This new publication is part of the Council’s commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and is the new communication tool to link the Council’s Neighbourhood Development team to the community.

Formerly known as the Vol-e News, Community News provides news, information, resources, tools and opportunities to support and strengthen the work of community groups in Hobsons Bay.

I welcome you to the first edition and I hope that you find it both useful and informative. Please forward it on to to your colleagues and invite them to subscribe.

Danny Colgan
Manager Community Development

Danny is responsible for the Community Development Department. Danny provides input into the Council’s future direction and leads the future planning activities of the department.

Danny oversees the delivery of all of the activities of the department and provides support and guidance to staff members.

Robert is responsible for the coordination and support of the Neighbourhood Development Team.

This includes related projects, planning, the development of new community based projects in the sector and ensuring that the outcomes of the unit are completed in accordance with the unit's set objectives.

Tamara provides support, advice and assistance to local community centres and the Hobsons Bay Interagency Network.

The nine community centres in Hobsons Bay offer more than 500 different programs and activities including computer training, English as a Second Language (ESL), book-keeping, art, crafts, fitness, well-being, leisure and recreation programs and much more. The centres also have great meeting or function rooms, some have gallery and exhibition spaces and some centres run on-site childcare.

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Mirjana’s role is to work with and support culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Hobsons Bay. Her primary responsibility is to develop and implement strategies to better meet the needs of people from CALD communities living in the area.

Part of her role involves developing and maintaining effective communication between the Council and the multicultural communities including facilitation of the Multicultural Advisory Group.

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The Volition project aims to link community organisations and businesses through participation in joint projects. The benefits for community organisations include getting access to a range of skills and resources that otherwise may not be available and increased networks with local business.

For a business, getting involved with their local community can lead to an enhanced brand image, making the company more attractive to potential employees. For more information email: commdev@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

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If your community group would like training, assistance with funding, developing and implementing marketing plans, or developing program or project ideas contact Krystyna on tel: 9932 1001 or email: commdev@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Look out for the new look Annual Volunteer Recognition Event which will be held next year as part of Volunteer Week. The program is currently being developed through the community committee for May 2009. 

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Lisa Travers coordinates the Council’s community grants program and provides funding advice, assistance and support to local community groups and organisations.

Each year via the community grants program, the Council provides financial assistance to local community groups for activities and projects that meet the needs of the community.

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Seabrook Community Centre offers a range of programs and groups as well as a hall for community hire. The centre is currently managed by the Council and has a focus on being environmentally friendly and reducing energy consumption.

For further details and upcoming events at the centre visit www.seabrookcc.com.au.

Seabrook Community Centre, 15 Truganina Avenue, Seabrook
Email: admin@seabrookcc.com.au
Tel: 9395 3010

Althea provides administration support to the Community Development team.

You’ve probably heard Althea’s voice at the end of the phone when you’ve called our department. 

Jamie is the newest addition to our team.

Jamie also provides administration support to the Community Development team.

Wade Noonan MP had a shot at tennis at the re-opening of the Brooklyn Tennis Club on Friday, 31 October. The club has been given a new lease of life thanks to funding and community grants from state government and the Council, following the threat of closure over a year ago due to the severe drought.

It was a happy day for the club members who saw their club come back to life. It even rained at the launch!

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The winners of the Hobsons Bay 2008 Volunteer Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 23rd October.

The awards recognise individuals, organisations and groups that have made Hobsons Bay a better place thanks to their voluntary contributions. Find out who won this year.

Nominations for the Council's Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards are open until 5th December.

The Council held a grants information session in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) on Monday, 10th November at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.

The event aimed to provide participants with information about the upcoming VMC community grants and was sponsored by Toyota Community Spirit.

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On Saturday, 25th October, Seabrook Community Centre opened its doors to the community for a family event offering environmental information from local businesses, as well as some great giveaways.

The event was held to launch the centre as an eco-living display hub in the west, and to promote some upcoming, free 'Living Green in Hobsons Bay' workshops in 2009.

If you are interested in the workshops or keeping up to date with what’s on at the centre email: admin@seabrookcc.com.au

The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) has launched PilchConnect, a free legal service to benefit Victoria’s estimated 120,000 not-for-profit community groups.

PilchConnect will harness the pro bono power of Australia’s leading law firms and provide not-for-profit organisations with free and timely advice specifically tailored to their needs.

PILCH is an independent not-for-profit organisation committed to furthering the public interest, improving access to justice and protecting human rights. 

Volunteer West is small and relatively new organisation passionate about promoting and enabling volunteering. Volunteers are at the heart of our community – building friendships, helping those in need, sharing skills and making the community a better place.

Volunteer West works across the western region of Melbourne, undertaking a range of activities including:

• Promoting volunteering
• Successfully matching people and volunteer opportunities
• Providing training and support to volunteer coordinators and organisations that involve volunteers.

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Do you ever get the feeling that no-one wants to volunteer anymore? Or is it that volunteers are more aware, better educated and busier than ever? 

If your group is having problems recruiting new committee members, be assured that this is a common challenge faced by many groups. When recruiting for your committee the best way to get volunteers is to ask them! 

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The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has hundreds of volunteers training by Al Gore to give presentations about climate change.

Contact the ACF if you, your colleagues, volunteers or clients would be interested in organising a climate change presentation.

The ACF also has really comprehensive information about how you can reduce your carbon footprint at home. Visit www.acfonline.org.au for more information.

Ever wondered how many people in Australia give up some of their time to help others?

• More than 5.4 million adults (34 per cent of the population) do voluntary work each year*
• Volunteering continues to grow – in 1995 24 per cent of the population volunteered, in 2000 32 per cent and 2006 per cent*
• Volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours annually*
• 136 hours per year is the average amount of time spent volunteering*
• The estimated value of volunteering to the economy in 2006 was $70 billion per annum, up from $42 billion in 2000^
  

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If you require information in languages other than English, Council staff members can provide assistance. Call tel: 131 450 and ask to be connected to Hobsons Bay City Council.

If you've got an event coming up that you'd like to promote to the community, it's easy to add it to the Council's online events calendar.

Recently the Australian Red Cross was able to recruit a number of volunteers with language skills by sending information about their volunteer needs to community organisations – this was presented at committee meetings and resulted in a number of new volunteers.

For contact details of community groups in Hobsons Bay contact Mirjana on tel: 9932 1001. Visit the Multicultural Resource Directory for details of statewide groups.