Gold Coast

Two new signs were added on the street frontage and in the carpark to make our location more obvious. Refurbishment of the amenities are underway in our drop in centre. Teams welcomed the renovation especially daytime volunteers who spend many hours at the drop in centre serving our patrons. To celebrate our court angels the Southport Magistrate Court hosted a morning tea to honour volunteers. Many turned out to mingle with their Gold Coast peers.
Thanks to ATHOC Foundation, Seachange Home
Owners and many other supporters for enabling us to maintain our facilities and ongoing operating costs. With the Commonwealth Games looming large we are working closely
with the City Council to assure we can continue to outreach to those in need.
Cairns

Rosies Cairns celebrated its 25th anniversary with special thanks to Double Tree Hilton for providing a wonderful venue and hospitality. Some of Rosies longest serving volunteers are from Cairns. Joyce Coutts is one of them.
She stopped going out on the street in 2016 at the age of 85 after serving with Rosies for 21 years. Joyce caught up with Rosies Cairns first coordinator Theresa Sheppard. They shared memories on Rosies early days in Far North Queensland.
Over the cooler months the branch received huge support from local schools which supported the branch with basic supplies.
Wynnum Manly

It has been a year already since the Rosies Wynnum Manly branch started outreaching in the bayside. It took a while but now we have regular patrons who come along to share a cuppa and a chat. Huge support once again from the Redland Bayside Catholic Deanery Appeal. Our Monday daytime outreach now hosts a popular BBQ once a month. The live music on Friday night is a welcome addition with the patrons joining in.
Logan

Patron numbers have increased again which reflects the struggle many are having in the community. Rosies volunteer Robyn Vicars received a Queensland Day award from Cameron Dick, Minister for Health in Queensland for services to Rosies and the community.
Caboolture

After reading an article about Rosies in the local newspaper, Mark Cheney from Remax Ultimate, Burpengary contacted Rosies to offer his support. As our van needed a bit of a makeover Mark offered to pay to have the van decals replaced and some rust cut out and a general cut, polish and buff. The work is now complete and Mark dropped by to inspect the finished product and got a big thank you from Helen our local coordinator.
Brisbane

Brisbane branch coordinator Sarah has been busy talking with students from schools around Brisbane. Support from schools and local communities has been tremendous! Earlier in winter the branch took part in the annual CEO Sleepout (see photo on p.3) and the local Homeless Connect. Rosies Brisbane branch receives fruit donations from Second Bite which are very popular with our friends on the street.
Ipswich

Rosies Ipswich welcomed the donation of three marquees from the local council. Those will be used to improve the comfort of our patrons and volunteers while outreaching through bad weather. Our patrons can more easily spot us and join the team on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Special winter coats supplied by The Order of Malta were distributed to our patrons and received gratefully.
Beenleigh
Year 8 students from Windaroo Valley State High School welcomed Rosies Beenleigh Coordinator Lisa to their ‘Sleep in a Box’ event. Students cleaned the van and loaded it with donations they had collected including sleeping bags and instant coffee in return for a hot Milo and a chat. Lisa gave them some insights about Rosies and the people we serve in Beenleigh. What a great event!
Sunshine Coast

The annual Rosies Sunshine Coast Christmas in July was appropriately cold but warmed by community and the joy of giving and receiving. Our volunteers served soup and pizza, biscuits and coffee. Warm coats and blankets were also a hit. Students from Iona College provided wrapped presents which capped off this highlight event on the branch calendar.
Toowoomba

Katrina and the incredible band of ladies from Red Rose Fund put on a spectacular gala ball which raised an incredible amount for Rosies. These funds assure us of sustaining our outreaches in Toowoomba for another year and developing new initiatives. Thanks to all who contributed. With the winter chills in Toowoomba requests for blankets were high! Rosies volunteer Sheelagh brought bags of beautiful hand crafted blankets offered by a group of talented and generous ladies from NSW.
Mareeba
This dynamic band of volunteers in our only rural branch celebrated five years with a special mass in the outreach room. A room we share with Indigenous Connections. 80% of our original volunteers are still serving which is hard to beat for team work and loyalty. Every Friday night for those five years a local supporter has been making her legendary egg sandwiches and was overwhelmed to receive her certificate of recognition.