FOR a decade through rain, hail or shine, volunteers from Rosies – Friends on the Street have gathered across Wynnum and Manly with hot coffee, warm meals and open hearts.
On July 31, the Rosies Wynnum Manly Branch celebrated its 10th birthday, marking a decade of friendship and practical support for people experiencing homelessness, hardship, loneliness and social isolation across Brisbane’s Bayside.
The branch officially began its outreach work in 2016, but its foundations were laid years earlier.
Fundraising began in 2014 to establish a Rosies presence in Wynnum Manly, followed by a joint venture with the local community and Rosies Brisbane in 2015.
A $10,000 Australia Post grant helped fund the development of the new branch.
For branch coordinator Bruce Corrie, the journey began with a simple invitation at Sunday Mass
“I had retired from work and attended Mass at my local church when the priest asked if anyone would be interested in starting a Rosies branch in Wynnum,” he said.
“I got the details, contacted Cath Lindsay and together we worked to establish the branch, with outreaches commencing in 2016.”
Those early efforts have grown into one of Rosies’ busiest branches.
Beginning with Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening outreaches, the service soon expanded to include a Monday morning emergency food relief outreach at St Peter’s Anglican Church.
Today, about 140 volunteers support Rosies Wynnum Manly, connecting with around 200 people each week across four outreaches.
Mr Corrie formally took on the branch coordinator role in 2018 and continues to lead the team alongside deputy branch coordinator Carol Woods.
He said the relationships built through Rosies had made every year worthwhile.
“I enjoy the great relationships with everyone at Rosies – our volunteers, the staff at head office, our patrons and the wider community,” he said.
“Together we’re making lives better, and we have fun doing it.”
After 10 years with the organisation, Mr Corrie said seeing a positive difference in people’s lives remained his greatest motivation.
“To see a positive change in our patrons because of what we do keeps me volunteering,” he said.
“We’ve got the best branch in the State – Wynnum Manly. Our volunteers are incredibly dedicated.
“They turn up to our four weekly outreaches, rain, hail or shine, because they genuinely care about the people we meet.”
Each outreach offers a hot drink, something to eat and, importantly, a welcoming conversation free from judgement or expectation.
For many patrons, those regular conversations provide a vital sense of connection, belonging and hope.
Rosies chief executive Jayne Shallcross said the milestone celebrated the volunteers whose compassion had strengthened the Bayside community for a decade.
“For 10 years, our Wynnum Manly volunteers have faithfully shown up with compassion, consistency and open hearts,” she said.
“They’ve created a place where people are known by name, treated with dignity and reminded they matter.
“Every conversation shared, every cup of coffee poured, and every act of kindness has helped build a stronger, more connected community.”
