Support Centre Update
Paul Nicholls, State Executive Officer seo @ guidesqld. org
Looking for a new home Have you heard the news?
Firstly, the Support Centre at Gould Road, Herston has been sold! Settlement is early August.
This is good news touched with some sadness as we need to leave what has been home for GGQ for the last eight years. It was a great building as it met all our needs and then some. After the flood in May 2009, we took what seemed like a devastating blow to the organisation and turned it into a huge positive by revamping the building:
• Reception was given a facelift.
• The office area and SEO’ s office were relocated.
• Guide Supplies was moved to the front of the building for easier access and greater visibility. Our customers loved it as did our dedicated staff.
• Much to the delight of our QMs and Hospitality Committee, our kitchen received a significant make-over.
• The meeting rooms that could be divided into two separate areas were modified to just one large meeting room. It was named the“ Lady Macartney Room” in honour of our first State Commissioner.
• A secure storage area was created for Guides Supplies.
• A separate Members’ working and meeting area was created in the space previously occupied by Guide Supplies. This was a popular decision, especially with our Volunteer Managers who now had their own desks, computers, printers, lounge chairs and meeting tables.
• The library was given its own room.
• Archives was presented with its very own room, specifically fitted out to archival standards— well, as much as we could afford.
• The icing on the cake was that the fit-out included new furniture throughout.
It was wonderful to see how Members lovingly took ownership of our new revitalised home. It was a great working and meeting environment for all of three years, two months and four days! Sadly, on 27 January 2013, all that was washed away.
Secondly, more good news— we did survive! We will again turn this set-back into a positive. We are now on the search for a new home for GGQ. We will take on board all the lessons learnt about office design as we embark on this next challenge.
And just in case you are wondering— our new home will be high on top of a hill!
I will keep you posted on progress as we embark on our quest for a new home.
July 2013 Queensland on the Go Page 13