Bridges Health & Community Care

02/08/2025

Bridges CEO Sharon Sarah just returned from the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Conference in Brisbane – and what an energising and thought-provoking two days it was.

This year’s theme centred on strengthening the community mental health sector through lived experience, co-design, and collaboration. Sharon expressed how important it was to be in the room with like-minded leaders, service providers, and advocates who are all working toward a future where person-led, community-based support where it is not the exception but the norm.

Sharon was particularly encouraged by the conversations around system reform, sustainable funding models, and the powerful role of community organisations delivering place-based responses to local needs.

What she took away most was, real change happens when lived experience is not just included, but embedded in the way we design, fund, and deliver mental health services. At Bridges, that’s a principle we continue to champion through our programs, partnerships, practice and Mind-Life project.

Thank you to QAMH for hosting such an important gathering of minds and the opportunity to network with government and community leaders working in the mental health space.

Photograph supplied by QAMH: Bridges CEO Sharon Sarah with Sandra Eyre Qld Health MHAOD Branch and Mark Bailey Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services.

31/07/2025

Connecting with other cultures is great for your mental health! 🤝🌈

When we explore and celebrate cultural diversity, we build understanding, spark joy, and strengthen our sense of belonging - all protective factors for good mental wellbeing. Sharing food, music, language and tradition fosters empathy, and connection reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.

Here’s what you can look forward to at the Bundaberg Multicultural Fair:
✨ 20 vibrant stalls - 18 of them cultural! Taste something new, try a traditional craft, or learn a few words in another language.
🎶 Cultural stage performances every 10 minutes between 11am–1pm: music, dance, and stories from around the world.
👗 Mini Traditional Fashion Show: seven cultural groups showcasing stunning traditional dress to close out the day.

Let’s mix, mingle, and celebrate the rich tapestry that makes our community so special, and leave feeling inspired, connected, and uplifted.

For more information go to the Bundaberg & District Neighbourhood Centre page :)

31/07/2025

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉 Bridges is thrilled to announce that our social enterprise BridgeWorx has been awarded Arts Queensland's Organisations Fund support from 2026–2029 through the Queensland Government! 🎉

This incredible investment means we can keep building a vibrant, creative and connected community. Over the next four years, we’ll be:
🧠 Championing creative wellbeing through powerful arts-based programs
🎭 Creating new performance, visual, digital and written works based on lived experience
🎨 Developing pathways for artists through mentoring, training, and industry connection
🤝 Collaborating with health, education and community partners to tackle real-world issues
📚 Building a legacy with research, resources and regional leadership in creative practice

This recognition is a huge milestone for our organisation - and for all the communities and partners who walk this journey with us. Thank you to Arts Queensland for believing in the work we do and the impact it has.

Let’s go, regional arts! 💥 https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/news/orgs-fund-2026-2029-recipients

29/07/2025

🤠 Trouble’s coming to town… Abby Bowyer and Fletcher Colfs saddle up for the wildest adventure this side of Bundy!

Make sure you catch Pirates, Cowboys and Aliens at the Wintergarden Theatre this August 26th & 27th — or be left in the dust.

🎟 Tickets + info: https://events.humanitix.com/pirates-cowboys-and-aliensbdb

BridgeWorx

28/07/2025

Where you get your dose of caffeine this Friday 8th of August matters, help those less fortunate by grabbing your coffee from:
📍 Alowishus Delicious
📍 Alowishus Delicious @ Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service
📍 – Sugarland Plaza

On Friday 8th August, these cafés will donate $1 from every coffee sold to help fund local projects tackling homelessness through CafeSmart by StreetSmart Australia

💛 It’s coffee with a cause.
💬 Spread the word. Bring your mates.
📅 Next Friday – 8th August
☕ Drink Coffee. Do Good. Support CafeSmart!

📅 Next Friday – 8th August
☕ Drink Coffee. Do Good. Support CafeSmart!

Grab your team and head to one of our local participating cafés in Bundaberg:

📍 Alowishus Delicious
📍 Alowishus Delicious @ The Hospital
📍 The Coffee Club – Sugarland Plaza

On Friday 8th August, these cafés will donate $1 from every coffee sold to help fund local projects tackling homelessness through CafeSmart by .

💛 It’s coffee with a cause.
💬 Spread the word. Bring your mates.

24/07/2025

Join Bridges at the Resilient CARE Workshop in Bundaberg - Tuesday, 29th July.

Help build a healthier, connected, and more resilient community and join a workshop in Agnes Water, Bundaberg, Yeppoon, Hervey Bay, and Rockhampton.

These interactive workshops will help you:
🌍 Explore ways to boost health and wellbeing amid climate challenges
🤝 Collaborate on building a resilient, connected community
🗣️ Hear from local voices and frontline experiences
💡 Co-create practical strategies for positive change

Register now: https://resilientcare.com.au/upcoming-events/

24/07/2025

Today, Kids Helpline Official and yourtown Australia are aiming to raise enough funds to make 9,000 life-changing calls, so no one is left waiting when they need help most. Will you help make one of those calls happen? https://ytwn.in/4eW8JhC

22/07/2025

📢 Parents and carers, want to feel more confident supporting your teen’s mental health?

Check out Partners in Parenting - a free, online program from headspace Bundaberg and Monash University, made especially for parents of high school-aged young people.

It’s flexible, evidence-based, and full of practical tips to help you:
✅ Strengthen communication
✅ Set healthy boundaries
✅ Support your teen through life’s ups and downs

Complete it anytime, at your own pace.
Start here 👉 https://bit.ly/3rpyumq

21/07/2025

Exciting news! Renovations have officially begun at the former Bundaberg Fire Station - and we couldn’t be more excited!

A big thanks to the incredible team at Industries who are on site getting to work on transforming this much-loved heritage building into a vibrant creative wellbeing hub for our region.

This project is proudly supported by the Growing Regions Program through the Australian Government – helping us bring new life, opportunity, and creativity to the heart of Bundaberg.

Watch this space! something amazing is on the way for our community.

Want to know more? click this link to read more about the project: https://www.bridgeshcc.org.au/projects/precinct-58-funding-secured

17/07/2025

Join Our Board | Director Opportunity at Bridges Health & Community Care

About Bridges
Bridges has been serving regional Queensland for more than 27 years, providing evidence-based support in the areas of community-based mental health; alcohol and other drugs support; support coordination; child, youth and family services; justice system services including youth bail support; creative wellbeing and socially innovative projects such as Mind-Life. Our team delivers services that are inclusive, judgement-free, and tailored to the needs of individuals and families—often working with people at their most vulnerable.

We’re looking for:
- A strategic thinker with a strong commitment to social impact and community outcomes.
- Professional experience in one or more of the following areas: governance, finance, law, lived experience, Indigenous affairs, clinical health, community services, creative industries, or regional development.
- Alignment with our mission and values of integrity, inclusion, respect, and accountability.

Why Join Us?
As a Board Director, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of an organisation that is deeply embedded in its community and committed to continuous improvement and innovation. This is a voluntary, non-executive position with opportunities to influence strategy, governance, and growth.

📍 Can be based in Bundaberg or remote, with hybrid meeting options available.
📅 Applications close Friday 29th August 2025.

Apply now
To express your interest, please email your CV and a brief statement addressing your suitability to companysecretary@bas.org.au
For more information, visit: https://www.bridgeshcc.org.au

07/07/2025

"Ancestral Lines is a visual representation of the lines and ties that follow a generation and the songs that come with it.

When I think of the next generation I think towards my Ancestor Lucy Wright, Enoch Wright, Nonie Wright, all the way from my Nanna Audrie to my Mother Vanessa.

When I look back at my mob it helps me see towards the future, it gives me hope and strength knowing what my mob have survived through and accomplished amid adversity.

Each person in the painting depicts a series of lines akin to songlines, that represent what they know, who they were and what they have passed on, the first being that of lore (interpretive), hunting, protecting, and tracking, the second of care, weaving, fishing, and love.

The third is when we see the two combine into one, and the last two take unfinished elements of them all, to show the passing down of knowledge and care.

Above them is the essence of the land they live and protect/care for. It is a depiction of my home the cold skies of Tenterfield with the swirling clouds and giant moon, a place around the fire is where the next Generation find their strength, vision and legacy". - Jeremy Morgan Worrall, artist, Ancestral Lines

This year’s NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

Naidoc Week 6 – 13 July 2025 - During the week, everyone is invited to join in the celebration of the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 💗🖤💛💚💙

Find out what's on >> https://brnw.ch/21wTVxV
Facebook >> National NAIDOC