By Margie Maccoll
Giving people greater purpose in their lives, recycling waste timber and creating Christmas gifts for children are the outcomes of a community project made permanent in Noosa.
Noosa Community Support (NCS) this week announced popularity had led to the permanence and expansion of the Workshop program it trialled last year.
The Workshop brings together eligible men and women aged over 65 years, and anyone with a disability to make items from wood.
Last year, the program created toys for the Salvation Army to distribute to children in need at Christmas.
It has been expanded from one to two days a week since it was initiated in July.
Mayor Tony Wellington officially opened the Workshop on Monday, praising all involved for its success.
“NCS is responsive to the clients’ needs, and we are witnessing that in action,” he said.
Cr Wellington thanked Noosa Men’s Shed, Cleanaway and council’s waste management for sourcing the wood and the many volunteers, “without whose help this service would never exist”.
NCS co-ordinator Greg Tucker said bringing clients together to have a bit of fun and feel part of the community was the aim of the Workshop.
“They can do as much activity as they want and have as much fun as they want to have,” he said.
Not everyone comes for the activities.
Some like 92-year-old Gordon Edwards just come along “for a day out”
NCS supervisor Geoff Brittain said the workshop would not have been possible without volunteer Steve McEwan, who helped with the workshop design, the support of Cooroora Woodworkers Club and their association with the Salvation Army.
The Workshop operates Mondays and Thursdays.
NCS provides a range of services including centre-based day care, personal care, house cleaning, meal and transport assistance and house maintenance.
The service operated by Noosa Council with funding from the federal and state governments. For more information, contact Noosa Community Support on 5329 6175.
