Strong Communities Ltd

08/10/2026

🌿 Welcome to the Strong Communities team, Sam!

We are excited to welcome Sam to Strong Communities as our Early Years Program Facilitator.

Sam brings a wealth of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher, along with a genuine passion for child development, attachment and the importance of positive relationships in supporting children’s wellbeing and learning.

In her new role, Sam will work alongside early childhood educators and services across our region, delivering professional learning, practical guidance and ongoing support to strengthen educator confidence and practice.

We know that when we support and invest in our educators, we are also strengthening outcomes for children, families and our communities.

We are looking forward to the knowledge, experience and passion Sam will bring to this important area of our work 💙

07/10/2026

🚀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝟒 🥳 𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 (𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲) 𝐚𝐭 𝟗:𝟏𝟓𝐚𝐦 🌙✨

We’re kicking off Term 4 with an out-of-this-world space themed morning to celebrate World Space Week (4–10 October) 🌎🚀🌟

Come along for a morning of playful learning, creativity and sensory exploration as we blast off into space and discover the wonders beyond our planet.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening:
🚀 Space craft creations
🌙 Moon-themed sensory play
⭐ Starry group activities
🪐 Planet and space early learning activities
💦 Water play

Plus songs 🎶, shared morning tea 🍏 and plenty of opportunities for little ones to play, explore and make new friends 🫶

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for Term 4 and start another term full of fun, connection and learning 💙✨

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Thursday at 9:15am (during school terms)
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Calliope State School

𝗡𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 and all ages are welcome.

This playgroup is supported by our Strong Communities Social Impact Fund. Thank you for supporting our Community Store and other social enterprise activities that help make initiatives like this playgroup available to our community free of charge 🫶

05/10/2026

🌈 NaN Supportive Playgroup is back for Term 4 🌈

We're back this week for another wonderful term of NaN playgroup. Join us each week for FREE sensory, craft and early-learning activities, fun, friendship, and connection for families of all ages 💛

All new and returning families are welcome.

🌼 Thursdays 9:15am – Calliope NaN Playgroup
🌼 Fridays 9:30am – Harmony Kids Playgroup in Gladstone

No cost to attend and registration is not required. Sign in with our friendly team upon arrival on the day.

Come along this Thursday or Friday (or both) to meet other families and enjoy a fun morning together. We hope to see you there 🥰

04/10/2026

Friendly reminder to our Grief Support Circle participants 🤍
Gladstone grief support circle will be held next week on Monday 12th of October at 5:30pm due to today's public holiday.

We’re also pleased to share that we now offer a second Grief Support Circle location in Calliope, providing another opportunity for our community to access a safe, supportive space to connect, share, and navigate grief alongside others.

Calliope grief support circle will be held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:30pm.

🕯️ Gladstone: Monday 12th October 5:30pm at the Philip Street Families & Communities Precinct, West Gladstone

🕯️ Calliope: Monday 19th October 5:30pm at the QCWA Hall, Calliope

📲 To register, please email [email protected] or call/text 0433 019 172. You can also drop in to the group, and we will register you on the night.

Our Grief Support Circles are free to attend, thanks to the generous support of Rotary Club of Gladstone Port Curtis & our Strong Communities Social Impact Fund.

We look forward to welcoming you at a time and location that feels right for you 🤍

01/10/2026

😊😔🥹😤😮 Emotional intelligence is our ability to notice, understand and respond to emotions, both our own and other people’s 💫

It’s more than simply knowing what we feel. It’s being able to recognise our emotions, understand what they might be telling us, and using that awareness to guide how we respond.

Emotional intelligence helps us to:
🩵 Recognise our own emotions and understand what is happening within us
🩵 Recognise emotions in others and respond with compassion
🩵 Think and problem-solve, even when emotions are present
🩵 Manage frustration when things don't go the way we want
🩵 Choose how we express our emotions, rather than being completely driven by them

🤔 Why does it matter?
Emotions influence so much of how we think, behave and relate to one another.

When we develop emotional intelligence, we become more aware of what is happening inside us. That awareness gives us more choice in how we respond.

For children, this is a skill that develops over time.

They aren't born knowing how to understand a feeling, calm themselves, tolerate disappointment or express anger appropriately. These are skills they learn through relationships, experience and practice.

As parents and caregivers, we play an important role in that learning.

When children develop emotional intelligence, they are better equipped to regulate their emotions, think clearly during challenging moments, manage stress and cope with change.

💛 Want support putting these skills into practice with your own family?

Join us for our free program Tuning in to Kids® starting soon, in Gladstone or Rockhampton, and learn practical strategies to support your child’s emotional development.

💫 You can register online today at www.strongcommunities.org.au or email [email protected]

01/10/2026

🌿 Our October community update is here ✉️

There’s lots happening, and we’re excited to share what’s coming up in Term 4.

Find out what's on in the final term of 2026, register for upcoming programs and learn more about the community events and services available in the Gladstone region.

Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/strongcommunities/october-community-update

30/09/2026

What’s on this month | October 2026🩵🗒

⭐️ Limited spaces remaining for some Term 4 Parenting Programs - please enquire now for more information or to secure your spot ⭐️

🗓️ Take a look at the programs, events and support opportunities happening across Strong Communities in Central Queensland this month.

For more information on our upcoming activities and to book your spot, please visit our website, send us a message or get in touch with our friendly team at [email protected] 💌

29/09/2026

Join us in celebrating the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct turning 5 this Friday with a morning of FREE family fun 🥳

Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct is turning 5!

Join Gladstone Regional Council, Gladstone Region Neighbourhood Centre and Precinct partners GAPDL Communities for Children and The Salvation Army for a morning of FREE family fun celebrating five years of the Precinct, connecting with neighbours and local community groups, and welcoming new residents to the Gladstone Region.

The fun includes:
⭐ Petting zoo
⭐ Henna art and glitter tattoos
⭐ Chalk art
⭐ Live music and cultural performances
⭐ Scavenger hunt
⭐ Free sausage sizzle

Join us to help celebrate 5 incredible years!
📅 Friday, 2 October
⏰ 9am - 12pm
📍 Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct

Check out our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E2boATjBE/

28/09/2026

Play & Connect on tomorrow (Wednesday) in
Emu Park 🥳💫

Join us at Bell Park in Emu Park tomorrow morning for a fun-filled morning full of play and connection.

This is a FREE community event where you can enjoy children's activities, arts and craft, access to parental support, a free sausage sizzle and petting zoo 🐴🐷🐔💛

📍Bell Park, Emu Park QLD
📅 Wednesday 30th September
🕚 10am - 12pm

All ages are welcome. No need to register, please sign in with our friendly team upon arrival tomorrow.

See you at 10am tomorrow ☀️

*Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family, making this program available for families to attend at no charge.