The History of Mossman Support Services
A public meeting in March 1986 led to the opening of a local branch of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. In mid 1989, a successful submission to the Department of Family Services with the Port Douglas Community Services Network saw the formation of the Mossman and Port Douglas Community Counselling Service as a subcommittee of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of QLD.
By June 1991, affiliation with the ADFQ had ceased and the Douglas Shire Community Services Association Ltd was incorporated with a management committee consisting of volunteers. The present building, originally the Mossman Police Station residence was officially opened as the Mossman Community Centre on 17 October 1991.
Youth Services began in 1997 and was originally funded under the Rural Youth Worker Initiative. In 2000, the position was re-funded for three years under the Social and Economic Development Services for Young People (SEDS) Initiative. Youth Services is currently funded by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability. The Youth Centre operates from rooms in the Douglas Shire hall building on the corner of Mill St and Junction Road.
In July 2001, DSCSA Ltd was successful in obtaining funding from Disability Services Queensland to develop and provide a Flexi Respite Service for the people of the Douglas Shire. Lifestyle Support Connections operates from an office building at the rear of the Community Centre 20 Mill Street and provides services to people with a disability and their family.
In 2003 DSCSA Ltd was successful in purchasing 20 Mill Street from the Department of Families with funding under the Community Facilities Upgrade Strategy within the Community Services key funding area.
In 2006 the Douglas Shire Council purchased the vacant lot at 22 Mill Street and DSCSA Ltd signed a 30 year lease, with nominal rent, to provide “office accommodation and storage associated with the provision of community based services. Two new buildings known as ‘The Shed’ and ‘The Cottage’ were built combining grants from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, the Queensland Department of Communities, DSCSA Ltd and local contractors’ contributions. These buildings were officially opened on 24th August 2007.
In 2015 the organisation changed from an incorporated association to a company by limited guarantee with a Board of Directors.
In May 2016 DSCSA Ltd was rebranded and adopted the trading name Mossman Support Services.
