Rosies – Friends on the Street: Brisbane North Outreach

On the first Sunday of every month, Anne Stosic volunteers with Rosies – Friends on the Street, a ministry dedicated to supporting those who are homeless, marginalised, or simply in need of connection. Volunteers wear red polo shirts to distinguish themselves from patrons, mainly for safety and clarity during any potential incidents.

Our outreach location, Rosies Brisbane North, operates out of Rotary Park, located at the corner of Graham and Gympie Roads in Aspley. Unlike most Rosies outreaches — which typically offer coffee and conversation — our team provides a cooked lunch and groceries, making this gathering a particularly valued one.

We welcome between 25 and 60 patrons throughout the year. Some come regularly, others only occasionally. Many live nearby, including at the Brisbane North Rental Village (formerly known as Aspley Acres Caravan Park). Over time, strong connections develop with regulars, and we notice when someone is no longer around. While it's often bittersweet to see familiar faces move on, it usually signals a positive change — perhaps they’ve found more stable housing or employment, and no longer need our services.

One patron once shared that he was so hungry he had started eyeing off a bush turkey roaming the park — and was incredibly thankful we had shown up that day. Stories like these are powerful reminders of the importance of Rosies and how easy it is to take our own blessings for granted.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosies' central funding has been reduced, so much of what we offer is now provided through donations. Last year, thanks to the generosity of the craft group connected to one of our parishioners, we received a large number of Coles and Woolworths gift cards. These were a big hit with our patrons — one man was thrilled to be able to use his to buy prawns.

At Christmas, St Paul’s generously donates hampers to our church, some of which Nicholas delivers to Rosies in January — a time when holiday donations have usually tapered off. Padua College also contributes a box of non-perishable goods, which the patrons look forward to each year.

Our volunteers come from all over Brisbane — even as far as Wynnum — and many have been involved with Rosies for years. Nicholas and I both find it a humbling and deeply rewarding experience. It’s a privilege to share our time and blessings with those facing tough circumstances, often through no fault of their own.

More recently, one of our patrons has taken on the role of delivering the Welcome to Country before meals are served, and our volunteers join together in the following prayer: