For almost 50 years, the Burdekin Community Association (BCA) has been providing support and guidance to the region, originating from a small information centre that still stands in Queen Street today.
In 1975, a group of locals noticed people needed more access to community information.
“They started an information centre with volunteers and some council support and then after a few years, they added in-home support for people coming out of hospital,” said BCA Chief Executive Officer Debra Cochran.
“From that, they got funding after seven years and they were able to put on paid staff and they’ve kept growing and growing, adding services ever since.
“Where there’s been a need in the community, we’ve sorted the funding from there.”
With over 80 staff and 60 volunteers, BCA provides the Burdekin with a huge array of services across the Support Centre in Queen Street, the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health and the Burdekin Community Rehabilitation Centre as well as home care services, housing and community support services and volunteer services.
Always adapting to meet the unmet needs of the community, Ms Cochran said the Burdekin faces similar issues to other areas including cost of living and homelessness, domestic and family violence, social isolation, and a shortage of support workers.
BCA works to address these needs, providing support and directing people to other specialty services both locally and in Townsville.
“The difference with us I think is our staff and our volunteers and even the quality and experience of our management committee,” Ms Cochran said.
“That’s where I think we make a difference, where the people are just very caring, very talented, and very good at helping people.
“Whether it’s navigating a crisis or a challenge, we’re very good at helping people to find services but also helping people to be independent as much as possible.”
Ms Cochran moved to the Burdekin 23 years ago, starting with the BCA in home care.
“One of the first things I was taken aback by was how friendly people are,” she said.
“There’s an awful lot of pride in people in the shire.”
10 years later, she was promoted to the role of CEO and has thrived for the last 13 years.
“There’s always going to be some challenges and change in human services, but it’s really rewarding to help other people,” she said.
“With all of the staff and volunteers, we’re all driven by trying to help other people and focussing on the Burdekin community.”
Find a calendar of events below for BCA’s upcoming Burdekin Seniors Month.
BCA also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Community Connections, which shares helpful information, contacts, news, photos and more.
To find out more, visit www.burdekincommunityassociation.org.au or drop into the Support Centre at 130 Queen Street, Ayr.
Burdekin Community Association Chief Executive Officer Debra Cochran. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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