Community

Caneland Central Shopping Centre is not just a place for shopping, it’s a community hub that supports local initiatives and gives back to the community. We share the same local spirit as you and that’s why we have proudly supported the community since 1979.

From events to sustainability initiatives, we’re making a positive impact on the community.

This financial year alone, the Centre has provided over $100,000 in social value to the Mackay community through community campaigns, in-kind partnerships and donations.

Community Space

If you have any enquiries about how Caneland Central can engage with your community group, club or local charity please click here.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the community initiatives and organisations that we’re involved with:

SHARE THE DIGNITY

Share the Dignity works to make a real, on the ground difference in the lives of those women in Mackay who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or living in crisis. Share the Dignity collect and distribute period products to those in need and work to end period poverty here in Australia. Caneland Central have hosted a donation point for the Dignity Drives in both March and August and each November we aim to raise donations for their ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign where Share the Dignity donate thousands of bags to those in need across the country filled with essentials and special gifts to make Christmas one to remember. Get involved.

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STRETCH FOR GRAPEVINE

Grapevine Group Association Inc is a locally founded grassroots volunteer group which raises funds and awareness for suicide prevention in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions. Caneland Central partners with Grapevine Group each year to host the Stretch for Grapevine annual fundraiser. Stretch for Grapevine is a free yoga event to encourage people to set aside time to prioritise their own mental health and raise awareness and funds for the organisation.

CQ GRAPEVINE

In 2016, RACQ CQ Rescue celebrates 20 years of saving lives in this region and will surpass 7,000 missions. Often a patient’s only lifeline, the Mackay-based RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter rescues, transfers, retrieves and winches many hundreds of people each year, providing aeromedical and search and rescue assistance to those in dire situations in this region. As a community helicopter provider, RACQ CQ Rescue is available to all residents, workers and visitors in regions between Townsville and Rockhampton. While the service comes at no cost to our Australian patients, operational costs to ensure the rescue helicopter and its professional crew are available when needed are expected to be in the vicinity of $8.3 million per annum. Partnering with the wonderful volunteers from ESA Alpha Rho, Caneland funds and facilitates the annual charity Christmas Gift Wrapping service at the centre with all proceeds going to RACQ CQ Rescue.

MACKAY DRAWS THE LINE

Mackay Regional Council launched their new campaign in November 2017, calling the Mackay Community to ‘Draw the Line’. “Domestic and family violence STOPS here”. What can you do as an individual? What you walk past is what you accept! Show respect at all times, recognise the signs of abuse in others and be willing to reach out and show support. What can you do as a leader? Lead by example. Show respect in all elements of life and business. Be an advocate in your community. What can you do as a community group? Help to spread the message. Draw the line against domestic and family violence in your club and make club culture one of respect.

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16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

Each year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, Zonta celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign which is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls arounds the world. Caneland supports and helps raise awareness of this campaign by providing free space within the Centre for a creative display each year.

RSPCA QUEENSLAND

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld) is the state’s oldest, largest and leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of all domestic, farmed and native animals throughout Queensland. Throughout the year Caneland provides free space to the local RSPCA group so they can raise funds for this much needed service on behalf of our favourite furry friends.

NUDE LUNCH

Ovarian cancer is a silent killer, often going undetected. Nude Lunch aims to expose this silent killer, raising awareness and vital funds so that no woman with ovarian cancer has to walk alone. Together we can change the story of ovarian cancer. Caneland Central was an annual Gold Sponsor of the Nude Lunch event since it’s inception in 2016 through to the final event.

ORANGE SKY LAUNDRY

Orange Sky Australia is the world’s first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homeless. With an aim to improve hygiene standards and restore dignity to people doing it tough, they stumbled on something much bigger and more significant – the power of a conversation. Orange Sky has expanded to 20 services across Australia (including Mackay) and generates over six tonnes of laundry every week. Most importantly, Orange Sky volunteers have engaged conversations helping to dispel myths about homelessness and positively connect communities all around Australia. Become a Volunteer! Regular free laundry and show services can be found all around Mackay, visit their website for more information.

Become a volunteer
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THE COURAGE PROJECT

The Courage Project is a collaboration between Bravehearts and Mackay Women’s Service (MWS) to deliver a mental health service to disadvantaged and disengaged children and young people (under the age of 14) that have experienced trauma related issues. The Courage Project will provide therapeutic and advocacy supports to children and young people who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, physical and/or sexual assault and are at risk of self-harm. The service is available to clients residing in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Council Regions. The service will use evidence based, trauma informed approaches to support children and young people in their healing journey. The multidisciplinary team will work with children and young people individually as well as and their non-offending family members and support services. Caneland is supporting this new initiative to the region by providing free in-centre advertising to help promote the service.