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