Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Community and Cultural Life TeamShellharbour Village Exhibition Space (SVES)

It’s that time again…the Shellharbour Village Exhibition Space is calling for applications to fill our creative program for the next six months. We are interested in showcasing all kinds of creative work – painting, sculpture, music, fashion, photography – show Shellharbour what you or your community group have been up to or put on a creative event like workshops or film screenings!

To discuss your ideas or find out more about hiring the space please contact the Arts and Cultural Development Officer on 4221 6111 or email sves@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.

You can also visit our page on Shellharbour Connect to keep up to date with what’s happening at the SVES, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/svesart.

WelcomeWelcome to the autumn edition of the Community Connections E-Newsletter. The aim of this newsletter is to keep you and those that access your services up to date with activities and initiatives happening in your community.

It has been another busy quarter in our department with many events and activities also coming up in the upcoming months. We look forward to working with you and seeing you out and about at these exciting initiatives.

Please forward a copy of this newsletter onto those on your database who you feel may benefit from the information contained in this newsletter.

Kathryn,Kathryn Baget-JuleffGroup Manager, Community ConnectionsShellharbour City Council

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

May 19 - 23: Kids Fest – children and local artists work together to create a series of paintings and sculpture. There will be a program of workshops and events running alongside this exhibition.May 26 - June 2: Annual Reconciliation Week Art Exhibition and competition – showcasing the work of local Aboriginal artists, including painting, jewellery and ceramics.June 3 - 9: Judi Goodwin – fundraiser for Special Olympics Illawarra. All proceeds from the raffle and a percentage of all paintings sold go toward the support of athletes.June 16 - 23: The Illawarra Feltmakers Inc. “Cacophany” – a showcase of over thirty artworks in felt that respond to the theme of sound and music.

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Lake Illawarra Art Trail and Environmental Education artwork

These exciting projects are progressing well. The selected artists sought input from the community to inform their designs, collecting stories and memories about the Lake at the Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake Event as well as meeting with residents, visiting childcare centres and working with local environment groups and schools.

The final designs were presented to Council for approval and proposed installation sites are currently being assessed.

Two of the groups will be creating their artworks on site so if you are travelling along Reddall Parade be sure to check out their progress!

Arts and Cultural Development Strategy

Shellharbour City Council is currently developing a new Arts and Cultural Strategy. This is an exciting project and will guide Council’s approach to arts and cultural investment and activity over the next 3-5 years. It will build on existing cultural assets and resources while providing new opportunities for cultural development, creative expression, local identity, public art and place making initiatives. This is still in the early stages but be sure to keep your eyes open for opportunities to contribute and have your say.

Watch this space!

Community Safety Pop Up Meetings

Shellharbour City Council and NSW Police continue their partnership in the monthly Community Safety Pop Up Meetings which were held in Albion Park, Oak Flats, Shellharbour and Shell Cove. Issues that were addressed at these meetings included graffiti management, anti-social behaviour and car hooning, senior safety and Good Neighbour Awards. Factsheets on various crime prevention issues have been developed by Council to assist residents in keeping themselves and their property safe. The Community Safety Pop Up Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of every month, please contact 4221 6170 for further information.

Good Neighbour Scheme

Good Neighbour Awards nominations were launched on Neighbour Day in March, nominations close on 9 May. All Shellharbour residents are being encouraged to nominate their good neighbour, street, or community group that assist with connectedness and safety. A Good Neighbour Awards event is being planned for the end of June. See advertisement below!

NOMINATE NOW!@ Libraries, Council chambers & online

Celebrating Shellharbour City ’s Good Neighbours

do you have an exceptional neighbour?Do you know a community group, live in a street or know someone that goes out of their way to help others in your area?

SHELLHARBOUR CITY COUNCIL’s 2014 Good Neighbour Awards

Proudly sponsored by

Call 42216170 for further information.

• There are chances to win great prizes!

• Join us @ the Good Neighbour awards ceremony in June!

• All nominees will receive a certificate and an invite to our special event!

< SCAN HERE To vist our website and nominate!

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Life Begins @ 50

A new health and wellbeing strategy is being developed for Shellharbour, titled Life Begins @ 50. This is the first strategy of its kind for Shellharbour with the aim being to target those residents 50 years of age and older by creating a supportive environment which encourages the establishment of healthy behaviours into the later stages of life.

A Think Tank group for Life Begins @ 50 was established, with representatives from a range of organisations and community groups involved. Monthly meetings have been held with the Think Tank, focusing on identifying themes and sub-themes for the Strategy, priorities for people 50 years of age and older, what already exists in Shellharbour to support this population group and what can be done in Shellharbour to further address the priorities. A Councillor’s workshop also took place in March to gain Councillor’s input into the Strategy.

Community and stakeholder consultations began in Senior’s Week and ran throughout March and April. Consultations included: information kiosks at the launch of Senior’s Week and the Senior’s Week photo competition; ‘Coffee and Chats’ at Lake Illawarra and Barrack Point; information kiosks at Centrelink Shellharbour, Warilla Grove and the University of Wollongong; two staff workshops; a stakeholder workshop; and activities with multicultural seniors groups. A survey also ran throughout March and April. Following consolidating and analysing information from the surveys and consultations, a draft Strategy will be developed. This Strategy is due to be finalised in 2014.

Harmony Day

Shellharbour City Libraries recently held a Harmony Day event at Warilla Library. Harmony Day focuses on celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity and promoting the message that “everyone belongs.” Over 75 young children, parents and carers attended Warilla Library on the 26th of March to celebrate Harmony Day. Everyone enjoyed cultural storytelling from our very special guest Kaija and singing cultural songs. We also had food from across the globe available for everyone to try and a photo booth for all the children to dress up and get pictures.

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Youth Services Team The Circus is coming to Town

The circus group starts on Thursday 1 May and runs during school terms. The group will involve many circus activities including: balance activities, hula hoops, spinning plates, juggling balls as well as other juggling objects, flower/devil sticks, staff, diablo, plate tricks, unicycling, stilts and other circus things. The best part is; you don’t need any experience. Young people 12 - 25 are welcome and it is FREE.

shellharbouryouthservices.council

Circus Group

42953820

Thursdays 3.30—5.30pm

Come along and Learn with opportunities

to get involved in performances

Juggling & much more

Unicycling Stilt walking

At Blackbutt Youth Centre

Young People 12—25 yrs

Shellharbour Connect

Did you know Shellharbour City Council has an online community directory called Shellharbour Connect?

If you are a service or community group in Shellharbour you can list your information on the website as well as update the website with local news and events. Or if you are interested in finding out what is happening in the community or information about a local service you can head to Shellharbour Connect to find out more.

Shellharbour Connect is our one stop shop for anything community related in Shellharbour. Head to www.shellharbourconnect.com.au and be surprised by everything that is happening and available in Shellharbour today!

You can also follow our mascot Djitty Djitty the Willy Wagtail on Facebook and Twitter to find out all the exciting adventures he gets up to!

If you want to find out more about how you can use Shellharbour Connect you can contact the Community & Cultural Life Team at Shellharbour City Council.

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Illawarra Interagency

What is the Illawarra Interagency?

The Illawarra Interagency provides a forum for service providers to build relationships and work collaboratively to improve outcomes for the Illawarra Community and is open to anyone with an interest in supporting the wellbeing of people who live, work or play in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama.

Come along to our next meeting on the 12th of June in Kiama or get in touch with the Community & Cultural Life Team at Shellharbour City Council to find out more!

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Community Transport Team

On April 10th Community Transport hosted a Team Cohesion Breakfast along with the HACC Staff in Centenary Hall. The combined meeting focused around the Shellharbour City Council’s value of “Safety” and “wanted behaviours” pertaining to this.

As part of the “safety value” in particular encouraging the HACC and Community Transport Teams to look at personal safety and wellbeing and to coincide with fitness week, Community Transport team member Carla Mete used her Fitness Trainer skills and encouraged everyone (including Melissa Boxall) to stretch and move and to increase their heart rate with a 20 minute workout. After the session, staff enjoyed a healthy and nutritious breakfast of muesli, cereals, fresh fruits, smoothies and a variety of toasts and croissants.

We did have a special guest also attend the morning; Djitty Djitty flew in and made an appearance, sitting on the CD to ensure the music created a peaceful atmosphere during Yoga.

Community Transport Wollongong Shellharbour Website Update

Last newsletter we reported that work had commenced on the CT:WS website, this work continues to happen and we are estimating that the website will be ready for launching in June this year. It is very exciting and lots of hard work has gone in it to ensure that it will be user friendly for all interested service users. Continue to watch this space for more progress updates!

National Volunteer Week: May 12th – 18th 2014. This year the theme is “Celebrate the Power of Volunteering” as is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of National Volunteer Week. This year, we consider what it means to be a volunteer and reflect on the ‘best bits’ of the last 25 years. Volunteers have a power in today’s society and a drive that enables them to make a true difference in the world – can you imagine what it would be like without them?

HACC Centre Team

Disability Strategic Plan Community Consultation

Shellharbour City Council held a Disability Strategic Plan Community Consultation on 31 March 2014. The consultations focused on access to information, physical environment and employment and whether individual needs are being met to enable full participation in activities, services and community life in the Shellharbour Local Government Area. 13 people attended the sessions.

A survey will be available in May- keep your eyes out! This survey will be available on the Shellharbour City Council website, Shellharbour Connect and Facebook.

Please contact Aged and Disability Services Shellharbour on 4257 9036 if you would like a copy emailed or posted to you.

We appreciate your participation in this survey to assist us in our aim of ensuring Shellharbour is an accessible city for all.

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Aged and Disability Services Shellharbour has joined the world of Facebook!

You can now find Aged and Disability Services Shellharbour on Facebook. Like our page to keep up to date on what is happening in our services as well as upcoming events throughout Shellharbour City Council and other sector information!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/shellharbourADS

Seniors Week 2014

Shellharbour City Council held their annual Seniors Week Photographic Competition from 18 – 21 March 2014. The theme of Seniors Week 2014 was Live Life and the theme of the photographic competition mirrored this. The event was successful with 41 photograph submissions!

Over 115 people walk through the exhibition whilst it was shown at the Shellharbour Village Exhibition Space to submit a vote for their favourite photograph as well as people engaging and liking their favourite photograph via Facebook.

We would like to congratulate everyone who participated in the competition and share a few images of the winning photos. We look forward to Seniors Week 2015 and seeing the next round of submissions.

Library and Museum TeamMovie Matinee at Albion Park Library

Albion Park Library will be showing the first of what we hope will be regular free screenings of movies at 1:00pm on Friday 23 May.

We will be showing the great Australian film ‘Sunday Too Far Away’. Winner of three Australian Film Institute awards, it was the first Australian film of the 1970’s to gain international acclaim.

Directed by Ken Hannam, the film stars Jack Thompson and Max Cullen.

Attendance is free so book your seats by ringing Albion Park Library on 4256 2001.

Community Connectionse-newsletter | Autumn 2014

Tongarra Museum

The museum has started interviewing local World War Two Anzacs as part of the digital stories project which aims to record the stories and experiences of Shellharbour’s surviving WWII service men and women. We have recorded the stories and experiences of 15 local Diggers who served in the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian and Merchant Navy, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and Occupational Forces. A further 6 Anzacs will be interviewed

in the coming weeks. Once we have completed the interviews work will commence on the development and production of the short digital films which will include both footage taken from second round interviews and re-enactments. The museum is working closely with Warilla and Albion Park RSL Sub Branches to develop this important project.

The museum hosted a historic sites bus tour of Shellharbour City during Seniors Week 2014. The tour visited over 50 sites of significance in the city and included stop offs at Wentworth Cottage Park and the old Minnamurra Schoolhouse in Dunmore.

Shellharbour’s local history blog is proving popular with over 1500 hits per month and shares on various social media sites including Facebook’s ‘Lost Wollongong’ page which has almost 10,000 followers. It is wonderful to see Shellharbour’s history is reaching such

Warilla Childcare Team

We have been very busy over the month of March and April 2014. We have had many events that we have celebrated with not only the children but their families and friends as well. It all started with St Patrick’s Day where we had a very green day from craft activities to food. We then celebrated the World’s Greatest Shave having a funky hair day on the 14 March.

We held a parent meet and greet where we spent time with the families

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a wide audience and our museum receiving such positive feedback. http://shellharbourlocalhistory.blogspot.com.au/

A student from the University of Wollongong is volunteering at the museum to develop her skills and gain experience working in the sector. Her projects include the digitisation of the council archives collection and the digitisation of over 4000 historic photographs for inclusion on the ‘Shellharbour Images’ database.

Recent restoration works of the Shellharbour Village War Memorial commissioned by Warilla RSL Sub Branch included the removal of damaged, fragile and at risk memorial panels commemorating WWI and WWII. Tongarra Museum is storing the original memorial panels as part of their collection, to ensure their survival for years to come.

and we educated them further on our programming, fees and getting to know their teachers.

Harmony Day was celebrated on 21 March 2014. A great show of families participated in the morning tea and celebrated the theme, ‘everyone belongs’. Rashmi an educator at the centre organised an art work exhibition and sold the children’s artwork to the families. This was a great way for the families and educators to appreciate the children’s work and then also a good little fundraiser for the service. We all enjoyed this and had parents and families involved in hand painting and play dough fun!

In April we had a fire truck visit from Shellharbour station and they educated the children on fire safety. As you can imagine, the children loved getting up into the fire truck and pretended to be firemen and firegirls! The children are still enjoying talking about this as Emma has

created a great display in the hallway for the children to reflect upon.

The children and their families participated in an Easter Hat Parade. We had almost every family come and watch their child participate. An Easter raffle was held to raise funds for the centre.

A morning tea took place on 24 April for the children who left the centre last year to journey onto big school. It was wonderful to hear their stories and how they are going.

We also have Kids Fest Week coming up and are planning on attending National Simultaneous Story Time at the library on the 21 May.

All the staff are doing a great job with running so many events and we are pleased to say that our parent participation has been wonderful and we are all enjoying time with not only the children but the families too!