About Lifeline Mid Coast

History

Planning for a Lifeline service in the Mid Coast of New South Wales began with a Steering Committee meeting on the 15th February 1988.

The Reverend Rex Graham commenced the work as a Development Officer charged with the responsibility of getting a Lifeline Centre up and running in this area.

Working first with a Steering Committee and later with a Board of Management, Rex thoroughly researched and directed the establishment of a telephone room in Port Macquarie.

On October 17th 1988, Lifeline Mid Coast answered its first call with "This is Lifeline, may we help you?" A small team of newly trained telephone counsellors began the service. Shifts not staffed locally were diverted to the Tamworth Lifeline Centre.

Rex Graham initiated the establishment of shops in Port Macquarie, Taree, Kempsey and Tuncurry. Telephone Counselling rooms in Taree and Kempsey followed. The Wauchope shop opened later, in December 1993. In early 1999 a warehouse was opened to the public in the industrial area of Port Macquarie.

Rev Tom Verrier was the first training officer who was engaged to prepare selected volunteers for their critical role as telephone counsellors. Tom led the training for some years until the Centre developed a local training team. Courses led by local trainers are now conducted each year in Taree and Port Macquarie.

We now have a very effective training team of our own.

Kathryn Parle commenced a fruitful time as Caretaker Director in June 1990 to provide time for the Board to engage a full time director. The centre continued to develop with the number of counsellors growing significantly. Kathryn concluded her role as Caretaker Director with the appointment of Barry Brown in January 1991.

In 1991 Lifeline Mid Coast was recommended for full annual accreditation as a centre by the Central Eastern Regional Council.

In 1995, at the September Regional Council meeting Lifeline Mid Coast was recommended for accreditation for a three-year period.

In September 1995 we moved into new purpose built premises in Sherwood Road, Port Macquarie. This has brought the Port Macquarie Telephone Counselling, Face to Face Counselling and administration function together under one roof.

Lifeline Mid Coast worked with the Hastings Human Relationship Group to establish a Personal and Relationship Counselling service, which commenced in 1996. The Centre now has sixteen qualified volunteer relationship counsellors offering personal counselling services in Port Macquarie, Taree, Wauchope and Kempsey.

With the retirement of Barry Brown at the close of 2001, the new position of Chief Executive was created. Milton Drake, previously Chief Executive of Lifeline Cairns Region and a member of Lifeline's National Board was appointed to this position and commenced in January 2002.

On 7th April 2003, Catherine Vaara came on board as the Executive Director. Catherine brings with her 10 years experience in leading non-profit organisations.

Lifeline Mid Coast is a part of the mission of the Uniting Church Presbytery of the Mid North Coast and receives active support from churches, individuals and community groups throughout the area we serve. As Lifeline Mid Coast receives no government funding, community support is the financial life stream of the service.

Lifeline Mid Coast is situated on Australia's Holiday Coast, New South Wales.

Postal Address:
PO Box 5030 Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Street Address:
Sherwood Road
Port Macquarie

Centre Phone (02) 6581 2800
Centre Fax (02) 6581 2461
Email midcoast@lifeline.org.au

Services

Lifeline Mid Coast Services include the 24-hour crisis telephone counselling service available for the cost of a local call on 13 1114. 116 trained volunteer telephone counsellors provide this counselling service every day of the year from our three telephone counselling facilities. Lifeline Mid Coast is currently receiving around 10,000 telephone counselling calls each year.

We regularly train new telephone counsellors - contact our office to enrol as a student in the Basic Telephone Counsellor Training Course or the Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills Course.

Face to face counselling is available by appointment from our team of highly trained volunteer counsellors, for a nominal fee. This personal and relationship counselling is available in Port Macquarie, Taree and Wauchope.

The Centre has a LivingWorks Master Trainer and Trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Together they provide suicide prevention training throughout the Centre's region. A high level of community support sponsors this training. ASIST workshops are held on a regular basis and are available to interested persons (see the "What's Happening? " page).

Here on the Mid North Coast we have six stores which provide funding to help keep our service running. These stores sell quality second hand furniture, bric a brac and clothing and are staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Contact us for news of local events.

Centre Phone (02) 6581 2800
Email midcoast@lifeline.org.au