Providing Peace in Paradise
March 12, 2025
Some days, Airlie Beach Lagoon is buzzing with activity – people chatting over a free community BBQ, sharing laughter and finding moments of respite. Other days, no one turns up.
For most, this would feel discouraging. It might make them wonder if their time and effort are truly making a difference. But for Barb and the Whitsunday Street Outreach Service (SOS) volunteers, every day, whether bustling or quiet, is taken in cheerful stride.
The team know that their work is not just about numbers or attendance. It is about showing up no matter what. It is about being a steady presence for people who often feel invisible.
In a world where so many are bringing judgement and hate, we ask “how can we help you?” – Barb, dedicated Outreach team member
Meeting people where they are at
The Whitsundays are known for their breathtaking beauty – a beautiful set of islands and beaches located halfway between Townsville and Rockhampton on Queensland’s coast.
However, beyond the postcard perfect scenes, and sparkling turquoise waters, the Whitsundays region is also home to a community in need, and that is where our SOS team steps in.
It is a collaborative effort between our Mackay office and local organisations like Airlie Beach Crew, Whitsunday Housing, YWAM Whitsundays, Feros Care, CHANCES house and many more. The Whitsunday SOS team make their rounds offering snacks, water and essential supplies such as Naxolone for opioid overdoses, bug spray to ward off pests and condoms for safe choices.
But more than that, they offer something intangible yet invaluable; dignity, respect and human connection.
For people who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness, just having someone there to make them feel seen, heard and appreciated can go a long way to making them feel like their life is worth living in spite of the tough, and often unfair, circumstances they face.
More than just a Handout
Barb, one of our dedicated SOS team members, knows that the most important thing she can offer isn’t always a meal or a blanket, which is often refused—sometimes, it’s a conversation.
For the moment I connect with them, it’s about having a yarn and making them feel seen. – Barb
The Queensland Government has named Mackay as one of its nine ‘priority locations’ for the Coordinated Housing and Homelessness Response, highlighting the urgency and severity of Mackay’s homelessness problem.
Housing insecurity, rising rent prices, and systemic barriers disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, making the work of the Outreach team all the more urgent.
The situation is dire, but Barb maintains a positive outlook and disposition. Maybe that’s why people keep coming back to the Outreach Service.
Breaking down barriers
There’s a persistent myth that people experiencing homelessness are dangerous or violent, but Barb’s experience tells a different story.
I’ve never felt threatened while on Outreach. There’s this perception that people doing it rough are dangerous and violent, but I’ve had a yarn with people with big criminal histories sitting on the tray of my ute! It’s about building trust and letting them know that I’m here to help them. – Barb
For many, trust in public systems such as hospitals and law enforcement, has eroded due to years of neglect and mistreatment. While it’s a complex issue, services like the Queensland Ambulance Service are using Outreach gatherings as a way to rebuild those relationships and to provide training for young medical professionals to approach vulnerable people with empathy, understanding and no judgement.
Though visitors to the Outreach service rarely share their personal stories, Barb notes that homelessness is often tied to generational trauma, which can lead to substance use, mental health struggles, cycles of instability and other struggles that can feel impossible to break.
Over time, Barb has become deeply connected to the community, building a network of familiar faces and groups she’s consistently supported. She finds a sense of purpose in witnessing their personal growth and hopes that her efforts, even in small ways, have made a positive impact on their lives
A community that cares
While the work may not be glamorous or bring worldwide fame, Barb has found the community support of the SOS team deeply moving. Last Christmas, when Barb had the idea to give the visitors to the Outreach Service a proper Aussie Christmas lunch, local businesses including Ideal Placements, Feros Care, Tassall Prawns and Coles all offered to donate platters of food.
Barb was overjoyed with the response, and she shared that it was truly special to witness the generosity of her neighbours. A platter of food is a simple yet powerful gesture – a reminder that kindness begets kindness, that even in the toughest of circumstances, people still find ways to express gratitude.
New chapter in Mackay
On the 13th of February, Drug ARM officially opened a brand-new office in Mackay. This new space acts as a home base of operations for our three dedicated workers, who travel across the region to visit clients in and around Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays to deliver counselling and family support. But more than that, the office stands as a symbol and serves as a reminder of Drug ARM’s commitment to creating change in regional Queensland through empathetic and judgement-free counselling.
We want to give them hope and connection so that they can be them. – Barb
