10 key community services in Fairy Meadow

We’re fortunate to have a vast array of community services in Fairy Meadow to help at different stages of life and cater to different needs and interests. Whether it’s clothing through St Vincent de Paul or the Salvation Army, or getting your kids involved in nippers through the Surf Life Saving Club.

Here are 10 key services:

1. Fairy Meadow Community Centre

Located in Guest Park, the centre is managed by Wollongong Nga Hau E Wha Ethnic Culture Group Inc. It has one hall and two rooms that can be hired out and comes with kitchen facilities, PA/sound system, tables and chairs, and stage. It’s ideally located, with on-street parking, a three-minute walk from the nearest bus stop and being 800m to the train station. The Fairy Meadow Community Centre also provides free meals.

2. St Vincent de Paul Society

Right on the Princes Hwy, the shop features books, toys, jewellery, furniture, clothing and accessories and is always open to accepting donations. The funds raised from the Vinnies shops allow members, volunteers and staff to help everyday people in need of support and hope. Those include homeless services for men, women and families; migrant and refugee assistance; support for those living with mental illness; home, hospital and prison visitation; supported employment services for people with intellectual and other disabilities; budget counselling; and youth programs.

3. Salvation Army Store Fairy Meadow

The Salvos store in Fairy Meadow, right on the Princes Hwy, sells pre-loved goods generously donated by the community. However, it also has an online store, making shopping even more convenient. It has new arrivals daily in bric-a-brac, homewares, books, toys, CDs, records and clothing. You can also make donations of goods to the store.

4. The Illawarra Disability Trust

Located in Jardine Street in Fairy Meadow, The Illawarra Disability Trust provides highly professional care and support to people with disability and their families. It offers a range of services, including NDIS, Case Management, Respite and In-Home Care, Community Services, Vocational Services, Kids Fund, Registered Training Organisation, Self-Managed Services and Trusted Travel.

5. Kids Fund

Managed by The Disability Trust at Fairy Meadow, the Illawarra-based charity Kids Fund purchases essential aids and equipment for children with special needs and significant disabilities. Examples of equipment includes walkers, orthotics, communicators, hoists, wheelchairs, and seating systems. These items help the child and family achieve greater levels of independence and takes away a significant financial burden.

6. Health Cities Illawarra

Working to create healthy environments and enable healthy choices for people in the Illawarra, Health Cities Illawarra believes prevention is the best cure. It aims to address the underlying social, economic and environmental causes of health inequity and is committed to taking action to prevent and control diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, asthma, dementia, depression and anxiety.

7. Fairy Meadow Rotary Club

Formed back in 1967, the Fairy Meadow Rotary Club has become an integral part of the community, supporting many community based projects in the region, nationally and internationally. The club offers good fellowship, interesting speakers at its meetings and implements community based projects.

8. Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club

As one of 17 Illawarra clubs, the Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club runs a nippers program for children and offers high quality training and introduction into lifesaving for those looking to patrol beaches as a volunteer lifesaver. It is always looking to welcome new members. The club also has a function room for hire with ocean views.

9. Greenacres Disability Services

It started as Greenacres Special School by a group of Wollongong parents in 1953 with 16 pupils with intellectual disabilities. Later, parents were concerned about the lack of employment opportunities available to their children when they left school, so fundraised to create a workshop in 1963 for participants to build blackboards and easels. Greenacres continued to be an innovative pioneer in disability services, constantly adapting and evolving with the needs of the people who used their services. As a leading disability service providers in the region, its goal has always been to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by giving them choice.

10. Illawarra Woodworkers Group

The Illawarra Woodworkers Group has grown since it began with just a handful of members in 1988 who had a shared interest in woodworking. Members have made everything from simple projects like small boxes, to more unusual items like jousting sticks. Starting in each other’s garages, they moved to the Fairy Meadow Demonstration School in 2001.

Other services include Anglicare Fairy Meadow – Social and Wellness Centre, Food For Life and Food Fairness Illawarra, Family Pathway Solutions, TappON Disability Service and Support Organisation, and COORDIERE Wollongong.

To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400.

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