A chat over a cuppa will help strengthen communi-tea spirit

Community members across the Scenic Rim are invited to drop in for a casual cuppa and a friendly chat at Council’s Cuppa in the Communi-tea sessions which launched this month.

Rathdowney, on Thursday 24 March, and Tamborine, on Friday 25 March, will be the next in a series of region-wide events that will become regular features of the Scenic Rim calendar to support individual and community wellbeing.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Cuppa in the Communi-tea, funded by the Queensland Government, Mental Health and Wellbeing Package under Queensland’s Economic Recovery Strategy, aimed to reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections across the region.

“Cuppa in the Communi-tea is a simple but effective way of reaching out to those who may feel isolated and helping them to connect with others in a safe and friendly environment,” he said.

“The challenges faced by our community in recent years – drought, bushfire, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent floods – have had a compounding impact on people’s feelings of social isolation and their ability to seek help.

“Members of our farming community, particularly men on properties, are at greatest risk of social isolation and often least likely to reach out for a helping hand.”

Key issues relating to the impacts of social isolation include mental health challenges, the ongoing effects of disaster events, lack of transport, issues affecting those working in the agriculture sector, financial stress, lack of access or information about available services and the increasing use of technology, with devices being seen as both a help and a hindrance in overcoming social isolation.

Cuppa in the Communi-tea was developed as an outreach program to help residents in rural communities connect with others as well as with Council services and service providers.

Each Cuppa in the Communi-tea event has been tailored to meet community needs and will offer something new each month.

Rathdowney’s first Cuppa in the Communi-tea will feature a presentation by Scenic Rim Wildlife and at Tamborine there will be a pop-up playgroup, to help reduce the social isolation that can be experienced by parents and carers of young children, as well as free hearing tests.

Both events will offer mindfulness drawing sessions, battery recycling collection points, tech support from Scenic Rim Libraries and giveaways including Council’s new guide to reducing waste and disaster preparedness information.

“The Scenic Rim is known for its community spirit and these morning and afternoon tea events, with local organisations providing food and refreshments, will further strengthen the social fabric of our region,” Cr Christensen said.

Cuppa in the Communi-tea sessions will be held at the following locations on these days and times:

• Kooralbyn Men's Shed – first Wednesday of the month, 10am-11am
• Aratula - Moffatt Park, first Friday of the month, 2pm-3pm
• Beechmont Old School, second Wednesday of the month, 10am-11am
• Harrisville Memorial Park, third Tuesday of the month, 10am-11am
• Peak Crossing Hall, third Tuesday of the month, 2pm-3pm
• Kalbar Civic Centre, third Thursday of the month, 10am-11am
• Rathdowney Post Office, fourth Thursday of the month,10am-11am
• Tamborine Memorial Hall, fourth Friday of the month, 10am-11am