22nd of August will be a really important meeting for members.  They will be presented with the changes that have occurred as a result of the tender.
We are now in our new premise 21A Wood Street.  Operations are happening differently, but smoothly and all is very exciting.  
On the 5th of September we will have a Training night with a trained presenter in mental health first aid.  This is a refresher for all our Chaplains, and essential training for our trainees.
.... And all these events will take place at 21A Wood Street. 

VERY EXCITING NEWS AND EXCITING TIMES AHEAD.....

We have been waiting for news on this funding from the Government and now the word is out.  Here is a message from our President:

Dear friends / fellow-chaplains,
Wonderful News!  We have been awarded the tender by the Department of Communities, Qld. Government.  From July 1 therefore we are officially the 'Care Arm' of the Safe Night Mackay Precinct.  (Keith and I are now representing MSC  as members of the Mackay Safe Night Precinct (SNP) Board), as Niki and I are representatives on the City Safe Committee of Mackay Regional Council.
Our funding comes as part of a contract – which means we have obligations to the department and must provide services in accordance with that contract, according to the requirements of the local SNP Board.
Being awarded the tender will inevitably lead to changes.  We are working toward procuring our own shop-front premises in the CBD to give us a base for storage, training, etc.
This is a very significant difference from the way we have functioned in the past, but we invite you to think and pray about the implications for yourself and we want you to come along to a special meeting on Monday 18 July to discuss issues regarding the contract, in particular regarding  the ramifications of this remuneration.  It is really important that everyone who can possibly attend does make it a priority to come to this meeting.
The bottom line is that our outreach and care on the streets will not be changed but its management will have a firm base for at least the next two years  As we move forward, we want to do so in a way that keeps every current chaplain on board.
Despite the fact that the official start date is July 1, we want to implement changes slowly, smoothly and thoughtfully and we want to do so with your input and support. Please keep the committee (Steven, Keith, Niki, Helen, Rob, Bree, Kathy, Tracey and myself) in your prayers.  We are currently meeting two or three times per week and working well together.  As President, I want to commend your committee members for their dedication and care for you, and the people we serve in the City Heart.
Blessings,
Ann
President

Many people have been in contact recently, wanting to join this great group.  That means we need to get these people up-to-speed by training them.  

In our busy lives we try to be as flexible as possible in delivering these training sessions and we are really grateful that we have professional people who freely give their time to help us.  

We are having a training session on mental health and organisational protocols on the 20th of June. On July the 4th we will have our session from Police about drugs and alcohol, and also we will have a session on self-defense.... great stuff.  The moral to the story is, if you'd like to join us or know someone who does, please contact us so that we can give you the details.
​ 
Looking forward to the adventure and looking forward to meeting you. :-)

COME ONE, COME ALL.....
 Mackay Street Chaplaincy hosts Information and Training Evening.
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Those purple vests that have become a regular sight on the streets of Mackay on Friday and Saturday nights signify a safe place to land.  Whether it is practical safety or even emotional safety, Mackay Street Chaplains aim to be a refuge that offers support. 

Chaplains enjoy being among people and meeting those from all walks of life.  Mackay Street Chaplaincy operates using the guiding principles of the parable of “The Good Samaritan”.  In this story, compassion and help are given without any judgment, payment or reciprocity.  This story was told by Jesus as an explanation of how to keep the sacred law, emphasizing that unconditional love is the requirement and call.   

Chaplains are also from all walks of life and while most, at this point, have connections with the Christian churches of Mackay, some are not associated with a church but are compassionate community members who believe in the need to “be there” for others.  All Chaplains are required to obtain a blue card and a basic first aid certificate.


The organisation are always looking for those who might like to join their team and so, on the 23rd of May at 7pm in the staff room of Kelly Legal in Sydney Street, Mackay Street Chaplaincy will be holding and information and training evening.  Please contact [email protected] or phone on 0476 120 400 for more details. 

G'day Everyone.  We have a special volunteers meeting Monday 9th May at 6pm at the Baptist Church in Shakespeare street.  All are invited to join us.  Just BYO meat for the BBQ.  

Our very own and very wonderful member Keith will be speaking to us about our Christian identity while we operate in the secular environment.

WE ALSO have a training evening coming up.  23rd of May at 7pm.  Please let all your friends know because we are keen to grow our Chaplaincy family.

Our February Newsletter is available for download on the documents page.

M.S.C. will have their next volunteers meeting on Monday the 14th of March at the Baptist Church in Shakespeare Street at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm official start.  BYO meal at 6:30 for some great company and social time, then we'll be getting into an in-service for all members.  Urging all members and would like to be members to come along.  :-)

The AGM was held on Monday 8th of February.  Our Committee for 2016 remains similar, with our executive committee remaining: President - Ann Dittmar-McCollim, Vice President - Niki Vella-Power, Secretary - Steven Morgan, Treasurer - Tracey Casey.  Other Committee members are: Bree Bates-Wagstaff, Keith McCollim, Helen Hewett, Rob Kerruish and  Andy Valeriani.

They will meet officially for the first time on Sunday 14th of Feb.

Teams have been going strong over the Christmas and New Year period, but we are certainly in need of doing some more recruiting for 2016.  

The January Newsletter is now available from the Documents page on this site.  Don't forget about our up-coming Annual General Meeting on the 8th of February, 2016.  :-)

Mackay Street Chaplaincy has now been on the streets of Mackay for 3 years.  When we had our monthly meeting, we shared a cake in honour of the occasion and as it so happened, that very day one of our Chaplains had just become an Australian Citizen.  Bree is now an Australian Citizen as well as a valued member of Mackay Street Chaplaincy.  Congratulations to Bree and to all of our extraordinary members.  Without you this organisation would be nothing but a great idea in someones imagination and wish in the hearts of those who've had unfortunate experiences in our night club precinct.  Well done all!

Hi there all Chaplains.  SAVE the date the 17th of December.  We will be having our end of year function.  Bigger and better than ever to inspire and encourage, we want to have lots of fun with activities and crazy awards.  Last year was Christmas trivia... what will this year be???  Looking forward to partying will you all. :-)