history
on sale from Thursday 24 February
February 23 will see an inhouse launch of the book The Story of the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre. Produced by the Centre and starting from 1992, it includes many past identities and interesting historical anecdotes outlining the MNC’s rich tapestry of sponsors and significant history contributors. The book provides stories and the background of the many people who have laid the foundation of what the Neighbourhood Centre is today.
Inspired by MNC Vice President Jim Straker, the project took off with accomplished historian and volunteer Neil Byrne agreeing to participate, devoting many hours to interviewing past identities and compiling the story, spending a lot of time talking to but mainly listening to people from MNC’s past.
The baton was then passed to Wendy Oakley who also volunteered her skills and experience to undertake the production – design, layout and review.
Gay Liddington provided an outsider review for the document and an article for the Hinterland Times.
The Maleny Library has offered an end of cabinet display during March; and on Wednesday 16 March the MNC will display the book at the Maple Street Kiosk from 9am-12pm. Some of our friendly team will share more of MNC’s current activities and how you can support the various causes.
The 178-page Story of the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre is a stand-out document and will be available for sale @ $30 from Thursday 24 February at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.
MNC observes COVID restrictions
Since doors reopened early in January, we continue to adhere and adjust to the latest directives from Queensland Health. Thank you for your understanding while mask wearing and social distancing measures remain in place.
RE-COMMENCEMENT OF MNC SERVICES We’re pleased to announce that regular services have resumed at the MNC as follows:
Emergency Relief – Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm JPs in the Community – Monday to Friday, 9.30am-12pm Free Counselling with Petrina (appt only), Mondays, 9.30am-12pm Orange Sky Laundry – Wednesdays, 9am-12pm Community Lunch (takeaway) – Thursdays, 12.30-1.30pm Fixit Café – every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 9.30am-12pm LET’s Market – 2nd Saturday of the month
Every Thursday, from 12.30-1.30pm
Community lunch still going strong
Our happy community lunch cooks
Take away only, $5. The popular community lunches have recommenced for 2022. At this stage we’re offering take-away only but you’re welcome to sit and eat within the grounds of the MNC. Everyone welcome.
Every Wednesday, 9am-12pm
Cleaning up at the Orange Sky Laundry
The Laundry will be operated from a van in the MNC carpark.
Orange Sky provides a laundry service that has a simple formula; they provide a platform for every day Australians to connect through a regular laundry service. The focus is on creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are too often ignored or who feel disconnected from the community.
Their volunteers are not social workers or experts on homelessness – they are empathetic listeners and great conversationalists.
Longtime fixers Jim Straker (left) and Nev Littler
Maleny Fixit Café is a social enterprise conducted from the Centre, with the aim of reducing landfill and encouraging recycling and repurposing. All repairs are initially assessed and if fixable are repaired for a cost of a $5 donation.
Here is Mr Fixit resting on the heaps of handkerchiefs made by Josie for a customer.
Mr Fixit also wants to advise people that Peter has joined the team and is able to look at sewing machines and small repairs to electronic items – soldering joints etc but not major component testing and replacing.
9.30am–12.30pm Monday–Friday
A Justice of the Peace is at the Centre each day to witness signatures of official documents.
Counselling is back at the MNC – meet Petrina Fox
Every Monday, 9am-12.30pm*
Petrina Fox, BSW, M.Soc.Sc(Couns), M.Ed., is an experienced social worker and counsellor. Her counselling approach is person-centred and her experience includes relationship and grief and loss issues, mild mood disorders and traumas. Her main goal is to support the quality of a client's intra- and interpersonal relationships and social functioning and to help reduce their stress / distress."
Counselling sessions are held on Monday mornings by appointment – only $10 donation per session to the MNC for concession holders and for those facing financial hardship. *To make an appointment please ring the MNC on 5499 9345.
EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM: $25 and $50 IGA and Woolworths vouchers always needed!
Swags $100
John and Penny Park, Trudi Lindegger, Bill Richter, Denise O'Brien, Edwin Weir, Fiona Dempster, Barry Smith, Leigh Findlay, Jim Straker, Ian Demack, Blackall Range Uniting Church Friendship Club, Joy of Singing, Maleny IGA and Maleny Chocolate Co.
MONDAY
• RangeCare Games Morning
9.30am–12noon
Contact Janene 5429 6152
TUESDAY
• Knitfest
Every Tuesday, 10am–12noon • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) TBA
Second Tuesday of the month 10am-12noon
WEDNESDAY
• TULE (Tying Up Loose Ends) Compassionate Conversations
Next meeting: 16 March,
10.30am–12.30pm
FRIDAY • EPICC
Inclusive writing group for youth and adults with special needs
9am–3pm (except school holidays)
Contact Sue 5499 9899
THURSDAY
• Community lunch
Weekly $5 lunch (takeaway)
Everyone welcome
12.30 pm • Maleny Fix It Cafe
2nd and 4th Thursday, 9am–2.30pm
$5 donation per item
Items need to be brought in on the day for initial assessment. • LETS office
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10.30am–12.30pm
EVERY WEEKDAY
• Flexi School
(except school holidays) • Free Wi-Fi,
1 computer available for 60 min booking • Range of rooms available
to rent during business hours and after hours 7 days at reasonable rates contact Sue 5499 9345
• Emergency food relief
10.00 am to 12.00 pm Monday to Friday • Justice of the Peace
To witness signatures of official documents
9.30am–12.30pm
• Community lunch
Weekly on a Thursday, 12.30pm,
$5 Join us for takeaway.
• Drop In NDIS Support
Second Tue of the month, 12.30– 2.30pm. View the flyer
• EPICC Maleny
Support for people with disabilities. Fridays 9.30am–3.30pm View the poster here
• Maleny Fix It Cafe
Thursdays fortnightly, 9am–2.30pm. Alterations, furniture and bike repairs. More info 5499 9345.
• LETS (Local Energy Transfer System)
Next LETS fortnightly office – tba. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10.30am –12.30 pm. Next LETS market: tba
• Knitfest
Tuesdays 10am–12noon. Learn to knit/crochet or work on items for the festival 2021. More info
• Woolworths
Food donations
• IGA – CBC number 43356
Quote the CBC number above when making your purchase, and proceeds will be donated to MNC. More details
• CHASM – Compassionate Housing Affordability Solutions Maleny
Working to increase the supply of affordable housing More info
• Oz Harvest
Food donations
Maleny Neighbourhood Centre acknowledges assistance of funding from the Queensland Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy. The Centre also sources funding through the Sunshine Coast Council as well as our local community by way of memberships, donations and fundraising.
The Centre proudly acknowledges local support from:
• Sunshine Coast Council Community Partnership Funding Program • APEX • Lions Club of Maleny • Maleny Super IGA • Maleny and District Senior Citizens • Maleny Anglican Church • Maleny Baptist Church • Maleny Presbyterian Church • Maleny Uniting Church • Maleny Catholic Ladies • Maleny Chamber of Commerce • Maleny Rotary • Maleny Garden Club • Queensland Country Bank • Montville Coffee • Zonta Club of Blackall Range • Maleny Bakery and Cafe • Sunstone Gardens Home Owners Association • Habitat Support • OzHarvest • Woolworths Maleny • Salvation Army
Disclaimer:
MNC very much appreciates the support of the services that use our centre and advertise in our newsletter; however it does not necessarily endorse any products or services advertised.
The Maleny Neighbourhood Centre
17 Bicentenary Lane, Maleny Qld 4552 Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm.
Closed Public Holidays. Phone: (07) 5499 9345 Web:www.malenync.org.au
The Maleny Neighbourhood Centre acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land where we live and work, the Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara people.
We pay respect to Elders, past present and emerging.
