2017: A Year Of Accomplishments

For close on 38 years, Centacare North Queensland (NQ) has been a catalyst for change, improving lives through evidence based, placed based and best practice services across the north and north western Queensland communities. This has been a challenging proposition given the stresses both the economy and the environment have delivered across our region.

Regardless, throughout 2016-2017 we continued to focus on our core commitment to inspire hope, create well being and seek justice across North Queensland.

Highlights during this period included:
· Welcoming Bishop Tim Harris as our new episcopal leader;
· Successfully making the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);
· Meeting all accreditation and compliance standards across all portfolios;
· Attaining registration under the National Regulatory Scheme for Community Housing; and
· Staff readiness to respond to critical incidents across our communities, and we have had a few.

We are always heartened and proud of the Centacare NQ team when clients, customers, and people within the North Queensland communities speak highly of the staff, their commitment and professionalism in some of the most demanding situations and environments North Queensland provides. We recruit highly skilled, motivated and talented people, and invest time and effort to ensure they are at the head of their professional disciplines. We do not drop our standards because this is what our communities deserve and demand. You will see more of this in action in our  2016-2017 Annual Report here.

The social services sector is becoming somewhat chaotic with government reform agenda aplenty, program and policy changes, and new agencies seeking to expand their state and/or national footprint to get the best market share possible. At times it feels crowded, however Centacare NQ continues to be a trusted local provider focused on people within the region. We are confident Centacare NQ can continue to deliver high quality services into the future and be part of the transformational change, to make our communities more inclusive, resilient, healthy and happy.

With that in mind, we want to thank you, our supporters, staff, partners and the community for your continued support and optimism. We couldn't achieve what we do without you and look forward to going from strength to strength in the years to come. 

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and many blessings for the year ahead. 

Cris Dall'Osto, Centacare NQ Board Chair

Peter Monaghan, Centacare NQ Executive Director 

For more information on our achievements and accomplishments this past year, please review the 16/17 Annual Report.