Last month, Port Augusta Corps (church) opened its new community centre.

“[It’s a place for people to come and belong,” says Captain Michael Johnson. “There’s very limited places for people to come in at no cost and be accepted for who they are. [This is] a place of safety and comfort and peace and tranquillity.”

More than 100 locals, including agencies and services, attended a free sausage sizzle to celebrate the opening and connect with one another.

The drop-in centre will be open Monday to Thursday from 11am–3pm with transport available to locals. It is funded by the Salvos’ furniture store which was established last month in Port Augusta.

“People can come to programs we’re running and come up with ideas of things that they’d like to see happen in Port Augusta,” says Captain Johnson.

While the centre is run by The Salvation Army, Captain Johnson is clear that it belongs to the community—so much so, that they are asking locals to come up with its name.

“We’re the custodians and we want the community to own it. It’s their centre,” he says.