About Us

GWC---Website-[1605]-Website-Elements-Stronger-Together.png — Supporting Our Community

Greater Whitsunday Communities was established over forty years ago to work with groups and individuals to address social issues which affect them.

Several decades of community development work has demonstrated that the important part of the process is the journey, and not necessarily the outcome. This is achieved through facilitating community ownership and decision making.

We are in a trusted and independent position in this region. We have the support of local, state and federal funding, private partnerships, commercial project earnings and volunteer work. Greater Whitsunday Communities is an incorporated, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee that employs a small team of community development practitioners. We have an extensive membership base and strong leadership from a coordinating committee of industry and local community representatives.

We coordinate and advocate for inclusive, supportive and participatory social development practice. Our core values include:

Social justice and inclusion
Promoting respect and diversity
Empowering people to have a voice
Fostering grassroots action
Integrity

We strive to be recognised as the regional body for community and social development. We work towards a future in which the Greater Whitsunday region has a high standard of social wellbeing.

Collaborative Partnerships

Regional Socio-Economic Practice

Community Leadership Skills

Regional Voice & Connectedness

Community Governance & Management Capability

Peak Body Representation

Our Members

We welcome the following membership types:

Individuals - $15 - $10 for Health Card Holders
Not-for Profit Organisations - $25
Corporate Organisations - $100

Memberships are renewed annually

Member Benefits

Access and representation with peak bodies

Regular updates from around the Greater Whitsunday Region
Management and Governance support

Accessible professional development

Featured

Our Current Member Organisations

Greater Whitsunday Communities has an extensive membership base throughout the region. We thank our members for their continued support over the decades.

Do you want to become a member?

Click here to complete and submit the easy online application form.

“GWC excel in participatory development activites whereby community consultation is comprehensively undertaken”

— Member 2022

Member Feedback Snapshot

Greater Whitsunday Communities engaged our members in a survey to assist with the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan for our organisation. Gaining feedback from our members is critical to the planning process so we can align our developmental work to the needs of our community.

Greater Whitsunday Communities Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Greater Whitsunday Communities is proud to announce that we have finalised our Strategic Plan for the 5 years 2022 - 2027. This plan builds on the strengths of the 2021 transformative program to review the structure and leadership of the organisation whilst setting targets to hold in our core objective of participatory community development.

Our comprehensive planning process included horizon scanning, SWOT analysis and captured the honest and bold feedback from our Members, Board and Staff, which provided valuable insight into our purpose, foundation mission and vision. Our Strategic Plan defines our priorities for the next five years. Whilst Participatory community development is core to our work, financial sustainability through fee for service programs will support bridging the gap for us to achieve work that otherwise would not be possible. We recognise the importance the role of individuals, communities, the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors, their respective councils, State and Federal Government, business, and industries (Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS), Tourism, Construction, Agriculture, Health and Allied Services and Education) will play in achieving many of the strategic pillars outlined in this strategic plan. Looking into the future, our commitment to the socio economic and environmental wellbeing of the Greater Whitsunday region is unwavering.

These are the key elements that define the way we work and set the benchmark for the way we will work in order for us to achieve our vision. You can read the full Strategic Plan 2022-2027 here or refer to the Plan on a Page for an abridged version.