2012-2013

Goonawarra Neighbourhood House INC

2012-2013

GOONAWARRA NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE Inc. ANNUAL REPORT

Contents Our Vision, Mission & Guiding Principles

Our Committee, Program Staff, Tutors, Volunteers &

Funders

Chair Person's Report

House Manager’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Office/Finance Coordinator’s Report

Childcare Coordinator’s Report

Busy Bee’s Childcare Worker’s Report

Play Group Facilitators Report

Our Programs

A Snap Shot

Our Community

Financial Statements

Contact Detail

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Our Vision

To provide opportunities for people

to gather, grow and build a spirit of

community

Our Mission

The Goonawarra Neighbourhood

House is committed to providing a

facility and service for individuals

and groups within the community of

all ages, gender, race, and ability. Its

philosophy is to address and

promote social justice issues,

enrichment, employment

opportunities, mutual support,

welfare and community wellbeing as

per the Statement of Purpose.

Our Guiding Principles

To offer a facility which

encourages activities that enable

the formation of formal and

informal support networks

amongst its users.

To assess community needs regarding

information and the provision of

resources, particularly for low income

and single parent families, and women

of all ages; but not to the exclusion of

other community members.

To set up an information exchange of

existing resources and local self help

advertisements to be used by the

community.

To provide liaison and referral to community members and community and government agencies.

To offer a friendly informal meeting place

for individuals and community groups, with opportunity and training for volunteer work.

To promote occasional and or regular

programs and activities which promote the quality of life, self esteem, skills and empowerment of participants.

―True belonging

is born of

relationships not

only to one

another but to a

place of shared

responsibilities

and benefits. We

love not so much

what we have

acquired as what

we have made

and whom we

have made it

with.‖

—Robert Finch

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To maintain contact with other

groups and agencies in the

community services area, in

order to facilitate the co-

ordination and promotion of all

services in the community.

To encourage an awareness of

social issues and the processes

of change, in users and in the

community. And to support local

action to improve social

conditions and service delivery in

the area.

To provide the opportunity for the development of all kinds of

support and action groups, in response to social, geographical and resource isolation.

To provide the opportunity for new and

established residents to participate in activities that provide a sense of belonging, purpose, significance and contribution to the community.

To provide equal access to all members

of the community regardless of financial

position, age, disability, culture, religion,

language or gender.

“All too often we

think of

community in

terms of being

with folks like

ourselves: the

same class, same

race, same

ethnicity, same

social standing

and the like.I think

we need to be

wary: we need to

work against the

danger of evoking

something that we

don’t challenge

ourselves to

actually practice.”

― Bell Hooks,

Teaching

Community: A

Pedagogy of Hope

Bree Light

Childcare

Volunteer

Our Committee Allison Goodchild - Chairperson Carly Ritchie - Secretary Debra Vivarini-Lorenzi - Treasurer Bronwyn White - Committee member Kristina Wilson - Committee member Margaret Cassidy - Committee member Peter Rauch - Committee member retired Erica Rizzuti - Committee member resigned

Our Program Staff Alfina Sinatra -House Manager Lis Rauch - House Coordinator retired Susan Burke - Office Coordinator Pauline Monaghan - Childcare Coordinator Sandy Jinnette - Administrative Support/ Playgroup Facilitator Worker Avril Monaghan - Childcare Worker Linda Lenius - Childcare Worker Lynn Seddon - Childcare Worker resigned Brenda Secker - Cleaner

Our Volunteers Bree Light Childcare

Our Tutors Goonawarra Neighbourhood House programs are led by experienced, committed and supportive tutors who are passionate about their work and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge, skills and ideas. Ettore Di Pilla - Mosaics/Glassworks/Glass Jewelry Alisa Hosking - Sewing/Quilting Peter Rauch - Photography Craigieburn Education Centre -First Aid Amelia Zarb - Art of Defense Paul Weatherly - Karate Amy Citroen - Movement to Music Judith Te Huia - Meditation

Our Funders

The work of the House is generously funded by: Department of Human Services

City of Hume

―Everybody is a

story. When I

was a child,

people sat

around kitchen

tables and told

their stories. We

don't do that so

much anymore.

Sitting around

the table telling

stories is not just

a way of passing

time. It is the

way the wisdom

gets passed

along. The stuff

that helps us to

live a life worth

remembering.‖

― Rachel Naomi

Remen

Chairperson’s Report July 2012- June 2013

T is with great pleasure that I present this, my second report as Chairperson of the Committee of Management. The role of the Committee of Management is to provide sound governance and oversight of the running of Goonawarra

Neighbourhood House, and to ensure that as a valuable community resource it makes a useful contribution to that community in ways that are strategic and cost-effective. This year we have had a solid team doing this, several of whom are new to the Committee, and I would like to extend my thanks to them for all their efforts and advice throughout the year. In March 2013, Lis Rauch our House Manager of 28 years retired and we thank her for her long standing commitment to the house. We subsequently recruited our new manager Alfina Sinatra. Alfina comes with both a sound knowledge of good management, governance and quality systems. This has supported the Committee of Management to commence a process of reviewing our current policies and working towards the development of our Strategic Plan for 2013 -2015. We are entering a phase of commencing consultations with staff, tutors and volunteers, those who use the House and other organisations with whom we relate. Together we will develop a clear set of priorities and major directions for the next few years. These priorities and directions will also be translated into a more specific Business Plan for the immediate future, which will set out our priority activities. We have also commenced the establishment of a Risk Management Strategy for the House, to ensure that it is a safe and secure place for all who use it, and strengthening the marketing of the House and its programs, to ensure maximum participation in its programs and that those who can benefit from those programs. Goonawarra Neighbourhood House‘s financial position has continued to be healthy over the last year, and for that we have to thank our major funders, the City of Hume and the Department of Human Services (DHS). They provide us with on-going support in more ways than just financial. I would also like to thank our other donors whose assistance through our fundraising efforts this year has enabled us to carry on with our unfunded programs such as Occasional Childcare and Busy Bees. While our current situation is healthy, we are very aware of the climate of cuts to government expenditure, which give rise to a certain degree of apprehension. We will be watching that situation carefully in the future. Other sources of income such as the hire of the House at weekends continue to be an important source of independent income.

I

Allie

Goodchild

Chairperson

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Thanks go to our Office & Finance Officer, Susan Burke, for her efforts in managing our financial resources, and to our Treasurer, Debra Vivarini-Lorenzi, for monitoring them on behalf of the Committee. In conclusion let me extend a heartfelt thanks to our manager, Alfina, and all the dedicated staff at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House for all their efforts throughout the year. Their work is often demanding, but I hope fulfilling. I know that it is certainly appreciated by the community of those whom they serve. And of course we have to thank our extraordinary tutors who provide the diversity of activities that are the essence of Goonawarra Neighbourhood House, and who make it the vibrant and interesting place that it is. This year has been a productive one and we look forward to many more in the years to come. Allie Goodchild Chairperson

House Manager’s Report July 2012- June 2013

T gives me much pleasure to present my first annual report. In doing so I want to acknowledge how much I value the encouragement and assistance that I receive from our Committee of Management, under the chairmanship of Allie

Goodchild. I also want to thank Susan Burke and the rest of the wonderful staff team and tutors for their continued attentiveness in providing our programs, activities and support services to the people who live in our community. Again this year our work has been well supported by our wonderful volunteer Bree Light who has continued to support our Occasional Childcare program despite being very busy with three major life events this year; getting married, getting her drivers licence and more recently the announcement of her pregnancy, thank you and congratulations to you, your husband and family! This year has been a year of change where by the long standing Coordinator Lis

Rauch retired handing over reins in March 2013. It is an honor to pick up where

she had left off. In this time we have conducted surveys to ensure that the

programs we deliver are relevant to the community we serve; updated some of our

internal systems including our Information Technology and communications

system, and added some new classes for children.

Our Web-site has been given a facelift and includes a section on “what’s on what’s

happening” to keep our house users up-dated on the latest activities of the house.

Our Facebook page has increased its followers quite significantly and currently we

have 479 friends to date. Social media has become an important tool of

communication this year and we use it to promote our activities and share

information about the house.

Our House has been busy 7 days a week this year. The house has been booked

nearly every weekend for parties and other church and family activities and this has

I

We cannot seek

achievement for

ourselves and

forget about

progress and

prosperity for

our community...

Our ambitions

must be broad

enough to

include the

aspirations and

needs of others,

for their sakes

and for our own.

Cesar Chavez

Alfina Sinatra

House Manager

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bought some much needed additional income. The house has also been utilised by

Child Protection, Anglicare and a Speech Pathologist who have booked our rooms

to meet with their clients. This has made these services much more accessible for

our vulnerable local families and the Goonawarra Community.

Goonawarra Neighbourhood House has continued to be a place where people feel welcome and appreciated. For many, it is a place where you can call in for a cuppa and a chat; seek helpful referral information; be inspired, energised and laugh with others in our many activities groups; and develop links and friendships with other community members. As well as this, at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House people can participate in a variety of programs and activities. This includes a range of craft, arts, and dance and lifestyle classes. Goonawarra Neighbourhood House‗s playgroups continue to meet and the parents enjoy a cuppa in a friendly environment, share ideas and enjoy the interactions their children make as they play. We have four established playgroup running out of the house each week. In this report I have highlighted just a few examples of what we do and why we do it. You will find many more in the pages of our Annual Report and by talking with those who come to our House. What I really like about Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is that our size does not deter us from continuing our efforts to reach out and listen to a wide variety of local people, connect them with each other and endeavour to support them to enhance their personal wellbeing, extend their skills and attain their own goals. They say that ‗small is beautiful‘. In our case, this means that we know everyone who comes here by name, we encourage participation and links between the people of all shapes and sizes and we are interested in the families, aspirations, joys and challenges of everyone who comes through our doors. This is a solid foundation on which we can contribute to building a more resilient and empowered local community and a more peaceful and just world. I wish to acknowledge and thank Justin Browning for assisting us with our recent IT

upgrade. Justin is a professional IT person that works for corporate organisations

both nationally and internationally. He generously volunteered his time so that we

are now able to operate more efficiently from an IT communication perspective.

There have been other challenges such as the new Incorporation Act 2012; changes to Awards, and further work in developing our good Governance and quality systems. This is the on-going work in 2013-2014 as we move towards our goals. Of particular importance is our quest to seek out additional funds to help us prepare our Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2015 so that we can continue to grow towards developing a secure and sustainable future, one that will be utilised and enjoyed by our local community. Other challenges are to attract more funds to find some extra space to further expand our activities to enable us to meet the demands of our fast growing community and the population in Goonawarra and Sunbury. We aspire to delivering more targeted activities for young children, families, including families who have

“One of the

marvelous things

about community

is that it enables

us to welcome

and help people

in a way we

couldn't as

individuals. When

we pool our

strength and

share the work

and

responsibility, we

can welcome

many people,

even those in

deep distress,

and perhaps help

them find self-

confidence and

inner healing.”

― Jean Vanier,

Community and

Growth

The community

stagnates

without the

impulse of the

individual. The

impulse dies

away without

the sympathy of

the community.

William James

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children with a disability, young people and our older groups too. We want to work more collaboratively with our local services such as Goonawarra Primary School, the Maternal Child Health Services, Sunbury Neighbourhood House, Hume City Council and Sunbury Community Health Service just to name but a few. I want to acknowledge the wonderful support I have received from the NorthWest Neighbourhood House Networker and the Hume Houses Partnership in this period of my settling in. Ostara Australia Disability Employment Services generously donated $50.00 towards our House in this period and we thank them for their on-going support. Additionally, Banksia Gardens Community Services kindly donated, through their refurbished computers program, six PCs to be used for computer classes planned for 2013-2014. Finally, a big THANK YOU to all the house users and members without your support and participation our house would not exist. We hope to continue to grow along side you within this wonderful community we live in Goonawarra and Sunbury! Alfina Sinatra House Manager

Treasurer Report 2012- 2013

The year of expenditure! This year the Neighbourhood House experienced a higher than usual level of expenditure which resulted in an overall balance of $86347 which is $16141 less than last year. Financially, however, the House is still in a great position as demonstrated by its increase in revenue of $11,000 from the previous year.

Income Compared with the previous financial year income was higher with $158605 receipted compared with $147817 the previous year. This is as a result of increased income in all lines including a 100% increase in our rental income.

―Community is a

sign that love is

possible in a

materialistic

world where

people so often

either ignore or

fight each other.

It is a sign that

we don‘t need a

lot of money to

be happy …in

fact, the

opposite.‖

Jean Vanier

Debra Vivarini-

Lorenzi

Treasurer

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Expenditure By comparison expenditure for 2012/2013 was markedly higher than the previous year with an 18.6% increase of $28662. This increase is primarily due to an extraordinary level of expenditure in the payroll line.

Payroll This line experienced an increased expenditure of 17.1%. This high level of expenditure can be attributed to a number of factors. Primarily the retirement of the then Manager, Lis Rauch resulted in payment of all outstanding leave including remaining long service leave. Also, with the employment of a new Manager there was a period of crossover time with the handover where simultaneous payment of two salaries occurred.

In addition to this additional expenditure also occurred as a result of a pay claim.

Fundraising

As its major annual fundraiser the House raised $1050 from the sale of chocolates. These funds have been targeted for potential expenditure in the areas of children‘s services. Occasional Childcare also raised $422 with the sale of calendars.

Childcare

Occasional Childcare have done a fabulous job holding their own, managing to finish the financial year with a marginal profit despite the loss of the Government grant. This is in part due to the increase in fees and promotion of this service within the community .They are, however ,somewhat reliant on the efforts of fundraising to stay afloat with the utilization of $4000 raised from fundraising efforts the previous year. This area will continue to be closely monitored to ensure its continued viability in the new financial year. Busy Bees also finished the financial year marginally better with a positive balance .This has been achieved due to a slight fee increase and increased numbers however more work needs to be done with respect to increasing the number of participants in the afternoon session.

Playgroups Playgroups have increased their overall revenue by 17.8% from the previous year. This has been as a result of increased attendance and a fee increase from $25 per family per term to $30 effective 2013 calendar year. It is remarkable that despite increases in all areas of cost of living, this fee has not been increased in over ten years. However House overheads have now required a small increase to cover costs such as electricity and gas for heating.

Hume City Council & Enhancement Funds

Once again we were fortunate to receive funds from Hume to continue to employ a Playgroup Facilitator and enhancement funds to offer additional courses to the

―Every person is

defined by the

communities

she belongs to‖

Orson Scott

Card

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community. These funds however are granted on a calendar year, the residual to be utilised by December 2013.

With respect to the Enhancement funds expenditure has been targeted toward enhancement of current programs such as Busy Bees and promotion of new activities through the production of an annual newsletter. This year also saw the introduction of a second movement to music class targeting a younger age group, and the running of two Women‘s Self Defence Courses. The remaining funds of $69000 been targeted for expenditure in the second half of the calendar year on defined programs such as Mosaic Classes, Christmas Themed glass Fusion for Adults and school aged children, First Aid Level 2, & Drama Classes for Kids.

A further grant of $13535 is provided to support the employment of the Finance /Office Coordinator.

Department of Human Services

Funding continues to be provided by our primary benefactor to ensure this House continues to operate. This year $73866 was received which supports payment of staff salaries together with a small portion dedicated to Operations.

Rental Income

Special mention must be made of our rental income for this financial year. An increase of 119% on the previous year is testament to increase in House usage with the House being well utilized most weekends by the community, in addition to our regular external groups.

Operational Expenditure

An analysis of the data collection/ communication and technology systems this year highlighted a need for improvements in these areas, resulting in approved expenditure of $3,300 to update and upgrade current systems. This will be of great benefit to staff and improve productivity allowing for more improved systems and procedures to be put be in place to capture data and streamline communication, thereby avoiding unnecessary duplication of information and paper wastage. Purchase of a new color photocopier/fax together with the acquisition of six computers and an Ipad has facilitated this upgrade.

Long Service Leave

This account has a healthy $26088. This includes an amount of $2570 added from sub accounts (OCC, Busy Bees, Payroll)for this financial year to ensure sufficient funds are available should staff require long service leave. Two out of six staff have taken a portion of their long service leave including one retirement which required a pay out of long service leave owing. This resulted in expenditure of $7254. Sufficient funds remain in place to facilitate payment of further outstanding leave.

In conclusion, one must always remember that the Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is here to service the community. As a not for profit organisation our finances continue to be well placed and utilised for the benefit of the community.

Debra Vivarini – Lorenzi Treasurer

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Office & Finance Coordinator’s Report 2012-2013 This year has been a busy one with lots of changes including a changing of the guard. The House has been extremely busy with house utilisation. Also, the retirement of House Manager Lis Rauch after over 28 years service has seen much celebration in recognition of her outstanding service to the House and community and reflection on years gone by, but also the beginning of a new chapter with the introduction of new Manager, Alfina Sinatra.

Staff Movements Some of my time has also been spent in processing and reviewing various wage and HR issues and supporting the house with managing these. The processing of one pay in lieu of long service leave together with two staff members taking long service leave also occupied a lot of my time.

Occupational Health & Safety Duties

The development of the GNH Risk Management Plan is in its final stages with an aim to present this to Committee early in the new financial year. The new gas stove top created a minor safety issue which fortunately was resolved with little drama. No work place related incidents to report this year.

Office/Finance Duties The House has been well utilised over the past 12 months with a 100% increase in House Hire together with increased course activities. This has kept the office staff very busy with new procedures in place for enrolments and feedback. Work has been also completed on the development and provision of a new budget plan and reporting tool for the forthcoming year and beyond with payment of most salaries and accounts now being processed electronically and on line, thereby achieving a saving in bank fees and streamlining the procedures for salary payments. I was also fortunate to attend the ANHLC training conference with opportunities to pick up new skills and network with other Houses.

Fundraising

A Chocolate drive was the main fundraiser for the House with preparation work toward running a Trivia Night in the early new financial year.

On the Horizon We are committed to the on-going professional development of our staff to ensure as much multi skilling as possible. The new financial year will also bring involvement and support to the Manager and the Committee of Management in areas such as improved governance, policies and procedures. Not forgetting my on-going role in the Tuesday morning walking group which continues to thrive. . Susan Burke Office/Finance Coordinator

Susan Burke

Office and

Finance

Coordinator

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Our Programs Classes and Activities

Our Meditation and Healing Group has proven to be very popular and classes

have expanded from one night a week to three nights. Our Church Group

continues to meet on Sunday mornings. The Grandparents Playgroup meet weekly

and we hope to commence a MyTime support group for parents/carers who have a

disabled child soon.

We have had two Glassworks and two Mosaics Groups so far this year and there

is an on-going demand for these classes to continue in the next term and beyond.

Ettore has proven to be a very popular arts tutor and we hope to continue on with

these classes next year and beyond.

Our Movement to Dance classes for children under the age of 6 is bursting at the

seams and there is currently a waiting list. We plan to commence another dance

class early next year for children of primary school age.

Tax Help is a program that is delivered here at house. Tax Help is a network of

community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people

complete their tax returns during tax time. Volunteers are fully trained, accredited and

supported by the Australian Taxation Office. This program runs at the house between

July and September and is always fully booked. This is a highly valued program by the

local community.

Our First Aid Course was very popular and was attended to capacity. We continue

to provide our yearly program of Free Tax Help and these sessions are almost

booked out for the year.

A brand new class for children under the age of six commenced this year, Drama

for Kids and it is also proving to be a very popular class. The laughter that

permeates throughout the house during this class is a joy to listen too.

Art for Kids is an additional program we anticipate running in term four. Busy Bees,

Occasional Childcare, Playgroups, Twins Group, Craft Groups, Drop In Group,

(Tea Cups) Games Group and our Walking Group continue to flourish and whilst

the winter months have some impact on the attendance we are still managing to

get great attendance.

Community cannot for long feed on itself; it can only flourish with the coming of others from beyond, their unknown and undiscovered

brothers. Howard Thurman

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Occasional Childcare (OCC) 2013 has been the second year that we have been ―flying solo‖ financially with all

the funding from the State and Federal Governments ceasing in 2011. Despite this

we have been operating independently with only the fees we charge for the three

sessions we operate per week. We have kept our fees affordable and we have

been able to survive.

There has been a growing demand for our occasional care and this has only made

us more determined to keep these valued children program going.

We have been lucky that our parents have been so supportive with our fundraising

efforts; the trivia night, our toy fundraiser and our calendar promotions. This has

enables us to remain viable and we thank them very much for the continued

support.

All staff have updated their ‗working with children check‘ and First Aid Level 2

Certificates. This will be undertaken again in three years, with annual refreshers of

CPR and the use of epipens that are available and used in case a child shows any

sign or symptom of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Our volunteer Bree Light has continued to support our OCC program and as has

already been mentioned we are extremely lucky to have her continued support

and care for the children that use our OOC program despite her major life events

this year. We wish her all the best for her future and we hope that in some way her

experiences here have prepared her to deal with the realities‘ of caring for a

precious baby of her very own.

We also have a new student, Fiona, who is studying the Diploma in Childcare.

She is doing her 240 hour placement within OCC and our Busy Bees Programs

and she provides a much welcomed extra pair of hands.

This year has been challenging, trying to balance the number of children with the

child/staff ratio that is required by the regulations, while trying to remain financially

viable. It is an on-going challenge but one that we are committed to achieving as a

local childcare provider within the Goonawarra community.

Pauline

Monaghan

OCC

Coordinator.

Linda Lenius

Childcare

Worker

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I would like to finish by saying that Avril, Linda, Sandy and remain fully committed

to providing an ongoing quality service. I could not be prouder of how we have

achieved these despite these difficult circumstances.

Busy Bees Busy Bees is our 3-4 year old staffed activity group which operated with two

sessions each Monday at the house. The program is designed, and if required

individually tailored, to enhance each child‘s readiness for their transition into four

year old kindergarten. It allows them the opportunity to develop new skills whilst

building on and refining the skills they have already achieved.

I and the wonderful staff that I work alongside are extremely proud of the care we

provide, the environment we create and the extensive range of age appropriate

activities our program offers. We are always delighted by the positive feedback we

receive from both the parents and the children alike.

We endeavour to promote our services as widely as possible, at every opportunity,

as we strive to see both our sessions run at capacity to ensure the programs

financial security and sustainability. As always the staff and I are committed to the

on-going success of the program and whilst there are challenges these will be

meet with enthusiasm and determination. We believe that this is an invaluable

service to our community and we hope to remain a viable one into the future.

In conclusion, I would like to give a huge thank you to the parents and their

children who continue to support us and our program and the girls I work aside

Pauline, Linda, Sandy with the support of Susan and Alfina in the office, you‘ve all

been great and a pleasure to work with!

Avril Monaghan

Childcare

Avril Monaghan Childcare

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Play Groups This is now my second year here at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. I can

honestly say I still love all aspects of the job not just as Playgroup Facilitator but

also as casual childcare worker and an office support worker. I know pretty much

everyone by name and the friendships I am building are wonderful.

This year saw the House get a new Manager, Lis Rauch who retired after 28 years.

I am enjoying working with our New Manager Alfina Sinatra who as commenced

bringing to the House some exciting new projects as well as changes. One

highlight was us both attending a meeting with the school welfare officer, Sharon

Rummano from ‗The Hub‘ at Sunbury Heights Primary School. Getting out and

about meeting other workers in Sunbury will help improve our profile as we connect

and work more closely with various community organisations in the local area. I

believe that GNH has so much to offer and the future looks exciting.

I now have regular Playgroup Network Meetings with organisations in Sunbury

which is great support to my role. It is great to hear about what other facilitators are

dealing with and sharing our skills and resources. It‘s a way of putting our face out

there for the Neighbourhood House. I love running into people and telling them

where I work and what we have to offer.

This year I attended a two day Supported Playgroup Leader Training run by

Playgroups Victoria as part of my professional development and this was a

valuable opportunity for me.

Alfina and I are also involved in a Parent Advisory Group that runs in Sunbury each

Term. This is a networking group where several organisations meet and discuss

issues and concerns for the people in Sunbury. It allows us to raise awareness

about important issues not only within the City of Hume but more importantly for the

people of Sunbury.

The year started off busy and by the end of June the House is almost full to

capacity. The people that come through the House to attend the classes and

activities are friendly and I enjoy saying hello and getting to know them all. It‘s a

place that is warm and welcoming which I love. I am very passionate about my role

here and the house. I am so lucky and all the people who work here make up one

big family.

Our Tuesday & Thursday morning playgroups have proven popular yet again we

have a few new faces sometimes even seeing Nanna‘s and Dad‘s which is great

but there are still vacancies, particularly in the Grandparents Playgroup. We will

work hard to try and attract new grandparents to come along in the coming months.

Sandy Jinnette

Playgroup

Facilitator &

Office Support

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The cold of the winter always has an impact on attendance and we hope that

things will pick up again in the spring!

The Playgroup activities have been enjoyed by both parents and children and on

the warmer days they love nothing more than going outside. This year‘s activity

themes having included: Easter, Mother‘s Day and Crown‘s for Kings and Queen‘s

for the Long weekend in June.

What we enjoy most about the playgroups that run at of the house is watching the friendships that develop both for the children and parents and how playgroup can sometimes be a lifeline to parents with babies, toddlers and preschoolers who might not have any other opportunity to get to know local parents going through similar experiences.

As the playgroup facilitator I am always open to new ideas and suggestions from parents and I look forward to supporting them again in the new financial year!

Goonawarra Neighbourhood House - A Snap Shot

Origins Goonawarra is a Housing Estate 4 kilometres from Sunbury. It is a socially isolated community consisting of homes most of which are occupied by First Home Buyer, young, single income families. There is a mixture of private and public housing on the Estate with a minority of owner occupied retirees.

The Goonawarra Neighbourhood House was a long sort after facility. After much lobbying, the then Shire of Bulla, built this House which was designed and earmarked specifically to serve the Community. The House is located adjacent to the medical centre and kindergarten facility and next door to the primary school. There is a council run Community facility behind the Neighbourhood House which is available for rental.

The Neighbourhood House was officially opened in April 1990. Prior to this the residents met and ran activities from a shop front (1981 to 1987), and thereafter in a Ministry Rental House.

Funding for the employment of a Manager was originally provided by the Department of Human Services. However the House was originally auspiced by the Sunbury Community Health Centre. In 1985 the Goonawarra Neighbourhood House formed its own Committee of Management. In 1992 the Neighbourhood House became its own entity and was no longer auspiced.

The Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is the only facility of its kind in the Goonawarra locality.

Our Community The township of Sunbury falls within the City of Hume, which is also responsible for the Broadmeadows & Craigieburn area. Sunbury however is geographically isolated from the remainder of the City of Hume and can be described as a satellite city. Approximately 15 kilometres separates Sunbury from Westmeadows.

Sandy Jinnette

Playgroup Facilitator

“Pull up a chair.

Take a taste.

Come join us.

Life is so

endlessly

delicious.”

― Ruth Reichl

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Sunbury itself is made up of a number of Housing estates. Currently it has an estimated 36,000 residents.

In addition to the immediate Sunbury area, the catchment area for our services includes the surrounding areas of Clarkefield, Romsey, Bulla, Diggers Rest, Gisborne, ToolernVale, and Riddells Creek.

Statistics On an average week, between 500 and 750 people call or visit the Neighbourhood House for a variety of reasons. There is approximately 80% of usage from people within the Goonawarra estate and Sunbury area. However a further 20% attend from outlying areas; 88% of House users are residents of the City of Hume.

House Users People who utilise the Neighbourhood House include:

Those in need of enrichment or social contact

The financially disadvantaged

Individuals who lack confidence

Those who experience isolation

Have no or few community or family supports

Those who may feel hesitant about approaching formal institutions

People who require diversion and help to address problems such as gambling.

Families/community members who have a need to use one or more of the programs/services offered.

The Users are what keeps this House operational. They give it a purpose and provide much needed income. At all times they are treated with dignity and respect.

Sunbury is still considered a high growth area for young families. This is supported by the high enrolments in local crèches & kindergartens and growth in the number of playgroups within the Sunbury precinct.

Presently there is a high rate of young families which utilise our services. Approximately 80% are young families. Hence the number of Children‘s programs presently offered. More recently however, there has been an increase in the participation rates within our adult programs which demonstrates a slight shift within the community requirements.

At present 80% of our services are directed to family activities with the remainder dedicated to adult activities and social / support programs.

Our Current Context Today the Neighbourhood House receives its main source of funding from the Department of Planning & Community Development. This funding facilitates the part time employment of the Manager, Office Coordinator and Admin Support with

There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing. John Dewey

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a small portion dedicated to operational overheads. Further top up funding is also provided by the City of Hume. Funding is also provided by the City of Hume to employ a Playgroup Facilitator together with additional funds known as Enhancement Funds to run additional programs. The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development also provides funding which goes toward the provision of a childcare program. The City of Hume also provides invaluable maintenance support for the House.

The Committee of Management at GNH comprises of six members. Each of these people has a strong commitment to the house, having been personally involved in various aspects of its house program before taking on this role. Committee members are responsible for establishing and monitoring the organisation‘s strategic direction, managing risk and ensuring that legal and financial obligations are met. A person visiting GNH would be likely to be invited to join in an exercise, art or craft classes. Other opportunities include: being a tutor in an area of skill that users may disclose, meeting other parents in a playgroup, joining our well established Tea Cups Group or one of the Arts classes or observing the fun and skills development taking place at the well attended Movement to Music Classes or Drama for kids‘ classes. Strengthening links and working partnerships within the Neighbourhood House sector has also been a priority.

We can begin by

doing small things

at the local level,

like planting

community

gardens or looking

out for our

neighbors. That is

how change takes

place in living

systems, not from

above but from

within, from many

local actions

occurring

simultaneously.

-- Grace Lee Boggs

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Financial Statements

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Visit us at 8 Gullane Drive Sunbury VIC 3429

Mail us at PO Box 712 Sunbury 3429 Call us on 9740 6627

Email us on gnh@alphalink.com.au

Visit the website at www.goonawarraneighbourhoodhouse.weebly.com