Safer Toowoomba Regional Partnerships Incorporated (STRP) this week pitched its willingness to participate in any state initiatives to improve community health and safety during a meeting with Queensland Minister for Police and Emergency Services Daniel Purdie.
The STRP executive board members, including President and Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, outlined the organisation's programs to the Minister at Toowoomba City Hall.
Mayor McDonald said STRP welcomed the opportunity to participate in any new state or federal advocacy focus groups which align with the organisation's main goal of cultivating a safe and peaceful community.
"Our meeting was a chance for the executive members to brief the Minister on our programs that are working with community service organisations to address obesity, social isolation, crime and mental health issues. Other programs are directly working with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people who are experiencing financial hardship and issues associated with the cost-of-living crisis," said Mayor McDonald.
"While we have established programs, STRP is willing to participate in any new initiatives which would benefit our community.
"STRP is working to improve the community's overall health and wellbeing by bringing together leaders from a variety of fields such as police, mental health services and community services to deliver specialised support.
"The diverse skills of our leaders translate into successful programs and provide important insights into the direction of our future advocacy work and how we can work with the state government.
"The executive members of Safer Toowoomba Regional Partnerships are very appreciative of Minister Purdie's visit.
"It isn't often you get the chance to address a Minister face-to-face to advocate for your Region."
STRP facilitates the management of several focus groups and services, such as the Obesity Prevention Focus Group, Crime and Violence Prevention Group, Graffitistop, Wilsonton Community Art Gallery and the Wilsonton Heights Neighbourhood Centre.
Photo caption: (Front right) President of STRP and Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Daniel Purdie, Toowoomba Region Councillor Kerry Shine, Chair of Toowoomba Regional Community Fund Derek Tuffield OAM, Just in Case Project Lead Denny Edwards, A/District Manager Toowoomba Community Corrections and STRP Executive Member Lindsay Hornery, Adapt Mentorship Adam Wenitong, CEO of Momentum Mental Health STRP Executive Member and Obesity Prevention Focus Group Chair Shirley-Anne Gardiner, QPS Superintendent STRP Executive Member and Crime and Violence Prevention Focus Group Chair Doug McDonald, Sgt Catherine English, Sgt Scott McGrath, STRP Executive Member and STRP Secretariat Geoff Holmes OAM, STRP Executive Member Wilsonton Heights Community Centre & Graffitistop Coordinator Kaye Lindsay.
