Rosies Unveils New Outreach Van to Support Northern Gold Coast Communities
A new outreach van launched by Rosies – Friends on the Street is set to bring vital support to people experiencing homelessness and hardship across the northern Gold Coast. Officially launched on Wednesday, 30 April, at the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation, the van marks a major step forward in Rosies’ mission to offer connection and compassion to those who need it most.
The van has been funded by the generous support of the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation and the Saywell Foundation, two long-time advocates for local charitable work.
Fr Joshua Nash blessing the van
Rosies volunteer and Gold Coast North Branch Coordinator Teresa Bettles said the new van will allow volunteers to do more of what they do best – connect with people on the margins of society.
“This van means so much to our team and the people we support,” Teresa said. “It gives us the ability to reach more individuals in need, with safety, dignity, and compassion. It’s more than a vehicle – it’s a lifeline.”
Teresa Bettles, Ross Rickard, Simone Rickard, Fr Joshua Nash OMI, Trish Harris, James Frizelle, Kelsey Kalogeropoulos
The outreach van will serve areas including Southport and other northern Gold Coast suburbs, where demand for Rosies’ services continues to grow.
Trisha Harris, speaking on behalf of the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation, said the decision to support the project was deeply personal and community-focused.
“We wanted to support Rosies because it’s local. The northern part of the Gold Coast and Southport in particular has so many homeless people -we see it every day coming to work. We will do anything that we can do to help make it a little bit easier, because volunteers are hard to get, hard to keep, and they are the most amazing people.”
Simone Rickard, Fr Joshua Nash OMI, Teresa Bettles, Ross Rickard, James Frizelle, Trish Harris, Kelsey Kalogeropoulos
Rosies offers friendship, a warm drink, and a listening ear at outreach locations across Queensland. The new van provides much-needed logistical support, allowing volunteers to safely transport supplies and extend their reach.
Ross Rickard, also from the Saywell Foundation, said witnessing Rosies’ work firsthand inspired their decision to contribute.
“We went out (on outreach) with them and saw what an amazing job the volunteers do – we had to be involved,” he said. “We were very pleased to be able to assist.”
Rosies – Friends on the Street has served Queensland communities for over 35 years, offering hope and human connection to people facing social isolation, poverty, and homelessness. With the support of partners like the James Frizelle and Saywell Foundations, they are now better equipped to continue this mission in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
