Celebrating Collaboration and Achievement

The Official Opening of Caddies Community Garden 

Jimboomba’s Caddies Community Centre was buzzing with excitement on December 3rd as the newly completed accessible community garden was officially opened to the public. The event was a celebration of partnership, community spirit, and the transformative power of meaningful work opportunities. 

The day brought together key stakeholders from across government and community services. Representatives from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), including Leah Harford and Darren Joslin, were joined by leaders from Impact Church and Impact Care Services, including CEO Tony Sawrey, Development and Training Director Heath Henwood, and Jerome Henwood, the Work for the Dole Project Supervisor. Workways was represented by the Work for the Dole Project Coordinator, Kylie Baudino who is Workways’ Community Relationship Coordinator. Also in attendance were Rebecca Stanhope (Operations Manager), Mari-shell Scott (Campus Pastor), and Darryl Scott (Community Pastor). Special guest Alison Raven, Lady Mayoress of Logan, was on hand to recognise the significant achievement. 

From Participants to Trainees 

The heart of the celebration centred on the six Work for the Dole participants who built this remarkable space from the ground up. During the opening ceremony, each participant was presented with a potted native plant and a certificate of achievement – a tangible recognition of their hard work and dedication. Additionally, four of the participants have been awarded traineeship positions with Impact Care Services, marking an important step forward in their career development and long-term employability. 

A Garden Built for Everyone 

The accessible community garden is a testament to thoughtful design and inclusive planning. Raised garden beds – built by the participants themselves – are planted with fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, and native plants. Each bed is equipped with irrigation systems fed by a rainwater tank, ensuring the garden can be maintained sustainably. Accessible pathways throughout the garden allow visitors using mobility aids to move freely and enjoy the space. 

The garden also features a beautiful pergola, constructed by the participants and now home to a BBQ – transforming the space into a true community meeting place. Comfortable seating areas invite visitors to pause, relax, and experience the serenity of the garden, making it a welcoming environment for people of all ages and abilities. 

Strength Through Collaboration 

This project represents more than just a garden – it’s a triumph of strategic partnership and shared vision. By collaborating on this Work for the Dole initiative, Workways and Caddies Community Centre have strengthened their commitment to supporting jobseekers while enriching the Jimboomba community. 

Workways, a not-for-profit organisation, specialises in providing employment, social, and environmental services with a track record of exceptional outcomes in placing jobseekers into meaningful and sustainable employment. Caddie Community Centre offers an impressive range of essential services including a food outlet providing low-cost groceries, a pre-loved clothing shop, traineeships, and personalised support services for survivors of family violence. 

Together, these organisations have created something powerful: a Work for the Dole program that simultaneously develops jobseekers’ skills and confidence while delivering a beautiful, accessible asset to the community. The garden now serves as a welcoming extension of the extensive services already available at Caddies Community Centre. 

Looking Forward 

The opening of the community garden signals a new chapter for both organisations in south-east Queensland. As the first Work for the Dole project Workways has launched in the region, it sets an inspiring precedent for what’s possible when community organisations prioritise both participant outcomes and community benefit. 

For the four participants stepping into traineeships with Impact Care Services, and for all those who helped build this space, the garden stands as proof that meaningful opportunities create lasting change. And for the Jimboomba community, it’s a new gathering place – accessible, beautiful, and built by local hands. 

Learn more about the vital work of Impact Care Services and Caddies Community Centre.