TOOGOOLAWAH: Maggie Townsend’s life journey took her from a dairy farm in Somerset, England to a disability service in Somerset, Australia.
Now the longest-serving employee of our Toogoolawah disability support centre has retired.
As Carinity Our House coordinator for 16 years, Maggie helped hundreds of locals to gain vital life skills, make strong friendships, and fulfill their potential.
Maggie “fell into” working with people with a disability while travelling around Australia. Her association with Carinity Our House began long before she started working there.
“I was actually involved in fundraising when the community were raising money to build this place, so Our House was a bit dear to my heart even before I started working for Carinity,” Maggie said.
Carinity Our House provides a range of disability support services including in-home support and personal care, short-term on-site respite, social activities and outings, and teaching life skills.
“The work we do is so rewarding and it’s so much fun. Staff come in here and say, ‘I can’t believe I get paid to do this!’ There are a lot of struggles, but you work through those because you want the best for everyone,” Maggie said.
“We’re a family. Just like your own family, you want them to achieve and become the best that they can.”
Maggie has had “such joy” watching people who were once isolated and vulnerable grow into confident and happy members of their community.
“Some of them used to sit in their bedrooms just watching TV or getting on the computer. Now they’re coming here, they’re making friends, they’re doing activities, they’re getting out in their community and visiting places,” she said.
“They’re real friends, they have got a real connection instead of being at home on their own. You smile about things like that.”
Carinity Our House supports people with a disability transition from a life of dependency to being independent – while building their self-confidence.
“When you first meet some of them they barely say ‘boo’ to a goose, but now they’ve got so much confidence. They are able to speak up for themselves,” Maggie said.
“We have had some people leave the area to find accommodation. Knowing that we helped them get the confidence to make that first move is really satisfying.”
Maggie has enjoyed seeing Carinity Our House grow from one participant 16 years ago to more than 20 clients – aged from 12 to 75 years – in 2026.
“I’ve loved seeing the place grow and welcoming new people – not just the participants but the workers as well – to enjoy this holistic community,” Maggie said.
“Everything is in Ipswich or Caboolture or Toowoomba; you’ve got to go such a long way for services. Something like this being here in Toogoolawah is such a godsend.”