The sound of the waves rolled in gently at Far Beach as a 94-year-old woman sat in her wheelchair, breathing in the salty air. She had not seen the ocean in eight years, not since entering aged care. Battling pneumonia and determined to avoid another hospital stay, she told her volunteer she wanted to see the beach “one last time”. With the help of the local ambulance service, Mackay Community Visitors Association (MCVA) staff and volunteers made it happen.
She smiled, peaceful despite her struggle to breathe, and kept repeating how grateful she was. Just hours later, she passed away.
For MCVA co-ordinator Tracey Geaghan, it was a moment that summed up what the organisation has stood for since it began in 1990, making sure no one feels forgotten and doing everything possible to make last wishes come true.
MCVA was established as a federally funded volunteer pilot program to address the social isolation faced by residents placed in full time care.
“It was identified Australia wide that many residents did not get visits from family and friends once being placed in a facility and this was severely impacting both psychological and physical health,” Tracey said.
Over the decades, MCVA has expanded beyond aged care visits to include social support for seniors, wheelchair accessible transport for people over and under 65, and community participation programs for NDIS participants.
Volunteers continue to visit residents in aged care facilities across Mackay, Sarina, Mirani, Proserpine and Bowen, offering companionship, conversation and a vital connection to the outside world.
Volunteers are carefully matched to residents, with the option to choose facilities, match by gender, and align shared backgrounds or interests. That personal touch often leads to deep and lasting bonds.
One resident, who had spent six years in care without a single visitor, once told Tracey he could not believe someone wanted to visit him without being paid.
In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, MCVA supported 72 residents with more than 4,000 hours of visits, provided over 5,200 hours of social support to 120 seniors, and delivered more than 41,000 legs of transport for clients over 65. Additional services for younger clients and NDIS participants keep people connected, independent and active in the community.
Like many volunteer based organisations, MCVA faces challenges. Volunteer numbers have dropped since COVID 19 and finding qualified staff to provide home based support remains difficult. The $500 community gift from @ The Coalface will go towards renewing CPR qualifications for staff and volunteers, ensuring they are ready to respond when needed.
For Tracey, the mission remains clear, to keep growing, reach more people, and continue offering the kind of moments that matter, whether it is a chat over a cuppa or a last look at the sea.
| Anyone wishing to volunteer or find out more can contact MCVA on 4953 4878 or visit www.communityvisitorsmackay.org.au |
