Celebrating 10 years in the bush.
It started with teams of volunteers connecting with families at Camp Cobbold. And now, 10 years later, our team is contributing to thriving bush communities across outback Queensland.
Celebrating 10 years in the bush.
It started with teams of volunteers connecting with families at Camp Cobbold. And now, 10 years later, our team is contributing to thriving bush communities across
outback Queensland.
In 2011 Brisbane-based psychologist Selena Gomersall was invited to provide support to more than 30 women and children who had travelled from their remote properties across the outback for a week long camp at Cobbold Gorge.
It was under the Far North Queensland sun that Selena first began to understand the extent of the mental health challenges bush families face, and the additional complexities created by issues of accessibility, consistency, and quality of service provision.
2011
In 2011 Brisbane-based psychologist Selena Gomersall was invited to provide support to more than 30 women and children who had travelled from their remote properties across the outback for
a week long camp at
Cobbold Gorge.
It was under the Far North Queensland sun that Selena first began to understand the extent of the mental health challenges bush families face, and the additional complexities created by issues of accessibility, consistency, and quality of service provision.
Selena returned to Camp Cobbold with a group of committed volunteers from Toowong Uniting Church. They connected with families, provided care and support, built trusted relationships, and learned bush culture.
Over the following years, our teams of wonderful volunteers contributed to six Camp Cobbolds, building deep connection and trust with bush families.
2012
Selena returned to Camp Cobbold with a group of committed volunteers from Toowong Uniting Church. They connected with families, provided care and support, built trusted relationships, and learned bush culture.
Over the following years, our teams of wonderful volunteers contributed to six Camp Cobbolds, building deep connection and trust with bush families.
In 2013, Outback Futures was formally established with a mission to nurture and empower the outback by renewing hope, building resilience and strengthening community.
The horizon of opportunity was as wide as the outback. People full of heart and passion jumped on board, and faith and trust were our navigational tools. What a ride the last 10 years has been!
2013
In 2013, Outback Futures was formally established with a mission to nurture and empower the outback by renewing hope, building resilience and strengthening community.
The horizon of opportunity was as wide as the outback. People full of heart and passion jumped on board, and faith and trust were our navigational tools. What a ride the last 10 years has been!
In addition to the annual Camp Cobbold, the Outback Futures team travelled across Queensland, invited to contribute to community events and run multidisciplinary clinics for kids
and families.
Our skilled volunteers provided counselling, psychology, physiotherapy, literacy, occupational therapy, music therapy, and wellbeing.
2015
In addition to the annual Camp Cobbold, the Outback Futures team travelled across Queensland, invited to contribute to community events and run multidisciplinary clinics for kids and families.
Our skilled volunteers provided counselling, psychology, physiotherapy, literacy, occupational therapy, music therapy, and wellbeing.
Our team spent time listening, sharing, and building trusted relationships. Over time a unique mental health model for the
bush evolved.
Co-designed by the bush, for the bush, the Outback Futures model works to create long term change in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for outback kids, families and communities.
2016
Our team spent time listening, sharing, and building trusted relationships. Over time a unique mental health model for the
bush evolved.
Co-designed by the bush, for the bush, the Outback Futures model works to create long term change in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for outback kids, families and communities.
Respected grazier Tony Simmons took Outback Futures on a road trip to Central West Queensland, connecting us with key community leaders including Peter and Raeleen Whip.
Following a number of tragedies in Barcaldine, the Outback Futures team was asked to provide ongoing services. Our Stay With Me telehealth combined with in-person visits gave the Barcaldine community consistent support.
2016-2017
Respected grazier Tony Simmons took Outback Futures on a road trip to Central West Queensland, connecting us with key community leaders including Peter and Raeleen Whip.
Following a number of tragedies in Barcaldine, the Outback Futures team was asked to provide ongoing services. Our Stay With Me telehealth combined with in-person visits gave the Barcaldine community consistent support.
2018 started a season of significant opportunity and growth. As word about Outback Futures spread across the Central West, committed funding partners supported us to respond to invitations from other bush communities.
We transitioned many of our volunteers to paid employment, creating a consistent team who built relationships and delivered allied health services across Blackall-Tambo Region, Longreach Region, Winton Shire, as well as Barcaldine Region.
2018
2018 started a season of significant opportunity and growth. As word about Outback Futures spread across the Central West, committed funding partners supported us to respond to invitations from other bush communities.
We transitioned many of our volunteers to paid employment, creating a consistent team who built relationships and delivered allied health services across Blackall-Tambo Region, Longreach Region, Winton Shire, as well as Barcaldine Region.
In early 2019, in response to the monsoon trough flood disaster that devastated our state's north, we supported people across North West Queensland, including students and families of Mount Isa School of the Air.
Telehealth was a long established part of our toolkit, so when COVID hit, our team was ready to provide consistent support for the bush as they navigated lock-downs, uncertainty, mental health challenges, and extended drought.
2019-2021
In early 2019, in response to the monsoon trough flood disaster that devastated our state's north, we supported people across North West Queensland, including students and families of Mount Isa School of the Air.
Telehealth was a long established part of our toolkit, so when COVID hit, our team was ready to provide consistent support for the bush as they navigated lock-downs, uncertainty, mental health challenges, and extended drought.
Like-minded funders understood the value of investing in projects and tools designed to strengthen resilience, build confidence and capacity, and reduce stigma across a community - from our littlest bush kids all the way through to our longest living bush residents.
From community leaders in the bush all the way to the halls of parliament in Canberra, we continue to advocate for mental health and wellbeing services that give people the help they need, when and where they need it.
2021-2022
Like-minded funders understood the value of investing in projects and tools designed to strengthen resilience, build confidence and capacity, and reduce stigma across a community - from our littlest bush kids all the way through to our longest living bush residents.
From community leaders in the bush all the way to the halls of parliament in Canberra, we continue to advocate for mental health and wellbeing services that give people the help they need, when and where they need it.
As we contribute to thriving bush communities, we continue to listen and learn, refine our model, nurture partnerships, and strengthen our organisational sustainability.
Every day we're in the bush matters. Thank you for being part of our journey so far, and we look forward to the next
10 years together!
2023
As we contribute to thriving bush communities, we continue to listen and learn, refine our model, nurture partnerships, and strengthen our organisational sustainability.
Every day we're in the bush matters. Thank you for being part of our journey so far, and we look forward to the next
10 years together!
