2021
STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH COVID
Con ne c t i n g Pe ople C r eat i n g O pp or t u n it y C h a l le n g i n g D i s adv a nt a ge
Mission Successfully work with the community of Carlton and surrounding areas to connect people, create opportunity, promote equity and challenge disadvantage.
Vision Carlton will be a community that connects people, creates opportunities and challenges disadvantage.
Who we are CNLC is your local Neighbourhood House, Learn Local provider and Registered Training Organisation.
Values Belonging
We foster a welcoming and safe environment.
Respect
We value and respect each other, our diverse communities and the heritage of our organisation.
Responsiveness
We anticipate and respond to the changing needs of our communities.
Innovation
We look for new, better and more sustainable ways to do what we do.
Resilience
We apply experience, learning and support to meet the challenges that arise.
Integrity
We are professional, transparent and accountable.
Contents Mission, Vision, Who we are and Values
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Organisational Chart
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Committee of Governance, Staff, Volunteers and Contractors
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Chair's Report
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Executive Officer’s Report
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Highlights
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Further Education Report
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Further Education Programs
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Community Development Report
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Community Development Programs
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CNLC Demographics
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Financial Report
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CNLC would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians on the land on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We look forward to the appropriate recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ sovereignty.
Cover Image: Students learning digital literacy skills with teacher Amelia Bottom row left to right — Sau, Marian, and Asha Top row — Thanh and Amelia Design Credit: Report designed by Michelle Wallace wallacecreative.com.au
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Organisational Chart Committee of Governance
STAKEHOLDERS PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS
Executive Officer
Finance Manager and Student Records Administrator
Further Education Manager
Assistant Further Education Coordinator
Teaching Team
Community Development Manager
Admin Officer
CARLTON (AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS) COMMUNITY
Community Programs Staff
Capacity Building Team
Committee of Governance, Staff, Volunteers and Contractors 1 January to 31 December 2021 CNLC Inc Committee of Governance
Management and Administration staff
Chairperson
Denise Patience
Executive Officer Linda Perugini
Secretary
Karen West
Further Education Manager Sarah Deasey
Treasurer
Carlo Zabotto
Community Development Manager Elle Morrell
General Members Mardi Trompf (until May 2021) Indya McMahon (until May 2021)
Administration Officer Chika Jones Finance Manager and Student Records Administrator Sara Ramirez
Leanne O’Donnell
Assistant Further Education Coordinator Fiona Norquay
Nicholas Manuelpillai (until November 2021)
Cleaner Sahra Aden
Campbell Jones (from August 2021)
Community Programs staff
Tamara Abraham (from August 2021) Joshua Parrott (from September 2021)
Alive and Active Tutor Laura Stevenson and Jaime Montenegro
Stephanus Hieronymus (from September 2021)
Thursday Cook Fozia Ibrahim Writing Classes Tutor Tania Chandler
Committee of Governance members and Executive Officer Top row left to right — Denise Patience, Linda Perugini, Joshua Parrott. Middle row left to right — Carlo Zabotto, Tamara Abraham, Leanne O’Donnell. Bottom row left to right — Campbell Jones, Stephanus Hieronymus, Nicholas Manuelpillai Opposite Page: Paper mache dragon at CNLC’s Lunar New Year celebration A n nua l Repor t 2021 ǀ Stay i ng Con nec ted t h roug h COV I D
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Capacity Building Team
Classroom Volunteers
Community Development Worker Panayota Miller
Ann Cook, Can Nguyen, Carolyn Anderson, Jaime Montenegro, Margaret Finger, Toni Lechte
Community Development Officer Ayah Mohammed Make it Work Officer Millicent Rees-Jones
Digital Mentor Volunteers
Make it Work Business Engagement Contractor Phillip Mansour
Alice Garner, Dhruv Sharma, Ellen Von Holstein, Erin Seymour, Jahnri Sapara, Meggie Fon Li, Nicky Duffy, Olivia Jackson, Samantha Floreani, Sonia Kaushik, Zam Zam Aden
Digital Mentor Project Officer Mona Aden
Digital Mentee Volunteers
CNLC Farmer Michelle Twyford
Almaz Desta, Aisha Saleh, John Basilious, Mariam Hussein, Mujib Mahmodi, Nagwa Hazma, Najma Maji, Orit Abbass, Sadio Ali, Tewelde Kidane, Yeshi Weldhiwoth.
Reconnect Caseworker and Student Services Nesrin Idris
Further Education Teachers Bronwen Barton Denise Collin AnneLouise Farren Ana Ibanez Freya Merrick dos Santos Fiona Norquay Millicent Rees Jones Oenone Serle Catriona Taylor Amelia Trompf Narelle White Michael Chalk
Volunteers Volunteer Coordinator Tahera Rashedi Volunteer Tutors Dorothy Le Claire, Essie Marendy, Eve Recht, Katya Gage, Linno Rhodes, Peter Tilley, Spencer Beedle-Moulding General Volunteers Angkana Turner, Dorothy LeClaire, Johnny Tuosto, Mickey Monteiro, Peter Cortez
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Garden and Chicken Minder Volunteers Ahmed Sayed, Alexander Altis, Cristina Gebhardt, Jaime Montenegro, Jess Kershaw, Lewis Boyes, Jess Lucas, Lydia Ruschena, Mark Furlong, Nick Sorenson, Raylyn Fonseca, Fred Van’t Sand, Gabby Janson,Ben Atkinson, Jennifer Nicholls, Olivia Dun, Maureen Dillon, Jessica Doyle, Carolyn Anderson, Egle Juskevicivte, Allegra McCormack Kitchen Volunteers Angkana Turner Community Development Volunteers Chloe Rush
Organisational contractors ICT contractor Sam Rhouila — Hiquest Accountant Robert Pisano — RFP Business Services Business Administration — Kathy McLinden, KM2 Consulting Consultant for Further Education — Pauline Wilson ICT Consultant — Michael Chalk Chef for Cooking for Home and Community — Natalie Aboud RTO Consultant — Bernadette Delaney
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Staff Farewells Panayota Miller In 2021 Panayota retired from CNLC after over 20 years working tirelessly for the CNLC community. As a long term English as an Additional Language teacher, Panayota demonstrated her commitment to supporting our EAL students above and beyond teaching English. Recognising her passion and talent for caring for people she was employed as a community development officer. In this role she pioneered CNLC’s student services program assisting students with vital needs such as resolving housing, centrelink and bill debt challenges. She also assisted many students with applying and studying for citizenship as well as helping to furnish and clothe many of our students in crisis. Panayota will also be remembered for her wonderful sharing of food, gardening support and ability to bring people together through organizing family outings and camps. She helped to organize CNLC events such as International Women’s Day, Eid and graduation. Panayota’s warm and endless generosity made her a valued member of staff. While still involved in CNLC in retirement Panayota is missed every day.
Ayah Mohammed Ayah helped open the doors in 2019 to CNLC’s new Open Door hub at the Carlton housing estate and made everyone feel welcome who attended. Her role included finding people work and training as well as responding to their immediate needs. She spent a lot of time resolving resident’s issues with housing and navigating the difficult Centrelink system. With her lived experience she was compassionate and skilled in supporting our community. Many clients commented that they were so happy to be helped by someone that looked like them and they appreciated her dedication and kindness. She worked tirelessly to meet client needs and contributed to the community development team enormously. She has moved on to a great job with Save the Children and we wish her all the luck for the future.
Ayah Mohammed Narelle White Narelle commenced at CNLC in April 2019, teaching in our Certificate III in EAL course. Like many of our EAL teachers Narelle brought a wealth of experience from working in other fields and disciplines; in her case tertiary research and fine arts. Narelle ran a varied student centred program, throughout the changes and challenges of remote learning in 2020 and 2021. Thank you and good luck Narelle in your work in the Arts.
Panayota planting her farewell gift for CNLC — a beautiful lemon tree
FE teachers farewell event for Narelle
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Chair's Report Denise Patience The past year has seemed like CNLC was in a holding pattern in an airplane, waiting for the signal to land, and the main aims of the Committee of Governance (CoG) were to make sure we could keep aloft, be ready to land at any time, and then be able to hit the ground running as soon as we landed, thus keeping continuity with the many services available to our community. Consequently, one of CoG’s main focuses was on the security of financial resources. Although we had been able to receive financial support via Job Keeper, that was to end early in 2021, and we were not sure what lay ahead on our journey, or for how long we would need to last. In March, we formed a Finance Sub-committee to oversee and monitor the many external changes that were occurring with government subsidies and support, as well as with our changing education programs. Carlo
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Zabotto chairs this sub-committee, and he and Finance Manager Sara Ramirez worked together diligently to make sure we all knew how much ‘fuel’ we had. Thanks also to Nick Manuelpillai for his valuable contribution to this sub-committee. We were fortunate to receive financial support via the Victorian State Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions’ Business Costs Assistance Program which enabled us to keep our programs running – albeit often in a different mode of delivery – and our staff employed. We ended the year with a budget surplus which is enabling us to undertake further improvements on the House. This funding complemented other much-needed and appreciated funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments, local Councils, training organisations and various grant organisations.
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Secretary Karen West, and Treasurer Carlo Zabotto, for their ongoing support and expertise. Karen and Carlo have been Committee members for over three years, a testament in itself to their commitment to the organisation. Other areas of work for the Committee during the year have been our continuing review of Policies, and refining of our Auspice Agreements, specifically those with the Carlton Football Academy, the Eritrean Women’s Group and the Harari Women’s Group. Our Executive Officer, Linda Perugini, has continued to pilot us all safely through another COVID year, supported by her dedicated staff and committed volunteers. The relationship between the EO and CoG has continued to strengthen over the past twelve months, and I know that I speak for everyone when I say that we are all ready and well-prepared for a smooth landing as soon as clearance is given!
Denise giving a thank you speech to staff, students, and volunteers at the end of year party with Linda We had a ‘crew change’ mid-year. Although Indya Mc Mahon, Mardi Trompf and Alberta (Bertie) Grey left the Committee, all three continued to contribute after having left: Indya and Bertie assisted with the submissions for the Reconciliation Action Plan, and Mardi with the design of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan to assist us with measuring the impact of our programs. Nick Manuelpillai left at the end of the year, having been transferred interstate for work. Thank you all for your support and dedication whilst with CNLC. Four additional crew members came on board around June: Tamara Abraham, Campbell Jones, Stephanus Hieronymus, and Joshua Parrott. They brought with them a wide variety of skills and experience, and have already settled into their roles. You can read more about their expertise, and that of the other members of CoG on www.cnlc.org.au. I would like to thank the new members, as well as Leanne O’Donnell, Nick Manuelpillai,
I speak for everyone when I say that we are all ready and wellprepared for a smooth landing as soon as clearance is given!
Denise, Linda, and Mayor of City Yarra — Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, at the International Women’s Day event
— Denise Patience
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Executive Officer’s Report Linda Perugini It’s a challenge to write about 2021 because in many ways it felt like a repeat of 2020. Sometimes it felt harder because we had all so hoped to put the pandemic behind us and return to some sort of normality. In spite of this “pandemic fatigue” we did become better at adapting to the uncertainties involved. We were able to utilise a lot of things we’d learnt in 2020, so that 2021 ran somewhat more smoothly in terms of closing and re-opening the centre, and adjusting our delivery of programs accordingly. Although we made these adjustments as smoothly as possible, and many of us had become used to working from home, it was really great to get some decent periods of face-to-face time while they lasted. There’s nothing quite like being together at the centre, experiencing and building our community in a shared space. I’m hopeful that it will continue. I am constantly in awe of the dedication of CNLC’s staff, volunteers and participants, and their resilience in the face of adversity. It takes a strong community, and a supportive culture, to keep on thriving and moving forward when faced with so many challenges. Although the relentless covid setbacks impacted the way we worked day-to-day, we never stopped thinking about the long-term aspirations of the organisation, and setting plans for our future.
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Committee of Management and Senior Management Strategic Planning session with Sally Basser from NFP Success One way we took advantage of the closures was to give the centre a much needed makeover. After a tough 2020 we wanted to welcome our community back to a fresh and light CNLC. Due to some unstable brick walls, this turned out to be no small job — we needed a mini-renovation before we could do the makeover. So huge thanks to all involved. It was great to welcome the students back to the freshly painted and carpeted space, and to hear their comments about how lovely the place looked. Commencing work on CNLC’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was significant for the organisation. Embarking on our RAP journey is an important part of our work toward reconciliation, and an opportunity to celebrate
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It takes a strong community, and a supportive culture, to keep on thriving and moving forward when faced with so many challenges.
I hope we can move into the coming years having learnt integral things about how society can create a more equal footing for all. About how to communicate and provide services that are inclusive, appropriate, and accessible. Huge thanks to all the Neighbourhood Houses in our network, the local Councils, peak bodies, and Carlton Community Network agencies. Working alongside all of you in these challenging times has been a privilege.
— Linda Perugini
and learn more about the culture and identity of First Nations people and their knowledge of the Wurundjeri land where we live, learn and work. Partnerships were a strong focus in 2021, which strengthened our work and outcomes. The signing of the Carlton Collaboration MoU between University of Melbourne, City of Melbourne, and Carlton Community Network (of which CNLC is the representative) illustrated our strong commitment to work together to improve outcomes in education, employment, well-being, and digital inclusion for the Carlton community. Working with Our Place on an English through cooking program was an exciting addition to our pre-accredited repertoire, and I look forward to implementing more programs together, informed by community needs and interests. The Reconnect program, in partnership with Carringbush Adult Education, was another valuable addition to CNLC which has enabled us to provide in-depth casework for clients to assist them with their pathways to study and work. During the second half of 2021, as COVID-19 vaccinations became widely available to Victorians, CNLC began focusing on how we could best assist people to access all the information and resources available. Disseminating health messages to vulnerable community members continued to be a challenge, particularly for those people for whom English is not their first language. I applaud cohealth for their responsive actions, providing marvelous bi-cultural workers who assisted not only community members, but also agencies like ours to deliver key messages. This helped us to provide a safe learning environment and get back to face-to-face participation. Although new digital literacy skills had been gained in 2020, the impact of the digital divide still remained enormous in 2021, and should not be forgotten with the return to normality. Many families still have no device to use in their home, or no Wi-Fi to keep them connected, greatly increasing their risk of becoming more isolated, and more vulnerable. It is high time that affordable WiFi becomes a priority for Government, and I praise the Community Agencies for Digital Inclusion group for the advocacy work they are doing.
Operations team right to left Chika Jones, Sara Ramirez, Elle Morrell, Linda Perugini, Sarah Deasey To the Ops team, Elle Morrell, Sarah Deasey, Sara Ramirez and Chika Jones, all the members of the Committee of Governance, and all the staff and volunteers of CNLC– thank you. You’re a brilliant bunch of people to work with who bring a wonderful mix of diverse strengths and shared purpose to the organisation. Most of all, thanks to the Carlton community. Your knowledge and skills give us energy; your efforts and enthusiasm keep us motivated. You are what we are all about.
Kathy Vretta (Community Development Officer – Neighbourhood Programs) and Julie Johnson (North East Neighbourhood House Network Manager)
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Highlights
Staff members Michelle, Elle, and Chika after receiving their first COVID-19 vaccination at Royal Exhibition Centre
Mi Young making a Kokedama at a workshop led by our wonderful volunteer Jess Lucas
Henna application at CNLC end of year celebration
CNLC’s Finance Manager, Sara, receiving some home-delivered flowers to brighten her working from home birthday
End of year party at Kathleen Syme Library. Left to right Gemia, Elle, Nesrin and Linda.
Gowrie Kinder kids doing an Acknowledgement of Country in Auslan at our End Of Year party
Kokedama created during our workshop
There’s nothing quite like being together at the centre, experiencing and building our community in a shared space. — Linda Perugini
Staff member Bron’s speech at Panayota and Jane’s combined farewell party (Jane left CNLC in 2020)
Welcome morning tea for new staff member Mona. Left to right: Sarah, Chika, Millicent, Elle, Mona, Sara
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Further Education Report Sarah Deasey
Growing and Connecting in the second year of the pandemic We started 2021 with our staff training day at the Kathleen Syme Library and community centre. We reflected on all we had learned in the previous year, and made cautious plans for returning to face to face activity in all our programs. Two weeks later Lockdown 3 commenced, just for a week. Term 1 progressed, and teachers took excursions to the Biennale and the Melbourne Museum. We were also able to enjoy the International Women’s Day and Lunar New year morning teas. The photos of these events and outings were to serve as sweet reminders of life out of lockdown as the year progressed. Six weeks into Term 2 we had the next brief lockdown, number 4. Term 3 began with face-to-face delivery for one week before Lockdown 5 and 6 effectively placed our program into remote delivery for the rest of 2021.
refurbishment of our building at the end of 2020 the room is now home to a laptop trolley with capacity for 20 devices, plus a box with 15 iPads and tablets. The desktops were either donated or sent to e-waste. The room can now be used for not only dedicated computer classes but also for smaller group sessions, meetings, interviews, prayer, and more.
Connect for Learning As in 2020, we continued to lend out the tablets and iPads to students, and in addition the laptops. Students who needed help with using the devices were given extra support by Chika and Michael with one-to-one tuition and follow up phone support. Our program delivery depends on strong administration systems. In 2021 our administration staff Sara and Chika responded to learning needs setting up systems with a complex Zoom timetable, digitising forms, tablet and laptop loaning systems, and individual support for students. We were also able to run a 3-week volunteer tutor training session in Term 1 and managed to link 5 students and tutors to work one-on-one with language and literacy skills. Zoom was an ideal vehicle for the one-on-one program.
Rachana and Sau on an excursion to National Gallery of Victoria
Achievements in 2021 — Staying connected Despite the pandemic the Further Education program continued to develop. We consolidated partnerships, broadened community engagement, and worked to embed digital literacy delivery across our teaching and learning program.
Computer Room becomes Multipurpose Room In our review of the CNLC spaces we could see that the computer training room with its 10 desktop computers could be used more flexibly. Consequently, with the
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Student Voices Meeting
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Professional Development We participated in the semester long ACEVIC program “Enhanced Blended Teaching and Learning” (EBTL). This project-based series of workshops ranged from topics of setting up a learning management systems, integrating technology into face to face teaching, and the use of a range of applications and platforms. The program provided a springboard for us to move towards blended delivery; combining technology and face to face learning, or continued remote learning when needed.
Above: Student Voices Meeting left to right - Saba, Alinda, Sarah, Najma, Elle and Madhuri
Setting up Moodle at CNLC The EBTL program-led to the inception of the CNLC Moodle Site, a platform for online learning. The platform can be used as a repository for learning materials, interactive learning, independent learning or as an adjunct to classroom activity. CNLC teachers are at various stages in learning to use the site with the support of consultant Pauline Wilson.
New courses in the community in partnership with Our Place and Open Door Cooking for Home and Community This course originated through community consultation with local networks. Local women wanted to expand their cooking repertoire as well as develop food handling skills and English language skills. We were able to engage Natalie Aboud who is a professional chef, to lead the cooking content and Millicent Rees-Jones to provide contextualised language and literacy skill. The course started in the kitchen at the Carlton Learning Precinct and we had 3 sessions before lockdown. Staff and students rallied in an amazing response first with Nat demonstrating from her kitchen at home and then with the students engaging simultaneously in their own kitchens cooking up a storm.
Introduction to Community Leadership for Women This course was planned as a face to face program to be run at Carlton Primary School. As lockdown
Teacher Bron and student Mickey in the Literacy Pathways performance at the end of year party continued it became clear we needed to run the program remotely. The participants, all women with home learning responsibilities for their children, responded magnificently, attending weekly sessions on Zoom over Term 3 and 4. Our teacher Oenone Serle took the students through the basics of community engagement and leadership, including communication skills, running meetings, networking, planning events, managing conflict, and using technology. At the end students planned their own events and we had a joyful face to face outdoor morning tea to celebrate the course completion.
EAL Program Our teachers worked hard to maintain learners’ engagement. In spite of the limitations of learning through video conferencing the Zoom sessions were a chance for human connection, English language learning and community information sharing. The teachers played a vital role in sharing health and
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community information and helping us understand students’ individual needs. Teachers prepared workbooks throughout the year and these were delivered or posted to all students.
Support for newly arrived Afghan Families In November we were approached by local volunteers who were seeking support for many Afghan families living in the transitional accommodation in the CBD. We were able tp work with a number of families setting up their My Gov accounts and vaccine information as well as registering for the AMEP. A number of people from this group joined our English classes, before moving to more permanent housing elsewhere.
Support from Melbourne AMEP, AMES, ACFE, SKILLS First Extra support during COVID from Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE), Melbourne Polytechnic Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), AMES (Skills for Education and Employment contract (SEE)) and Skills First continued throughout 2021. There was not only regular communication via memos and directives but also personal contact, and professional development to support remote learning was provided by all contractors.
Thanks to all Thanks to our teachers Ana, Anne-Louise, Bron, Cate, Denise, Fiona, Freya, Michael, Millicent, Narelle, Natalie, and Oenone for their outstanding goodwill, professionalism and responsiveness to the continuing extraordinary conditions we faced. Fiona played a vital role to keep the interviews and assessments going, spreading good cheer, and supporting teachers. Chika provided vital daily support with maintaining a complex daily Zoom timetable, helping students and teachers with any technical problems, working one on one with students so they could use their devices for learning, and producing and delivering workbooks. Sara Ramirez, on top of her Finance Manager role kept us on top of the data inputs and navigation of all the changed COVID reporting. Linda, Elle, Nesrin and the Community Development team not only supported the community and the students in learning but also keeping us connected through community events and programs. In the last weeks of Term 4 we were able to welcome smaller groups of students back to CNLC for face to face learning. In the last week of term It was wonderful to finish with a final, happy and triumphant end of year celebration and graduation presentation, where we were able to celebrate every part played by each member of our learning community in this eventful year.
Further Education Programs Accredited Courses Program
Content
Course Duration
Teacher
Course in Initial EAL*
Beginner Language and Literacy Skills for learners who have limited learning experiences and limited familiarity with print conventions
2 x 20 Week courses
Denise Collin
1/2 – 25/6/2021
Ana Ibanezcombined Class
Basic English speaking, listening reading and writing skills
2 x 20 Week courses
Course in EAL
12/7 – 17/12/2021 1/2 – 25/6/2021 12/7 – 17/12/2021
Certificate I in EAL (Access)
Certificate II in EAL (Access)
Certificate III in EAL (Access)
1/2 – 25/6/2021
Freya Merrick dos Santos
12/7 – 17/12/2021
Fiona Norquay
Language skills to enable simple everyday transactional and limited social needs with a pathway into further language skills courses and vocational training
2 x 20 week courses
Fiona Norquay
1/2 – 25/6/2021
Anne-Louise Farren
Language skills to enable transactional and social needs in vocational, social and commercial contexts
2 x 20 week courses
English speaking, listening reading and writing skills together with electives, related to immediate personal and social needs
2 x 20 week courses
12/7 – 17/12/2021
1/2 – 26/6/2021
Freya Merrick dos Santos
12/7 – 17/12/2021
Narelle White Catriona Taylor
*English as an Additional Language
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Preaccredited Courses Program
Content
Course Duration
Teacher
Cooking for Home and Community
English language skills through sharing recipes, participation in practical cooking sessions with |chef and EAL teacher
40 hours
Natalie Aboud Millicent Rees Jones
Introduction to Community Leadership for women
Developing confidence to participate and lead in the community through understanding community networks, planning events and participating in meetings
30 hours
Oenone Serle
Speak with Confidence
Small group for beginner language Skills
20 hours
Amelia Trompf
Student Voices
Language and communication skills through participation in the CNLC Students Representative body
20 hours over the year
Elle Morrell
Intermediate Computers
Advanced uses of Microsoft Office and Google applications, plus Excel and PowerPoint
2x 50 hr courses
Michael Chalk
IT Skills for Devices and Desktops
Knowledge and skills of the broader uses of digital technology including social media, smartphones, tablets and iPads
2 x 50 hr courses
Michael Chalk
Literacy Pathways 1 and 2 for all abilities
Hands-on team and confidence building within a reading and writing context for people of all abilities
2x 60 hr courses
Bronwen Barton
Language Skills for Community Work
Language and literacy in the community services context using basic workplace documents.
60 hours
Bronwen Barton
Language and Literacy Skills for Employment
One to One Adult Literacy Tuition, delivered by trained volunteer tutors and tailored to suit a range of literacy needs
60 hours
Amelia Trompf
English outside the Classroom: Volunteering in the Community
Development of language and literacy for the workplace through group and 1 to 1 sessions, and opportunities to volunteer at CNLC and other local organisations
60 hours
Sarah Deasey
Pathways to Work and Study 1,2,3
Learning to learn, Jobsearch and ICT skills for further study
3x 25 hour courses
Sarah Deasey
Learner Engagement and participation LEAP Course – Connect to Learn
Setting up and learning how to use the applications required for online learning
10 hour
Michael Chalk
Literacy Pathways and Alive and Active regulars, Robert and Prue, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary!
Students Jody, Prue and Bec practicing their computer skills in Literacy Pathways
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Sarah Deasey
Volunteer Tutors
EAL teacher and Assistant Further Education Coordinator Fiona’s birthday and 10th year at CNLC celebration
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Community Development Report Elle Morrell
Keeping the community connected CNLC’s community development program functions to keep the community connected. In 2021 this was no different despite the various COVID lockdowns. It was more important than ever to continue delivering our programs and be nimble and adaptive to changing situations. In truth I could write a whole report though on all the things we had to cancel because of COVID but in reality we still achieved a lot to dwell on.
to continue this program where we could only have 3 face to face events. A popular event was a zoom dance session with the talented DJ Motion for RU OK day.
Keeping the community connected digitally CNLC continued our participation in the Community Agencies for Digital Inclusion (CADI) group that we initiated in 2020 which allowed us to do needed advocacy around these issues seeking structural changes to the digital divide. We met with the Federal Member for Melbourne, representatives from the Federal Minister for Communications Department, the State Minister for Housing and the State Member for Melbourne. We discussed the need for fast, reliable, affordable internet access in public housing towers and the infrastructure needed to provide it. We advocated for affordable broadband advocating for NBN to offer a 50 mbps service for $20 per month available to households receiving financial support from government. We supported the budget bid by Ellen Sandell MP to request the Victorian government to provide subsidised wifi from individual modems with a $20 contribution for each household being piloted in inner-Melbourne public housing estates. We are awaiting the outcome of this bid. In addition CNLC provided much digital support on the ground. We continued our partnership with University of Melbourne and delivered 71 refurbished computers for free to residents at the Carlton housing estate. We established a digital mentor program matching skilled volunteers with residents with no or low computer skills supporting them until they are confident to enter CNLC’s computer class. To develop evidence for digital inclusion we assisted the University of Melbourne’s research in to the affordability and access to digital connection at the Carlton Housing Estate.
Staying connected through dance! Normally CNLC organises 10 events a year to bring our community together to celebrate and overcome social isolation. This year we had to be a bit creative
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DJ Motion dancing up a storm with CNLC participants on RUOK Day In person we held a Lunar New Year, International Women's Day (IWD) and an end of year celebration gathering. For Eid we made a parcel of traditional biscuits and lollies with a card and gave them out to each of our students. Some funds we would normally use to organise events were diverted to providing care packages for food relief to residents in the community. Our creative programs also continued to flourish in lockdown. The Writers’ Group and Alive and Active classes continued to meet online and share their creativity through stories and art.
Staying connected through food and information CNLC welcomed a small grant from StreetSmart in 2021 to support our community with the impacts of COVID-19. We ran workshops to support community members to download their vaccination status, including recently arrived Afghan refugees who needed additional support with translators. We organised food packs for community members facing food insecurity. Our volunteer Johnny did a great job of packing two varieties of food packs (with African ingredients and Asian ingredients) for distribution to people who were isolating with COVID and who could not afford food.
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Above: Mike Makatron mural of Yolngu man
Staying connected with our First Australians community A very exciting development in 2021 was to start the process of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). A staff team formed to run this process and included updating CNLC’s Acknowledgement to Country, finding resources to start a Reconciliation discussion group and making contact with local First Australian organisations. We registered our RAP with Reconciliation Victoria for completion in July 2023. Our aim is to welcome more First Australian communities to the CNLC centre as a space to learn, gather and promote their culture
Staying connected through nature Where possible CNLC kept our community garden and compost hub open to the public. There were hard times when our dedicated volunteers were not able to attend but our Farmer kept produce harvesting up which was donated to local food relief programs. When able, we also held three workshops: A Kokedama workshop, A Winners Guide to Composting workshop, and a workshop for Council officers to learn from the success of our compost hub to inspire new ventures throughout Melbourne. Our compost hub was expanded in 2021 and despite less deposits due to lockdowns we calculated a total of 11,205 kg of food waste was collected and salvaged from landfill over this period. A further 3260 kg of garden waste and 1435 kg of brown waste were added to the compost hub. A total of 3530 kg of compost was produced and used on the CNLC garden or sold to local residents. Our two magpies that hang out in our garden kept guard the whole year through.
Staying connected through employment and support Despite our Open Door hub on the Carlton Housing Estate being closed due to health directives we continued to deliver important programs such as our Make it Work (MIW) employment program, Reconnect and individual support. We finished up a two year Social Innovations Partnership grant from City of Melbourne. This helped resource our Make it Work program where 72% of MIW clients were placed in employment between July 2019 and June 2021. Participants reported high satisfaction rates with 92% of respondents stating they were happy with their overall experience at MiW. Additionally, 61.5% of respondents stated that after engaging with MiW they have better work skills such as writing resumes, completing job applications and interviews. The Reconnect program worked intensively with 19 clients needing additional support due to higher barriers to entering education or employment. They benefitted from programs such as career counselling, pre-accredited training, enrolling in university courses, employment and social support including housing, Centrelink and legal issues.
Keeping the community safe Safety at the Carlton Housing Estate is a constant concern for residents. In 2021, CNLC along with Church of All Nations, started a safety group with residents. This positive initiative aims to create a culture of safety at the estate through community safety programs and events. We met with Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne, to raise our concerns particularly about additional safety issues arising because of COVID. We also involved the Community Legal service and Ellen Sandell MP to inform the group about options for action. As a result, a question was raised in State Parliament to address the issues of concern in Carlton. This initiative has a lot of energy to continue in 2022.
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Connecting our auspice groups This year we auspiced three community groups: Eritrean Women’s Group, Harari Women’s Group and the Carlton Football Academy. A highlight in 2021 was bringing the Eritrean Women’s Group together for the first time after lockdown to do a day trip to Geelong and Torquay. One participant said “This is the first time I have ever been to a beach.” We were also fortunate to work with the Carlton Football Academy to deliver a City of Melbourne
funded project enabling young people at the Carlton Housing Estate to play in soccer tournaments and hold events to break down the generational divide between parents and children. This project, although challenged by lockdowns, was a great success and congratulations to youth leader Mustafa Abdi for his commitment and dedication to this project.
Keeping the community connected through networks The Carlton Community Network (CCN) continued to work for the betterment of the Carlton community. With over 50 agencies involved this network continues to be a central gathering space to share information and work to collaborate. CNLC chairs this group and in 2021 changed its name from Carlton Local Agency Network (CLAN) to Carlton Community Network.
Keeping connected as a team
Eritrean Women’s Group excursion to Geelong and Torquay
Looking back at this year the Community Development team has grown stronger and demonstrated their adaptability and resilience. The team worked tirelessly to help carry our community through COVID challenges. This is a dedicated and fun group of staff including Michelle Twyford, Millicent Rees-Jones, Ayah Mohammed, Nesrin Idris, Mona Aden and Panayota Miller. To be part of this team is a joy every day and their achievements and hard work does not go unnoticed.
Community Development Programs Community Activity
Funded by
Target Group
Time
Staff
Alive & Active
Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Home & Community Care (HACC)
People of all abilities
Thursdays 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Laura Stevenson Jaime Montenegro
Balam Balam Garden & compost hub
City of Yarra
Carlton & Carlton North community
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Michelle Twyford
Carlton Community Network
City of Melbourne
Agencies across Carlton
Bi-monthly meetings
Elle Morrell
Carlton Football Academy
City of Melbourne Connected Communities grant
Young soccer players on Carlton housing estate
Saturdays
Elle Morrell
Community Lunch
DHHS HACC
People of all abilities, elderly & local residents
Thursdays 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Fozia Ibrahim
Compost Hub
Communities Environment Program — Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Carlton & surrounding suburbs community
12 Months
Michelle Twyford
20
Laura Stevenson Volunteers Elle Morrell
A n nua l Repor t 2021 ǀ Stay i ng Con nec ted t h roug h COV I D
Cultural Celebrations
City of Melbourne (CoM) Meal Subsidy Grant
CNLC Students and Carlton residents
5 events delivered in 2021
Panayota Miller
Elle Morrell
Elle Morrell Nesrin Idris
Digital Mentor Project
Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association Inner Melbourne Metropolitan Partnership
Carlton housing estate residents who need digital upskilling
6 months
Eritrean Women’s group
City of Melbourne Meals Subsidy grant and Multicultural Affairs, DFFH
Eritrean women at the Carlton Estate
Ongoing
Elle Morrell
Harari Women’s group
City of Melbourne Meals Subsidy grant & City of Yarra Small project grant
Harari women at the Carlton Estate
Saturday nights
Elle Morrell
Islamic Youth Organisation
Self-funded
Islamic Youth
As needed
Elle Morrell
Harmony Day
City of Melbourne Events Partnership Program
Carlton Community
6 months
Elle Morrell
Make it Work employment program
City of Melbourne
Carlton Community
Ongoing
Elle Morrell Ayah Mohammed Millicent ReesJones
Open Door hub
City of Melbourne
Carlton community
Tuesday - Friday
Elle Morrell Ayah Mohammed Nesrin Idris
Reconnect
Department of Education & Training
People who have been disengaged from work or study for 6+ months
Tuesday - Friday
Nesrin Idris
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
City of Melbourne
CNLC community
Ongoing
Elle Morrell Linda Perugini Michelle Twyford Ayah Mohammed Anne Louise Farren
Covid-19 support
StreetSmart
Vulnerable members of the Carlton Community
Nov – Dec 2021
Elle Morrell
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9.00am – 12.00pm
Panayota Miller
In Partnership with Carringbush Adult Education
Mona Aden
Scanlon Inner North Community Foundation
Elle Morrell
Linda Perugini
Student Support Services
DHHS Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP)
CNLC students
Volunteer program
City of Melbourne
CNLC Volunteers
Ongoing
Elle Morrell
Writers Workshop
Self-funded
Local residents and writers
Mondays 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tania Chandler
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Nesrin Idris
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��� ��� 26.7% 43.8% Other
City of CNLCMelbourne Demographics
29.5% City of
For overYarra 47 years, Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre has provided quality education, training and community engagement programs in Carlton and the surrounding suburbs. Our activities and services provide opportunities, particularly for marginalised community groups that lead to further education and employment pathways, enhance wellbeing and create life changing connections.
� � �
Programs and Activities
35%
18%
Community Development Activities (Neighbourhood House) Accredited Programs (RTO)
Pre-accredited Programs (Learn Local)
22%
Country of Birth
Other*
12.4%
12.9%
��� ���� � � �� �
47%
Despite many obstacles, CNLC's dedicated staff and volunteers delivered over 30 different programs and services to the community throughout 2021. We have developed these services in response to community need in order to achieve our mission of connecting people, creating opportunity and challenging disadvantage. Here is a snapshot of the demographics of CNLC.
Somalia
Vietnam
6.5%
Ethiopia
5.1%
13.4%
China**
Australia
4.6%
India 18%
41–50
14.7%
Not Stated
17.1%
4.1% Eritrea
20.3% 3.7% 51-60
20.3%
Sudan
3.2% 12.4%
31–40
Other*
Afghanistan
2.3%
61-79
Turkey
7.8%
4.6%
21–30 71-80 *Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, England, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Republic of (South), Lebanon, Liberia, Macau (SAR of China), Malaysia, Moldova, Morocco, North Macedonia, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Venezuela **excludes SARs and Taiwan Under 20 Not Stated 81-90
��� Municipality
26.7% 43.8% Other
City of Melbourne
29.5% City of Yarra
22
1%
Age
13.3% 2.3%
Gender
18% 41–50
20.3%
20.3%
31–40
51-60
12.4%
69.1% Female
7.8%
4.6%
21–30
1%
71-80
13.3% 2.3%
Under 20 Not Stated
81-90
26.7% Male
61-79
2.3%
Not stated
1.9%
Indeterminate/ Intersex/ Unspecified
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��
2
2
Financial Report Carlo Zabotto — Treasurer
Summary results For the year ended 31 December 2021 2021
2020
$
$
1,192.470
1,443.116
(1,086.095)
(1,204.127)
106,375
238,989
732,632
717,442
Other short-term assets
79,303
55,900
Fixed and intangible assets
31,455
31,216
250
250
(263,067)
(330,610)
580,573
474,198
Income and expenditure Income Expenditure Net result for the year
Assets and liabilities Cash and cash equivalents
Non-current assets Liabilities Net assets at year-end
As in 2020, COVID-19 disrupted CNLC’s 2021 activities through lockdowns and social distance requirements, reducing scheduled activities and limiting overall service delivery. We endured a total of 108 days of lockdown and while our premises remained closed, our programs continued to be delivered remotely with all staff working from home. Fortunately the Victorian Government and funding partners announced measures that significantly reduced the negative impact of lockdowns on CNLC. Most important were the Business Cost Assistance Program and Business Continuity Grant. The assistance received by government and other funding partners allowed CNLC to maintain its operational capacity and continue the community engagement utilising online conferencing tools. It also helped to cover the extra costs that remote delivery requires and ensured that the organisation was able to commence 2022 in a financial viable position despite two years of COVID-19. CNLC delivered an unexpected profit for 2021 and also increased its assets over 2021. The key factors for this result are: •
Victorian State Government with the Business Cost Assistance Program.
Figures used in this report are extracted from the full annual financial accounts of Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc. (CNLC) for the year ended 31 December 2021. The full accounts provide more details on the financial performance and position of the association, including a description of the accounting policies adopted, explanatory notes, and the independent auditor’s report. The full accounts are available on request from CNLC or via download at www.cnlc.org.au.
•
Support received from Skills First with the Business Continuity Grant.
•
Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) support for Learn Local providers by changing the threshold for release of 2021 pre-accredited delivery payments and the recoupment of under delivery.
•
Local councils allowing us to defer some of the projects planned for the year.
CNLC recorded income for the year of $1,192.470 and incurred expenditure of $1,086.095 resulting in a surplus for the year of $106,375. At 31 December 2021, CNLC’s total assets stood at $843,640 and its total liabilities $263,067 resulting in a net assets / retained earnings position at year-end of $580,573
•
Increased hourly rate from Melbourne Polytechnic for the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) program.
•
Rent relief ( January to April) for premises provided by the Department of Transport.
Important notice:
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In early 2021 we purchased 12 new flip tables for the portable classroom which allows the space to be more versatile. In addition desks in both the front office and management office were also upgraded. Due to the resulting financial results for 2021, funds were expensed in late 2021 to continue with the refurbishment and renewal of the centre that commenced in 2020. This includes the exterior painting
of the building that is planned to commence around May-June 2022. The total expenditure for this upgrade totals $32,579. The chart below represents the different income streams in 2021 which continued to be varied, and included funding covering both core program / services and one-off projects, as follows:
2021 Income Dept of Industry Innovation and Science- Govt C'wealth: Environment Compost Hub
$7,125.24
Dept of Education & Training - Adult, Community and Further Education Board
$100,018.62
Dept of Education & Training - Skills First
$195,368.05
Dept of Health & Human Services - Home and Community Care Program
$16,538.79
Dept of Health & Human Services - Neighbourhood House Coordination Program
$124,457.47
Multicultural Affairs, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing- Eritrean Women Group
$2,000.00
City of Melbourne - Community Funding (Core)
$99,999.98
City of Melb - Other programs / project funding
$92,169.56
City of Yarra - Neighbourhood House Funding
$79,995.46
City of Yarra - Other programs / project funding
$1,000.00
Melbourne Polytechnic - AMEP ( Adult Migrant English Program)
$126,553.47
Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) - SEE ( Skills for Education and Employment)
$82,001.53
Reconnect Program-Partnership Carringbush Adult Education
$94,182.00
Scanlon - Make it Work Program
$24,929.64
Other Grants Non-Govt: Community Organisations
$8,641.17
Donations Received
$255.00
JobKeeper Subsidies
$43,350.00
Business Victoria COVID 19 - Costs Assistance program
$68,112.00
Contributions: Other
$6,361.92
Course Fees
$12,652.51
Room Hire
$190.91
Interest - Term Deposits
$2,986.26
Recoupments
$2,580.00
Other / Sundry Income
$1,000.98
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A n nua l Repor t 2021 ǀ Stay i ng Con nec ted t h roug h COV I D
2021 Expenses Employee Costs
$842,817
Contractors and Consultants
$43,284
Depreciation and Amortisation Expense
$15,298
Equipment and IT Expense
$26,182
Occupancy costs
$51,231
Program / Project Supplies
$42,972
Advertising and Promotion
$15,148
Communications
$12,557
Printing and Stationery
$12,048
Other Expenses
$24,558
The Committee of Governance is immensely grateful to all in the CNLC team for their ongoing dedication and concerted efforts in helping the organisation meet its objectives and serve the needs of our participants. Additional thanks to our Finance Manager, Sara Ramirez, and our advisor Robert Pisano for his diligent advice and support.
A sincere thank you also to our funding partners and to the members of our community for their ongoing contributions, commitment and support. Together we will continue working towards delivering the best possible outcomes for all our stakeholders and the Carlton community.
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Student Doi on an EAL excursion to NGV
CNLC Funding
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. CNLC is a subcontractor to AMES Australia for the SEE program in the inner metropolitan region.
Amina receiving a CNLC iPad for home learning during lockdown
The preaccredited training at CNLC is supported by the Victorian Government.
Acknowledgements A sincere thank you to all our partners, supporters, stakeholders and funders. Your contributions are essential in supporting us to achieve the CNLC mission.
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc ABN 25 717 084 481 Incorporated Association Registration Number A0042620C Registered Training Organisation TOid 21228
20 Princes Street, Carlton North 3054 Victoria Phone
(03) 9347 2739
info@cnlc.org.au
facebook.com/CNLC3054
Instagram instagram.com/cnlc3054/ Registered Charity, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
www.cnlc.org.au
