A Brief History
In 1991, Gold Coast Women’s Centre submitted a proposal to the State Government Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs for the setting up of services under the Family and Individual Support and the Child Abuse Prevention Programs.
In July in 1992 funding was also received from the Department of Employment, Education and Training for the setting up of Palm Beach Job Club that provided full time training in job search, communication skills and confidence building.
Later in 1992 the newly formed Women’s Community Support Service Inc. took over sponsorship of the organisation from the Gold Coast Women’s Centre Inc.
Women’s Community Support Service Inc. was the sponsoring body of Palm Beach Family Support Service, until 12th October 1998 when the service became Incorporated in its own right. The service then incorporated the Community and Individual Support Program, Child Abuse Prevention Program the Youth Information and Referral Service, and the Professional Resume and Application Service.
Current status as of 2009, the Queensland Department of Communities funds a Community Support Service and Family Support Service. In 2009 the PBNC won a grant for an additional full time Financial Counselor through Commonwealth Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. As of December 2009, the PBNC has 4.7 F/T full time staff and a large volunteer base.
The history of the PBNC is complex, but the service is what it is today, largely due to the years of effort and contributions of staff and volunteers alike.