Nambour Community Centre

Bringing the U back into commUnity at the AGM
 

Theresa Seiuli
Frontline and Administration Manager - Girl Tuesday 'T'
Story and Photo by Fiona Croft
 
Theresa Seiuli started volunteering at the Nambour Community Centre eleven years ago and finished in August 2018 as the Administration Manager.
 
Originally from New Zealand, 'T' as she is fondly known, relocated with her husband and her beautiful children from Caboolture and volunteered for the NCC for a year from 2006.
 
"In Caboolture my church had a pastoral care program working with children on the streets which gave children skills to help them enjoy school more and a women's group," Theresa said.
 
Theresa wanted to continue helping out and working alongside people in her new community.
 
"It's been my life purpose to make life a better place," she said.
 
"At my meeting with the Administration Manager Donna Holdom at the NCC, she could see I was
confident with people, so she challenged me to learn more about technology and administration skills and put me in an admin role with Frontline for a year in 2007. She then encouraged me to do a Diploma of Community Welfare Services at TAFE, and then I completed my degree."
 

David Probert - Computer Training /Frontline Administration
*Rotarian Award Winner 2018*
Story and photo by Fiona Croft
 

After seven years at the Nambour Community Centre, Woombye resident David Probert is now enjoying time-out for family, researching and coding with his gaming friends he met from his trips to America before pursuing further administration work.
 
David started volunteering at the Nambour Community Centre, May 2011 as a computer assistant that led to being employed under the Frontline Program. Gaining patience and meeting the challenges of assisting IT & Administration with NCC community members.

 
"Gaining the experience I learnt from Donna Holdom, a previous NCC Office Manager, I also assisted community members with their computer IT questions. My first client was one of our local community members: Brian, and after seven years he still visits two days a week to access the computers for his own personal needs. The Nambour Community Centre has given me self-confidence. I was very soft spoken and by being in-charge at times has been an asset for future endeavors,'
 
"I've made lots of friends here, both staff and members of the public, they've helped me grow as a person, face vulnerability and managing peoples needs."
 
"I became proficient in learning computers from primary school to keep up with writing, due to disability," said David. My curiosity grew and when I got into high school I enjoyed the IT classes, Website design, Studied Cert III in IT & my Diploma at TAFE in Interactive Digital Media. “This is where I learnt the bulk of my skills," he said.
 
David is the 22nd Rotary 'Brian Robinson' Memorial Award Winner for recognition of young employees who have overcome difficulties faced in their life. His previous employer, the  Nambour Community Centre is proud to hold the perpetual trophy for 12 months, for the training and employment of young people.
 

David has a simple and practical approach to teaching people.
"You don't need to teach them everything,
you just need to teach them what they need and want to learn."

Madison Campbell – Sharing Style
Position: Frontline/Cleaning
Story and Photo by Fiona Croft

It was only recently Madison was discovering more about the town of Nambour and the Community Centre, which meant she could re discover a new neighbourhood of friends.

“After my two years here I know more people and have found a real sense of community that I haven’t found anywhere else on the Sunshine  Coast.
 
"It’s been wonderful over the last two years to hear people’s stories and find out more about them,” Madison said.

Madison wanted to become involved and  volunteered in 2016 while doing her Community Development Diploma. She was then employed with the Frontline team and as a cleaner.

Madison discovered that she really is a people person and loves to hear people’s stories and what motivates them.

“I’ve gained confidence in my skills which means I’m now more knowledgeable in many modalities” she said.
 

Madison’s positive view of the world always contains hope.  She believes that life is a journey of adventure where good things can happen to us.

She’ll soon be off to volunteer again in Africa to the different communities. When Madison started travelling years ago she found another place to feel deep connection too.

“I travelled through eight different countries and when I arrived in Africa and it felt like I had arrived home. It’s where I really learnt about sharing cultural knowledge.”

Madison found this to be valuable when meeting people from around the world who came into the NCC. While travelling Madison says she likes a bit of sightseeing but her real passion is meeting new people.

“I just like being amongst the everyday processes, learning by being alongside people, shopping for ingredients, then helping with the cooking and whatever needs to be done plus sharing meals with all ages in our Community.”
 

A Very Warm Welcome to our New Administration Manager
 
Bonnie Dean – Bringing it all together
Administration Manager
Story and Photo by Fiona Croft

Bonnie Dean, the Nambour Community Centre’s new Administration Manager started her new role on the 13^th of August 2018. Originally from Mackay, Bonnie and her partner and two girls have been locals since 2009.

Like staff members before her, Bonnie became involved with the Centre during a student placement with one of the Centre’s programs: Thriving Families, and is currently completing a Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention.  Bonnie’s placement included work with the Strong Women’s group and the Nambour Caravan Park pop up kitchen.

“I feel it’s good to be working in a not-for-profit organization bringing in my business acumen,” Bonnie said.
 

Bonnie’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Business and most recently was the Business Development Manager with RE/MAX Real Estate for three years.

“After something extremely traumatic, you really re-evaluate your purpose in life,” she said.

“So with a business development career I was not looking for a job in community services, but I decided to retrain myself to work closer with people rather than property.”

Bonnie is passionate about a variety of issues in the region and along with others who either experience or know of people experiencing gaps in the system, she would like more solutions, particularly for the homeless in the area.

“I’m excited about the expansion of the Centre – growth for our services and there is a changing dynamic of people and skills. My role includes coordinating the volunteers who are the heart and soul of the Centre and integral to our operation.”

Bonnie said if anyone wishes to contribute or volunteer at the Centre just drop in or call the office to get the ball rolling.