Help A Friend Club Toowoomba Inc (HAFC) was founded by Margaret Bellette in 1979.  After raising seven children on her own, it was Margaret’s vision to start an organisation that could offer respite and support to elderly people and their families. Margaret discovered this need first-hand when she was raising her children and could not find suitable accommodation for her own aging mother (Mrs Daisy Pearl Brown).   

Such was Margaret’s dedication to her mother’s memory, that the club would later use her name to identify its main residence – ‘Daisy House’.

With ten dollars in funds, determination and a lot of assistance and support from family and friends, planning started on Margaret’s dream.

With her small band of volunteers, the hard work began.  Fundraising began with cooking and sewing for street stalls, raffles, community dances, quests, cent sales and catering for functions etc.  Wherever a dollar could be turned, Help A Friend was there raising money.

Margaret and her volunteers canvassed many Toowoomba businesses for donations.  These donations enabled HAFC and its members to provide food, entertainment, company and companionship for the elderly via fortnightly gatherings at the Newtown Hall in Rome Street, Toowoomba. There were so many dedicated people that gave up so much of their time to perform and or fill the many roles that made these gatherings a success.  Adding to the enjoyment children from the Newtown State School also provided entertainment at some of these gatherings by singing, dancing and performing plays

1981 - HAFC became an ‘Approved Association’

1984 - Certificate of ‘Incorporation of an Association’

1985 - The first office and meeting area was at 153a Russell Street (beside the old BP Service Station on the corner of Russell and West Streets)

1986 - A residence at 223 James Street opened for community support and fundraising activities

1987 - The Club opened its first accommodation residence at 379 Tor Street, Toowoomba.

Now HAFC was in a position to provide respite for the elderly.  What the members quickly realised was that the need for housing in the community was enormous, especially for marginalised people

1988     HAFC puts down a deposit on property at 80 Anzac Avenue Toowoomba

1988     13^th March – ‘Daisy House’ officially opened with 3 bedrooms for respite care.

Extensions

1989     Olive Hohn Wing  – 6 more bedrooms

1991     Upstairs extension – 13 bedrooms

Help A Friend Club through Daisy House has serviced the community of Toowoomba by supplying 26 years of unfunded professionally supported accommodation for all marginalised persons.

Without family, friends and volunteers, Margaret’s dream could not have become a reality.

Original Building