This year reinforced the importance of working collectively through advocacy to deliver outcomes for the Queenslanders who need it most. As the year draws to a close, it's a good opportunity for all of us to reflect on what we've achieved together as a sector this year. 

It's been a huge year, and some of our highlights include:

• The Neighbourhood Collective: 10 Years in the Hervey Bay Community Centre building, one year at the Neighbourhood Hive and opening of the Urangan Community Wellness Centre in July. This new facility has supported more than 3000 people by providing information, advice and referral through reception services, events and programs over the past six months, and continues to grow.
• Expansion of the Youth Centre to include the new LIFT (Local Industry Futures Training) program. It has now supported 1,477 community members to learn skills and gain employment.
• Working with peak bodies to achieve systems reform Neighbourhood and Community Centres under the Strategic Re-positioning Committee and developing the Disaster Resilience Maturity project with Community Service Industry Alliance.
• Sustainability of our innovative programs with the Fraser Coast Youth Survey with over 800 responses, 400+ Read Bears distributed to early years literacy program, 18 Social Innovators Pitched their ideas to create positive change in our community.
• Update of the Strategic Housing Issues Paper to provide short, medium and long term strategies.

We really want to thank you for working with us in 2022. Whether you're having a break over the festive season or providing much-needed services to your community, all of us at HBNC wish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful start to 2023.