Nambour churches’ program opens doors to housing

Winter Shelter Program 

The Shack Community Centre pastor Dale Dowler decided this was the year to “grab the bull by the horns” and bring a Winter Shelter to Nambour.

Ten weeks later, the inaugural program has attracted 22 registrations, more than 70 volunteers and helped several guests move into housing.

Pastor Dowler said the Nambour model was based on programs operating elsewhere through Australian non-profit Stable One, which partners with churches and communities to provide temporary winter accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

Four Nambour churches opened their doors on consecutive nights over winter including Flametree Baptist Church on Wednesdays, Nambour Christian Church on Thursdays, Sanctuary Park Church of Christ on Fridays and Ignite Church on Saturdays.

Guests were registered before entering the program, with each venue providing dinner, showers, a warm bed and volunteers working shifts through the night.

Pastor Dowler described the first season as a “massive success”. “We had four housing outcomes out of it,” he said, adding another guest had since told him he had also secured accommodation.

Those outcomes included public housing, accommodation through The Shack’s Gen One Village and placements in caravan parks and a boarding arrangement.

Two visitors stranded from Victoria were also able to use the shelter temporarily before reconnecting with family and returning home.

Pastor Dowler said the real strength of the 10-week program was the relationships that developed between guests and volunteers. “You get to know people over 10 weeks and go from there,” he said.

For people who had experienced trauma, he said trust could take time to rebuild. “But I think because these volunteers are just so friendly and when people come on in, they were just so well accepted and welcomed. I think that’s what made the difference.”

Sometimes those important conversations happened in surprisingly ordinary ways. “It can get spoken about over a game,” Pastor Dowler said. “A game of cards or a game of Jenga can bring a lot out in people.”

With the first winter completed, planning is already under way for 2027. 

Pastor Dowler said the churches, Sunshine Coast Council representatives and volunteers had made the inaugural season possible. “Probably the most important asset of this is our volunteers,” he said. “Over the 10 weeks, over 70 volunteers, which was absolutely amazing.”