Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report
Community Organisation Profile
Speech by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon John McVeigh
State Parliament on 7 June 2012
cares for my
Toowoomba North, Condamine, Warrego, Southern Downs and Gregory.
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland was established as Lifeline Toowoomba in
1975. Its primary function is to offer counselling and support to those in need, especially in
rural and remote areas.
In 1990 the state government asked the organisation to offer operational support to drought
affected farmers out at Dalby which was the first time it expanded past Toowoomba. As the
years have gone on and the drought subsided, the need to expand was still evident with
Lifeline Darling Downs establishing two permanent offices to service St. George and
Charleville in 1997, and also installing permanent offices in both Cunnamulla and Roma.
services go beyond the physical. Often people are hurting mentally and personally. It is
because Lifeline staff are mobile and are able to travel to meet with people that their
services are so effective
travel to access help. And Lifeline makes no exceptions they are there for whoever needs
them, regardless of the situation. For people in regional Queensland who are often ignored,
the Lifeline service is a life line.
During the Equine influenza of 2009/10, Lifeline was on the ground at the forefront helping
those affected. Then when the floods struck during the summer of disasters, Lifeline was
offering counselling in the most severely affected areas and also collected and distributed
food, clothing and white goods to those who had lost everything. At the peak, Lifeline staff
across 16 different locations at the same time. And when the towns of St George, Roma and
Charleville were again inundated this year, they were right back there.
families of children with a disability to cope with the never ending costs of living with a
disability whether that is medical treatment or the accommodation needed to attend
appointments.
Lifeline Darling Downs has given solace and practical help to many who have suffered
throughout the region since it was set up nearly four decades ago.
I applaud Derek Tuffield, his dedicated staff and the 400 selfless volunteers who give so
support to keep on doing the job they are doing looking after those most in need of help.
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