Newsletter – Issue #1 - January 2025

Hi there,

Welcome to our first newsletter.

2024 was a very busy year for The Brain Awareness Centre. 

So- In October 2023 we applied for and were granted seed money from Waves of Kindness - a not-for-profit charity on The Sunshine Coast. - to fund the start-up of The Brain Awareness Centre here in Caboolture.

With the support of individuals and businesses in our local area we successfully registered on ASIC in November, and then became a member of ACNC (Australian Charities and not for profit Commission).

In 2024, we successfully applied for support for our Morning Teas through the Community Chest Fund and were granted space at Caboolture Sports Club for the year. While initially, we held 2 morning teas a month, it dropped back to 1 while we continued to advertise and engage with our community. Overall, we held 14 events at the club and organised 3 additional catchups at our local Foot-in-the Door Cafe, which supports those with brain injuries to retrain and work in the hospitality industry. This first year was about establishing ourselves in the community. We had 70 individuals sign in to the morning teas over the year.

In April - we had our official launch ‘Mind Matters Gala’ to introduce The Brain Awareness Centre to the community.

During 2024 - We attended community forums and events, and when the opportunity arose, we provided insightful information about living with a brain injury and the challenges that our community face each and every day. We had the privilege of meeting many within our community who live with brain injuries and were able to hear first-hand, their stories.

We visited our local libraries and CREEC on Rowley Road with display tables of information which was a great way to start conversations regarding the challenges of living with brain injury and demystifying some of the preconceptions around what someone with brain injury looks like. In total, we had 14 tables over the year.

‘Shining a Light on Invisible Illness’ by SIMNI (Soroptimist International Metro North Inc) was a great project that brought sunflowers to many parts of Moreton Bay with the message of supporting those who have hidden illnesses - including those with brain injury. 

The Brain Awareness Centre was featured in 4 articles - 2 newspapers and 2 magazines.

Financial support in 2024 came from: donations, grants and sponsorship. Also - a concert by a local band The Plumbdogs was held to raise money on our behalf. All funds raised go directly into holding our morning teas which are essential for social connections and mental health support. Without these vital funds we would not be able to support our community. 

Our webpage went live in September. 

Facebook is currently the primary way we promote and manage our events. Our followers can see events (Morning Teas) in advance to allow for planning. Text messages and emails are used as a secondary promotion option for those who are not tech literate.

Our first birthday was a morning tea held on 14th November at Caboolture Sports Club. We had a cake made in the shape of a brain! Following this, we decided to take a short break to rest and begin planning for 2025.

2024 was busy, exhausting but very rewarding.

2025 is going to have some changes. We have moved venue for the morning tea to Jacaranda Cafe function room situated on the grounds of Bolton-Clarke Fernhill. (81 King St Caboolture & Cnr George St). After listening to the feedback - we have organised a wide variety of activities and information sessions - twice a month now. We have also changed our day to a Tuesday, between 9-1.

The Brain Awareness Centre will continue to attend meetings and forums to speak up regarding the needs specific to those who have a brain injury. We will continue to work with others who are also making a difference in the lives of those impacted by brain injury. We will continue to work on our long-term goal of opening a space dedicated to supporting those in our community who have a brain injury, care and love someone with an injury or have an interest in this area of health.

As we continue to grow - extra help would be great. There is always something to do - and if you have a talent for writing, like grants, emails and letters, can assist with FB or webpage or have an activity or information you would like to share with us at the morning teas - please contact us.

We look forward to 2025.

Until next time - Stay safe & be well.

Jo, Alyssa & Sam - The Brain Awareness Centre team