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Farewell and best wishes, Rick!

Hi everyone. You may or may not have heard, but our Centre Coordinator and Development Worker Rick Paget has resigned from the role for personal reasons. Friday 24 February was his last day, so he was busy during his last week bringing us up to speed on those ongoing projects that we will need to carry forward.
Rick joined the MNC in September 2020 as our interim coordinator, then won the position when it was advertised for permanent filling. He came to us as COVID forced us to reshape the way we worked, to protect the health of our volunteers, staff and visitors. Rick brought a sense of stability to the MNC. He helped us navigate these difficult months, for which I will be forever grateful.
I’ll miss Rick’s energy. Whether he was loading garden waste into a trailer at one of our weekend working bees, tabulating the scores at our trivia night, or facilitating the meetings of the Maleny Housing Working Group, Rick always projected a sense of positivity, along with a willingness to pitch in and help. He made a big impact on the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre during his two-and-a-half years with us. I enjoyed working with Rick, and wish him all the best for the future.

– Ian Demack, President, MNC Management Committee

The MNC is recruiting

– Centre Coordinator (CC)
– Community Development Worker (CDW)

The Maleny Neighbourhood Centre is seeking two capable people to fill the roles of Centre Coordinator (CC) and Community Development Worker (CDW).

     The Centre Coordinator will lead a team of paid staff and volunteers and manage a dynamic neighbourhood centre. They will manage the MNC’s finances, foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity, and apply for and manage grant funding. This position is envisaged as 30 hours per week, with some after-hours work required.
      The Community Development Worker will develop relationships with our local community, donors and government partners. They will initiate strategic partnerships which strengthen the MNC and achieve its vision. This position is envisaged as 15 hours per week, with some after-hours work required.
        Both positions require high levels of emotional intelligence, as well as strong leadership, interpersonal and time management skills. In addition, the CC position requires proven financial and operation management skills, and the ability to apply for and manage grant funding.
      For further information, including a position description, selection criteria and salary details, download the Information Pack HERE.
Applications close 17 March 2023.

Housing action now:
Suspend the 28 Day Local Law

The Maleny Housing Working Group (MHWG) have been busy this past year requesting a key immediate action in response to the housing crisis on the Sunshine Coast to be addressed: suspending the 28 Day (4 week) Local Law. This local law only allows people living in a temporary home without a permit to stay on private land for a maximum of 4 weeks in a 52 week period. This is an additional barrier for people facing housing stress and homelessness.

Recent updates on the campaign are as follows:

Councillors have unanimously voted to remove the permit fee for those experiencing financial stress until 30 June 2023
Councillor Dickson and Councillor Law have asked
- that we find a way to view these ‘temporary’ housing choices as permanent choices
- to complete community consultation to explore how the new town plan can accommodate them

This outcome is welcomed; however, a lot more can be done to reduce the barriers beyond removing the permit fee for a few months. MHWG contributor Helen Andrew has been doing a lot of leg work and has sent additional letters to the councillors for consideration. As next steps, we would like to ask you all as housing advocates and concerned community leaders to please:

Send a personal message to your local councillor to go beyond the temporary removal of permit fees
Share this out to your networks to also do the same.

Wednesday 15 March
Get Ready Maleny at the Kiosk

The Get Ready Maleny (GRM) “Preparing for Disasters” booklet will help get you prepared and ready for our upcoming disaster season! Find us at the Community Centre Kiosk in Maple Street to grab your booklet and have a chat with your local Sunshine Coast Council and State Emergency Services (SES) disaster management representatives.
The website development is proceeding on schedule and we are hoping to have the website live by the middle of March for you to be able to access the online version of the booklet and our Disaster Awareness Handbook. Pick up your GRM '(cow) eartag' key-ring also.

VIEW THE BOOKLET

Monday 20 March, 9-11.30am
Seniors forum at the Maleny RSL

Learn how to protect yourself from financial & legal abuse

While there has been much publicity in recent years about domestic and family violence, there has been less emphasis on how our elders can also suffer physical, emotional, and financial abuse.

At the forum there will be a short film in the form of a drama outlining issues for older people and their legal rights, including enduring powers of attorney and wills, followed by a complimentary morning tea. After this a question-and-answer session will be hosted by Julian Porter from the Suncoast Community Legal Service. Representatives from Centacare Domestic Violence Service, Relationships Australia Elder Abuse team, & QPS Vulnerable Persons Unit, will also be available to speak to attendees.
Come along to learn what you can do to ensure your rights to safety in your advanced years. And bring all your questions for the experts.

Please RSVP by 13 March for catering purposes to Barbara on 0439 660 458 or by EMAIL. Speak Up Now is an initiative of the combined Service Clubs of Maleny and the Blackall Range.

VIEW THE POSTER

Friday 24 March, 10am-2pm
MNC Info Day

Friday 31 March, from midday
Journey of Life Grief Garden –
opening event

MNC and TULE (Tying Up Loose Ends) are celebrating the official opening of the garden next to the MNC Maleny Neighbourhood Centre with guest speaker Tegan Scheffe (National Coordinator of Safe Yarns), Welcome to Country and the Acapella Mouth Orchestra choir directed by Brian Martin. The event will wind up with a short meditation lead by Jacinta Foale and light refreshments will be served.
Our website www.tyinguplooseends.com.au which will be launched on the day has a wealth of up to date innovative and cost effective information on planning for end of life, and suggestions of how to open up this sometimes difficult conversation. It includes many helpful links to supportive organisations and book recommendations.
The grief garden has evolved with assistance from willing volunteers, Council, MNC, Barung Landcare, Forest Heart Nursery, Maleny Lions and many generous people in the Hinterland community.

RSVP text/call to 0409 470 822.

Volunteers needed – garden help

The upkeep of our community garden includes weeding, watering, planting & pruning. Any help big or small, would be very much appreciated as the garden’s produce supplies our Thursday community lunch. Become a part of this great Centre serving the beautiful Maleny & surrounds community.

MNC is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Volunteers can work a half or full day or as needed. Please contact Nancy 5499 9345 if you are interested in volunteering – we need YOU!

Australia Day: Mobile Come & Try Day
26 January

We opened up MNC on Australia Day for the Mobile Come & Try Day with a sausage sizzle, with staff and volunteers available to talk about the Centre. About 200 people came to the garden for the Ceremony of Rememberance.

Thursdays 9 am – noon
Orange Sky free Laundry Service

The Laundry operates from a van in the MNC carpark.
We have a simple formula; we 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. Our volunteers are not social workers or experts on homelessness – but they are empathetic listeners and great conversationalists.

Justice of the Peace
Available Monday–Friday, 9.30am-12.30pm
To witness signatures of official documents

Person-centred counselling with Petrina

Most Tuesdays, 9.15am-1.00pm*

Counselling sessions are held on most Tuesday 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.

Unfortunately Centrelink will no longer be offered on a Thursday at MNC.

Everything you need to know about the MNC

This beautiful 175 page book, produced by two MNC volunteer professionals, is a valuable compendium of the history of the Neighbourhood Centre from 1992 to the present. It is available to view and/or purchase from the front desk for $30. All proceeds go to the MNC.
View some sample pages HERE.

EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM:
$25 and $50 IGA and Woolworths vouchers always needed!
Swags $100

Boomerang Bag, Maleny Trail Riders, Montville Tai Chi, Habitat Support, ReMax Real Estate, Maleny UCA Ladies, Maleny Baptist Church, Interact Club MSHS, Anonymous, Denise O'Brien, Fiona Dempster, John Wyche, RW & MA Milligan, Elizabeth Findlay, Brenda Rose, Wham Family, Ron Sharp, Shannon Carson, Susan Cotterill and everyone who added to our donation box on Christmas Day, about $800.

MONDAY

• RangeCare Games Morning
9.30am–12noon
Contact Janene 5429 6152

TUESDAY

• Knitfest
Every Tuesday, 10am–12noon

THURSDAY

• Orange Sky Laundry
Thursday, 9 am – 12 pm

THURSDAY

• Community lunch
Weekly $7 lunch
Everyone welcome
12.30 pm to 1.15pm

• Maleny Fix It Cafe
2nd and 4th Thursday, 9am–2.30pm.
$5 donation per item $10 for sewing machine repairs.
Items need to be brought in on the day for initial assessment.

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,
$7 Join us or takeaway.

• Woolworths
Food donations

• Maleny Fix It Cafe
Thursdays fortnightly, 9am–2.30pm. Alterations, furniture and bike repairs, sewing machines looked at too. More info 5499 9345.

• Maleny Bakery
Bread donations

• LETS (Local Energy Transfer System)
LETS market: 2nd Saturday of the month

• Knitfest
Tuesdays 9am–12noon. Learn to knit/crochet.
More info

• IGA – CBC number 43356
Quote the CBC number above when making your purchase, and proceeds will be donated to MNC.
More details

• 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:

QLD Government Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy * Sunshine Coast Council Partnership funding program * APEX * Habitat Support * Barry Smith & Fiona Dempster * Boomerang Bags * Caloundra Community Centre * Concept Coffee * Lions Club of Maleny * Maleny and District Senior Citizens * Maleny Anglican Church * Maleny Bakery and Café * Maleny Baptist Church * Maleny Catholic Ladies * Maleny Chamber of Commerce * Maleny Credit Union Charitable Trust * Maleny Church On The Rise * Maleny Food Co. * Maleny Garden Club * Maleny Hospital Auxiliary * Maleny Market Place * Maleny Masonic Lodge * Maleny Presbyterian Church * Maleny Rotary Club * Maleny Super IGA * Maleny Uniting Church * Maleny Woolworths * Maple Street Co-operative Society * Montville Coffee * OzHarvest * Salvation Army * Sarah's Unplugged * Sunstone Gardens Home Owners Association * The Orangery Maleny * Tin Shed Farm * Zonta Club of the Blackall Range

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.

Send contributions to: admin@malenync.org.au

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.