108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
More than 150 staff, volunteers, partners and supporters gathered this week for IMPACT Community Services' Annual Celebration, where the theme Growing Our Impact highlighted the value IMPACT creates across regional Queensland through its services, partnerships and people.
The evening reflected on a year of helping more people access opportunities, strengthen their wellbeing and create brighter futures, while remaining focused on the individuals at the centre of every outcome.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of staff service awards, recognising employees celebrating milestones from five to 25 years with IMPACT. Collectively, their years of service represent 225 years of commitment to helping people overcome challenges, build confidence and achieve their goals.
The celebration also recognised volunteers from IMPACT's Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, including Betty Rogers, who marked an extraordinary 30 years of service. Through friendship, companionship and connection, volunteer visitors help reduce social isolation and improve the wellbeing of older Australians.
Speaking at the event, IMPACT Managing Director Tanya O'Shea shared lessons from her Kokoda journey, reflecting on the importance of the people who walk beside us through life's challenges.
She spoke about how titles and backgrounds quickly faded away, while the people who offered encouragement and shared the load became the most memorable part of the experience.
“Our impact is created one human interaction at a time,” she said. “Hope takes work. It is built by people who keep showing up.”
Tanya said the same principle sits at the heart of IMPACT's work, where meaningful change is built through relationships, opportunities and belief in what is possible.
Guests also heard from partner Karina Cousland, who spoke about IMPACT's use of the Australian Social Value Bank. The framework helps quantify the value created through IMPACT's programs and services, combining measurable outcomes with client experiences to build a clearer picture of the organisation’s social impact.
While the data helps measure that impact, the reflections shared throughout the evening served as a reminder that behind every outcome is a person, and behind every statistic is a story.
