Closure of Integreat Office in Rockhampton (as per Media Release 20240604)
Rockhampton, QLD, June 4, 2024 – It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Integreat Queensland office in Rockhampton, effective June 30, 2024. After three years of dedicated service in this vibrant community, we will be closing our doors.
This decision has not been made lightly, and it comes with a deep sense of gratitude for the support and collaboration we have received from the Rockhampton community. While our physical presence in Rockhampton will cease, our commitment to serving the community remains steadfast. We will continue to work with and for the Rockhampton community remotely, ensuring that our services and support are uninterrupted.
As Integreat Queensland moves forward, our focus will concentrate on expanding and enhancing our operations in Gladstone. Our office in Gladstone is experiencing significant growth, and we are excited about the opportunities to deepen our community impact and broaden our footprint in the region. Our goal is to make Integreat Queensland the go-to organisation for community support and engagement in the Gladstone region.
We appreciate the understanding and continued support of our partners and the broader Rockhampton community during this transition. We remain dedicated to our mission and look forward to continuing our work remotely with the same passion and commitment.
For more information, please contact:
Charmaine Bennett
Integreat Queensland
Phone: (07) 4903 1931
Email: charmaine@integreatqld.org.au
About Integreat Queensland
Integreat Queensland is a community-focused organisation dedicated to providing support and resources to individuals and families in Queensland. Our mission is to empower communities through engagement, education, and support, fostering a sense of belonging and resilience.
Message from Mirjam – Rockhampton Programs coordinator:
And then the decision is made: “Moving forwards, the office in Rockhampton will close. The last day will be June 30”.
And with that, the end of an era. Of course, this is the best decision. Sometimes you must change direction to achieve goals. But that doesn’t make it easier. So many memories created, so many friends made, so many connections established, so many programs facilitated (e.g., English, Playgroup, Women’s Journey, Women’s Circle).
I have been asked to describe my fondest memory of working with Integreat. That is hard, there are so many. The cute kids coming to playgroup, the cuddles, the hugs, the friendships with the other mums. The laughter at English class when I am teaching the students words they can never ever repeat outside on the street (hey, it benefits their comprehension of Australian English). The smile on women faces when they see and hear other women with the same issues they have, and they know they found their group. A lot of fond memories, and I don’t want to choose, they are all precious to me.
Will Integreat leave a legacy within the multicultural community in Rockhampton? The only thing I can say to that is a resounding YES. And what is even better, not just within the multicultural community, but Integreat will leave a legacy in Rockhampton as a whole. And is that not what we work for? What does it mean to be multicultural? Does it mean to have all different little groups who have their own cultural background, ideas and values and who do not interact with other little groups? Is our goal really “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” (Rudyard Kipling, ‘Barrack-room Ballads, 1892)?
No, it isn’t. The following is from the Government’s Home Affairs website: “All Australians share the benefits and responsibilities arising from the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of our society. Australia’s approach to multicultural affairs is a unique model based on integration and social cohesion.” And that is exactly what Integreat Rockhampton has done in the past years with our diverse programs, and it is exactly what Integreat Gladstone will keep doing for a long time to come.
This is not the end. As you remember, I started this piece by saying: ‘Sometimes you must change direction to achieve goals’. Just because the path is pointing in a certain direction now, doesn’t mean this will be the final change. This is just one step in the journey. Who knows what direction the next step will be?
See you later.
Mirjam
