About

Sharon Chamberlain and her daughter Jasmine, then aged 18, were trying to re-home three fire-impacted horses, going door to door around the area to find a safe place for them. Many local hobby farmers and those in the horse industry had already sold stock or had no water or feed due to the drought.

 

With other key founders and the support of Sutherland Shire Convoy from Sydney, the newly formed Tinonee Memorial School of Arts Outreach was able to supply goods from generous donors in Sydney and mentors in senior positions weighed in with their assistance.

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With the help of a great team of pro bono lawyers, in September 2020 the original organisation became a fully-fledged public benevolent institution named Mid Coast Outreach Incorporated, working from Sharon and Jasmine’s home in the village of Tinonee.

 

After many doors slammed shut, a local businessman offered us a new home to rent in Wynter Street, Wingham, with space for an office and client area with computer and phone access, a lounge area and library. There was an obvious need to have an income to cover rent and outgoings, so an adjoining retail space became the Mid Coast Outreach Op Shop, manned entirely by volunteers and supported by generous donations from locals.

 

The wonderful Minderoo Foundation sponsored us with a grant of $15,000 for the first two years, to help us become established and settled, and other wonderful organisations partnered with Mid Coast Outreach on some important projects such as securing properties after the fires, collecting water, donating clothes, raised garden beds, tools, soil and mulch, for clients whose belongings and gardens had been devastated by fires or floods.

 

In March 2021, the Mid Coast area experienced catastrophic floods – damaging hundreds of homes, including those of MCOI committee members and volunteers.

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Once again, we hit the ground running assisting people whose homes were uninhabitable, and those who had lost household goods, cars and income.

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We have since partnered with the SES to provide better flood warnings and rally volunteer flood wardens who live in key flood-prone locations. We have also partnered with the Uniting Church to help the homeless.

 

In late 2022 Mid Coast Outreach successfully after community consultation opened it’s Bulahdelah Outpost in The Memorial Hall, and has now re-established in the Bulahdelah Scouts Hall allowing services of Showers, Washing, ‘Call Ins’ on Mondays from 10-2, Food Bank Library and much more, with ‘Bernie’ our Bulahdelah Team Leader being the driving force for that area.

 

During 2022 the world economic crises impacted Australia with a very quick and large increase in interest rates seeing a downturn in local business and increase in home loans. MCOI recognised that this had a greater impact on those not registered on Centrelink needing food Assistance and help around Christmas for their families.

 

In 2023 MCOI working in the Recovery Network space was able to respond to the only flood impacted residence and furnish their new rental. MOI responded to those impacted in the Girvan bushfires with practical assistance, freeing up finances for damaged fencing.

 

Also in 2023, MCOI responded to a local school’s email and is currently researching the Lansdowne area and will be opening an Outpost this year in that area.

 

MCOI delivered over 85 Christmas Hampers and 183 Christmas Gifts to those in need for the 2023 Christmas.

 

Currently MCOI delivers regular food to over 60 households, on average feeding 200 people per week and welfare checks to 75 households per week.

 

MCOI is establishing partnerships with NDIS Support organisations as well as Employee Agencies with the ability to offer Job Keeper hours and Accredited work projects for those on Centrelink benefits.

 

MCOI has been very fortunate to establish good working relationships with many local and non-local organisations and individuals, and has received grants allowing us to deliver much needed projects in the Mid Coast LGA.