A Council community grant awarded earlier this year is already making a meaningful difference, helping a local charity expand its support for vulnerable residents.
Making Lives Matter was one of 25 local organisations to receive support through Council's 2026-27 Community Project Grants program, which is providing more than $285,000 towards community projects, programs, infrastructure and equipment upgrades and events across the shire.
The Noosaville-based charity has appointed a new Community Outreach Worker, Danielle, who's role has been made possible through the community grant they received in June.
The newly created outreach role will help Making Lives Matter provide structured support and service navigation for people experiencing financial hardship, housing insecurity, domestic and family violence, mental health challenges, disability, social isolation and other barriers to accessing essential services.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said it highlighted the real and immediate impact our community grants can have.
"Every year, Council's Community Grants Program helps local organisations turn great ideas into meaningful outcomes for our community," Mayor Wilkie said.
"Making Lives Matter is a fantastic example of that in action. Their work supports some of our most vulnerable residents and this new outreach role will help even more people find the right support at the right time."
"Noosa is fortunate to have dedicated organisations such as Making Lives Matter working at the frontline of community support. Our grants program is about helping local groups respond to identified needs, build resilience and strengthen community connections."
Since its establishment in 2022, Making Lives Matter has distributed more than $650,000 in direct community assistance and donated goods, while supporting more than 3,500 community members through practical assistance, emergency relief and referrals to local services.
The Community Outreach Pilot will formalise and strengthen that support by improving referral pathways, coordinating access to services and helping people overcome challenges such as limited transport, digital exclusion, financial stress and low confidence engaging with support systems.
The outreach service will operate from three accessible locations across the shire, including Making Lives Matter in Noosaville, Pomona Community House and community facilities in the Noosa Heads and Noosaville area.
Making Lives Matter Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth McPhee said the grant-funded role would help the organisation meet growing community need while strengthening partnerships across the local service network.
"Danielle's appointment gives us the capacity to reach more people, respond more consistently and connect vulnerable community members with the support they need," Ms McPhee said.
"By working from multiple community locations, Danielle will be able to meet people closer to where they live, gather and seek support."
"This support from Noosa Council will help us move from informal crisis response to a more coordinated outreach model, while keeping dignity and practical help at the centre of everything we do."
Mayor Wilkie said the success of the project demonstrated why investing in local community organisations was so important.
"Our community groups understand local challenges and are often best placed to respond," he said.
"When we support organisations like Making Lives Matter, we're helping build a more inclusive, connected and resilient Noosa community."
