Building a connected community in the West
October 30, 2025
Around 30 families living on Tasmania’s West Coast attended a special event in Queenstown to mark Children’s Week. Anglicare’s West Coast Support Service was on hand to provide information about what it offers to children, parents and caregivers living across this remote part of our state.
Anglicare joined with HIPPY West Coast, the West Coast Child and Family Learning Centre, family day care provider the Thrive Group, the University of Tasmania and the Queenstown Lions Club to raise awareness of services for parents with children in the 0-5 age group.
“The feedback was really positive, and everyone wanted to know if there would be another event held next year,” reports Anglicare practitioner, Carina. “One mum said her girls were having such a blast meeting and playing with all the other kids that they didn’t want to leave!”
Carina and her colleague Carl are based in the Anglicare office in Zeehan. They offer the West Coast Support Service to families living in the main townships across the region, and community outreach for those who are even more isolated.
Carl provides tailored, non-clinical mental health support to children, young people and their families as part of Anglicare’s Child and Youth Healthy Minds program. “Observing participants’ resilience in the face of anxiety, loss and low self-esteem and watching them grow and achieve their goals is a very rewarding part of my job,” he says.
Carina facilitates playgroups in the townships of Rosebery and Zeehan that run each week during the school term. The playgroups offer pre-school age children with valuable learning opportunities and help to develop their social skills, but the benefits don’t end there.
“New parents in our community often feel isolated, especially during winter when few services are available,” Carina said. “The playgroups provide a welcoming space where families can connect with each other, share experiences, and learn about local supports, which helps them feel included. One parent recently described playgroup as the highlight of their week.
“Playgroups also provide referral pathways that can make a real difference to families. One participating parent said: “Being able to share my parenting troubles and not feeling judged has enabled me to have the confidence to seek a professional diagnosis for my son.”
Every two months Carl and Carina host a meeting for local service providers to promote the sharing of information and resources that will boost families’ wellbeing.
More information:
Click this link to download a brochure about Anglicare’s West Coast Support Service. You can ring Anglicare on 1800 243 232 and ask to speak with our Community Engagement Coordinator. You can also email them at ConnectSupport@anglicare-tas.org.au
Please note that at the time of writing, the Child and Youth Healthy Minds program run by Carl is currently fully subscribed, but families are encouraged to join a waiting list.
HIPPY West Coast, run by Rural Health Tasmania and offered in Queenstown.
West Coast Child and Family Learning Centre (Queenstown) – access their Facebook page here.
Anglicare Tasmania supports the national Thrive by Five campaign.
