Building Resilience, Community Wellbeing & Capacity
Redland Community Centre is a non-profit community based organisation with its Head Office located in Capalaba. A sister organisation is located in Wynnum at 55 Berrima Street; Wynnum Community Place. United Community Services Inc. is endorsed by the federal government as a public benevolent institution and registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission (ACNC). UCS generally provides services to people in the suburbs of the Redland City Council area, including the Bay Islands, and the Brisbane suburbs of Wynnum/Manly.
Making a positive difference in the community
The Centre supports the community through a ‘solutions hub’ model which provides person centred and culturally aware services including:
Disaster Assistance
The Service Navigator and Targeted Rebuld Case Manager is jointly funded (Federal/State) to provide advice, support and referrals, along with case management, to those community members impacted by local disasters including flooding.
Emergency Relief
ER Packages assist people experiencing a crisis in a way that maintains dignity and encourages self-reliance. Some clients access ER to help them through a ‘one-off’ episode or for others dealing with ongoing disadvantage.
Counselling
Counselling provides immediate, short-term help for those people who are experiencing an event that produces emotional, mental, physical, and behaviour distress or problems.
Courses / Programs
The Centre currently runs a number of courses and events from learning about how to become an author to making cards, art classes and becoming more aware of your emotions and mindfulness. Course information and costs can be found on our Events page.
Homelessness
The Centre provides assistance to the homeless daily via our ER program. We have a range of products and services specifically designed to meet the needs of our homeless.
Community Workshops
The Centre is committed to providing workshops that promote sustainable living and self-help. We run a variety of beneficial engaging workshops to support your overall wellbeing and teach essential life skills. Please see our Facebook page for workshop dates.
Community Activities
From time to time the Centre partners with other organisations and participates in broader community type activities. We are always looking for ways to contribute to making the Redland community a better place.
Financial Counselling
The GPS program was implemented to assist members of the Community to gain a greater understanding of money management. The program provides both a Money Finder and a Financial Counsellor.
Referrals Information
The Centre works closely with a number of government agencies including RentConnect and the Department of Housing. Please take a look at our Links page for more information on what is available in your community.
In 1977 the Cleveland Rotary Club formed a Drug Awareness Group in Cleveland. That organisation later changed its name to Redlands Awareness Group (RAG) to better reflect the diversity of needs to which it responded.
In Mid 1989 a need was identified for a venue where families and individuals could get together to discuss community issues and obtain welfare related information.
RAG responded to this need by submitting a proposal to the then Department of Family Services, Aboriginal and Islander Affairs – Division of Community and Youth to purchase premises in Capalaba. The proposal was successful and in April 1990 RAG, under sponsorship and funding from the Redland Shire Council, commenced operating from newly acquired premises at 29 Loraine Street Capalaba under the name of Capalaba Neighbourhood Centre, whilst RAG continued to operate out of Cleveland .
On the 25th of August 1990, the Capalaba Neighbourhood Centre was officially opened by the Minister for Family Services, Aboriginal and Islander Affairs.
Financial assistance provided to RAG by the Redland Shire Council ceased in June 1991. Alternative funding in the form of one-off grants from the Department of
Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs along with recurrent funding via the Family and Individual Support Programme (F.I.S.P.) was accessed.
Capalaba Neighbourhood Centre changed its name to the Capalaba Community Centre Inc. when incorporated on the 15th June 1992.
On the 25th of June 1996, the Capalaba Community Centre Inc. was invited to assume the affairs of RAG in Cleveland at which point the organisation again changed its name, this time to Redland Community Centre Inc., reflecting its wider geographic interests.
In June 1996 the local community in conjunction with the Redland Shire Council, Queensland Government and Life Line committed to a redevelopment programme that resulted in the present purpose designed community centre being constructed on the original site at 29 Loraine Street followed by an official opening in August 1999. The redevelopment of this site required RCC to relocate twice within the area whilst construction took place.
Since that time, valuable community based services have been provided from Capalaba and Wynnum/Manly under contractual arrangements with Queensland and Federal Government agencies supported by self-generated funding initiatives.
As a means to solidify the growning number of locations, programs and support offered, a further name change was seen necessary by the Board, approved by the members and granted by the Office of Fair Trading in December 2022.
United Community Services Inc. is now the ‘umbrella’ that all other entities will fall under; Redland Community Centre, Wynnum Community Place, Homeless United and Safe By The Bay.
Our long standing and close association with relevant departments at federal, state and local government levels remain a priority commitment going forward in order to underwrite the continuance of the Centre’s valuable services to the community.
Meet the UCS Board
The Board’s role is to determine the strategic direction for United Community Servcies and to regularly review performance against agreed plans & objectives. It is responsible for appropriate allocation of funds received from grants and donations and for the acquisition and disposal of all assets needed to run the entities; Redland Community Cetnre, Wynnum Community Place, Homeless United and Safe By The Bay.
The Board, in conjunction with the CEO, maintains and regularly reviews all policies and practices impacting the day to day running of the organisation. Members of the Board are expected to support key initiatives through their direct participation in external activities where appropriate.
The Board generally meets at 5.30pm on the last Wednesday of each month. The AGM is usually held in November for all financial members as well as the broader community.
The following members were elected to the Board at the AGM held in November 2023
Board Members
Chairman – Chris
Chris was elected to the Board in 2017 and as the Chairperson in 2018. Chris has lived in Capalaba since 1974 and is married with two adult children and one grandson. He has a technical background having worked as a Technical Officer with Telstra for 30 years until 1998.
Chris has been an active volunteer with many different organisations since 1979. Currently he volunteers at Wellington Park Private Care, Wynnum State School, and Cleveland High School. Chris is on the Board of the Victoria Point Community Bank Branch of the Bendigo Bank and on the Capalaba State College P&C.
Chris is looking forward to having a long association with the Centre.
Treasurer – Roger
Roger has been associated with the Redland Community Centre since 2013 as a volunteer Emergency Relief worker and was appointed to the board in 2022. He has a Graduate M.A.I.C accreditation, Ass. Dip. Building Construction also a ‘Commissioner for Declaration’ His passion is to support and advocate for the Homeless United Program at the Centre. Having 28 years experience as a T.A.F.E educator, his employment role stands him in good stead to assist the Centre in many facets within the community. Roger and his wife have always been active volunteers encompassing community programs throughout the Redlands area. in 2022 he received Redlands ‘ Volunteer of the year award’ for his dedication to the community at large.
Board Member – Robyn
Robyn was elected to the Board in 2011. Robyn is an active volunteer at the Centre especially in the Centre’s Focus of Families programs including the Toddler Tactics 7 week course and the regular Create and Play mornings held at the Centre.
Robyn and her husband and daughter reside in Redland Bay.
Robyn brings the skills and experience of her professional background as an Early Childhood educator to the Board’s decision making process.
Board Member – Lorella
Lorella Piazzetta has recently moved into the Redlands with her partner.
Over the past 40 years, Lorella has worked in both non-government services and government, and has had various roles which includes working with clients, service delivery, project and organisational management, advocacy, policy development, event management, training and extensive community engagement with various communities.
Lorella is looking forward to being involved and contributing to local community initiatives.
Board Member – Wayne
Wayne Tynan joined the Board in 2019. Having spent 10 years on the board of a neighbour centre in Sydney in the position of Treasurer Wayne moved back to Brisbane and missed being involved in the community.
Hearing about the amazing work being achieved by Redland Community Centre and the fantastic reputation it had in the local Community he made contact and was invited to Join the board.
Board Member – David
David is a newcomer to the RCC Board, but has been a centre volunteer for over two years,
spending much of his time at Wynnum Community Place.
He has lived in Capalaba since 1990, is married with five adult children and five
grandchildren. He has a background in the media and politics and served five
years as Executive Officer to the Mayor of Redland City before his retirement
in 2017. David served the Queensland Government as firstly senior media advisor
and then ministerial chief-of-staff between 1996 and 2012. He had experience in
Police, Corrective Services, Racing, Emergency Services, Tourism, Fair Trading,
Women, Wine Industry Development, Child Safety and Education portfolios during
that time. Before entering politics David was a senior journalist at the
Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth and then the Daily Sun, The Sun and Sunday
Sun in Brisbane and Gold Coast Bulletin after moving to Queensland in 1987.
Board Member – Maria
Bio Under Construction
Staff Members
CEO - Allison
Allison was appointed to the CEO role in February 2016. She has a passion for people and making a positive difference within the community. Allison is post graduate qualified (MBA), a nationally accredited mediator (NMAS), graduate member of the AICD and holds a Diploma of Community Services (Case Mgmt) as well as a Training and Assessment Certificate (TAE). Allison has both a detailed and ‘big picture’ understanding of complex issues, with a demonstrated capacity to deliver on outcomes and effectively nurture complex stakeholder relationships. Her modern business approach towards capability building through the use of technologies enables Allison to deliver an innovative solution for commercial advantage. Allison’s Career background spans global companies, private sector, government and NFP – affordable housing/community services. Allison’s other interests include travelling, equestrian, fishing and learning!
Operations & Project Manager - Ronan
Ronan was appointed to the Centre Administrator role in July 2018 and has grown within the Centre to Operations Manager. The Centre has embraced his youthful outlook and enthusiastic approach to life. Ronan was a previous volunteer at the Centre and has sound knowledge and understanding of our programs, clients and community need. Ronan comes to the Centre with a background in working within the community services sector and small business. He has over 8 years’ experience in customer facing roles including management, is highly organised, is a ‘people person’ and has a keen interest in assisting the Centre's growth.
Money Finder & Homeless United Leader
- Kellie
Kellie commenced working as the Volunteer Coordinator in January 2018. I love working with the RCC volunteers as they have a genuine desire for helping people in our Community during times of need. In February 2020 I changed roles and commenced working within the Homeless United Program, as well as leading Emergency Relief. In 2022 I further branched out to assist those who need further support managing their finances. Kellie passionately believes that everybody has the capacity to handle their money better, no matter what they are earning. All they need is a little support. Kellie has a passion for assisting and supporting people in the Community and am extremely blessed and grateful to be working alongside such amazing people who have the same passion.
Centre Assist - Bernie
Bernie has been a dynamic force at Redland Community Centre since 2021, starting as a volunteer and swiftly becoming an indispensable staff member.
Known for her go-getter attitude and constant smile, she efficiently manages multiple projects and activities, enhancing community engagement and team morale. Her seamless blend of passion and organisational skills makes her a key asset to the Centre.
Volunteer Coordinator - Jaye
Bio under construction.
