After dedicating more than a decade and a half to supporting people with disability in regional Queensland, Maggie Townsend is saying goodbye to a role that has shaped hundreds of lives – and her own.
The longest-serving employee of Carinity Our House has retired after 16 years as coordinator of the Toogoolawah disability support centre, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, confidence-building and community connection.
Maggie’s journey is a story of two Somersets. Born on a dairy farm in Somerset, England, she eventually found herself in the Somerset region of Queensland – and what began as a stop on her Australian travels became a lifelong calling.
She first became involved with Our House through community fundraising efforts to help build the centre.
“I was actually involved in fundraising when the community were raising money to build this place, so Our House was a bit dear to my heart even before I started working for Carinity,” Maggie said.
When she officially joined the organisation, the centre supported just one participant. Today, it assists more than 20 clients aged from 12 to 75, offering in-home support and personal care, short-term respite, social outings and vital life-skills training.
Over the years, Maggie has watched people grow from isolated and vulnerable individuals into confident, independent members of their community.
“Some of them used to sit in their bedrooms just watching TV or getting on the computer. Now they’re coming here, they’re making friends, they’re doing activities, they’re getting out in their community and visiting places,” she said.
“They’re real friends; they have got a real connection instead of being at home on their own.”
Maggie says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work has been helping participants find their voice.
“When you first meet some of them they barely say ‘boo’ to a goose, but now they’ve got so much confidence. They are able to speak up for themselves,” she said.
The centre has played a crucial role in a region where access to services often requires long travel to larger centres such as Ipswich, Caboolture or Toowoomba.
“Something like this being here in Toogoolawah is such a godsend,” Maggie said.
She describes the organisation as a family – one built on shared goals, trust and genuine care.
“We’re a family. Just like your own family, you want them to achieve and become the best that they can.”
Now, Maggie is heading to Far North Queensland to spend more time with her family and grandchildren – a well-earned next chapter after years of dedicated service.
Her retirement marks the end of an era for the small regional centre, but the confidence, friendships and independence she helped foster will continue to flourish.