Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre

About us

The Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre is jointly funded by Bundaberg Regional Council and the Queensland Government. The Centre is open from Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 4.45pm.

The Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre integrates knowledge, investment, and action to build community inclusion and cohesion, and advocate for locally led responses to community issues.

As a trusted public space, the Neighbourhood Centre provides an inclusive and respectful place for people to connect, belong, participate and be supported. Visiting service providers also use the Centre as a place to deliver their services.

Objectives

  • Support communities to identify important concerns and issues impacting on the social wellbeing of their local community, and to plan and implement strategies to mitigate their concerns and solve their issues.
  • Respond to the identified and emergent needs of the local community with a priority on vulnerable individuals and families within the community.
  • Be flexible and culturally inclusive, providing a range of community activities.
  • Provide universal access for the community with a focus on vulnerable individuals, families, and populations.
  • Support access to more targeted services.
  • Provide integrated and coordinated responses as part of the local social service system.
  • Provide a mixed balance of programs, services, and activities.
  • Promote community engagement and connectedness.

Key Activity Dimensions

The Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre is unique to the community it works within, tailoring activities to the needs and priorities of our community.

Three Key Activity Dimensions underpin the core operating activities of the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre. As a funded Centre we are required to deliver these as part of our service agreements with the Queensland Government:

  1. Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre “Links people with formal and informal support”.
    • We provide a safe and trusted local place for people to seek support and assistance.
    • We are a point of expertise on pathways to formal and informal support.
    • We respond to individuals and families presenting with needs, ranging from information provision through to service navigation and interventions.
  2. Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre “Creates social connections and inclusion”.
    • We provide a safe place and activities for people to connect, participate, belong, contribute and volunteer.
    • We mentor and support local groups and organisations.
    • We foster inclusion, recognition and respect for First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
  3. Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre “Integrates local community action”.
    • We lead place-based responses by identifying local strengths and priorities, and designing, coordinating, and implementing local level solutions.
    • We integrate investment and action for local issues.
    • We foster volunteering and community involvement.
    • We empower community members to organise and build local capacity.
    • We act as a conduit to and from government, harnessing opportunities, and whole-of-government action for local benefit.
    • We provide local leadership for disaster preparedness, resilience, and response.

Our services

Community Computer Kiosk

The Kiosk features computers with broadband access for use by adult members of our local community.

If you know of any adults that may like to use the Kiosk, please be sure to pass on this information. Bookings are recommended and can be made by phoning the Centre on (07) 4130 4630.

We also provide basic training for beginners in:

  • Basic computer, keyboard and mouse operation
  • Internet research and using search engines
  • Emailing and attaching pictures
  • Constructing a letter using Word

Visiting Agencies

  • Centacare Homestay
  • Taylor Street Legal Service
  • Taxhelp
  • Centacare Family Support
  • Job Network Providers
  • Finemore Walters & Story
  • Disability Employment Services
  • NDIS Information

And other as community needs arise.

Services we provide

The Centre provides services to individuals, families, organisations and communities. It offers a vast variety of activities based on local circumstances, local needs and availability of funding. Some of the services facilitated at the Centre include:

  • Photocopy service
  • Clerical services
  • Email services
  • Fax service
  • Document printing, binding and laminating
  • Completion of forms
  • Tax help for low income families and individuals (July to October)
  • Administration support (letters, resume)
  • Referrals and information (aged care, youth, children, women's issues, health, mental health, community housing, legal aid, community groups, disability, medical, domestic violence, dispute resolution)
  • General information
  • Noticeboards advertising for community groups
  • Emergency relief and assistance
  • Volunteers
  • Taylor Street Legal Service
  • Tai-Chi
  • Community Computer Kiosk
  • Community group activities

Emergency relief

From time to time people find themselves in a crisis. The Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre offers Emergency Relief Funds through the Department of Social Services.

This programme can provide assistance with:

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Travel
  • Prescriptions
  • Bill payment
  • Other as assessed

To assist in the assessment process please provide:

  • Centrelink statement of income (current)
  • Any other statement of income (wages)
  • Evidence and receipts of any expenses such as:
    • Rates
    • Electricity
    • Rent
    • Gas
    • Car registration
    • Water
    • Receipts for other expenses

Community Connect Program

About the program

The Community Connect Program through the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre is funded by the Queensland Government.

The funded program supports the Centre with their vital role in supporting the Gin Gin Community. Neighbourhood and Community Centres provide a universal point of access for individuals and families to obtain support and advocacy services as well as referrals to formal service systems.

Who can use the program?

Community Connect services support vulnerable individuals and families. The services can connect you to social programs and support services, including counselling, parenting help, financial literacy or crisis supports and much more.

Our Community Connect Worker has a focus on the participant’s needs and wishes, are solution-focussed and work towards resolving issues and removing barriers. Our Community Connect Officer can assist by finding the right support for you at the right time.

To get started, contact the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre to make a time to meet privately with our Community Connect Worker and talk about your circumstances.

During this time, the Community Connect Worker will work together with you to connect you to relevant support services. In some circumstances, we may also be able to provide assistance in meeting costs associated with accessing these services.

How is the program provided?

The program can be provided face-to-face or by telephone, or even video calls. We will work with you to support you to meet your needs this could be but not limited to referrals to services to assist you with:

  • Aging in Place Services
  • Child/ Family Support Services
  • Culturally Specific Support
  • Disability Support Services
  • Domestic and Family Violence Services
  • Drug and Alcohol Support Services
  • Emergency Accommodation/ Homelessness Services
  • Emergency Relief
  • Employment and Education and Training Providers
  • Financial Counselling Support Services
  • General Counselling Services
  • Health Services (not alcohol or drug or mental health)
  • Income Support
  • Legal or Justice Services (QPS)
  • LGBTIQ+
  • Long Term Housing Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS)
  • Social Isolation
  • Transport Services
  • Other Support Services

We aim to match clients with the best service providers to meet their individual needs.

The program is funded by the Queensland Government and provided at no cost.

Community Connect Worker will help you:

  • Assess support options.
  • Connect with services.
  • Referrals to appropriate services.
  • Build your skills and confidence.
  • Present you with options / referrals about service providers in the region.
  • Liaise with service providers, to assist with appropriate referral and connections.
  • Link you with supports – occupational therapy, speech therapy, support groups.
  • Link you with your local community.
  • Work with you to develop capacity.

The Community Connect Workers role is to provide tailored short-term support to build skills and capability of participants and to facilitate access to supports and services.

Contact Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre

Community Development Officer

Address: 4 Dear Street
Gin Gin QLD 4671

Telephone: 07 4130 4630

Email: ggnc@bundaberg.qld.gov.au

Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre Newsletters

Read Newsletters here

 

Gin Gin Community Connect Worker

Fiona McLean

Address: 4 Dear Street
Gin Gin QLD 4671

Telephone: 0403 113 767

Email: ggcommunityconnect@bundaberg.qld.gov.au

Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre Room Hire

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Gin Gin Youth Centre Room Hire

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Application to Hire Form

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Neighbourhood Centre Christmas Hamper Nomination Form

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