About Rosies
Community, belonging and friendship
Rosies is a community of people sharing the Oblate spirit of daring.
Our mission
Inspired by Gospel values, Rosies reaches out to those who are experiencing homelessness, loneliness or social isolation, to be present with them, offering them the experience of community, belonging and friendship.
Just as you would offer a cup of tea or coffee to a friend who was visiting your home, we do the same for our friends on the street. While many organisations focus on referrals, accommodation, education and training, few explore the loneliness that often comes with homelessness or social isolation.
1 in 4 Australians say they are currently experiencing an episode of loneliness (Australian Psychological Society, 2018), and 1 in 10 Australians aged 15 and over report lacking social support (Relationships Australia, 2018).
History of Rosies
From Rosebud to Queensland
Rosies was born from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Catholic order founded by St Eugene de Mazenod in 1800s France, which arrived in Australia in 1861.
In 1974 Fr Tom Shortall OMI opened a volunteer-run drop-in centre for young people holidaying on the Mornington Peninsula – in the little town of Rosebud, Rosies was born. In 1987 Fr Paul Costello OMI saw a similar need at Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast, met the local homeless community, and realised Rosies was needed all year round.
In 1990 twelve young people took a year off to volunteer full time. Rosies later added Children's Court Support in Southport, prison visits at Numinbah, and in 1998 the School Engagement Program. Today, part-time volunteers spend a few hours a month on outreach, from Cairns and Mareeba to the Gold Coast and Toowoomba.
Our people
Volunteers at the top of our structure
Rosies places our friends, patrons and volunteers at the top of our organisational structure. Our CEO leads a small team behind the scenes who support our Branch Coordinators, Team Leaders and Volunteers.
Head office
- Jayne Shallcross – CEO
- Lacee Overton – Head of Fundraising
- Kate Sandford – Business Manager
- Dean Wrobel – Outreach & Volunteer Manager
- Nicole Leman – Outreach & Volunteer Manager (on parental leave)
- Fr Joshua Nash OMI – Rosies Oblate Chaplain
- Billie Shanks – MarComms Coordinator
- Lara Tomlinson – Office Manager & PA to the CEO
- Lee Mckaskill – Finance Officer
- Danii Lackmayer – Senior HeartWorks Employment Mentor
- Bianca Zanella – HeartWorks Senior Employment Mentor (on parental leave)
Patrons
His Excellency the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) & Lady Lynne Cosgrove, and the Honourable Leneen Forde AC.
Governance
Board of Management
Elected at the Annual General Meeting each November. Members of Rosies are able to vote and stand for membership of the Board.
- Peter McMahon – Chair
- Fr Joe Antony OMI – Oblate Representative
- Andrew Cooke – Treasurer/Secretary
- Jayne Shallcross – CEO
- Upinder Bhalla – Director
- Kim Harland – Director
- Colette McCool – Director
- Tony McIntosh – Director
- Louise Wegner-Parker – Director
Constitution, Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and annual reports: Rosies Governance page · ACNC Register listing
PLACEHOLDER: annual report download
Rosies Oblate Chaplain
Walking alongside our volunteers
Rosies has been supported by a succession of Oblate chaplains who provide spiritual accompaniment, pastoral care and practical support for our volunteers and outreach work. Our current chaplain is Fr Joshua Nash OMI.
Rosies Prayer
O Jesus, make our hearts so human, that others may feel at home with us, so like Yours, that others may feel at home with You, so forgetful of self that we might simply become the place where you and they meet in the power of Your love and the joy of Your friendship. Amen