The Manly Community Centre (MCC) is situated just one block south of the Corso at 12 Wentworth St Manly (ph 99771066). It inhabits a beautifully restored old building with an art deco façade that’s built of bricks and mortar. Its true foundation however is a more substantial substance known as love that’s held in place by a few intelligent, and courageous hearts.

Central to the MCC’s success is the leadership provided by the local legend, Jaquie Smith. Jaquie is an eternally youthful yet, dare I say, mature woman who has lead the MCC since the beginning of time. She speaks with classical aplomb, yet leaves no one in doubt of the grounded and respectful compassion she constantly wields.

The MCC operates on an implausibly small annual budget of $72,000 per annum most of which is generously provided by the Manly Council and DOCS.  It’s a grand imagination that enables the MCC to provide so many fine services in such a cost effective way.

With only 3 part-time paid employees and many committed volunteers the MCC manages to offer our community,

• Comprehensive information and referral to appropriate community services
• Direct welfare support for the homeless and the mentally ill
• Adult education on topics such as literacy and anger management
• Free legal advice
• Support to the Elderly
• A means tested professional Counselling service
• Free taxation advice for low income individuals
• Support to Single parents
• A Justice of the Peace.
• Support to our multicultural community members
• Bereavement support and suicide prevention
• Volunteer recruitment and training
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
• Advocacy on behalf of disenfranchised individuals and groups

The MCC is a space our community can be profoundly proud of! Like the surf club with its volunteer life guards just a stone throw away, the MCC is an icon that defines the quality of our community.

To help, please consider the following. You can make a real difference by volunteering or donating. You might also consider the large and tasteful MCC hall for any hall hire needs knowing the MCC deserves your patronage and support.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of the Australian Counselling Association. He has a Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice on the Northern Beaches. Phone 9973 4997.