Toc H Queensland — Serving since 1924

People
caring for
people.

"Service is the rent we pay
for our room on Earth."

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Years of Service
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Active Branches
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Volunteers
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Community Programs
Our Region
Serving communities across four states & territories
Queensland
New South Wales
ACT
Northern Territory

A movement built on friendship and service

Toc H Queensland is a volunteer movement dedicated to building friendships and offering service throughout the community. Our work helps the disadvantaged and marginalised, and breaks down the barriers that divide people from one another.

The movement brings together people of all ages from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Toc H members enjoy serving the community in practical, worthwhile activities. We are, in effect, people caring for people.

Our Vision: "Toc H will build better communities by reaching out to all in friendship and service, confronting prejudices and practising Christian values."

Witness
Seeing human need clearly and without prejudice.
Fellowship
Building friendships that cross every social divide.
Service
Taking practical action for those who need it most.
Witness the Kingdom
Living out Christian values in everyday life.

↑ The Four Points of the Compass — Toc H's guiding principles

"Service is the rent we pay for our room on Earth."

The Toc H Motto

A century of service

Toc H was born in the trenches of World War I and grew into a global movement. Our founder, Tubby Clayton, was born right here in Maryborough, Queensland — making our Queensland connection as deep as the movement's very roots.

1915
Talbot House, Belgium
Reverend Philip "Tubby" Clayton — born in Maryborough, Queensland — opens a rest house for soldiers at Poperinghe, Belgium. Known by army signalling code as "Toc H", it becomes a sanctuary of friendship and faith amid the horror of war.
1924
Toc H Comes to Queensland
Returned soldiers bring the spirit of Toc H home to Australia. Queensland branches form, and in the 1930s Toc H members establish the Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme — helping children from outback Queensland access medical treatment.
1947
The ANZAC Midnight Service
A small group of Toc H veterans gather at the Shrine of Remembrance in Brisbane at midnight on ANZAC Eve. That simple service of remembrance has grown into one of Queensland's most significant ANZAC traditions, running without interruption ever since.

Some interesting facts

Toc H has a rich and surprising history — with deep roots right here in Queensland.

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Our Founder Was Born in Queensland
Tubby Clayton, the founder of Toc H, was born in Maryborough, Queensland in 1885. He was baptised at St Paul's Anglican Church in Maryborough, where a plaque in his memory can still be found. A life-size bronze statue of his beloved dog "Chippy Mark IV" stands in the Maryborough gardens today.
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The Spiritual Home of Toc H Australia
Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, NSW has been the spiritual home of Toc H in Australia since 1927. In its Warriors Chapel burns the Forster Lamp — the original Toc H lamp, brought to Australia in 1925 — kept perpetually alight as a symbol of the movement's enduring light.
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Coungeau House — A Living Piece of History
Coungeau House on Bribie Island, acquired by Toc H in 1968, is one of the most historic buildings on the island. Built in 1915 by an Albanian merchant, it was donated to the Church of England and eventually became a holiday home for the disabled and those in need — a role it continues to fulfil today.
When the artist Ian Fairweather — a renowned authority on China — died on Bribie Island, he left his cottage to Toc H. In 1978 it was moved into the grounds of Coungeau House.
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The ANZAC Midnight Service — Since 1947
In 1947, a small group of Toc H veterans — survivors of Polygon Wood, Menin Road, Passchendaele, the Middle East and the Kokoda Trail — gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance in Brisbane at midnight on ANZAC Eve. That gathering has grown into one of Queensland's most significant acts of remembrance, drawing hundreds each year.
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Toc H in Changi — 16 Branches Behind the Wire
Even in the darkest of circumstances, Toc H endured. There were sixteen Toc H Branches and Groups operating in Changi Prisoner of War Camp in Singapore during World War II. The Changi Rushlight — made and used in the camp — is now preserved in Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, as a testament to the enduring human spirit that Toc H represents.
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Programs & community activities

Each year, Toc H Queensland members undertake a wide variety of activities and programs — from local aged care to international partnerships.

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World Chain of Light

Commemorated every year on or around December 12th by all Toc H branches worldwide. A global ceremony connecting members across continents through the symbolic lighting of the lamp — our oldest and most enduring tradition of unity and remembrance.

Find out more
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ANZAC Midnight Service

The first service held each ANZAC Day — organised by Toc H at the Shrine of Remembrance in Ann Street, Brisbane. Conducted annually since 1947, this powerful service draws hundreds of people to honour those who gave everything for their country.

Find out more
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Vietnam Training Partnership

An exciting opportunity for Toc H members and supporters to partner with non-government organisations in their vital development work amongst the poorest communities of Vietnam — creating real pathways through vocational training.

Find out more
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Coungeau House

A holiday home for the disabled and those in need on Queensland's beautiful Bribie Island. Available for use by disadvantaged groups, Coungeau House provides affordable respite and is also used by community welfare groups for meetings and events.

Find out more
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Caring for the Elderly

Toc H League of Helpers and General Members provide opportunities to brighten the lives of those in retirement homes — through visits, concerts and companionship. Because everyone deserves to feel seen and valued.

Find out more
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EKKA Outing

An annual opportunity for sick and disadvantaged children to attend Brisbane's beloved EKKA — the Royal Queensland Show. A simple act of generosity that creates memories and joy for children who need it most.

Find out more
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Childhood Cancer Support

Brisbane Branch members help Childhood Cancer Support run a Christmas party and camp each year for children living with cancer and their families — bringing light and joy to those facing the hardest of times.

Find out more
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St Margaret's Easter & Christmas

Students of the St Margaret's Anglican Girls School Toc H Action Group collect Easter eggs and toys to brighten the lives of children in hospital during Easter and Christmas — a beautiful tradition of young people serving others.

Find out more
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Two Cans

A simple but powerful program helping those who can't afford sufficient meals. Members collect canned goods to support people experiencing food insecurity in our community — because no one should go hungry.

Find out more
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Toc H QLD branches

Toc H Queensland is made up of four active branches, each serving their local community while united by our shared values and mission.

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Brisbane Branch
Our Brisbane branch undertakes a wide range of community service activities across the city, including the ANZAC Midnight Service, Childhood Cancer Support programs, and ongoing community welfare work.
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Bribie Island Branch
Based on beautiful Bribie Island, this branch oversees Coungeau House and provides vital services and community support to residents and visitors of the island and surrounding areas.
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St Margaret's Action Group
Based at St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, this active youth group undertakes numerous community projects including Easter egg and toy collections for hospitalised children, embodying the Toc H spirit in the next generation.
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General Members
General members form a vital part of Toc H Queensland — individuals committed to the movement's values who contribute to programs and activities across the region, supporting all branches in their work.

The League of Helpers also plays an important supporting role across our programs — particularly in caring for the elderly and supporting community welfare activities.

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Said at every gathering

Prayer has always been an essential part of the Toc H way of life. It played an important part in the daily life at Talbot House during World War I, and since then it has been an important part of every Toc H gathering. Tubby Clayton, the Founder of the Toc H Movement, encouraged every member to know this prayer and to use it.

O God, you called Toc H into being in a time of great need;
you call its members to see their duty as your will;
teach us to live together in love and joy and peace,
to resist any form of bitterness,
to persevere in the face of discouragement,
to be thankful for the blessings we receive from you
and to leap with joy to any task for others.
May your goodness flow through all that we do
and work for the extension of your kingdom
in the hearts and minds of all people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

News & Events

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Upcoming

ANZAC Midnight Service 2025

Join us at the Shrine of Remembrance, Ann Street Brisbane, for the annual ANZAC Eve Midnight Service — a Toc H tradition running since 1947.

Event
Upcoming

World Chain of Light — December 2025

All Queensland branches will mark this global Toc H ceremony on or around December 12th — connecting us with Toc H communities right around the world.

Event
News

New website coming soon

Toc H Queensland is refreshing its web presence to better serve members and the community. Watch this space — and subscribe below to stay up to date.

Organisation
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Be part of something that matters

Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply find out more — we'd love to hear from you. Every act of service, no matter how small, helps build a better community.

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Become a Volunteer
Join a local Toc H branch and give your time to meaningful community service. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.
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Make a Donation
Support our programs across Queensland and our international partnerships with a financial contribution — every dollar makes a difference.
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Schools & Youth Groups
Interested in starting a Toc H Action Group at your school? Like St Margaret's, young people can make a real difference in their community.
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Stay in Touch
Subscribe to stay up to date with events, news and opportunities from Toc H Queensland.
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Get in touch

Send us a message and a member of the Toc H QLD team will get back to you. We never display contact details publicly.

✦ Thank you — we'll be in touch soon.
Service is the rent we pay for our room on Earth.
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