Community Chaplaincy Program

Q: Who does the Community Chaplain assist?

Community members including Mission Australia clients and tenants and churches and faith groups in Cairns South.

Q: What are the eligibility criteria?

Community members including clients and tenants of Mission Australia who want to engage with chaplaincy support.

Q: Is there a referral process?

Community members who feel social or spiritual support would likely to be helpful can contact Student Community Chaplain Daniel directly on Gelad@missionaustralia.com.au or by dropping into Hambledon House Community Centre at 177 Bruce Highway, Edmonton.

Q: Is there a regular time the Community Chaplain is available?

You can pop into our Community Connect Open Space at Hambledon House Community Centre every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm to chat with the Community Chaplain and other members of the community.

Q: Who runs Hambledon House Community Centre?

Hambledon House Community Centre is managed by Mission Australia. Mission Australia is a national non-denominational Christian charity that has been standing alongside Australians in need since 1859. Given the right support, we believe everyone can reach their full potential.

Strengthening the spiritual and social wellbeing of the community.

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Meet our Community Chaplain

The Community Chaplaincy program is a national place-based program working to strengthen the spiritual and social wellbeing of whole communities.

The Student Community Chaplain works alongside the community as a spiritual resource, building relationships with Mission Australia services and connected clients/tenants, local churches, and diverse community groups.

These relationships support opportunities for people to have healthy spiritual wellbeing and to collaborate to ensure spiritual, emotional, social and practical support is available.

Our Community Chaplains work to grow the support available in the communities we work in, especially in areas facing disadvantage. They nurture each community’s sense of connection, confidence, contentment and spiritual wellbeing, so people can better care for themselves, serve others, and contribute to a stronger, more connected community.

In the south of Cairns we are lucky to have Daniel Gela as the Community chaplain. He is based at Hambledon House Community Centre and is always available to have a cuppa and chat.

Men's Group Yarning Circle

Men’s Group Yarning Circle

Daniel also runs a Men’s Group Yarning Circle every fortnight on Friday from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

The Men’s Group is an initiative that grew from a need for men to come together in a safe space to share, heal and connect. It has been running since mid-2024 and was established by our chaplain Daniel and supported by the Seventh day Adventist church in Edmonton.

There is a strong foundation of men in the group who have built a sense of belonging and friendship and have turned their lives around from the support of this group. At the heart of this group is that we are there for each other, share our experiences stories and challenges in a supportive environment to boost wellbeing, relationships, and connection. It is a place where all men are welcome.

You can contact him: Gelad@missionaustralia.com.au or pop into our Community Connect Open Space every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm.