By Sonia Isaacs Clark
Glasshouse Country Community group members came together for a special morning tea to farewell long standing community development (CD) worker Natasha Odgers.
Known for her mega-watt smile, and impressive community focused skillset that supported collaborations, connections and positive change from a grassroots level, Natasha will be greatly missed as she heads overseas for an extended family adventure.
Over the last 10 years Natasha has journeyed alongside a diverse range of local groups and organisations in her role, offering guidance, support and encouragement; including Hinterland Community Development Association of Caloundra, Morris House, Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, Glasshouse Country Disaster Management Network and Celebrate Glasshouse Country, to name a few.
The well attended gathering held at Beerwah Meeting Place on Tuesday June 28 was an opportunity for local community members to wish Natasha well and acknowledge her tremendous contribution to Glasshouse Country and Hinterland communities. Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell, said Natasha was an amazing person and community development worker who would be very much missed.
“For more than 10 years, Tash has provided the ‘community glue’ across the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Many people in the community will now realise just how much they have relied on her over the years, especially now that she is moving on from the role,” said Mr. Powell.
Colleague, and Glasshouse Country Community Development Program co-worker Jody Blackburn said that Natasha had a huge amount of personal and professional attributes she admired.
“Tash has an enormous amount of genuine passion for community and her skill as a community connector, her warmth and approachability will be incredibly missed,” Jody said.
“She is someone who ‘walks the talk’ by fully immersing herself in all aspects of community life. She has been instrumental in supporting and connecting local community groups and assisting them build their resilience and capacity to explore new ideas, action and positive change.”
Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce president, Jenny Broderick, said Natasha would be incredibly missed.
“Her passion, hard work, dedication, and willingness to go the ‘extra mile’ is nothing short of awe inspiring. As a result of her tireless work, many of our community groups have been brought together in unity, working collectively for the benefit of our fabulous community. Thank you Tash for your unwavering commitment to our community,” said Jenny.
Judy Tomlinson, former president of Celebrate Glasshouse Country said that she appreciated the way Natasha always looked for the potential of what was possible for community groups.
“Tash is a lateral thinker and a fun, fair and mindful presence who was always cheering us on,” Judy said.
There has been an outpouring of wonderful sentiment from many community members who have benefited from Natasha’s empathy, generosity and passion in her role over the last decade and the Glasshouse Country community wish her bon voyage and safe travels.
Main image: Natasha Odgers and the team
