Five Years Of Orange Sky

Image: Alison Jones, Don Leckby, Terri Leotta, Helen Pert and Helen McKenzie. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Five years of conversation, connection and friendship were celebrated this week as the Mackay and Sarina services of Orange Sky celebrated their fifth birthday.

Orange Sky first launched its services in Mackay in October 2017 and has since provided more than 4,350 loads of free washing to people in need across the Mackay community.

Don Leckby was instrumental in establishing Orange Sky in Mackay, starting a street ministry to assist those in need in 2007, with plans to build a dedicated drop-in centre in 2017.

“Orange Sky were going like champions out of Brisbane, so we gave them a call and offered to buy a van if they installed Orange Sky here in Mackay,” he said.

“I take my hat off to Orange Sky because they found out what they were able to do and that’s what they did, and they do it well.”

When Orange Sky started in Mackay in 2017, the service was seeking volunteers which was when Helen Pert, Helen McKenzie and Terri Leotta got involved.

Ms Pert was retired at the time and seeking any volunteer opportunities in the region, ultimately becoming the Mackay service’s first Service Coordinator.

“It’s just being able to make a difference,” said Ms Pert.

“If you’ve got the time to make a difference for someone else, then that’s the pleasure that it brings.”

“I just enjoy meeting the friends and the people I volunteer with, and I look forward to it,” added Ms McKenzie.

“A lot of the friends now have a safe place to come and chat and they feel comfortable coming here and I think that means a lot to them.”

“Every time I volunteer, I learn something from friends,” agreed Ms Leotta.

“How alike people are in just wanting a conversation, wanting to feel that other people care.”

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