What’s happening?
Community Gro Garbutt Community Centre, Orange Sky, Baby Give Back and Thread Together are joining forces to launch a new wrap-around support service in Townsville. The launch will take place tomorrow, Thursday 17 July 2025, at 9.00am at 4 Hugh Street, Garbutt.
Locals came to access free laundry, brand-new clothing, baby and children’s essentials, food and connection with volunteers. Media spoke with representatives from Orange Sky, Thread Together and Baby Give Back, and met locals impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
Why it matters?
More families in Townsville are facing financial hardship. Rising costs are forcing people to choose between essentials, bills and rent. Many who never thought they would struggle are now seeking help. “Rising costs are increasingly forcing everyday Australians to choose between living essentials, bills and rent and people who may have never thought they would be struggling financially are turning to us for help,” said Ms Kathrin Meehan, CEO of CommunityGro Garbutt Community Centre.
Local Impact
The Garbutt Community Centre will now host this ongoing program every Friday, giving locals access to practical help in one trusted place. “Orange Sky has already delivered 5,902 laundry washes, 557 hot showers and 7,705 hours of genuine conversation across Townsville, and we know holistic support services can make a huge difference for families in areas of high need like Garbutt, so we are really excited to collaborate with CommunityGro Garbutt Community Centre, Baby Give Back and Thread Together on this wrap-around service to further support Townsville locals who are doing it tough,” said Mr Shayne Herriott, Orange Sky Chief Operating Officer.
By the numbers
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Median weekly rent in Townsville has risen by 52% since 2017, from $290 to $440, according to the 2024 Breaking Ground Housing Crisis Report.
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Since March, Baby Give Back has already distributed 284 clothing boxes to families in Townsville.
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Orange Sky has delivered 5,902 laundry washes, 557 hot showers and 7,705 hours of conversation across Townsville.
Zoom In
On launch day tomorrow, locals will access free laundry services and connection through Orange Sky, brand-new clothing from Thread Together, baby and children’s clothing and nappies from Baby Give Back, plus food with local volunteers. “Since we began supporting families in Townsville in March, Baby Give Back has already distributed 284 clothing boxes and demand continues to grow. The feedback we receive confirms what we see on the ground – that the need is huge and there is no other organisation offering this level of material aid for babies and children. Being part of this collaborative wrap-around service means families can access what they need, where they need it – without barriers,” said Ms Carly Fradgley, CEO at Baby Give Back.
Mr Anthony Chesler, CEO at Thread Together, said combining services in one place improves access. “Northern Queensland continues to be a focus area for Thread Together, with over 20 local charity partners helping connect us with people in need of new clothing. While we’ve been supporting communities in the region for several years, being part of a collaborative, wrap-around service means individuals can now access brand-new clothing and other essential services with greater ease. It’s about restoring dignity, providing comfort, and offering new clothes for new beginnings,” Mr Chesler said.
Zoom Out
This service builds on the long-standing work of Garbutt Community Centre and combines the efforts of four charities to help locals in one accessible location. Free clothing from Baby Give Back and Thread Together will be available Monday to Friday at the centre. Orange Sky will provide laundry services every Friday.
What to look for next?
All available services will be accessible on Fridays. The wrap-around service trial will run indefinitely at the Garbutt site, with plans to assess its impact and explore expansion to support more Townsville residents in the future.
