Thanks for Lending a Hand - Safe Alert Alarm Program Retirement Party

In this photo: Safe Alert staff whose service added up to over 32 years, four of our six Safe Alert volunteers whose gift of time adds up to over 50 years, and former Transport staff who were part of the Connection’s team. 
Back Row: Melanie Miller, Heath Hatfield, Trudy Laycock, Sophie Novak, Barbara Robinson, Kassandra Bimrose, Wendy Hume, Pamela Bowmer, Lyn Watson, Anne Scholten, Front Row: Richard Fisher, Trisha Jankovic

by Wendy Hume

Volunteers, former colleagues and staff of Safe Alert alarm program, recently gathered together to celebrate the retirement of our much-loved program. Safe Alert assisted clients to live with dignity by continuing to remain safe and independent in their own homes, identifying clients' needs, and assistance with accessing additional services from My Aged Care.

Our volunteers' friendly connection through genuine conversation, often becoming a vital point of human contact for those with little interaction with the outside world.

We acknowledge all the Volunteers and staff whose diligence and commitment were integral to the longevity of the Safe Alert program that ran for over 30 years. Achievements included:

• In 2023, winning the “Full circle award” - changing lives and yours included. We share fond memories traveling to Brisbane to receive our award at the Brisbane City Hall.
• In 2022, Wendy, Safe Alert Manager, won the Excellence in Volunteer Management Award, organised by Townsville City Council, and
• In 2012 and 2025 two of our Volunteers, Ria Jansen and Lyn Watson, received the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, “Moderators Medal”.

One of the highlights of my job was managing volunteers which has been a privilege and an honour. We are forever bonded and I treasure our time together.

The Safe Alert team will never know the full extent of the difference we made to other people's lives - but we do know what a difference it made to our lives.