Government, business, community and faith leaders gathered on Friday 16 July at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meetinghouse in Logan City, Queensland with a common vision of building community and embracing the spirit of service.
Guests spoke of the need to turn toward each other, not away, and work together to support and care for the needs of individuals and families in our diverse communities.
JustServe coordinator for Australia, Sue Owen, spoke about the JustServe website as a place for community, business, and faith organisations to connect, and to organise effective service to people in need in their neighbourhoods.
Among guests at the launch were The Hon Gary Hardgrave; Senator Paul Scarr; Councillor Angela Owen, Brisbane City Council; Graham Quirk, former Lord Mayor of Brisbane; Janeth Deen, founder of the Queensland Muslim Welfare Association; and Jim Bellos, former Queenslander of the Year.
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Sue Owen, Graham Quirk, Joel Hillier, Jim Bellos, The Hon Gary Hardgrave, Elder Carl Maurer, Senator Paul Scarr, Councillor Angela Owen.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.“I have seen people in this room do extraordinary things,” Senator Scarr said, “which the Government, simply by its nature, cannot do. I think JustServe is an absolutely wonderful initiative in terms of providing people with the opportunity to volunteer and help their fellow Australians.”
Mr Hardgrave said, “This initiative, JustServe, and the way it brings people together, is timely and of great value.”
“Acts of service are the greatest gifts that we can give in life,” Mr Quirk said.
Ms Deen added, “This was a wonderful event and it has prompted me to explore ways we can work together as Muslims and Christians on important community initiatives.”
Elder Carl Maurer, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hosted the guests.
He was supported by Sue and Craig Owen, Australia JustServe Coordinators; Kristie Gibson, Church Communication Director for Queensland; and Joel Hillier, Church Communication Director for Logan City.