The DSN operates through the voluntary efforts of community members, and has experienced tough times over the last two years.
The flood in 2011 hit the DSN hard. Their former building in Chalk Drive was inundated with five feet of water. "We lost absolutely everything", says President Clare Westaway. "It took us six months to re-establish after that."
"It's been a difficult time because our staff have been very worn down and exhausted," Clare Westaways says. "We have to do what's right for the staff. That's why we're looking at downsizing."
Clare says the city still bears the emotional scars from the flood. "The repercussions of depression after a tragedy or crisis, like the flood in Toowoomba, appear months afterwards in people as stresses accumulate. We certainly felt a depressed mood over the city. It's still there. Very much so."
The group is keen to explore community grants, but the President admits it's a tough climate. "Government funding seems to be particularly tight for a lot of community organisations. They're feeling the pinch as well."
"I feel really disappointed we aren't able to be doing more for the community. But this is the situation we are in. I do have a hope and vision for the future."
Clare hopes the resource centre will be re-established by 2014, but will depend on community and volunteer support. "To have a face-to-face peer support organisation is really important, we would like to continue it on.
"It will take a lot of work and we can't do it by ourselves," she says.
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