A council has bankrolled a new paid position at a charity, whose job it will be to connect the region’s vulnerable residents with support services.
Making Lives Matter at Noosaville has appointed a community outreach worker funded through Noosa Council’s 2026-27 community project grants program.
New recruit, Danielle, is tasked with helping people experiencing financial hardship, housing insecurity, domestic and family violence, mental health challenges, disability, social isolation and other barriers to access essential services.
The charity is one of 25 local organisations to share in more than $285,000 in grants supporting community projects, programs, infrastructure, equipment upgrades and events across the shire.
Since it was established in 2022, Making Lives Matter has distributed more than $650,000 in direct community assistance and donated goods.
It has supported more than 3,500 locals through practical assistance, emergency relief and referrals to local services.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
The new community outreach pilot will strengthen that work by improving referral pathways, coordinating access to services and helping people overcome barriers including limited transport, digital exclusion, financial stress and low confidence engaging with support systems.
The outreach service will operate from three accessible locations across the shire, including Making Lives Matter in Noosaville, Pomona Community House and community facilities in the Noosa Heads and Noosaville area.
Making Lives Matter chief executive officer Elizabeth McPhee said the grant-funded position would help the organisation respond to growing demand and strengthen partnerships across the local service network.
“Danielle’s appointment gives us the capacity to reach more people, respond more consistently and connect vulnerable community members with the support they need,” Ms McPhee said.
“By working from multiple community locations, Danielle will be able to meet people closer to where they live, gather and seek support.
“This support from Noosa Council will help us move from informal crisis response to a more coordinated outreach model, while keeping dignity and practical help at the centre of everything we do.”
Mayor Frank Wilkie said the project highlighted the immediate impact of council’s community grants program.
“Every year, council’s community grants program helps local organisations turn great ideas into meaningful outcomes for our community,” Mayor Wilkie said.
“Making Lives Matter is a fantastic example of that in action.
“Their work supports some of our most vulnerable residents and this new outreach role will help even more people find the right support at the right time.
“Noosa is fortunate to have dedicated organisations such as Making Lives Matter working at the frontline of community support.
“Our grants program is about helping local groups respond to identified needs, build resilience and strengthen community connections.”
Mayor Wilkie added the project demonstrated the importance of investing in local community organisations.
“Our community groups understand local challenges and are often best placed to respond,” he said.
“When we support organisations like Making Lives Matter, we’re helping build a more inclusive, connected and resilient Noosa community.”
The next round of community project grants opens in February 2027.
