2018 annual report -...

1 FARNHAM STREET NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Learn! Engage! Participate!

Farnham StreetNeighbourhood Learning Centre

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

annual_report_2018_incomplete_final-v2.indd 1 10/09/2018 1:36:09 PM


Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre (FSNLC) is an incorporated not-for-profit community organisation that has been providing support, education and a caring environment for people from different backgrounds and cultures for the last 38 years.

Our Goals and Strategies• Adulteducation-FSNLCtobeawelcomingandhighqualitylearningenvironmentthatmeetsstudents’needs

andexpectations

• Socialsupport-Increasethesocialconnectionofparticipantsatthecentrethroughorganisedsocialactivities

• Communityreferrals-FSNLCtobeapointofcontactforcommunityreferralsassistingcommunitymemberstoaccesslocalservices,programsandnetworks

• Organisationalstrength-FSNLCtobeastrongandfinanciallysustainableorganisation

FSNLCisaLearnLocalorganisationwithfundingfromstateandlocalgovernments,namelyAdultCommunityandFurtherEducation(ACFE)andtheHigherEducationandSkillsGroup(HESG),theDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)andMooneeValleyCityCouncil(MVCC).

VisionFSNLC’svisionisofaconnectedandempoweredcommunityinwhichpeoplehavetheopportunitytolivefulfillinglivesthroughlearning,engagementandparticipation.

MissionFSNLC’smissionistoprovidethelocalcommunitywithopportunitiesto:

• Learn–throughquality,affordableneeds-basededucationandtraining

• Engage–throughnetworks,informationsharingandreferrals

• Participate–throughactiveinvolvementincommunityinitiativesandactivities

040608121416182224252627

MinutesManager’s ReportEducation ReportCommittee and StaffCommunity DevelopmentPresident’s ReportFinancial ReportThe Helping Hands ProjectChinese Social Centre of North MelbourneBoomerang NetworkMessagesOur Supporters and Partners



MINUTES - AGM 2017Annual General Meeting held onThursday 7 September 2017 at 12 noon

WelcometotheattendeesfromCommitteeofManagementPresident,ScottBrown.

Acknowledgementofthetraditionalowners,theWurundjeripeoplesoftheKulinNation

Present: ScottBrown,NolaRyan,WayneBerry,ElaineSargent,CathyConnop,PipMackey,NofaNizam,ManricoMoro,JennyMacaffer,NuyumAbdullah,GerardMansour,RobbieCottrill,ClaudiaGonzalez,CeceliaMansilla,KathyBocquet,CarolEspinoza,PatLong,MargaretO’Keefe,LizGardiner,LeoneMorris,SharonSchmidt,MichaelMarysej,MarkOrrill,KariFuiita,LindaClemente,DaniellaCoelho,DominicCoiro,JasonRicher,YuXie,BingLou,WendyBui,MahusinE,NyandengKuot,RebeccaBisch,JoanneBisch,ArafatMalehen,MichelleKelsen,ElfoGebremakael,LindaTang,SangaboAli,KelliMonteiro,DeeptraChapagan,DonaldWake,AlusiFernandez,ShaneEvans,NancyChou,MichaelForbes,AnthonyBarbati,BradleyJack,RobertHunt,GrantMcCallum,HelenNoonan,VinceRenna,Nygoc,Alzhen,Karen,Shulla,MeiQin,IlanYie,KimLee,KathleenNolan,Maryam,HongLai,HairoJama

Apologies:FrankDinoto,PeterWilson,CathyFaulk,NicoleMarshallandJimCusack,MVCC,DannyPearsonMP,AdamBandtMP,PeterKhalilMP,JanThorpe

Guest Speakers:

ScottBrownintroducedtheCommitteemembersandCentreManager,CathyConnop.

CathyintroducedGuestSpeakers,NujumAbdullafromFlemingtonPrimarySchool,JennyMacaffer,CEOAdultLearningAustraliaandGerardMansour,CommissionerforSeniorVictorians.

Nujum,aformerstudentofFSNLCspokewithgreatenthusiasmandjoyaboutherlearningjourney.

ShecompletedanITcourse,throughFSNLC,followedbyaHospitalitycourseatVictoriaUniversity.

NujumisnowworkingatFlemingtonPrimarySchoolasaMulticulturaladvisor.Hermessagetothemeetingwasthateducationdoesn’thaveanagelimit.

JennyMacafferspokeaboutAdultLearningWeek2017,thethemethisyear“TaketheLeapandRediscoverLearning”.Thereareover500eventsorganisedthroughouttheweektosupport

AdultLearninginsafe,healthyandinterestingplaces.Placesforpeopletomeetnewpeople,withopportunities

tosharestoriesandbuildvaluablerelationships.Theseplacesarethe“heartsofthecommunity”.Learningcantransformlivesanditisabasichumanrighttohaveaccesstolearningandtocontinuelearningthroughoutorlives”.JennycongratulatedFSNLConitsachievementsandforprovidingawonderful,happyenvironmentforlearning.Herfinalmessagewasto“KeeponLearning”.Learningkeepsusactivelyinvolvedinourcommunities.

GerardMansour,CommissionerforSeniorVictorians,spokeabouttheVictorianGovernmentsreportonolderpeople.Isolationandlonelinessaresignificantissuesfortheageingpopulation.Thereneedstobemoreopportunitiestoexplore,investigateandtrysomethingnewinsafeenvironments.

HecongratulatedFSNLCforitswonderfulachievementsandforprovidinglearningopportunitiesforolderpeopleinthelocalcommunity.

Minutes of last meeting:MinutesweretabledforacceptancebyScottBrownMoved:PatLong;Seconded:WayneBerry.Accepted

Presentation of the Annual Report

President’s comments: ScottBrown

ScottthankedCathyforheroutstandingworkthroughouttheyear,todeliverontheCentresStrategicgoals.TheCOMsincerelythankedCathy,herstaff,volunteerswhomakeFSNLCthewelcoming,engagingandproductiveplace.ScottacknowledgedthefundingbodiesthatprovidesupporttotheCentre,inparticular,HigherEducationandSkillsGroup,AdultcommunityandFurtherEducation,DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesandtheCityofMooneeValley,andthankedtheCommitteemembersfortheircommitmentandworkthroughouttheyear.

Manager’s comments: CathyConnop

CathyacknowledgedtheManagementteam,teachers,volunteersandCOMforanothersuccessfulyear.Thankstoawonderfulsupportivecaringteamover28yearsofservice.

Treasurer’s comments:WayneBerry

TheCentresfinancesatJune2017continuetobestrongandwellmanaged.Wehaveachievedanotheroperatingsurplusandtohavesufficientfundsavailabletomeetourneedsastheyarise.ThankstoCathy,PipandAdriannafortheirwork,inmanagingthebudget.

Motion: Thatthe2017AnnualReportbeAcceptedMoved:ElaineSargent;Seconded:WayneBerry.Carried



TablingofAuditedFinancialStatements:WayneBerryMotion: Thatthe2016/2017AuditedAccountsbeaccepted.Moved:NolaRyan;Seconded:ElaineSargent,CarriedAuditorrecommendationfor2017/18ABRPartners,NorthMelbourne.

Committee of Management WayneBerryandElaineSargenthavecompletedthethreeyearterm.Bothofferedtocontinueforasecondterm.ElectionofCommitteememberswillbeheldinOctoberatthenextCOMmeeting.

Meeting closed 12:35 pm

Attendeeswereinvitedtolunch



MANAGER’S REPORTCATHY CONNOP

Thepastyearhasbeentheusualmixofchallenges,rewardsandlotsoffunatFarnhamStreet.

ThemainhighlightoftheyearwasthefundraiserweheldinconjunctionwiththeHelpingHandProject.Approximately250peopleattendedtheeventattheFlemington/KensingtonBowlingClubonFriday11thMay.TheeventwasorganisedfortheSupportOurRefugeeStudentsProject(forrefugeeswhoareindangerofbeingdeported,inthiscase,YunayandSangini),aswellastheHelpingHandRefugeeYouthMentoringProject,whichisbasedatFarnhamStreet.TheeventwassosuccessfulitwasmentionedinFederalParliamentbyAdamBandt.

Therearesomanypeopletothank,inparticular,theFlemingtonKensingtonBowlingClubforprovidingthevenueandassistancewiththeorganisation;thefabulousbands,DirtyRascalandCrescentMoon(ledbyAndrewandPaulMcSweeney)whogenerouslydonatedtheirtime;RobertDillonfromtheMelbourneBluesAppreciationSocietyforthesoundmixing,LentilasAnythingforthefantasticfood,FightClub(MelbourneKyokushinKarate)andFightingArtsFitnessCentre(KyokushinKarateGlenroy)fortheincrediblekaratedemonstrations.Also,ahugethankyoutoNoelNewellfromHelpingHandandallthestaffatFarnhamStreet,mainlyManricoMoro,whovolunteeredsomuchoftheirtime,andtheFlemKenNewsfortheirpromotionoftheevent

Wewouldalsoliketothankeveryonewhoboughttickets,donatedmoneyorprizes,orhelpedoutonthenight;AdamBandt-GreensMemberforMelbourne;DannyPearson-LaborMemberforEssendon;AustralasianMeatIndustryEmployeesUnion(AMIEU);ChemistWarehouse;ClothierAndersonImmigrationLawyers;ConnectOsteoMassage;FernwoodGym;JewishCare;LunaPark;MoVidaTapasBar;NationalTertiaryEducationUnion(NTEU);NelsonAlexanderRealEstate;PeopleforHumanRightsandEquality(PHRE);PuffingBilly;Woolworths.

Afterexpensesweraisednearly$9000whichwillbedividedbetweenTheHelpingHandProjectandSupportOurRefugeeStudentsProject.OnthelegalfrontwenowhavetheCourtdatefortheappealbyYunayandSangini,Thursday19November2020.ThisisanexcellentresultandwethankSanmatiandthelegalteamatClothierAndersonforprovidingtheirprobonosupport.

TheotherhighlightwasthesuccessfulapplicationbyPipMackeytotheWorkforceTrainingandInnovationFund

fora2year$500KResearchProjectintoLanguageusedinTrainingAgedCareWorkers.CongratulationstoPipfortheenormousamountofworksheputintogetthisGrant.

WeweresuccessfulwithourVictorianRegistrationandQualificationsAuthorityAuditandarenowqualifiedtooperateasaRegisteredTrainingOrganisationforthenextfiveyears.

Wewereagainsupportedbyourrecurrentfundingbodies:

HigherEducationandSkillsGroup

Adult,CommunityandFurtherEducation

DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices

CityofMooneeValley,whichownsandmaintainsourbeautifulvenueat28FarnhamStreet.

OurpartnershipwiththeCouncilisofvitalimportanceaswestrivetoprovideaqualityservicetotheresidentsofMooneeValley.

ThisfundingenablesustorunprogramsatFarnhamStreetaswellasanumberofvenuesinthelocalarea:FlemingtonCommunityCentreandMooneeValleyLibraries(Flemington,MooneePonds,NiddrieandAvondaleHeights).Weareveryappreciativeofthepartnershipswehavewiththeseorganisationsandwouldliketothankthewonderfulstaffmemberswhoaresowelcomingtoourclients.

Wereceivedfundingfromothersourcessuchas:

HelenMcPhersonSmithTrustforavolunteeringgrant.

VictorianWomen’sTrustforaWomen’sMentalHealthGrantundertheLoulaRodopolousSub-Grantscategory.

Round12017/18MooneeValleyCommunityGrantsSchemeRound12017/18andtheStrongerCommunitiesFundforanupgradefortheCommunitygarden.

MooneeValleyCouncilCommunitySubsidyStreamfortheBoomerangNetwork.

MelbourneCityCouncilforaCommunityMealsSubsidy.

R.E.RossTrustforaRefugeeSupportGrant

PowershopforagranttoinstallSolarPanels

InominatedShaneEvansforaSpiritofMooneeValleyAwardforContributiontoNeighbourhood,whichhewon.ThisAwardrecognisestheincredibleamountofvoluntaryworkShanehasputintotheBoomerangNetworktoimprovethelivesofpeoplewithalivedexperienceofMentalIllness.TheworkFarnhamStreethasdoneinconjunctionwiththeBoomerangNetworkwassupportedbytheR.E.RossTrust“MarvellousMentalHealth”Project.

IwasinvolvedinmanylocalCommitteesand



partnershipsincluding:

MooneeValleyCouncilCommunityWellbeingPortfolioAdvisoryCommittee

MooneeValleyFestival

FlemingtonEstateRe-developmentCommittee

FlemingtonCommunityHubCommittee

Ialsoattendedanumberofworkshopsandforumsincluding:

VALID(VictorianAdvocacyLeagueforIndividualswithaDisability)workshoponbehalfofNeighbourhoodHousesVictoria.

ACEVic/NHVSectorForumondevelopingstrategiesfortheStateElection.

AdultLearningAustraliaLifelongLearningSummit

NetworkWestandNeighbourhoodHousesVictoriaAnnualGeneralMeetings

Wecontinuedworkinginpartnershipwithmanylocal

organisations,inparticular,Cohealth,NorfolkTerraceContinuingCareUnit,WaratahMentalHealthServices,Flemington/KensingtonLegalService,FlemKenNews,Brainworks,FlagstaffTransitionalHousing,VincentCareandtheBrotherhoodofSt.Laurence,andcontinuedourcloseworkingrelationshipwiththeInnerNorthCluster(INC),FlemingtonNetworkandNetworkWest.Ireallyappreciatethesupport,networkingandexpertiseofthegroupmembersandthankthemfortheirsupport.

Asalways,IfeelincrediblyluckytohavethesupportofsuchwonderfulCommitteeofManagement:NoalRyan,ElaineSargent,WayneBerry,ElizabethGardiner,FrankDinoto,PeterWilson,NicoleMarshallandJimCusack.Iamalsoluckytobeassistedbythestaffmemberswhomakemyjobsomucheasier.IwouldespeciallyliketothanktheManagementteamofPipMackey,KathleenNolan,DiPhillips,AdrianaNelli,RobbieCottrill,ManricoMoro,NofaNizamandLindaClementeaswellasalltheteachersandvolunteers.FarnhamStreetissuchaspecialplace,warm,welcomingandinclusive,andIlookforwardtoanotherexcitingyear.


FARNHAM STREET NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2018

EDUCATION REPORT

The courses we run at Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre (FSNLC) are funded overall by

the Victorian Education Department’s Higher Education and Skills Group (HESG) but are separated

into two funding categories. Accredited courses fall under the Skills First Program while the pre-

accredited classes and Pathways fall under the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE)

board. All accredited students are enrolled in Pathways to cover such things as 1:1 mentoring or

additional time spent with FSNLC staff for matters that fall outside of class work. For accredited, we

deliver five courses from the English as an Additional Language (EAL) Framework 2014-2018 and two

courses from the Certificate of General Education for Adults 2013-2018. In addition to

accountability to Skills First, the delivery of our EAL curriculum is also regulated by the Victorian

Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

The graph below is a breakdown of the seven accredited courses, the Pathways and the Pre-

accredited ACFE units, which are detailed later in this report. This is followed by a percentages table

of attendance according to gender and generational classifications for each course.

Course Code Total

Count Male Count

Female

Count

Builders

1925 -

1945

Boomers Gen X Gen Y Gen Z

1946 -

1964

1965 -

1979

1980 -

1994 1995 -->

18PATHWAYS 122 28.7% 71.3% 4.1% 36.9% 41.% 17.2% 0.8%

22234VIC 17 58.8% 41.2% 0.% 35.3% 35.3% 29.4% 0.%

22235VIC 7 28.6% 71.4% 14.3% 28.6% 42.9% 14.3% 0.%

22250VIC 19 21.1% 78.9% 10.5% 36.8% 31.6% 15.8% 5.3%

22251VIC 14 28.6% 71.4% 0.% 42.9% 57.1% 0.% 0.%

22253VIC 12 25.% 75.% 0.% 25.% 33.3% 41.7% 0.%

22256VIC 11 18.2% 81.8% 9.1% 27.3% 45.5% 18.2% 0.%

22259VIC 17 0.% 100.% 0.% 41.2% 58.8% 0.% 0.%

ACFE 224 28.6% 71.4% 16.1% 40.2% 28.6% 11.6% 1.3%

Both accredited packages expire this year and a new curriculum and toolkit is being developed in

readiness for commencement by all accredited students in January 2019. In April we underwent and

passed a VRQA audit in all areas of teaching and with only minor recommendations given for some

administrative process.

8


ACCREDITED COURSES

EAL Framework

Seventy-two students are enrolled over five levels from absolute beginner through to Level IV in

classes. We continue to attract Level IV EAL students from the wider metropolitan areas (e.g. from

Port Melbourne and Keilor East) as we continue to be one of the few community providers that offer

classes at this level.

Level IV is delivered over three full days, Level III over two half and one full day and all other levels

have half-day classes spread over four days. Classes are delivered face to face at Farnham Street and

Flemington Library, a space for which we are grateful to access. With a growing demand for space at

Farnham Space for other pre-accredited or community classes, a timetabling review will consider

shifting some of the other level accredited classes to the Flemington Community Centre.

2018 has certainly been a year of departures and short and long-term absences. At the end of 2017,

we farewelled Angela McKenna and Deborah McCormack, who were replaced with two new

teachers, Cecilia Mansilla and Jo Kenny. In June 2018, Pip Mackey accepted a 2-year secondment

position to work in the field of Aged Care, which had arisen due to the successful $500K Workforce

Training and Innovation Grant, “The Little Things”, a Research Project to look at language used in

training Personal Care Workers.

Nofa went on maternity leave in March and Linda Clemente stepped in to manage this role. I took on

the position of Education Manager while still retaining my 3-day teaching load for Levels III and IV

and as a result created upheavals for classes and the timetable. Many thanks go to Robbie Cottrill for

changing her days to take on a new Pre-accredited class and for taking on a half-day for me to give

me some relief. And to then fill resultant gaps for me and future ones for Claudia, we welcomed new

staff members Jane Wheen, Dennis Adami and Mark Tresize who all slipped into their roles

seamlessly. We wish Claudia all the best as she commences her maternity leave from the first week

of September. I am indebted to all teaching and administration staff for their understanding and

willingness to be so flexible and accommodating so that the wheels of our work continue to turn so

smoothly.

Certificate of General Education for Adults

Course in Initial General Education for Adults classes are offered Monday to Thursdays in the

context of Life Skills Cooking in the Farnham St kitchen. Thanks to Kathy Bocquet and Donald Wake

along with a team of caring volunteers for doing such a great job with these classes. Daniela Alves

Coelo, Jason Richter, Dianne Cutler, Simone Lambert and Dominic Coiro.

PREACCREDITED COURSES

We continue to deliver a range of computer, language and literacy and practical courses across

various venues as the commitment to our allocated 26,688 hours funded by ACFE. Many thanks go

to the IT team of Manrico Moro, Chiemi Jardine, Roger Hersey and Bill Poon as well as the Pathways

Co-ordinator, Amel Colosimo.

9


Networks:

ThinkWest: FSNLC is part of a cluster of six community centres comprising Angliss Neighbourhood

House, Duke Street Community House, Laverton Community Centre, Wyndham Community &

Education Centre, Williamstown Community & Education Centre and Yarraville Community Centre.

All of us are located in the western suburbs of Melbourne and the concept and aim of the cluster is

to support each other in how best we can deliver our curriculum packages while improving the lives

of our community members. After a successful submission to the Capacity and Innovation Fund

(CAIF), Angliss NH will head a project to set up a portal of resources that can be shared by our Think

West cluster. FSNLC will contribute our 2016 assessment task toolkit, which was initially a CAIF

project along with other resources that would benefit other teachers and the centres.

We continue to work closely with:

Inner North Cluster (INC), Education and Compliance Coordinators network

Learn Local Quality Partnership

North West Melbourne Learn Local Education Coordinator’s Community of practice

Thanks: In the short time of being in this position, I’d like to thank all the staff who have made me

feel welcome in this new role and supported me as I tackle this steep learning curve. Special thanks

must go to Dianne, who constantly guides me through the bureaucratic labyrinth so that I can

manage this job and to Linda who willingly assists me in completing, at times, some tedious

administrative tasks. Considering the final EAL Framework has yet to be released but we still have

the expectation that we must be delivering our courses under this new Framework from day one of

the school year, our teachers and administration staff will face a more-than-usual busy start to 2019.

However, with the support provided by the Centre and all its volunteers I am confident that the staff

here will not only rise to, but will surmount this challenge.

Kathleen Nolan - Education Manager

Dianne Philips- Compliance Co-ordinator

10


COMMITTEE AND STAFFManagement Committee

Staff

Cathy Connop Adriana Nelli

Nofa Nizam

Nola Ryan Elaine Sargent Wayne Berry

Claudia Gonzalez

Kathleen Nolan

Joanna KennyCecila Mansilla Linda Clemente

President Secretary Treasurer

Centre Manager Finance Manager

Administration

Administration

EAL EAL

EAL

EALEnglish for Workplace

Amel Colosimo



Pip MackeyDianne Phillips Manrico Moro Robbie Cottrill

Frank Dinoto Nicole Marshall Peter Wilson

Kathy Bocquet Bill PoonDonald WakeChiemi Jardine

Ruth Kennedy

Research ProjectsCompliance Coordinator IT Coordinator Community Education Coordinator & EAL

CGEA ComputersCGEAComputers

Choir

Jim Cusack

Jane WheenEAL

Dennis AdamiEAL

Mark TreziseEAL



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

VolunteersOur Volunteer program is running very well supported by a Grant from the Helen McPherson Smith Trust. Our volunteers support teachers in all our cooking classes, Course in English as an Additional Language (EAL) class, at Norfolk Terrace, in the community garden, and in our reception area, and helping with administrative tasks.

EAL volunteering is our biggest area of volunteering. Our EAL volunteers help mentor students of all levels or help out in the lower level classes. These classes are quite large and as most of the students have little or no written English, one teacher alone finds taking the class daunting and unmanageable. Often there are four volunteers helping in the class at any one time. Over this last year we have had 40 EAL volunteers either matched with a student, or helping out in class.

The mentors who work with individuals outside class time are not expected to teach the students unless it is what the student wants. The relationship is what we like them to focus on. Most of our students don’t speak English outside the classroom, thinking that coming to class is the best way to learn. Having a volunteer ensures that there is at least one person in their lives with whom they speak English.

We have other volunteers who help at Norfolk Terrace, the Moonee Valley Libraries, Flemington Community Centre and in the reception area. They are generous in the amount of time and energy they spend volunteering and often go beyond the call of duty. Our volunteers matter so much to our students, our work would be much harder without them.

Help with Forms We have a very successful partnership with the Flemington Library to help the public with forms to be filled online, or on paper, bills which are overdue, or have anomalies, applying for passports and citizenship. I am there on Thursday afternoons.The ChoirFarnham Street Choir, under the very capable direction of Ruth Kennedy meets at FSNLC every Friday afternoon. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The choir covers a variety of musical

genres and indigenous music from all over the world, accompanied by drum, guitar or piano. Their notable performances this year have been the Harmony for Humanity and Asylum Seeker Benefit Concerts held at Christ Church in Kensington.

ExcursionsWe went to the Kyneton races in October. We set off on one big bus and had a great time. Individual class teachers often take students on excursions as well. Simple things can be effective such as EAL3 participating in a ‘treasure hunt’ around the local streets. They also had an afternoon at the Flemington Bowling club for a coaching session and a game.

EAL4 had an excursion to a Yoga school for an instructed Yoga class followed by a Buddhist talk at the Kadampa Centre in the CBD. They had another outing to a Persian supermarket to have products and modes of cooking explained to us.

EAL 1 went to Williamstown, and walked along the Pier, through the Botanical Gardens and had a picnic on the beach.

The GardensOur community garden at Farnham Street is a work in progress, and looks wonderful. The Friday morning group meet every week and have been working hard at redesigning the garden, building new garden beds and organising members of the community to hire beds.

The Garden re-design has been co-ordinated by Pat Long (a local resident and former Management Committee member) and funded by Grants from Moonee Valley Council and the Stronger Communities Fund. It will be launched on Sunday 14th October as part of the Flem Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas.

We still have an informal gardening partnership with Norfolk Terrace, (a residential unit for people recovering from hospitalisation due to mental illness), supplying them with volunteers to assist in the garden. The residents are encouraged to participate in planting, weeding and harvesting the food grown.

ROBBIE COTTRILL



CelebrationsWe had a community lunch in May to celebrate both Neighbourhood House Week and Volunteer Week and one in August. On the same day we had a fundraiser at the Flemington/Kensington Bowling Club for refugees, (see Manager’s report).

As we do every year we held morning teas for International Women’s Day, Anzac Day, Men’s Health Week and Cancer Awareness Week. Again Kathy Bouquet, our illustrious cooking teacher, came to the fore, coordinating the students in the cooking classes.

Refugee Week, during the last week of second term, saw a change of timetable. We ran activities to introduce our students to skills they were

unfamiliar with. We held classes in Gentle Exercise, Tai Qi, Card Making and Paper Dyeing, Self-defence, Jewellery Making, Persian Dancing and one of our Iranian students, Maryam, cooked some beautiful food for everyone to eat during that week.

Other Community ActivitiesAgain we ran the:Tuesday night Social Group (for older women living alone) in conjunction with Kensington Neighbourhood House and had a Dinner and Movie Program at the Sun TheatreThe Gentle Exercise for Older Adults and the Over 50’s Exercise classes at the Flemington Community CentreThe Farnham Street Book Group on Wednesday evenings (every 6 weeks)



FarnhamStreetNeighbourhoodLearningCentreoffersarangeofcourses,servicesandactivitiesforpeople,mostlywithspecialneeds;migrantswantingtolearnEnglish,peoplewithmentalhealthissues,intellectualdisabilities,refugees,theelderly,andunemployed.

Ineveryway,collaborationandcooperationisfundamentaltoourwork.Government,includingLocalGovernment,contributesfundamentallytoourveryexistence.Sodootherinstitutionsthatreferstudentsandsharecoursesincommon.Weareimmenselygratefulforthefundingsupportthatcomesfromtheseandfromcharitablefundsthathaveregularlysupportedus.Thisyearespecially,wewelcomeanewgrant(mentionedelsewhereinthisreport)todeveloptrainingprogramsin‘LanguageUsedinTrainingofAgedCareWorkers’,$.5mover2years.

FarnhamStreetcollaborateswithotherlocalNeighbourhoodhousesintheInnerNorthCluster;inCarlton,NorthMelbourne,AscotValeandKensington.Thiscollaborationisinvisibletotheusersofthecentre,butisaveryimportanttoprovideabetterrangeofservicesforall.

ThroughauspicedorganisationsFSNLCprovidessupportforgroupssuchasTheChineseSocialCentreinNorthMelbourne.ThisyeartheFarnhamStreetcommunityandtheirfriendsinotherorganisations,steppeduptoraisethousandsofdollarsforlegalsupportfortworefugeesandforTheHelpingHandProjectthatmentorsyoungrefugees.ThisspectaculareffortwasrecognisedinFederalParliamentandweareveryproudofthis.

Ourreservesandexpertiseinfundingapplicationsarecalledupontokeepmanysuchinitiativesafloat.Toremainsustainableovertheyearsinthesedaysofsmallorganisationscompetingforfunding,FarnhamStreethasneededtoexpanditscollaboration.Spreadinggeographicallybringsservicesrighttowheretheymightbeseenandutilised.WehaveclassesinLibrariesandothercommunitycentres,bringingexpertiseincomputersandEALcoursestoaccessibleplaces.

WhenyoupasstheHousewhichisthecentreofallthisactivity,youmightconsiderwithgratitudethatitisphysicallysmall(withabigoutreach).ItspositioninaparkcreatesanatmosphereofcalmthatonlynatureandMooneeValleyCouncilcanoffer!Itdrawsmanylocalpeoplewiththeirchildrenonweekendsforlowriskgatheringssuchasbirthdaypartiesforsmallchildren.Itprovidesawelcomemeetingplacetolocalpeopleintheeveningsfortheirownself-generatedactivities,Moreimportantly,Icanunashamedlysay,itprovidesanurturingbeautytopeopleneedingpeaceofmind.

Thecommunitygivesbackbyvolunteering.Manypeople,includingex-students,volunteerinEnglishClasses,frontofhouse,cookingclasses,gardendesignandmaintenance,photography,newsletterwritingandonourCommittee.Volunteeringdeepensourcommunityrelationships,makesfriends,anddirectlyaddressesourvisionofaconnectedandempoweredcommunity.WeacknowledgeTheFlemKennewspaperwhichenergeticallysupportsusinthis.Volunteersbringinothervolunteers,suchasPermablitzwhichhad20peoplefromalloverMelbournebuildournewboxgarden.

Ineedtostress,thatweareanAssociation,andassuchwearemanagedbyaCommitteedrawnfromordinarycitizens.FarnhamStreetandothercentreslikeitareonlyherebecausethecommunitywantsthemtobehere,rightinitsmidst,andwheretheyknowandfeelthatitbelongstothem.

Wealwaysneedtofindcitizenswhohavethetimetogiveabitextraandserveonourcommittee,andpeoplearealreadyveryengaged,timenowadaysisatapremium.Ifwedon’thaveyoursupport,collaborationandcare,wewillfallaway.

IwouldliketoacknowledgethehardworkandcommitmentfrommyfellowCommitteemembers,ElaineSargent,WayneBerry,FrankDinoto,ElizabethGardiner,PeterWilsonandourMooneeValleyCouncilrepresentatives,NicoleMarshallandJimCusack,aswellasallthestaffandvolunteers.

PRESIDENT’S REPORTNOLA RYAN



FINANCIAL REPORTWAYNE BERRY

ForthefinancialyeartoJune2018,wehaveagainmanagedourfinanceswellandproducedanothersmallsurplus,withourfinancialpositioncontinuingtobestrong.

Wehavesufficientfinancialresourcestomeetourfinancialobligationsastheyarise.

Revenueincreasedcomparedtolastyear,includingfundingforourcoursesandcommunityprogramsfromAdultandCommunityFurtherEducation(ACFE),HigherEducationandSkillsGroup(HESG).WecontinuedtoreceiveoperationalfundingfromMooneeValleyCityCouncil(MVCC)andDepartmentofHealthandCommunityServices(DHHS).WealsoreceivedprojectfundingfromACFEandMVCCtocontinuetobuildourcapacitytosupportourstudentsandthecommunity.

Ourexpenseshaveagainbeenwellmanaged,includingstaffandteachersalariesandcontractteachersdeliveringandsupportingourprogramsaswellasthecostsofoperatingthecentreanditsprograms.

OurCashbalancesaremuchhigherthanlastyearbecausewerecentlyreceivedfundingforalargeprojectwhichwillrunovertwoyearsfromtheendofJune.ThatfundingandourfundingforthequartertoSeptember2018issetasideasIncomeinAdvance.

Cathy,Pip,AdrianaandthestaffhavedoneanotherexcellentjobofmanagingthefinancesofthecentreandIwouldliketojointheothermembersoftheCommitteeinthankingthemforthatsupport.


Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre – Financial Statements – June 2018

Page 3 of 19

Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc. ABN 30 202 169 571

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 June 2018

Note 2018 2017

$ $

INCOME

Program and Operational Funding - Government 2 709,003 689,074

Project and Other Grants 2 157,020 140,750

Other income 2 65,824 82,670

TOTAL INCOME 931,847 912,494

EXPENDITURE

Employee remuneration & benefits 3 694,495 655,746

Office Expenses 68,502 60,073

Subcontract Teachers 48,210 37,125

House Class & Events 42,893 27,379

Auspice Organisations 36,076 81,401

Other expenses 4 26,940 27,376

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 917,116 889,100

NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 14,731 23,394

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (EXPENSE) FOR THE PERIOD 14,731 23,394

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


Page 4 of 19


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 June 2018

Note 2018 2017

$ $

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 5 1,060,049 527,443

Receivables 6 0 0

Prepayments & Other Current Assets 7 23,661 28,487

Total current assets 1,083,710 555,930

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment 8 23,407 31,804

Total non-current assets 23,407 31,804

TOTAL ASSETS 1,107,117 587,734

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Payables 9 94,690 48,829

Provisions 11 63,600 58,227

Income received in advance 10 545,360 91,676

Total current liabilities 703,650 198,732


Page 5 of 19


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 June 2018

Note 2018 2017

$ $

Non-current liabilities

Provisions 11 2,318 2,584

Total non-current liabilities 2,318 2,584

TOTAL LIABILITIES 705,968 201,316

NET ASSETS 401,149 386,418

EQUITY

Current Year Earnings 14,731 23,394

Retained earnings 386,418 363,024

TOTAL EQUITY 12 401,149 386,418

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.


THE HELPING HANDS PROJECTGABRIELLEOROSZ

TheHelpingHandProjecthasagainbeenbusyin2018matchingMentorswithyoungpeopletohelpthemdealwithsettlementissuesandimprovethequalityoftheirlives.Iamco-ordinatingtheProjectoneandahalfdaysperweek.

TheProjectissupportedbyConradAiken,PsychologistfromFoundationHouse,whoprovidesregulartrainingandadvicetothevolunteermentorsatmonthlymeetings,aswellasonaneedsbasis.NoelNewelliscurrentlyChairingtheCommitteeofsixmembers.DamienO’BrienistheTreasurer.

Outreachhasbeenconductedtoapproximatelytwelveserviceprovidersoverthepasttwelvemonths.TheprogramiscurrentlyoperatinginMooneeValley,CityofYarra,Melbourne,MaribyrnongandBrimbankCityCouncilregions.

TwoInformationsessionshavebeenconductedin2018andthereare22activementor/menteepartnershipsarecurrentlyinprogress.Theprogramsupportsrefugeeyouthbetweentheages13-23andcurrentlytheyoutharefromthefollowingcountries:Afghanistan,Burma,Ethiopia,Ghana,Iran,IvoryCoast,Liberia,Nepal,SouthSudan,Somalia.

Ourmajorfundraisingactivityin2018wastheeventweheldinconjunctionwithFarnhamStreet.Approximately250peopleattendedtheeventattheFlemington/KensingtonBowlingClubonFriday11thMay.TheeventwasorganisedfortheProjectaswellasFarnhamStreet’sSupportOurRefugeeStudentsProject(forrefugeeswhoareindangerofbeingdeported,inthiscase,YunayandSangini),TheeventwassosuccessfulitwasmentionedinFederalParliamentbyAdamBandt.WeconveyourappreciationtotheBoardandfortheassistanceofstaffmembersCathyConnop,AdrianaNelliandtheteamforyourcontinuedcommitmenttohelpingmaketheprogramasuccess.



CHINESE SOCIAL CENTRE OF NORTH MELBOURNEKARVISLAW

ThishasbeenmyfirstyearwithTheChineseSocialCentreofNorthMelbournewhichisfundedthroughtheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesandauspicedbyFarnhamStreet.TheolderresidentsoftheNorthMelbourneHousingEstateandthesurroundingareareceivehelptoovercomelanguagebarriersandunderstandwheretoseekassistancefromGovernmentorotherorganisationsregardingwelfare,housingandfamilymatters.Theregularprograms;TaiChi,GentleExercise,YumCha,Karaoke,Choir,Women’sGroup,LineDancing,CommunityLunchhavecontinuedaswellasthecelebrationsoftheMid-autumnFestival,ChineseNewYearandXmas.IhavealsoorganisedinformationsessionsonanumberoftopicssuchasArthritis,Diabetes,FallsPrevention,Alzheimer’sDisease,StateTrusteesandLegalIssues.

InMaythisyearwewentonaCamptoEchuca.15peopleaged65andoverattendedandreallyenjoyedtheexperience.TheCampwasorganisedbyOutdoorsInc.inconjunctionwithourCentreandincludedarideonapaddlesteamerandvisitstotheEchucaDiscoveryCentreandtheBendigoChineseMuseumonthewayback.TheCentrehasanofficeattheTenantsUnionbuildinginCanningStreetandactivitiesareheldattheNorthMelbourneCommunityCentreandtheCommunityRoomattheNorthMelbourneHousingEstateinMelroseStreet.TheCentreisverywell-supportedbytheAdvisoryCommitteewhodevotetheirtime,effortsandskillstoassistinrunningsomanyqualityprograms.IwouldliketothankFarnhamStreetfortheircontinuedsupportinmakingtheCentresuchanenjoyableexperienceforolderChineseresidents.



BOOMERANG NETWORK

OverthelastyeartheBoomerangNetworkhascontinuedtobeoneofthemostsuccessfulprogramsatFarnhamStreet.Theyareoftenreferredtoasamodelforothergroupsandprogramsinthecommunity.ShaneEvans,theCo-ordinatorofthegroup,wona2017SpiritofMooneeValleyAwardforhismanyyearsofvoluntarywork.TheBoomerangNetworkisasocialsupportframeworkforpeoplewithalivedexperienceofmentalillness.TheBoomersmeetatFarnhamStreetonTuesdayafternoonsandparticipateinstructuredactivitiesthroughtheMindworkspreaccreditedprogram.Thesessionsarealso

alaunchingpadformanymoreeducationalandsocialactivities,suchas;creativewriting,artclasses,gardening,singing,sessionsonusingcomputersandIT,sessionsonspecificissuessuchaskidneyhealth,selfdefenceclasses,eventplanning,movieoutingsandexcursions.TheVictorianMentalIllnessAwarenessCouncilranaworkshoptodiscussissuesrelatedtotheNDIS.TheBoomersweresuccessfulinattractingaSocialSupportGrantandaCommunityServicesSubsidyfromMooneeValleyCouncilin2018.



Congratulations to Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre on another successful year. One of the reasons why our local community is so strong is because of the work that you perform each and every day. Whether it is training and education, or connecting people who share common interests, Farnham Street is the glue that holds our community together. Thank you for all that you do and for the values you uphold. We are a better community because of your efforts. I have no doubt that the years to come will see Farnham Street continue to thrive and prosper to the benefit of our community. Danny Pearson

Moonee Valley City Council was very pleased to support to the Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre in 2017/18. In addition to our annual partnership commitment of $50,000 we were pleased to provide an additional $18,340 grant from our Community Grants program for the Farnham Street Sustainable Community Garden project to rebuild the garden to minimise water use, maximise accessibility, adapt to the local environment and encourage people of all abilities to garden in the Flemington and Travancore neighbourhood. Moonee Valley has recently adopted its long term Strategy, Moonee Valley V2040, A Healthy City, and the work of FSNLC as a significant partner of Council is vital to ensuring that we collectively foster a fairer, greener, thriving and more connected city.Council is proud to be a major partner of the FSNLC and we wish them every success for the year ahead.

Bryan LancasterCEO, Moonee Valley City Council

MESSAGES

Network West is a not for profit organisation that supports 50 Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres (NHs) across the western metropolitan region.Network West aims to build capacity within the NH sector in the areas of community development and governance.Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre is a key member of Network West.In 2017-2018, Farnham St NLC were a major driver in the recent NHVic Budget Campaign with representation at a meeting with local MP Danny Pearson and part of a newspaper campaign for extra resourcing for the Neighbourhood House sector.Farnham Street also supported a postcard campaign that saw thousands of postcards delivered to the Minister Jenny Mikakos. Due to the commitment of NHs like Farnham St NLC, the campaign was a huge success and the state government announced a $21 million dollar injection into the Neighbourhood House sector.Network West would like to thank Cathy and all her staff for ongoing work in advocating for the Neighbourhood House sector, that ultimately leads to better outcomes for the local community.

Sandra DigiantomassoNetwork West



OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS

MooneeValleyLibraryServices

NetworkWest

FlemingtonCommunityCentre

InnerNorthClusterpartners

Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre

Kensington Neighbourhood House

North Melbourne Language & Learning

Wingate Avenue Community Centre

The Centre

Cohealth

FlemingtonKensingtonLegalService

NorfolkTerraceContinuingCareUnit

NewmarketBaptistChurch

MooneeValley/MaribyrnongLocalLearningandEmploymentNetwork

WaratahMentalHealthServices

JobProspects,Workskil,Matchworks

St.Brendan’sPrimarySchool

FlemingtonPrimarySchool

MountAlexanderSecondaryCollege

CommonwealthRehabilitationServices

MooneeValleyCouncil

LearnLocalSouthWesternRegion

HigherEducationandSkillsGroup

DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices

RERossTrust

State Government


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