Connect You Too News

On Wednesday 26th March, Denise and Rebecca attended the "On
Record: Celebrating Our Seniors" event at the Grafton Library. Although it was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred, it was definitely better late than never.

Our stall added a wonderful dynamic to the event, and we received
fantastic feedback from the community. With over 200 attendees, the day was a tremendous success, and our presence played a significant role in creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, whilst handing out over 75 show bags.

It was a great way to share our products/services with the attendees.
Our dedication to supporting our community was truly commendable. The new passport system worked wonderfully - enticing all visitors to travel around and see every stall and explore their services or wares.

It was wonderful to meet such lovely people from the Clarence Valley.

Connect You Too has been busy helping the community get out and about during March 2025.

In March 2025, we did a total of 1,820 trips with a total of 63,186 service kms for 395 customers. Our popular destinations included 18 trips to Ballina; 47 trips to Coffs Harbour; 13 trips to the Gold Coast; 623 trips to Grafton; 74 trips to Lismore and 208 trips to the Yamba/Maclean area.

We managed to get the community to 884 Specialist and GP appointments; 40 Hospital visits (Day Surgery drop off/pick-up); 287 social trips & 458 shopping trips.

In March, our social trips travelled to Wollongbar for lunch at the Wollongbar Tavern. 40 customers enjoyed this outing. This month we are visiting Woolgoolga for lunch at the Seaview Tavern.

Our monthly shoppers are visiting Robina Town Centre this month and due to visit Coffs Harbour in May.

In March 2025, our fortnightly shopping buses to Grafton Shoppingworld had travellers from Glenreagh (5); Brooms Head (9); Iluka (17); Wooli (4) and Yamba/Maclean (6). 

We also transported 60 customers from Malabugilmah and Baryulgil into Grafton for medical and shopping services during March 2025.

Our Clarence Meals service delivered 1712 meals, 407 desserts and 52 soups during March 2025. We were able to do welfare checks, have a quick chat and help our customers see a friendly face.

Clarence Meals provides delivered meals to Iluka, Maclean and Yamba and surrounds from suppliers including Gourmet Meals, Lite n’ Easy and Meals on Wheels Grafton. For more information call 6646 6742. 

If you need help with transport or meals, call Connect You Too at Townsend on 6645 3200 to see if you qualify for any subsidies or assistance.

Connect You Too recognised and rewarded many of their volunteers at our recent Xmas lunch. Our appreciation for community volunteering is kindly sponsored by Access Fuels; Bowlo Sports & Leisure Yamba; Harwood Hotel; Lawrence Tavern and Coles Yamba.

The following volunteers received awards for November and December 2024:

15 Years Service (Coles Yamba Voucher): Bryan Bullock

Most kilometres driven during the 23/24 financial year - Grafton (Lawrence Tavern Voucher): Rob Warwick (63,130kms)

Most kilometres driven during the 23/24 financial year - Lower Clarence (Harwood Hotel Voucher): Ray Hoad (54,550kms)

Volunteer Team Award for 2024 (Access Fuel Vouchers x 2; Lawrence Tavern Voucher; Harwood Hilton Voucher; Yamba Bowlo Vouchers x 2): Townsend Clarence Meals Team - For commencing the new service,  developing procedures and building the freezer.