Roseberry Qld, a community organisation based in Gladstone for almost 40 years, is proud to announce the launch of the Roseberry Hub and ngingalla Garden. The Roseberry Hub will provide a place for the community to access showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, food packages, and support on their journey to safe and secure housing.
The Roseberry Dignity Hub, dedicated to addressing housing and homelessness issues within our community, was officially opened on July 18th. This significant project was made possible through the generous funding from the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund. The community launch is a celebration of the collective generosity and contributions that have brought this vision to life.
The community came together to celebrate the opening of the ngingalla Garden, tour the new Roseberry Hub facility, and participate in planting the edible garden.
As major sponsor, Rio Tinto Yarwun, leading alumina refinery, has been a steadfast supporter of the Gladstone community for many years. Their commitment to the local area extends beyond their business operations, aiming to create lasting positive impacts. Mark Gilmore, General Manager for Rio Tinto Yarwun, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Together with Roseberry Qld, We are delighted to have helped achieve a welcoming environment where everyone can feel safe, valued, and supported”.
Rio Tinto Yarwun’s substantial contribution to the gardening and landscaping of the Roseberry Hub has earned them the naming rights to the garden area. In a gesture of community involvement, Rio Tinto Yarwun invited service users to anonymously suggest names for the garden. Among the many beautiful suggestions, “ngingalla,” a Bailai word meaning ‘All of us,’ was chosen by the community.
“We are honoured to have had the community’s input in naming the garden,” said Mark Gilmore. “ngingalla Garden offers a space where everyone can safely gather, interact, and find solace. We believe that by working together, we can continue to build a stronger, more inclusive Gladstone region.”
Special thanks go to Trisha Coleman for her efforts in sourcing, translating, and providing pronunciation for the name. Her contribution has been invaluable in sharing and preserving the local culture.
The Bendigo Bank, Community Bank Calliope & Gladstone, also plays a vital role in strengthening our community through their investments in local organizations. The Port of Gladstone Corporation (GPC) positively impacts the regions they operate in, with their Port to Park Fun Run supporting community projects, including the outdoor Hub space. Contributions from Aurizon, Rotary Gladstone, Tannum Crab Classic, Rotary Gladstone Sunrise, and numerous community members have been crucial in making the Dignity Hub a reality.
The Dignity Hub relies heavily on community donations to operate. Despite the rising cost of living reducing the amount our community can donate, organizations like Aurizon’s Community Giving Fund help bridge the gap between donations and community needs.
Currently, the Roseberry Hub is operated by dedicated volunteers, serving approximately 3218 community members annually. The food parcels, toiletries, and laundry products provided at the Hub are all donated by community members, making a significant impact on the lives of those in need.
