In 2011, during Cyclone Yasi, Sharon Henderson’s home burned down. The devastating fire left Sharon and her seven children homeless and in desperate need of rental accommodation.

“It was not a good time for me,” recalls Sharon. “Their father was not there, we had lost our home, and lost everything. I took my children with me down to Queensland Housing and begged for a home but they didn’t have anything. I sat there from 8.30am when it opened and stayed until the afternoon. Eventually, I was referred on and learned about Yumba-Meta.”

Sharon and her family were given emergency accommodation. In 2013, Sharon moved her family to their current home in Kirwan, close to her children’s school. “I fell in love with the house immediately. It had a brand-new electric stove, a patio at the back, a bus stop at the front and it’s eight doors down to Woolworths.”

While the single-level three-bedroom home seemed ‘small’ for a family of eight people, Sharon says it was perfect. “Our culture is to share, so the size wasn’t an issue at all. It has been a great home for us. Joshua has multiple disabilities and I, myself, have spinal issues and high blood pressure, so I prayed for a single-level home on the ground, with a patio and access to a bus stop. This home was everything I prayed for,” she says.

“Yumba-Meta has been so good to us. They treat me with respect, I feel like we are part of their community,” shares Sharon.
Now, in 2020, four of her children have left the nest, with the two eldest working in Brisbane and two others living locally. Only Sharon’s youngest three children remain living at home with her, Azaria aged 23, Margaret, 20, and 13-year-old Joshua.

“Joshua and I want to be here for the long-term. With Joshy’s disabilities, he struggles with change,” shares Sharon. “This is our home. I’m so grateful.”

After a long career working in the mining sector, both underground and as a boilermaker, in Mount Isa and Townsville, Robert Leon now lives a much slower-paced lifestyle in his retirement. Today, his days are filled with visits to friends and neighbours, fishing trips and watching the football.

‘Home’ for Robert is Yumba-Meta’s Ernest & Maud Hoolihan Elders Village, where he has lived for the past eight years since the village first opened in 2012. In fact, Robert was the third tenant to move into the 16-unit complex, and today he is the village’s longest residing tenant.

What’s kept Robert content in his unit for so long is the convenience. “The shops and the doctor are within walking distance, and I walk to the shops every day,” tells Robert.

“The [Yumba-Meta housing] staff are good to deal with, and prompt in fixing things. All the maintenance is done for you. As soon as I say there’s something wrong, they are onto it. My hot water broke down just a couple of weeks ago, and they sent an electrician out the same day.”

In 2018, the Elders Village was one of the first Yumba-Meta-owned housing developments to receive solar panels, which Robert says has drastically reduced his electricity bills. “My bills used to be $150 per quarter,” shares Robert, who estimates his energy bills now total just $50-60 per year.

“Now I’m always in credit; I’ve never been in the red, I’m always in the black. I bought a small air conditioner, and had it running in summer, all the time, and my highest bill was about $41. It’s cheap as. We’ve all got solar panels on out here now, which helps everyone out because we don’t have to worry about big power bills.”

It’s the peace and quiet that Robert says he enjoys most about his home. “It’s very quiet out here. It feels safe and private, and we’ve had not one break in,” says Robert. “I get along with everyone out here, they’re all good people,” he adds of his fellow villagers.

“We have had a few barbeques with the neighbours. We look out for each other. Loneliness is a killer; it’s good to get together.”

In early February 2019, Townsville experienced an extreme weather event that dumped sustained and heavy monsoonal rain on the region and flooded many of the city’s riverside suburbs. Some suburbs were inaccessible for days, and many residents had to be evacuated or rescued from their homes.

This deluge left particular suburbs inundated, and even inaccessible for days. More than 3300 homes were damaged, and close to 1500 rendered uninhabitable, including Jerry Reuben’s Hermit Park unit that he shares with his partner of 18 years, Katie.

“Once the water started to rise, we prepared as best we could, picked up anything we could,” shares Jerry. “We saved most of our belongings, clothing and stuff, but lost our furniture and white goods.”

Jerry and Katie were placed into a make-shift shelter at Ignatius Park College, where they stayed for one week. They then moved to another shelter at Heatley Secondary College, before Red Cross relocated the couple to a motel. After two weeks, Red Cross connected Jerry and Katie with Yumba-Meta. In late March 2019, Jerry and Katie moved into Dale Parker Place, where they remain tenants today.

“It’s good at Dale Parker Place,” says Jerry. “It’s a self-contained studio apartment, with our own bathroom, washing machine, oven, stove, mattress, everything we need. It’s a beautiful place too.

“We had employment before the floods, but then work slowed down,” recalls Jerry. “Katie picked up work again, she’s at Coles now and has been there a while. As for myself, I was at Copper refinery, then when coronavirus came they let nine people go. Because my employer could confirm I had stable accommodation here at Dale Parker Place, I got new work at a recycling group out at Bohle.”

While the commute from Rosslea to Bohle would be difficult without a car (Jerry and Katie’s car seized up after the floods), the Dale Parker Place staff offer tenants transport. “While we save to buy a new vehicle, I can still get to work and other appointments like medical, Centrelink and even to the shops, because I can’t push the trolley home!”

The staff also organise regular activities, such as arts and crafts, fishing and barbecues and day trips around North Queensland. “They take us everywhere, everyone gets involved. We all come together, like a family,” says Jerry. “It’s good to be active.”

For Jerry and Katie, Dale Parker Place has helped them get back on their feet. “After our place was washed out, we could have been couch surfing or homeless, but they pulled us in and helped us get set up. We are still replacing things we lost in the floods, like computers, but we’re in a good place right now.”

Coming to reside at Dale Parker Place two years ago was a turning point for Charlie Gibson. While completing a course in Ingham, travelling back and forth, and staying in the park, Charlie heard about Dale Parker Place through family members.

“Coming to Dale Parker Place gave me a heads up,” says Charlie. “It was a big change for me. I’ve always wanted my own little ranch, my own space. Now I’ve got it, I’ve settled down.”

Recently, Charlie has achieved his coxswain certification. “My next step is getting my own little business in fishing tourism, maybe here or on Palm. I want to get those young fellas on track, give them something to do to keep them busy, employ them and mentor them.”

Charlie’s other skills are in engineering, fabrication and welding, which he would like to teach. “There are so many aluminium boats over there [in Palm]. I’d like to teach the kids how to weld, keep their hands busy, focused.”

Ultimately though, Charlie says he would love to be a Ranger and protect the fishing green zones around Palm Island.

“Yumba-Meta really put me in my place. If it wasn’t for them, I’d be a parkie. I wouldn’t have got this far, I wouldn’t be on my way to starting this business.”

Clinton Ketchup will never forget the day he got out of jail — 1 September 2015. After five years inside, he was determined to change his life.

“When I was young I thought it was fun going in and out of jail but as I got older I started thinking about finding another way,” Mr Ketchup said.

“After I got out of jail I went into a rehabilitation program on Palm Island and found a men’s group (Uncle Alfred’s) where I could talk to other brothers like me.”

On weekends, Clinton would also visit YML’s Dale Parker Place.

“I used to visit the old Dale Parker Place on Bowen Road because I had a couple of brothers in there from Palm,” Mr Ketchup said. “I tried to encourage them to come to Uncle Alfred’s with me (Uncle Alfred did a bus pick-up from Dale Parker every Tuesday night).”

As Clinton’s graduation date from his rehab program drew close, he knew he needed to find a new place to stay. So when he saw Charles, a case manager from Dale Parker Place, at Uncle Alfred’s one night he went up and introduced himself.

“I said ‘Hey brother you, don’t you work at Dale Parker? I want to know if I can get in there because I graduate soon and I’ve got nowhere to stay.’ Charles was happy to try and help so I gave him the number for the rehab,” Mr Ketchup said.

“Two days later. Bang. I got the call for Dale Parker. I had a house!”

Clinton was at Dale Parker Place for 11 months in a one-bedroom, ground floor unit. Charles was his case worker, helping him work towards his goals and taking him to his parole check-ins.

“Being at Dale Parker helped me get back on my feet after rehab. It gave me the breathing space I needed.”

When Clinton was ready for more independence, YML helped him find a new place with its community housing arm.

“Now I have a bike and ride to PCYC and work out on the gym equipment,” Mr Ketchup said.

“I also like going to Joyful Noise at CitiLife Church out at Hervey Range Road past Kalynda Chase. I’ll get on the microphone and have a sing!”
Clinton also enjoys riding around Condon, Wulguru, Kirwan and The Strand and now, when people see him, they remark on how well he looks.

“They see a change in me because when I was in the park I could hardly walk,” Mr Ketchup said. “I just needed someone to give me a bit of help.”

An Indigenous male aged in his 40’s was transferred from the Remote Community of Doomadgee for Renal Treatment (Dialysis) at The Townsville Hospital.

Prior to being housed in long-term housing, tenant experienced homelessness and was sleeping rough on the streets resulting in deteriorated health and well-being. Due to his instability he was not meeting his ongoing appointments with the hospital.

By end of May 2013 he was successful in obtaining long-term Housing with YML. During this time he experienced many challenges and ongoing issues around his health and tenancy. The housing team understood his needs and connected him with appropriate wrap around supports and YML staff worked tirelessly with him to ensure that he continues to sustain and maintain his tenancy.

Support provided to him has seen great improvement in his health, less issues with his tenancy matters and his ongoing Renal Treatment being successfully met. The clients current situation with his improved heath and sustaining tenancy is considered a great outcome for this particular client.

The day Frances Corporal was introduced to Dale Parker Place, was the same day she left her old existence behind, to transition into a whole new life chapter.

Even as Frances recounts some of the darkest and hardest days of her life, there is a beauty and strength to her features that speaks of her belief in brighter times ahead.

“I grew up without a mother. She left when I was 6 or 7, and I was the oldest of four. My sister was just a baby, my brother 3 years old, my other brother was only 5. I can’t say it was an easy childhood.”

Without going into the mire of detail, it’s clear that Frances’s upbringing was one shadowed with trauma, fractured attachment, and upheaval.

“I ended up homeless, sleeping under ‘The Bridge’ and down on The Strand. I was drinking through it all, and looking for comfort in the wrong places.”

There came a day, finally, when Frances was introduced to the Dale Parker Place (DPP) during a visit at a drop-in centre.

“As soon as I went to DPP, I felt like I was home. I haven’t looked back since.

Frances speaks of her regard for her Case Worker, Janette, who’s “there to support me when I need help with something, or just need someone to talk to.”

Aside from now living independently in her own unit, DPP has also assisted Frances in developing her vocational skills.

“I’m doing computer courses now. I’m making something of myself. I love looking after older people, so maybe that will be a line of work I can follow one day.”

The ongoing social impacts of DPP are reflected in Frances’s reference to a close family member, “I have a cousin who came through Dale Parker at the same time. I used to really worry about her, but she’s good now, in her own unit.”

Most evident though is Frances’s pride in living-in and maintaining her own home.

“I like keeping my little place nice and clean. I really enjoy and get a sense of satisfaction out of cleaning until it’s sparkling, and keeping my home just how I like it.”

When Mrs. Margaret Gertz (nee Hoolihan) moved from her family home to be closer to medical facilities for her late husband, she admits she found the transition challenging.

“My husband had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and it became necessary for us to move closer to specialist care. At first, it was hard to leave our home of 50 plus years in Malanda, where we’d raised our 6 children to adulthood.”

However, on sighting the Innes Estate village, designed specifically by Yumba-Meta for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, Margaret’s decision was made.

“We came down to see the village. As soon as I walked through the home, I knew, ‘Yes! This is for us!’”

Mrs. Gertz’s first impression of the estate is perhaps unsurprising. Surrounded by natural forest, the village is a prime example of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing facilities benefit from community-based planning at a grass-roots level.

While Margaret’s husband has since sadly passed away, she herself has gone on to remain at the village as a tenant for some 6.5 years.

“We’re completely independent,but we also enjoy the company of close neighbours. We all keep an eye out for each other. My cousin Glenda is there too, so we have plenty of social interaction

Yumba-Meta provides a weekly bus service to the estate, ensuring all tenants are able to access the community and attend to their weekly errands.

“The bus service is a big help; it comes in on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is a routine we look forward to.”

The estate’s relaxed and peaceful setting also makes it accessible for visitors. Being a mother of six adult children, Margaret has a large number of grandchildren, so this element of the village is particularly important.

“I see my family regularly! They drop in for a cuppa, or we share a meal together. I had them all over for dinner last night on the patio actually!” Margaret finishes with a laugh, “but instead of me cooking up a storm as I used to in my younger years, now they bring the dinner. I don’t mind that change one bit!”

Margaret has a large number of grandchildren, so this element of the village is particularly important.

At the end of 2013, Natusha Kum-Sing made the difficult decision to pack up her three children and leave the support network of her extended family in Mount Isa to move to Townsville.

“I have an adult daughter with Cerebral Palsy who needs 24/7 support,” said Natusha of her decision to move.

“Living in Mount Isa, it was just me doing it all myself with no extra support, so there was a whole upheaval with moving and leaving all my family.”

Natusha was able to find a disability home through Yumba-Meta Limited with minimal fuss, and she and her family have been in the same property ever since.

“It’s a quiet area, I like where we are at the moment,” Natusha said.

“My daughter’s doing really, really well since getting the extra help – through the NDIS, support workers step in and do all of the stuff that I’d usually do. It gives me a break and she’s always on the go, doing lots of activities.

“The goals that she’s achieving now are great. It was worth making the move, definitely.”

Fletcher Christian Daisy ‘The Second’ is actually a first-rate example of the type of outcomes YML achieves in partnership with their clients.

When Fletcher walks into a room he brings a brand of humour that’s all his own.

Grinning broadly, he proclaims (rather than announces) his name;

“I am Fletcher Christian Daisy, The Second! Named after Fletcher Christian from Mutiny on the Bounty.”

Fletcher has lived in many places over the years and was employed in a variety of stable positions including Shalom Christian College, the Townsville City Council Dump and Recycling program, Bunnings and Never Fail Water.

“My marriage broke up, and I was in a bad place. I went as far as you can go. I was homeless for nearly four months, living in the park. I slept through the pouring rain with thunder and lightning. I think I was one of the worst, under the Victoria Street Bridge, drinking goon.”

Despite linking with a number of community-based organisations, none seemed able to help him transition back to stability.

In November of 2010, Fletcher received a referral to Dale Parker Place where he was a client for over nine years.

Asked about how YML had improved his future, Fletcher bowed his head, humbled.

Tears fell freely as he explained; “Dale Parker gave me back my life. My independence, my security.”

“It’s not just a place to stay, but a program. I learnt about budgeting and paying bills. And we got to be social again. We’d go out fishing on a Friday, and on a Tuesday? Well, we’d visit the 7th Day Adventists. We’d start with an opening prayer and then share in vegetarian food! I never knew you could make Shepherd’s Pie out of lentils and potato..!”

“Through Dale Parker, you meet good people who go out of their way to help others.”

These days Fletcher manages his own tenancy; “I’ve been living in my own unit for two years now. I’ve made good neighbours and good friends. I’m right where I want to be.”

Asked if he still receives assistance from a case manager, Fletcher flashes his trademark grin, “I’m the case manager now. I case manage myself!”

“Bottom line is this; Dale Parker is a really good institution for homeless people. They lead by being an example. Being an example is the way through it.”