Filling the gap when practical help can’t wait
Mingary Care is a community-funded not-for-profit providing free, short-term practical support for people who are dying on the Sunshine Coast and in Gympie, and the people around them.
When help isn’t available, affordable or able to start quickly enough, we step in. We coordinate and fund support through preferred local providers, businesses and suppliers, rather than delivering services directly.
We work alongside existing health and community services, helping with practical needs that can emerge when time is short.
Why Mingary exists
When someone is dying, even small gaps in practical support can add pressure for them and the people around them.
Support isn’t always available in time
Help may be available, but sometimes not as quickly as it’s needed.
Eligibility doesn’t always match need
Existing funding or services don’t always fit the person, the situation or the help that’s needed.
Everyday needs don’t always fit existing pathways
Sometimes what’s needed is simple and practical, but doesn’t fit neatly within existing services or funding.
OUR MODEL OF CARE
How Mingary helps
Mingary Care can help in different ways, depending on what’s needed and what support is already in place.
01
Services
Funding for short-term practical services such as personal care, domestic assistance, respite and bereavement counselling.
02
Supports
Funding for practical items and costs such as equipment, medications, wound-care items, hospital parking and fuel.
03
Community awareness
Helping build understanding of death, dying, end-of-life care and bereavement through practical information and conversations.
04
Last wishes
Helping make meaningful moments and last wishes possible when time is short.
Our Values — Our Principles
Dignity · Compassion · Respect · Flexibility · Excellence
The people behind Mingary Care
Our Volunteers
Mingary Care is powered by volunteers. Quite simply, we could not operate without them. Across our Op Shops, on the road and behind the scenes, they give their time, skills and energy to keep Mingary moving and help turn community generosity into practical support when someone is dying.
Our Staff
Our small team responds to referrals, coordinates support, runs operations and builds the relationships that keep Mingary Care connected to the community. Behind each piece of practical help is careful coordination with referrers, providers, suppliers and supporters to get support in place.
Our Community
Mingary Care is community-funded and locally delivered. Every Op Shop purchase, donation, fundraiser, grant, sponsorship and local partnership helps turn community support into practical help for people who are dying, and the people around them, keeping that support free and local.
Our Board
Our Board brings together clinical, legal, financial, governance and community experience to guide Mingary Care and help keep the organisation strong, responsive and accountable.
Jessica Popple
Chair / Company SecretaryJessica joined the Mingary Care Board in 2021 and contributes legal, governance and community leadership experience. A solicitor with Pippa Colman & Associates in Maroochydore, her practice includes wills and estates, family law and domestic violence matters. Her experience across sensitive legal matters, governance and community organisations brings a valuable perspective to the Board.
Bruce Baynes
DirectorBruce is a financial adviser with more than 20 years’ experience and the founder and Director of Sage Care Advice in Maroochydore. He has particular expertise in aged care financial advice, including Centrelink, superannuation and the financial decisions families face when care needs change. Bruce contributes strong financial knowledge, practical insight and a deep understanding of the pressures families can face when navigating aged care.
Wendy Delaney
DirectorWendy combines deep clinical knowledge with practical leadership experience in palliative and end-of-life care. As Nurse Unit Manager at Dove Specialist Palliative Care Unit in Caloundra, her experience spans hospital, community and outreach care, including in-home support, discharge planning, service coordination and staff education. Wendy has a strong understanding of the gaps people can face when time is short and support is difficult to access.
Sue Mason-Baker
Managing Director / TreasurerSue has been involved with Mingary Care for more than 15 years, serving as Treasurer since 2010 and Managing Director since 2017. A CPA with a degree in Business (Accounting), she has held executive roles across acute hospital, primary health and community service settings. Sue contributes extensive financial, governance and health-sector experience, along with deep organisational knowledge of Mingary Care and its development over time.
Wendy Kinton
DirectorWendy’s experience spans clinical care, health policy, quality and safety, research and end-of-life care. She began her career as a speech pathologist and now works in end-of-life care for Queensland Health, with a particular focus on Advance Care Planning. Wendy holds a PhD and is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the University of the Sunshine Coast, bringing strong systems, research and sector insight to the Board.
Bev Barton
DirectorBev’s background spans nursing, aged care, fundraising and community involvement. A former registered nurse, she held senior hospital roles in New Zealand and helped build and operate an aged care centre and retirement village. Bev has been involved with Mingary Care since 2006 and has played a significant role in its fundraising, bringing deep organisational knowledge and a long-standing commitment to end-of-life care.
Michael Goodwin
DirectorMichael has more than 20 years’ experience in financial planning, having retired in 2022 as Director of Ethica Private Wealth Specialists. Throughout his career, he worked closely with clients and professional networks to connect people with the advice and practical support they needed. Michael contributes strong financial, relationship and community experience to the Mingary Care Board.
A model shaped by what our community needed
Mingary Care has been part of the Sunshine Coast community since 2008. In 2021, we moved away from plans for a residential hospice and began developing the practical, community-funded model we use today, coordinating and funding short-term support when existing systems can’t respond quickly enough.
In 2023, the model was recognised with the Palliative Care Queensland Statewide Award for Innovation in Palliative Care.
Today, that model helps us stay flexible, respond quickly and put practical support in place when it’s needed.