Support Us!
Help us continue to support others in our community by donating, becoming a sponsor, becoming a volunteer, supporting our op shop or leaving a bequest in your will.
Need Help?
We stand by our Motto “Local People Helping Local People”. If you are requiring assistance or need help figuring out your next step, please call, email or pop into the office at Goolwa.
Our Founder
Mary Mcinnes is the volunteer manager of Whalers Peninsula Community Association.
Mary has been volunteering her time to assist and support the people in need on the Fleurieu for over 20 years. Her passion is helping people who need it the most.
Mary has received numerous awards for her work including the Women of Achievement from Zonta in 2009, The Premiers award for South Australia for her contribution to supporting people on low incomes and homelessness.
All money raised through this go fund me page will assist in keeping Whalers Peninsula’s doors open and create sustainability in an area with minimal support services.
Support Us
There are many ways in which you can help us support and assist vulnerable people in our community. These can include donating in a variety of ways, becoming a sponsor or volunteer, shopping at our op shop or leaving a bequest in your will.
Our Team
Whalers Peninsula Community Association Inc. has volunteers and experienced staff who work every day, within the local community on the Fleurieu Peninsula to bring support and much needed assistance to people who are facing homelessness, going without food and clothing due to circumstances beyond their own control.
Ways We Have Helped
People will often ask me what we do at Whalers. Whilst we do not discuss our clients or disclose their details I thought that I would give three examples of assistance we have given lately.
We were approached by a young man who had received a life changing opportunity to start his career as a chef. He was very excited to have been given this opportunity but this quickly turned around when he realised that he had to buy his uniform before he could start. He did not have the money to purchase his uniform. He was to start the next day. So I authorised payment for these essential items and he was able to purchase them and start his dream career the next day. You can only imagine how this simple gesture turned his anxiety into elation.
In another example of how we assist those in need. I had a young man who was the victim of domestic violence who had ‘escaped’ with nothing. His three children were being cared for by a family member while he tried to find accommodation and start to rebuild to enable him to be re-united with his children. He found accommodation and we were able to assist with furniture, bedding, crockery, cutlery, curtains and other items that he needed. It was a very happy time for this man and his family. He brought them into the office to say a heartfelt thank you.
We were approached by a mother who had ‘escaped’ a domestic violence situation with her 6 children. When these victims ‘escape’ they literally ‘make a run for it’ with very little in the way of possessions. This family were living in a shed whilst they sought emergency housing assistance. We were able to initially provide, sleeping bags, clothing, personal hygiene products and food. Once housing was available we were able to assist with furnishing her new home and provide other essential items for her and her family.
These are just a small handful of the families and individuals that we have been able to help in the last part of 2021.