General News
22 February, 2026
Priceless support
THE Community Support Centre Innisfail (CSCI) has notched up 50 years of delivering vital information, support, counselling and community development services to Innisfail and surrounding areas.
The Innisfail Community Advice and Information Centre (CAIC), officially opened on 2 October 1975 where it operated from the Innisfail School of Arts building for 34 years.
Since January 2009, the centre has operated from the Innisfail multi service hub in Donald Street.
In 1983, the Community Advice and Information Centre became incorporated and in December 1997 changed its name to Community Support Centre Innisfail to reflect the expanded services being offered.
Over the years the centre established the first Home Help service in Innisfail, developed childcare programs, as well as led a successful campaign for a local social security office.
The centre’s volunteer tax help program, which has operated since the late 1990s, is recognised as one of the longest running in Australia, with more than 7000 tax returns completed.
Volunteers have been the lifeblood of the centre and for the first eight years it operated solely with a volunteer workforce, including social worker Margaret Worrall.
Over the years, the centre has provided a range of services in response to community need, most notably: grant-in-aid multicultural and migrant education programs, community support and community development programs, family support programs, generalist and specialist counselling, disaster recovery programs, the bi-monthly newsletter ‘TalkAbout’ which has been published for 30 years, the welfare services directory and volunteer tutor training to name just a few.
Over 400 community members have volunteered millions of hours at the centre over the past 50 years, in various capacities including management committee, administration, reception, development of newsletters, assisting with program delivery, supporting community members and tax help.
Jacqui Szafran, who has been on the centre’s management committee since 2002 has held the role of president for 20 years.
“I joined the management committee to express my gratitude after having completed my placement there,” she said.
“During my time, I was inspired by the wide range of issues we address and the positive impact on the community. I witnessed how we advocate for those in need and empower individuals and organisations to achieve positive outcomes, particularly through vital services like domestic violence.”
Julie French, who was centre manager for 17 years, recalled how due to an increased demand the centre’s core service delivery significantly grew from three programs and staff in 2006, to eight services and a team of 20.
“We responded to community needs after cyclones Larry and Yasi and then later navigated the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also embraced new technology, implemented online client management systems and introduced an electric vehicle fleet,” she said.
CSCI’s vision is to build connected people, empowered families and resilient communities. The organisation works toward this by strengthening social connections and boosting the capacity of individuals and families through a wide range of quality community, family and disability services.
Read More: Innisfail