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Our History over the years

You are here: About Us > Our History over the years
Last updated:
14/02/2024

LIVE, GROW, PROSPER

Working together, creating diverse opportunities & improving lives since 1978

IMPACT Community Services is a non-profit organisation established in 1978, with a long-standing commitment to empowering individuals and fostering community connections across the Bundaberg, North Burnett, South Burnett, and Discovery Coast regions of Queensland, Australia. Headquartered at 108 Bargara Road, Bundaberg QLD 4670, IMPACT has expanded its reach to include additional locations in Childers, Gin Gin, Agnes Water, Hervey Bay, and Kingaroy, ensuring a broad coverage of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of these communities.

As an organisation deeply rooted in its mission to support, train, and employ individuals within the community, IMPACT Community Services operates under three fundamental pillars: LIVE (Support and Health), GROW (Training), and PROSPER (Employment and Enterprises). These pillars are designed to offer a comprehensive range of programs that cater to various aspects of personal and professional development, from basic needs support and health care to skills training and employment assistance.

  • LIVE (Support and Health): focuses on providing support and health services that enable clients to access essential resources such as housing, food, social supports, inclusion and wellbeing activities, and safety. This pillar is fundamental in stabilising circumstances for those facing challenging times, ensuring they have the foundation to build upon for a better future.
  • GROW (Training): IMPACT offers both accredited and non-accredited training opportunities. These programs are tailored to support clients in upskilling or changing careers, thereby enhancing their employability and potential for personal growth. Through a mix of practical and theoretical learning experiences, participants are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the workforce.
  • PROSPER (Employment and Enterprises): is dedicated to employment and enterprises, providing individuals with the necessary supports to gain and maintain employment. This includes assisting people to find jobs within IMPACT’s own social enterprises, which serve as a practical training ground for real-world job experience while contributing to the local economy.

IMPACT Community Services' approach is holistic and personalised, recognising that everyone's journey is unique. The organisation prides itself on offering non-judgemental support, understanding the complexity of the challenges faced by their clients. With a comprehensive suite of services, including mental health support, employment assistance, housing solutions, and skills training, IMPACT is committed to creating lasting change. They address individual needs through wrap-around support services, designed to provide sustainable solutions and foster resilience, independence, and community reconnection.

Overall, IMPACT Community Services embodies a dedication to enhancing the wellbeing of individuals and communities through a blend of practical support, training, and employment opportunities. Their comprehensive, compassionate approach to service delivery ensures that all clients receive the support they need to live, grow, and prosper.

Today IMPACT’s vision, mission and values demonstrate these same ideals - to support people who are vulnerable, unemployed or who feel disconnected. We help them to reconnect to social and economic networks, enabling them to realise their potential.

While the organisation’s purpose has remained solid over the years, our structure and operations have changed significantly.

In order to remain resilient and endure the peaks and troughs faced in the community sector, and to keep up with the ever-changing needs of our stakeholders, it has been necessary to remain flexible, develop innovative processes, increase capacity and capability and plan to future-proof and diversify the services of the organisation.

Below are some highlights and lowlights from the past 40+ years that have moulded IMPACT into what we are today: an organisation that works together, creates diverse opportunities & improves lives.

2023

  • Steve Beer Retires after 30 years with IMPACT Community Services
  • IMPACT commences the Stronger Together Podcast
  • Grant funding received from Department of Health and Ageing for Refurbishment of ICHS premises, as a result of the 2022 Labour election promise

2022

  • IMPACT 'Together we move' Indigenous Artwork created by Dylan Sarra released to the public and branded work shirts created to celebrate this.
  • JobActive Contract awarded and rebranded to Workforce Australia. New Contract to commence 1 July 2022.
  • Intensive Family Support program extended until 30 June 2027.
  • Transition to Work (TtW) ceased
  • WORKFit, a job seeking support program commenced
  • JobActive Contract awarded and rebranded to Workforce Australia

2021

  • Mandatory COVID vaccinations for all staff from 15 December 2021 in line with Queensland Government Health Directive.
  • IMPACT Community Choir recommenced after an extended break due to COVID.  Funding for Choir Master received through St John’s Grace Fund.
  • June 2021 IMPACTonians began to be phased out of branding to be transitioned out by the end of 2021.
  • April 2021 First Community Hub event held.

2020

  • No Annual Celebration held due to COVID restrictions.
  • Telehealth equipment installed in health Centre at Agnes Water (ICHS). Donated by ROTARY
  • Steam 4 Mental Health Services for People with Severe Mental Health Illness to be delivered on 12 month contract
  • COVID restrictions start to ease – group support sessions start to re-commence
  • R&C Container Refund Scheme Coex Logistics Contract - successful in gaining a grant to purchase a Truck
  • Tanya O’Shea changed her role from Chief Executive to Managing Director (appointed 29 January 2020)
  • COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak majority of staff working remotely, social distancing, Working from Home policy came into play.  Clients and Jobseeker support/services continued with students and clients provided support virtually, group sessions were ceased

2019

  • Solar Power was installed at New iMage Laundry
  • Tanya O’Shea celebrated 20 years’ service at IMPACT
  • Renovation to Canoe shed to provide for Innovation space now named Innovate@108
  • PHaMs service /funding ceased
  • Employment First Aid funding ceased
  • Award win - Coact Steve Lawrence Award – won for outstanding work with Aboriginal jobseekers
  • Award finalist (Top 3) Agsafe Stewardship Awards “Outstanding drumMUSTER Supporter” category
  • Award finalist (National top 3) NESA Award – Excellence in Indigenous Collaboration

2018

  • 40th Anniversary celebrations (attended by 300+ stakeholders)
  • New iMage Laundry (NIL) construction project completed
  • NIL officially relocated and commenced processing in new facility
  • NIL commenced major processing contract with FSPH
  • Official opening of New iMage Laundry
  • Commenced Container refund scheme (CRS) (Refund Point, Processing and logistics)(Containers For Change Container Refund Scheme)
  • Queensland Training Awards – Savannah Kittle winner for Equity VET Student of the Year Award
  • Ministerial Visit from Ros Bates Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Shadow Minister for Women and Mick McArdle
  • Intensive Family Support (IFS) commenced
  • Ceased delivery of ParentsNext services in Rockhampton

2017

  • Ceased delivery of DES Contract, formally DEN (Disability Employment Network)
  • Received NDS Support Excellence award for innovative practice, sector leadership and provision of quality employment outcomes
  • Minister Fiona Nash visited NIL site to announce Federal government contribution towards NIL construction
  • Employment First Aid (EFA) commenced
  • New iMage Laundry construction commenced
  • Received NESA Excellence Award for Innovation in Disability Employment
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) commenced
  • Hon Jane Prentice MP visits MRF

2016

  • Commenced ParentsNext in Rockhampton 
  • Transition to Work (TtW) implemented
  • IMPACT commenced a skip truck and bin service to provide additional service to Council. 
  • Commenced services in Discover Coast Community Health Service covering 8 widespread townships including Agnes Water, Town of 1770, Rosedale, Baffle Creek & Miriam Vale
  • Hon Jane Prentice MP visit

2015

  • Bundaberg Skills Centre Inc undertook a change of legal entity name and is now IMPACT Community Services Inc.
  • Job Services Australia (JSA) ceased and was replaced by the new Job Active Employment Services

2014

  • IMPACT embarked on a branding change which formally launched in June 2015. The new branding consisted of IMPACTonians, surprise yourself and Live Grow Prosper
  • Business name IMPACT Community Services registered

2013

Australia Day 2013 IMPACT was flooded for the first time in history as a result of the devastation caused by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald. suffering a significant loss close to $1m.  Flood height reached in Building 1 of 1.2metres

2012-13

IMPACT focused on the development of or purchase of social enterprise, purchasing a number of small businesses aimed at diversifying services and revenue streams, the new businesses included:-

  • MAKKA Lures
  • New Image Detailers
  • New Image Professional Cleaning & Property Solutions
  • New Image Laundry Services
  • Exotic Preserves

2012

  • IMPACT commenced the Street Outreach Service
  • Significant loss of funding after the appointment of Campbell Newman and the striking of a State Government budget with a focus on reducing the State Government Debt.

 

2011

  • IMPACT’s original premises underwent major renovations and built workshop
  • IMPACT Community Choir was formed
  • Tanya O’Shea was appointed new Chief Executive of IMPACT following the retirement of Dorothy Cox after 30 years’ service to the organisation
  • Governor General Hon Quentin Bryce attended to officially open the new facility

2010

  • A tribute for Dorothy Cox, Chief Executive Officer, to celebrate 30 years of dedicated service

2009

  • Commenced delivery of PHaMs Mental Health Services
  • Barbara Matt celebrates nearly 30 years service to IMPACT as a Board member and volunteer, we farewell and thank her for her service

2008

Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations commenced the Job Services Australia (JSA) program. JSA combined continuous delivery of Job Services Contracts - 1998 Job Network, 2008 JSA and 2015 Job Active

2005

Staff HQ photo 2005

2004

  • The organisation introduced the trading name "IMPACT Make Your Mark"

2002

  • IMPACT Became a member of Job Futures Ltd
  • Disability Employment Network (DEN) contract commenced
  • Bundaberg Skills Centre were handed the operations at Recycling and Collections facility (formerly Independence Incorporate and Independent Recyclers) The facility is an ADE (Australian Disability Enterprise) and provides supported employment opportunities for people with a Disability.

2000

Staff photos 2000

1999

  • Bundaberg Skills Centre were not successful in gaining a new Job Network contract, this in effect caused staffing numbers to drop from 65 to 20 in a very short time
  • Tanya O'Shea commenced employment with Bundaberg Skills Centre

1998

  • Skillshare funding ceased
  • Organisation gained funding to deliver the Job Network contract, now Workforce Australia
  • Successful in gaining funding to deliver Work for the Dole pilot project

1997

Staff photos 1997

1994

  • The official opening of facilities at 108 Bargara Road, Bundabers Skills Centre - SkillShare, after building was complete

1993

  • Bundaberg Skills Centre purchased the adjoining house and land and commenced building a two-storey training and administration centre, function room, canteen and office spaces
  • Moved from the Old Christian Brothers building where the current Bundaberg Library is today, to Mascot Squash Centre before the new building was complete

1992

  • Purchased Mascot Sports Complex where our current premises are located on Bargara Road and commenced building works
  • Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) volunteering program commenced

1991

  • Expanded to provide training and other services to Government departments, industry, individuals and other organisations dependent on specific needs
  • Bundabers Skills Centre gained "Approved Training Organisation" status (AT0) which is now known as "Registered Training Organisation" (RTO) status
  • Training was delivered on 4th floor of SGIO building, Bourbong Street, Bundaberg

1989

  • Community Youth Support Scheme funding (CYSS) ended, the organisation then became SkillShare and moved to the Christian Brothers College (Where the public library is now located)

1987

  • February - Bundaberg CYSS Inc is approved its Charity status in terms of the Income Tax Assessment Act – ie gifts of $2 or more to the fund will be allowable deductions to donors for income tax purposes
  • March - Bundaberg CYSS became incorporated
  • April - Bundaberg CYSS became eligible for PBI status for tax purposes within the ATO

1982

  • CYSS moved from the Uniting Church Hall to a house at 78 Boundary Street, Bundaberg

1980

  • Senior Project Coordinator Lynne Common stepped down with Dorothy taking over her position
  • Due to the premise being sold, CYSS moved from the Gordon Club to the Uniting Church Hall on Takalvan Street for short time

1978

  • 19 June - Bundaberg Community Youth Support Scheme (CYSS) was formed (a Government funded program for unemployed youth) occupying the Gordon Club in Maryborough Street, Bundaberg, now the location of Baker, O'Brien & Toll

Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.

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