Toowoomba

In Queensland through St Vincent's Hospital in Toowoomba, the Sisters of Charity Outreach commenced in 1996. The Sister of Charity who was the Director of Mission at the hospital, was responsible for the development of this service. It is funded by St Vincent's Hospital, Toowoomba and seen as part of the Hospital's Service of the Poor initiative. The vision of this service was to develop objects of need which would service the people of Toowoomba and surrounding areas of the Darling Downs. A volunteer programme was developed and support groups for people with cancer and diabetes were established. A lactation service for new mothers was also developed using the expertise of the midwives from the Hospital.

An Aboriginal Liaison person was employed by Outreach through grant money. This enabled important relevant links to be formed with the indigenous people of the area. A home visitation programme is now operational with a Sister of Charity involved. Through the Volunteer Programme, trained volunteers are supplied to the hospital and the Catholic Nursing Home in Toowoomba. Since its beginning five Sisters have been involved with this Outreach and the Sister now directing the ministry continues to be assisted by generous volunteers.