In The Media

Walkerston State School students raised funds for The Neighbourhood Hub’s Multicultural and Migrant Settlement program during a Harmony Week free dress day. ‍‍

A free dress day at Walkerston State School has helped support Mackay’s multicultural and migrant community, with students raising funds for The Neighbourhood Hub during Harmony Week earlier this year.‍

Representatives from The Neighbourhood Hub recently attended a school assembly, where they learnt the student-led initiative had raised money to support the organisation’s Multicultural and Migrant Settlement program.

What began with a simple community pantry and Friday morning pies outside the George Street Centre has grown into one of the Mackay region’s leading examples of sustainability in action.

Recognised for turning surplus food into community support while keeping waste out of landfill, The Neighbourhood Hub recently received the Best in Business – It’s Not Easy Being Green award at the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce Best in Business Awards on 29 May 2026.

The Neighbourhood Hub has taken a significant step on its reconciliation journey, unveiling its first-ever Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, joining a national network of more than 3,000 organisations committed to building stronger relationships with First Nations communities.

The Neighbourhood Hub welcomed a helping hand from BHP’s Hay Point team, who assisted with collecting and organising food donations from across the region, tackled a clean-up, and helped complete small but important tasks that often get pushed down the list.

The contribution highlights the ongoing partnership between BHP and The Neighbourhood Hub, with staff not just seen as partners but as valued members of the TNH Changemaker community. Their support ensures the centre continues to run smoothly and deliver essential services to locals in need.

Installed outside the Neighbourhood Hub at 4 George Street, the striking scarlet bench stands as a show of hope and resilience.

The initiative, led by the Zonta Club of Mackay and supported by Mackay Regional Council, aims to break the silence surrounding domestic violence and encourage victims to seek help.

Julie Nielsen, sponsored by Nigel Dalton, attended the Queensland Volunteering Conference in Brisbane – the state’s largest sector gathering under the theme ‘Inspire, Empower, Ignite.’

The article highlights our partnership with BMA and our commitment to walking alongside our community through crisis support, emergency relief, and connection programs. From our Food Diversion Program to multicultural services and family support, we're here for everyone. Read the full story about how TNHub strengthens our community through care and collaboration.

Volunteering is a powerful pathway for personal growth, enabling individuals to transcend their challenges and contribute to the broader community. Volunteering encourages individuals to challenge their abilities to enhance resilience, self-confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Ultimately, volunteering is both a personal and communal endeavour, fostering a vibrant, inclusive society.

In 2024, we were honored to be nominated for the Queensland Community Achievement Awards in recognition of the positive impact we’re making in the Mackay community.

The Neighbourhood Hub was honoured as the Highly Commended recipient of the Multicultural Queensland Awards 2024, Diversity and Inclusion Champion in Brisbane during August 2024. The award recognises an organisation which has gone above and beyond to break down barriers for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, creating ways to help people find a sense of belonging in Queensland.

Seniors Connect Program is delviered every 9 am to 11 am at The Neighbourhood Hub, 4 George Street. The sessions are designed for people aged 60 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), and are fully accessible for those with mobility aids.

Everyone is welcome – just drop in any Friday morning and see what it’s all about.

In 2024, we received funding to deliver a Cultural Connections in Mackay Project the aim of which is to provide meaningful opportunities for local Mackay CALD communities to learn firsthand about the heritage of our First Nations people. Activities will focus on cultural walks, talks, workshops, and yarning circles to promote diversity, equality, and harmony.

Since 2021 and with the support of SecondBite we have assisted many Mackay community members with basic food needs. Initially, many community members present with food insecurity as they live in primarily homelessness, in crisis accommodation or on a government income. However, this has changed over the last 12 months to include the "working poor".

Projects such as this are not achieved alone. This presentation highlights a first-hand experience of a local participate connection with the Midweek meal initiative and one of our local corporate volunteer sponsors.

DAILY MERCURY | 3rd July 2019

DAILY MERCURY | 22nd March 2019

DAILY MERCURY | December 2018

DAILY MERCURY | 26th October 2018

MACKAY REGIONAL NEWS | 2nd July 2021

On 12 September 2019, we acknowledged R U Ok? Day at the 4 George Street Centre.

In 2020 we had an idea of starting a community pantry. This morphed into a weekly connection activity which we named ‘Pie Day Friday’.

In early 2021, we partnered with Coles and kicked off our Food Diversion Program. To date, more than 40 tonnes of food has been diverted from landfill.

In September 2023, we were semi finalists in the Queensland Community Achievement Awards for this Program.

This short video was created to celebrate the long history of our Neighbourhood Centre. Since our establishment in 1989, we proudly continue to support our local community.

This video is a time capsule of our experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the challenges faced and the strengths that got us through this time. Four staff members share their experiences through the lens of personal impacts, as well as changes to their program delivery:

Nicolette Ffrost - TNH General Manager

Claire Christensen - Integrated Family Support Hub Program Coordinator

Alexandra Whippy - Good Beginnings Home Based Family Support Program Coordinator

Venetia Aprile - Emergency Relief Program Officer, Mackay Regional Financial Wellbeing Program Officer

The video was filmed during August-September 2020.

Watch the incredible journeys of participants in our Drivers Education Program and discover how our TNHub Changemakers help newly arrived migrants get behind the wheel. Getting your licence means freedom, opportunity, and independence. This digital story captures the determination, support, and community spirit that makes it all possible.

Sew Create Donate gifted multiple hand-crafted blankets and toiletry bags to The Neighbourhood Hub to support members of the community in need.

This donation has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals supported by The Neighbourhood Hub.