Volunteers & community rallies to help local charity relocate

A wave of community support has helped a Nambour charity relocate its operations, with volunteers and community members stepping in to ensure programs continue despite an ongoing lease dispute.

Golf Programs Australia Incorporated (GPAI) founders Darrell and Michelle Dalton have temporarily moved out of their long-time Chadwick Chambers base and set up two doors away in the former Commonwealth Bank building.

Mr Dalton said the response from the community had been overwhelming.  “We’ve had people turn up with utes, trailers and willing hands – it’s been incredible to see,” he said. “This charity has always been about community, and right now the community is carrying us.”

Mrs Dalton said the support had made a difficult situation manageable. “We simply couldn’t have done this on our own,” she said. “The volunteers have stepped in at exactly the right time and reminded us why we do what we do.”

The temporary relocation comes as the organisation continues to navigate a dispute with the new owners of its previous Currie Street premises, despite holding a lease until May 2027.

Mrs Dalton said the organisation had sought legal advice and had been working for months to defend its position while also preparing contingency plans as the situation became untenable. 

The GPAI committee said the move had been financially devastating, physically exhausting and emotionally demoralising, but they were continuing on with the support of volunteers and the wider community.

“This experience has hardened our resolve to protect the charity and those it represents,” Mrs Dalton said.

The situation has already severely disrupted several operations and fundraising activities, including the “Ye Olde Empty Bottle Shoppe”, a grant-supported initiative involving repurposed glass spirit bottles, which had to be dismantled.

The disruption follows the charity’s successful Holey Moley Charity Pro-Am at Glenview Par 3 Golf Course – a world-first inclusive event where people with intellectual disabilities helped run the tournament alongside PGA professionals.

Mr Dalton said the ongoing situation had diverted time and resources away from core programs. “I should be focusing on planning the next Pro-Am and building sponsorship,” he said. “Instead, we’re spending time and funds dealing with this situation.”

Despite the upheaval, GPAI continues to operate, with programs and activities being slowly re-established at the new site. 

Mrs Dalton said the focus remained on continuity.

“We’re just about at our limit here,” she said. “We’re just trying to keep everything running for the people who rely on these programs while also fighting to protect the organisation.”

But the couple said the GPAI committee remained committed to their mission and were not going to give in.

“We just want to keep doing the work we’ve been doing for the community,” Mr Dalton said. “Our athletes, volunteers and families have built something special here, and we want to make sure it continues.”

To contribute to help with legal fees for the charity go to: www.gofundme.com/f/empower-and-upskill-students-of-all-abilities or call in and make a purchase.

Darrell and Michelle Dalton, centre left and centre, last Tuesday night with just a few of the many staff, volunteers and residents who have helped them move. Below, the exterior of the shop.