In 2003 Alzheimer’s Australia North Queensland was founded in Townsville to improve life for those with dementia and for their carers, friends and families, and to increase the understanding of the condition among the general public. This was operated by volunteers with funding grants received from the Townsville City Council and the Federal Government.
In 2015 after recognising that the organisation could no longer cover the growing needs and services required in Townsville and the surrounding district Alzheimer’s Australia North Queensland handed the management to Alzheimer’s Australia (Qld). The majority of the volunteers stayed on and continued in their roles. In 2017 Alzheimer’s Australia changed its name to Dementia Australia and operated an office in Townsville until 2020.
In 2020 with the closure of the Dementia Australia office in Townsville the volunteers recognised a need for a Dementia support service to be present in the city and surrounding area, so the volunteers began an ambitious task to establish a not-for-profit service providing ongoing support and education to those living with dementia, their carers, families and friends.
This is the organisation that we now know as Townsville Dementia Support Group Inc. and is operated totally by its volunteers. TDSG has been very fortunate to have the support of Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise who have generously given financial and practical assistance.
It is the aim of this organisation to be a very real presence in Townsville and the surrounding area.