Bundaberg, We’re Here – DCC Officially Opens Its Doors
What started as a simple office opening quickly turned into something much bigger. A gathering of community, connection and a whole lot of good yarns.
Last week we officially opened our Bundaberg office, beginning the day with a welcome from Traditional Owners and bringing together community members, partners, councillors, service providers and friends to celebrate this exciting step for DCC Industry Group in the region.
And safe to say… Bundy showed up.
From the moment people started arriving, the space filled with conversation, laughter and that familiar feeling you get when community comes together with a shared purpose — supporting children, families and young people across the region through services like family and community support.
Beginning the Day the Right Way
Before anything else, we want to extend our deepest thanks to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gathered and to the Elders who joined us to guide the opening of the day. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Elders who welcomed us onto Country and led the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, allowing us to begin the opening in a way that honoured culture, respect and connection to land.
What made the moment particularly special was that it wasn’t just something people observed, everyone present was invited to participate. Community members, partners, councillors and the DCC team all journeyed through the smoke together as part of the ceremony led by Elders.
A particularly special moment followed when Uncle Willie, a Traditional Owner, officially cut the ribbon to open the Bundaberg office. In a gesture of respect, DCC CEO Deejay Egan presented the scissors to Uncle Willie, acknowledging that it was only right for the office to be opened by a Traditional Owner on his Country.
It was a powerful reminder that when we talk about culturally safe services, it begins with respect, learning and walking alongside community.
For us at DCC, culture isn’t something we add on, it’s something we carry into the work we do every day across all of our community service programs.
Creating Something Together
Another highlight of the afternoon was a community artwork activity inspired by Aboriginal Artist Wulli Wulli/Kooma Woman Ann Collins’ Journey concept.
Guests were invited to take part in creating a shared art piece, placing their palms and fingers onto canvases, building a collective artwork that represents people walking alongside one another on a shared journey.
Seeing Elders, councillors, community members, service providers and the DCC team all contribute to the artwork made it a really special moment. Each handprint added another story, another connection, and another reminder that the work we do is never done alone. The finished piece now represents the many people and organisations who are part of supporting community here in Bundaberg.
Community Leaders Showing Support
We were incredibly grateful to have several Bundaberg Regional Council representatives attend the opening and show their support for services in the region.
A special thank you to the Deputy Mayor, Steve Cooper, who shared some kind words and helped officially mark the occasion. We also had the pleasure of meeting several councillors throughout the afternoon, including Deb Keslake, May Mitchell and Gary Kirk, who all took the time to stop by, connect with the team and learn more about the work we’re doing.
Moments like these matter. When local leadership and community organisations come together, it strengthens the support available for people who need it most, particularly across services like NDIS and disability supports.
A Space for Community
While the ribbon cutting might have been the official moment, the real highlight of the day was simply people connecting.
Throughout the afternoon we had:
- Service providers dropping in for a yarn
- Community members exploring the new space
- Partners talking about future collaboration
- Families learning more about available supports
There were plenty of conversations happening across the room. The kind where you realise how small the sector can be, and how important it is that services work together.
And of course… no good community gathering happens without a few laughs and some food along the way.
What This Means for Bundaberg
Opening our Bundaberg office means we’re now able to strengthen our connection in the region and expand support across several key areas, including:
Our goal is simple: to make sure children, families and individuals in regional communities can access the same quality of support and care that exists in larger cities.
Bundaberg is a community with strong culture, strong families and strong connections, and we’re proud to now be part of that story.
A Huge Thank You
Events like this don’t happen without the people behind the scenes.
A big thank you to our DCC team, who worked incredibly hard to make the day come together. From planning and setup to welcoming guests and running around making sure everything went smoothly.
Thank you also to the service providers, community organisations, partners and supporters who came along to show their support. Seeing the community come together like that was a reminder of why this work matters.
And of course, a special thank you to the Elders and Traditional Owners who continue to guide and support the work happening in community.
This Is Just the Beginning
The opening of the Bundaberg office isn’t the finish line, it’s just the start. We’re looking forward to building strong partnerships across the region, connecting with local organisations, and continuing to grow services that support children, families and community.
If you’re in Bundaberg and happen to be passing by, feel free to drop in and say hello our team would always be happy to welcome you in for a yarn.
And if you want to stay up to date with what’s happening across DCC, make sure to follow us on social media or keep an eye on our website for updates.
Bundaberg, thanks for the warm welcome. We’re excited to be here.