Welcome to Wee Care Family Inc

Dedicated to caring for children in Townsville since 1974, non-government community organisation Wee Care Family Inc has helped countless families when times have got tough.

There are two programs provided under the Wee Care Family Inc banner:

Residential Crisis Service

Emergency 24-hour accommodation, respite care and emergency day care for children from birth to 11 years old if parents are unable to arrange alternative care for them in a crisis situation, or due to other circumstances.

Wee Care Family Inc also offers emergency relief funding to families in crisis in the form of food parcels and vouchers. 

 Weekly playgroups are held in Railway Estate.

Shared Family Care

This program works with foster carers to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children aged from birth to 18 years who are unable to remain in their homes. Care may be needed for a few days or weeks to several years, but carers are fully supported by a team of Wee Care staff.

Please visit the Shared Family Care FAQ or Residential Crisis Service FAQ pages for more information or contact us to find out how we can help.

Growing up – the Wee Care story

Wee Care Family Inc turned 35 on June 24, 2009 and is proud of its service to the Townsville community.

The organisation was born out of a need to offer increasing numbers of children 24-hour accommodation when their parents or guardians were ill, involved in an emergency, or otherwise unable to care for them.

A group of Townsville women banded together in the 1970s and, between the 12 of them, offered much-needed care out of their own homes. But after a year of operating they were unable to cope with the escalating demand and realised they needed a central location to offer emergency accommodation. In 1974 the Sisters of Mercy gave Wee Care access to Coolock Cottage, opposite the Mater Hospital in Pimlico. The organisation remained there for five years before moving to Kings Road where a Mr Charles Arnold offered his house for $1 a year.

In April 1984 the Townsville Apex Club began building the organisation a home of its own in Railway Estate, which was finished in October 1984.

The residential component of Wee Care Family Inc still remains at the 9 First Street location, but the Shared Family Care program moved into new premises in Aitkenvale on March 28, 2009.

Over the years the organisation has needed to rely on the community for support because it initially didn’t fit into government funding categories – this has been crucial to its survival today and Wee Care and its families are extremely grateful.

Come along to our Weekly Playgroup

Held every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am (excluding school holidays)... Learn More

Have a Question?

Check out our FAQs section for Residential Wee Care and Shared Family Care.  Feel free to contact us (Residential Wee Care / Shared Family Care) with any questions or feedback that you have.

Do you need emergency relief?

Check out our Financial Assistance page to see how we can help in times of crisis.

Downloadable Forms

Interested in becoming a Foster Carer? Find our everything you need to know today... More Information