Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Camden Haven Community College - RTO 90018

2022 - 2023

Annual Report

Table Of Contents

Vision & Mission Statement

President's Report

Manager's Report

Camden Head Pilot Station

Vision And Mission

Camden Haven Community College will continue to operate as a notfor-profit, community-based Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

It will provide equitable access to education and training through a diverse range of quality, professional, vocational, foundation and general learning opportunities that reflect the changing needs and interests of the Camden Haven and other communities.

The College will be managed in an ethical manner and integrate sustainability into training and facilities.

Vision Mission

To offer a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment in which individuals can achieve their potential

To be responsive to the community and provide education opportunities to satisfy its diverse needs and interests.

To provide direct relief of poverty, suffering, distress, misfortune, helplessness or disability in the community through training, education, advice and provision of other services which provide learning and development outcomes to enhance opportunities.

Testimonial

JUNE CLARKE - CERTIFICATE III IN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

I'm proud of the progress I've made towards my career goals! I've had previous experience in Aged Care, but I needed to update my certifications. Luckily, I stumbled upon a brochure that showcased an inspiring course, and I knew that I had to enrol. I met some wonderful new friends who encouraged me along the way Additionally, I had the support of some fantastic teachers from the college who are helping me complete the course I feel grateful for their guidance and believe that by finishing this course, I'll have a wider range of options available to me in the aged care and disability sector.

LAREN WALSH - SENIOR LEADER DUNDALOO ACTIVE

I am thrilled to share with you the success of Dundaloo Active's programs! Our focus on individualized support and community connection has led to some amazing accomplishments, including our collaboration with Camden Haven Community College We have now partnered with the College for two years to offer First Aid Courses to our participants. Thanks to their hard work twenty Dundaloo Active participants have complete their First Aid Course and obtain their certificates. The classes were not only informative but also engaging and fun, with lots of laughter and questions being asked. The highlight of the courses was seeing how proud each participant was upon receiving their certificates. It was a celebration of their hard work and achievement, with friends and family there to share in the moment. First Aid is such an important skill to have, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Camden Haven Community College to make it possible for our participants to gain their certificates. We highly recommend other services explore opportunities to collaborate with the College as well.

President's Report

SEPTEMBER 2023

At the 2022 Annual General Meeting the following were elected to the Management Committee

Cate Potts –President

Val Evans – Deputy President

Bill Watson – Secretary

Bruce Dunlop – Treasurer

Merrilyn Cahill – Committee Member

Joneen Troup – Committee Member

Joan Otley - Life Member (awarded September 2020)

The Committee met six times

COLLEGE NEWS

The College has enjoyed a productive year after the disruption of COVID Trainers have worked hard to provide a warm and inclusive learning environment where everyone can learn, discover and reach their full potential. It is a delight to see students engaged in nationally accredited training leading to meaningful and secure employment, making a real difference in our communities and the lives of others It is also wonderful to welcome back so many other students to our different training venues as they learn new life skills and make new friends

The testimonials in this and other College publications talk to the diversity of our communities After a period when we were restricted to online learning it is fantastic to see our trainers back in action using all the resources available to deliver exceptional student focussed training

STAFF

The College has seen a number of staff changes again this year Mikaela, our Lifestyle administrator, commenced maternity leave in March and our long time VET administrator Sally commenced long service leave shortly after Our College Manager, Gilly, had the pleasure of recruiting to these positions and we have found some wonderful talent to ensure our training facilities at Laurieton and Taree continue to be welcoming, efficient and professionally managed Gilly has brought strong leadership to the College, including staff recruitment and development She works closely with the Training Manager, Committee and her Community College colleagues to bring fresh ideas to the College and I’m so pleased that she has settled well into the manager ’ s role

Adult education is a complex environment with accountability and governance a key focus It is good to know we have a team who can meet the need’s of government and governing bodies whilst supporting the needs of students.

President’s Report

CONTINUED

COMMITTEE

This has been a busy year for the College and as President I have taken great interest in our challenges and success. I would like to thank all the Committee members for their hard work and wise counsel throughout with special thanks to our Vice President Val and Treasurer, Bruce. Both bring knowledge and experience to the College providing ongoing practical support

We have welcomed two new Committee members this year Former College Manager Joneen Troup joined the Committee at our last AGM: her breadth of knowledge and experience after managing the College for so long are invaluable Ex school principal and local resident Tony Denzel took up his position in January and brings a solid background in education and a different perspective to the work of our College

Sadly, we have said goodbye to our Secretary and long serving Committee member, Bill Watson. Bill left the Committee due to personal circumstances in late 2022 His contribution over many years is a great legacy and I would like to thank him formally for his contribution.

Serving as part of the College Management Committee is a privilege. To serve as President has been an honour but after two years, I feel there are others more suited to the role. I will continue to serve as a Committee member but will hand the baton of President over at the AGM I look forward to working closely with the new President to ensure our College continues to be a vibrant place of learning and an asset to our communities

Cate Potts President

Manager's Report

SEPTEMBER 2023

INTRODUCTION

At the end of my first full financial year as Manager of the College I am in awe of our communities and what they have achieved. As we emerged from the challenges of Covid, students from all walks of life have returned to the College to embark on vocational education and general interest courses. It is a delight to share in achievements big and small and lend a helping hand along the way

THE YEAR SUMMARY

Our success comes from a wonderful team or trainers and administration staff who provide student focussed training and wrap around support There are many highlights for the year including:

New team members who have seamlessly fit in with our existing staff

Trainers who have demonstrated great flexibility and professionalism whilst delivering best practice training

Dedicated Committee who have embraced new members and supported new ideas throughout the year

Improved service provision for the Manning Valley community with provision of additional lifestyle courses and access to administration staff

Improved simulated training resources replicating the workplace increasing our ability to conduct assessment of the performance criteria on site for many of the units of competency we deliver

Introduction of Mental Health First Aid training in Taree

Increased and varied ACE training delivery to the Indigenous community in Kempsey

Ongoing support from the Department of Education for both ACE and Smart and Skilled funded training

Secure government funding

Continued high employment outcomes for our VET courses

Increased accredited Vocational Education and Training

Positive student feedback

Continuing support from our peak body Community Colleges Australia (CCA)

Enhancements to our community garden in Laurieton

Manager's Report CONTINUED

PARTICIPATION

We saw a 30% increase in student numbers this year with 1057 students participating in training It has been heartening to see students return to the College with confidence as we learned to live with Covid. Access to fee-free training has been an important factor in participation as people engage in new employment and upskill to improve their current prospects.

Of our 1809 enrolments, 1056 were in VET courses, and 867 were accredited, a significant boost to skills in Camden Haven and Manning Valley. Our focus remains on aging, disability, and in-home care Many students have completed CHC33015 (now CHC 33021) Certificate III in Individual Support, invariably securing employment before studies have been completed. Many former students have gone on to complete their Certificate IV in their chosen specialty making a real difference in the quality of care offered in the area. All students are encouraged to participate in Foundation Skills (language, literacy, and numeracy) which is integrated into their vocational training. Our Foundation Skills training is also available as a stand-alone option for many students. Both our Mental Health First Aid and Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid courses have been popular throughout the year. All College staff have participated, and we are well-placed to meet the needs of our college community. Additional skills in foot care, medication management, and first aid have been important features of our vocational training

State and Federal Governments continue their commitment to supporting vocational education with fee-free opportunities for training in many targeted industries. This has included aged/disability care and business studies. We maintain close relationships with Industry ensuring students have access to meaningful placements and that industry has the workforce it needs.

Students find our training accessible, informative, and supportive. Our Tech Savvy Seniors program continues to be popular at both Taree and Laurieton. By term four we had exhausted our allocation and have welcomed additional funding for the 23/24 financial year. Our Lifestyle training has continued to be popular with new courses added at Taree and Laurieton. We are keen to add more outdoor activities encouraging active lifestyles.

Manager's Report

CONTINUED

NSW GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED TRAINING ACE PROGRAM

Our ACE program has supported mostly disadvantaged participants in nationally accredited training Working within the ACE guidelines, we have also supported many regional students with vocational training and provided non-accredited opportunities for both.

We exceeded our targets and hope to see many students continue their learning journey with us. We are looking forward to another successful year supporting those in the community who need us most. The support from the ACE team in the Department has been exceptional this year and we were delighted to welcome them to the College.

SMART AND SKILLED PROGRAM

All students who participated in the NSW Government Smart & Skilled program through our college qualified for fee-free training as part of the state and federal government's ongoing response to the pandemic Our highest activity was in CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (which transitioned to CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support during the year)

We were able to offer a number of CHC Certificate IV courses to students fee free which was welcomed by students and industry. Upskilling the aged care and disability sectors in our area is vital and the provision of fee-free training has made this possible.

Enrolment of Trainees has been strong, particularly in the Manning Valley area. We have worked closely with aged care and disability providers to support their trainees through their studies, adapting our training schedules to meet the needs of the industry. A small number of school based trainees have been supported by the College at both campuses Support from the Department has been critical to our success.

Manager's Report CONTINUED

THE COMMITTEE

Camden Haven Community College Inc is governed by a dedicated volunteer Committee, the governing body of the Association. Cate Potts was elected President for the second year at the last AGM. Cate is an inclusive leader and has brought out the best in all members.

The Committee undertook a Board Health Check through Tanarra Philanthropic Advisors which has informed some of the Committee’s work in recent months. The Committee has embraced two new members, endorsed a revised strategic plan, and provided wise counsel to College management. Cate and the Committee are always available for advice, provide excellent governance and add great value to the College.

Sadly, we have said goodbye to Bill Watson who stood down due to personal reasons. Bill is missed as our Secretary and one of our most experienced members. We have welcomed Joneen Troup and Tony Denzel as new members. Joneen’s vast experience as our previous manager is such an asset whilst Tony’s educational background and local knowledge adds depth to the team. Our Committee understands the College and our communities. They bring knowledge, passion, and wisdom to their role and are great advocates for our work.

Manager's Report

THE TEAM

I am fortunate to work with an incredible team who are dedicated to helping others achieve their goals. Even though we experienced some personnel changes this year, our passion for providing exceptional training and learning opportunities has remained the same.

Our vocational trainers bring their vast industry experience to guide our students through their courses, and they understand that practical experience and anecdotes are essential for students to learn effectively. Our trainers provide additional support, recognising the unique needs of each student, and encouraging them to persevere.

Our lifestyle trainers are equally adaptive and inclusive, enriching the lives of the students they work with.

This year, we said goodbye to Sally, as she commenced long service leave, and Mikaela, who took maternity leave. We welcomed Dianne, Kylie, and Kit to the College. Dianne manages the lifestyle program and is the face of the College in Taree. Jennifer and Kylie job-share the VET administration position, with Jennifer being new to the College last year. Kit, our trainee, has taken over Jennifer's previous role and is now responsible for reception and our lifestyle courses. Each member of our team brings exceptional technical skills to the College, but it is their empathy and humanity that creates a welcoming environment for every student who walks through our doors.

Gilly Paxton, Manager September 2023

Camden Head Pilot Station

SEPTEMBER 2023

MAINTENANCE

Ongoing maintenance work at the Pilot Station has made a significant difference, both inside and out Contractor changes have reduced the number of maintenance call outs, great for finances and great for our guests. We've made a few improvements inside the house, replacing the fridge, and thanks to a generous donation from Laurieton Public School, we now have a brand-new whiteboard. We've also replaced the old, heavy trestle tables with something much more functional. Outside, the grounds are looking magnificent and we look forward to welcoming many more guests as spring approaches.

ACCOMMODATION

July 2022 to June 2023 the occupancy rate was as follows

Total occupancy days 287 as opposed to 231 for the previous year Figures show the Pilot Station had an occupancy of 78%. Bookings have been strong throughout the year with regular guests opting for long stays. We have noticed a drop in bookings in late Autumn and into Winter much like pre-covid bookings.

FINANCES

We have seen a substantial rise in insurance, utilities and the cost of trades this financial year and are navigating much smaller margins. We will be increasing our rates to reflect GDP and are looking for creative revenues that have minimal impact on the Cottage itself.

Camden Head Pilot Station CONTINUED

EDUCATION

Donna Rawlins and Simon French held a wonderful full-day children’s workshop in late June in the Boatshed which gained rave reviews from local participants. This was a joint Pilot Station Laurieton and North Haven Public School holiday event attended by 18 children.

Our annual art and photography resident Diane Goodman now has a wonderful cohort of local budding artists and photographers that have sold out all her workshops during this year's stay

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Our collaboration with both the Birpai and Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Councils are still strong. We are now working closely with the historical society since they have had a committee shuffle and we now share Pam who plays active roles in investigative maritime research for both organisations.

www.reallygreatsite.com

ENVIRONMENT

Landcare has continued at the Pilot Station. We have had a shuffle since the last financial year losing two volunteers but luckily gaining three more before the end of the financial year. Ian as always is leading the group and we have the new addition of Max who is young and able and Dave and Julie Dave and Julie spend an hour doing Landcare each Tuesday, whereas Max and Ian do up to three hours. The increase in time and volunteer numbers has made a huge difference in eradicating weed infestation. So much so we have a large planting scheduled to ensure good native recruitment in areas cleared of weeds. The boys have also completed the natural fence on the headland boundary.

We have been collaborating with Council and National Parks to stop the illegal removal of trees that has been a problem on our easement.

THANKS

In finalising this report I would like to thank volunteers Ian, Pam, Max, Dave, Julie and Peter for their work and support. Sally, Mikaela, Jen, Kylie, Kit and Gilly for their continued support and assistance I would like to acknowledge the support of the Management Committee.

Hayley Proudfoot Manager Camden Head Pilot Station