Lifting voices for real community change
UPDATE: Nominations for the 2024 City of Logan Safe City Awards are now open for individuals or projects that contribute to community safety on the Logan City Council website. Submissions close on 20 September, 2024.
Last year, community champion Melinda Hartley was recognised at the 2023 City of Logan Safe City Awards.
The annual awards, organised by Logan City Council, acknowledge the work of individuals, volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations, government agencies and businesses.
Melinda Hartley has always been focused on her community.
The Yarrabilba local has been involved with a drive to feed breakfast to local schoolchildren as well as a range of other causes close to her heart. Initially, it was through a range of community events via Dunamis Church, and now she’s behind 5FOLD.
‘5FOLD serves the community in 5 areas – clothes, food, shelter, training and support,’ Melinda says.
‘We have an op shop and we work with people experiencing hardship – it could be financial, domestic violence or people who need help accessing services.
‘We will be continuing the school breakfast club program, provide JP services, and $5 haircuts for people with concession cards. Anyone in the community is free to drop in for coffee and a chat – whatever is needed, we are here.’
Now more than 2,000 free meals are provided each week by 5FOLD to students at 4 Yarrabilba schools and a community hub through the Yarrabilba Breakfast Clubs.
The 5FOLD op shop, located at 23 Shaw Street, Yarrabilba, keeps Melinda and a team of volunteers busy.
Melinda says, for her, taking action is important to ensure communities remain engaged, vibrant, supportive and safe.
“Everyone here is so close and friendly and just doing life with each other”
— Melinda Hartley
Melinda says that while sometimes her community felt a little survey fatigued, this is an important one.
‘People want their voices heard – but to get that you really need to participate in this sort of thing; passionate residents who know what some of the problems might be need to make sure they are heard, and also be a part of the solution,’ she says.
For Melinda, safety in her community is about prevention.
“I think of community safety as ensuring we have things like youth programs, things to do and keeping people busy and engaged in a positive way,” she says.
’If there are facilities and programs and positive things out there for people, I think that will prevent crime and increase that sense of community pride and safety.’
Melinda says she, her husband and 2 children, love the community feel of Yarrabilba.
Wanting to make it as positive a place as possible inspired her to take part in the survey.
‘Everyone here is so close and friendly and just doing life with each other,’ she says.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been to the local supermarket and not bumped into someone for a chat. That’s really important to me.’
