People often ask me what it’s like to be Administrator of a Council.

Clearly there are challenging aspects, particularly when hard and unpopular decisions need to be made.

By far the biggest positive about the job is the ‘window’ it gives you into the community. You get to meet many of the best people doing wonderful community work. I know that is what most Mayors value too.

On Thursday I spent an hour visiting Coast Shelter, learning about what they do and meeting a number of employees, volunteers and clients.

Coast Shelter provides a wide range of services to low-income and homeless people. This includes nine women, men and youth refuges, interest free loans, laundry services, health on the streets mobile GP clinic, wholesome lunch and dinners provided by volunteers, and more.

Council provides the accommodation for their headquarters and catering operation, and of course they receive funding from both State and Federal Governments.

While Coast Shelter could not survive without government support, it could not provide the level and diversity of services without its large volunteer ‘army’.

The ‘in kind’ assistance from the Central Coast community is not limited to volunteers. Coast Shelter receives huge support from local businesses such as Sanitarium for food products, Just Cuts providing free haircuts, our supermarkets providing food about to go out of date, not to mention donations from Rotary, Clubs NSW, Central Coast Leagues Club, Ettalong Bowling Club, and more.

I asked their impressive new CEO, Michael Starr, what they needed, he says “More volunteers are always welcome”.

Coast Shelter is the most impressive not-for-profit I have come across. If you have spare time and an interest in making a difference, give them a call on 4325 3540.