Carolyn is responsible for the coordination of the Community Facilities and Access Team.

This includes related projects, planning for the management of existing, and provision of new community facilities and providing a supportive environment to help the team achieve its goals.

Both Jenny and Peter have a wealth of knowledge about Hobsons Bay's community facilities and the local area in general. 

They are an important resource and points of contact for our local services - particularly in relation to the obligations facility managers have to the Council under the terms of their leases and licences.

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Georgia coordinates an annual program of audits on soil and playgrounds in Hobsons Bay's early years services to ensure they remain compliant with regulations. 

Georgia also coordinates some works to our facilities and assists with the organisation of the Kindergarten Consultative Committee.

Cheryl receives, processes and allocates all applications for four year old kindergarten places in Hobsons Bay. Cheryl provides a vital link between families and kindergartens, keeping everybody informed about where children will be attending kinder and what vacancies are available in the area.

Cheryl also undertakes some community outreach, to ensure that diverse communities in Hobsons Bay are informed about the process for enrolling children in kindergarten.

Adrian is responsible for the coordination and strategic implementation of the Laverton Community Renewal Project.

The Community Renewal Project is a whole of government response to identified social disadvantage in Laverton and aims to deliver on the actions identified in the Laverton Community Action Plan 2006-2015.

Adrian also facilitates the Laverton Cross Directorate Group, the Laverton Strategic Partnership Group and helps support the Laverton Action Group.

Lyndsay is responsible for the coordination of, and support to, the Laverton Community Renewal team.

Lyndsay's main focus is on the planning and implementation of actions relating to health and wellbeing and engaging the local community in the process of community renewal.

She facilitates the Laverton Train Station Task Force, The Laverton Arts and Culture Forum and the Laverton Health and Wellbeing Working Group. Lyndsay also manages the work of the Laverton Youth Foundation Project.

Anne works with local employment service providers, TAFE and registered training organisations to identify training and employment opportunities for Laverton residents. This includes discussions with employers regarding their employment needs and providing residents with information on available opportunities such as the Productivity Places Program and Skills Store.

Anne also assists the Around Laverton community newspaper in developing a business plan and training package aimed at upskilling current volunteers and attracting new volunteers from the local school and community.

Pat helps to resource project activities and events for Laverton with particular emphasis on communications. She coordinates a newsletter every two months for all residents of Laverton

Pat also provides support to all members of the Community Renewal team and co-located services at the Portable, 8 Donald Street Laverton.

Eliza coordinates the Laverton Women's Network which primarily provides a range of programs, activities and events for the women of Laverton. 

Our programs currently include a weekly coffee and craft group, monthly book club, free book exchange and coming up in 2009 are cooking classes, a return to work forum and the Laverton Choir.

Margaret is the Coordinator of Seabrook Community Centre. The centre is home to the Seabrook Kindergarten, a Maternal and Child Health Nurse and the Seabrook Playgroup. It also hosts fortnightly immunisation sessions, along with other regular services.

The centre has an exciting new program starting soon,  Living Green in Hobsons Bay. This is an opportunity for people to attend free sustainability workshops or become active ambassadors for sustainability in their community. Visit Seabrook Community Centre for more information.

If you made a new year’s resolution to do something new, different and affordable, why not do a course, class or activity at one of Hobsons Bay's nine Community Centres?

Find out more about neighbourhood houses and what's on this year.

Find out what's been happening in Laverton. Download the latest edition of Laverton Renewal News.

Workshops and Ambassador Program.
If you are passionate about the environment and want to change things at home or in the community, this could be the opportunity you are looking for.

The Council and the National Centre for Sustainability at Swinburne University is running an environmental ambassador program and a series of workshops aimed at encouraging environmentally friendly lifestyles.

For more information about these programs download the Living Green in Hobsons Bay information flyer [PDF 948KB] or call Seabrook Community Centre on tel: 9395 3010.

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.
Grants of up to $5000 are now available to help not-for-profit groups attract new volunteers and increase the diversity of their volunteers. The grants are aimed at organisations wanting to increase the diversity of their volunteers and/or involve or encourage new volunteers. Preference will be given to organisations with relatively small operating budgets.

To apply visit the Department of Planning and Community Development or call the Grants Information Line on tel: 1300 366 356. For more information contact Gerard Clark on tel: 9208 3386 or email: gerard.clark@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Round one of the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (CIIF) program is now open for applications.

Victorian government departments and agencies, industry bodies, local governments, community organisations and business groups are all encouraged to apply for funding. Projects must be collaborative and involve multiple partners or organisations working together.

Funding application forms, program guidelines, public information session dates and how to register are available online, visit Multimedia Victoria. For more information email: ciif@diird.vic.gov.au

Doing IT Better is a three year project to build information and communications technology (ICT) capacity in the Victorian community services sector.

Community service organisations, like government and commercial organisations, are now dependent on ICT systems to support basic organisational functions and service delivery. However limited financial resources and a shortage of ICT skills and know-how in the sector have left most agencies struggling.

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This short forum will provide participants with an understanding of the Muslim community and barriers which prevent service access. The forum will include an overview of Islam, understanding the myths and misconceptions regarding the Muslim community in Australia, customs and cultural expectations, improving cultural sensitivity and provide an overview of resources available.

When: Tuesday, 10th March 2009, 10.00am-12.00pm
Where: Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Studio Room, Corner of Bell Street and St George's Road, Preston
Cost: $55 per person
Web: www.prioletticonsultants.com.au

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.

Find out more about how you can help support people affected by the Victorian Bushfires.