2020–2021
Empowering Change in Lives and Communities
Community Gro acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people, on which Community Gro services are located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people past, present and future.
Community Gro believes in a safe and equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives
I would like to start by acknowledging the Wulgurukaba people who are the traditional owners of this land that we meet upon. I also acknowledge the Bindal people whom they share this great nation with and pay my respect to them, their culture and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
I am pleased to offer the President’s Report for Community Gro for the Financial Year 2020–2021. I wish to firstly recognise the support of the Federal member, Phillip Thompson OAM MP; State members, Minister Scott Stewart MP, Aaron Harper MP, and Les Walker MP; civic leaders, Mayor Jenny Hill and Deputy Mayor, Mark Molachino.
The Board of Community Gro has presided over another successful year of operation despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID -19 pandemic. The organisation has continued to deliver all services and maintained our commitment to the communities we work with. This success is due to our dedicated and determined staff, who constantly demonstrate their determination to provide services in times of change and uncertainty.
To add to the complexity of the last 12 months we have also had a change to our CEO with Susan Perry having tended her resignation to spend more time with family in South East Queensland. Susan did a wonderful job during the eight years she was at the helm of Community Gro and left the organisation in a strong position to continue to meet the needs of our Upper Ross and Garbutt communities.
We have however been extremely fortunate to secure the services of Kathrin Meehan as our new CEO. Kathrin comes to Community Gro with an exceptional background in providing community services with many years’ experience of management and delivery service in the not-for-profit sector in Townsville. Kathrin commenced her role with Community Gro in December 2020 and has continued to build the organisation to deliver best practice services and grow our reputation within the local community.
The organisation continues to grow the programs that we offer and this year we added the Connected Beginnings program which is funded through the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. We were also successful in obtaining further funding from the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy to deliver wellbeing and resilience programs to the community in Garbutt and Upper Ross.
Like many similar organisations the programs that we deliver would not be possible without the support of government and nongovernment funding partners. Thank you to:
• Australian Government - Department of Social Services
• Brotherhood of St Laurence
• Queensland Government - Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy
• Queensland Government - Department of Education
• Queensland Government - Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• Australian Government - Department of Education, Skills and Employment
• Townsville City Council
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services
• Queensland Police
• Thriving Communities Partnership
• The Smith Family
• Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand
• Stockland Corporation
• Queensland Community Foundation
• Queensland Department of Transport
We continue to embrace our partnerships with the business sector. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to sustain the additional unfunded work we do. Particular thanks go to Sensory Group and Domino’s who continue to support Community Gro to deliver needed services to the community.
I would also like to extend a vote of thanks to our board members who continue to provide strong leadership, governance, and oversight to
assist in the development of the organisation and make themselves available to Community Gro wherever required.
At Community Gro we are extremely fortunate to have a team that is passionate about what they do. We have exceptional leaders in our CEO, centre managers and program coordinators who are wonderful role models. I would like to take the time to thank all our staff for their continued contribution and dedication to providing services to our communities.
We have been very fortunate over the years to have a wonderful group of volunteers that are an integral part of our overall success as an organisation. Our team of volunteers continually give of themselves and their time and ask for nothing in return. Community Gro is extremely lucky to have a wonderful network of these selfless giving people and I wish to formally acknowledge and thank them for their enormous effort throughout a challenging year.
With a view to the future, I remain confident that Community Gro as an organisation will continue to provide exceptional services to the community and continue to meet expectations. The needs of our communities continue to grow but I know we are up for the challenge and I look forward to another successful year ahead.
On behalf of the board, I assure our members, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders that Community Gro will always strive towards excellence and continue to flourish.
Mark Tyrell Board PresidentIt gives me great pride that I present my first CEO report for Community Gro. The 2020–2021 year has been a busy year of changes, challenges, and achievements for us. I commenced as CEO in December 2020, taking over from Susan Perry, who had worked tirelessly for almost eight years to grow Community Gro into a dedicated, community focussed organisation. Susan made a significant contribution during her time as CEO, and we are thankful for her commitment to the organisation and the community.
This year across the organisation, Community Gro has continued to deliver community focussed programs, and grown in staffing and programs. We continue to make a difference to our community through practical support, social connectedness, providing a safe space for community and working towards change. I would like to acknowledge and thank the staff for their efforts throughout the year as they continue to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to those we support and to the organisation. I have truly been blessed to work with our staff who continue to amaze me everyday with their skill, commitment, humour, and determination to achieve positive outcomes. Our staff are our greatest asset,
and I am thankful for their support and encouragement as incoming CEO. This year has seen an increase in our staffing numbers, and we are currently employing 29 staff across our programs.
I want to also acknowledge the Management Committee, Mark, Stephanie, Zammi, Aman, Marnie, Karl and Sandra. Thank you for your support, guidance, and encouragement during my first year. I am grateful you had faith in me, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to lead and manage Community Gro to support our community.
This Annual Report will highlight our achievements across our programs providing services to the Upper Ross and Garbutt community. Some of our highlights for us this year include:
• Community Gro provided our annual Family Fun Day on Saturday 5th June 2021, which was a great time of community connection, fairy floss and activities for all.
• We successfully added another program to our organisation, Connected Beginnings, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 0-5 years with their transition into education.
• Our Upper Ross Family Support Hub funding was increased to allow us to achieve more for the community and to increase our staffing in the program.
• We were successful in a funding submission for the addition of a program providing wellbeing and resilience group education and social support to Garbutt and Upper Ross communities.
• Our Garbutt and Upper Ross Community Centres held successful Community Christmas parties which was well attended.
Future focussed
The next 12 months provides great optimism and opportunities across the work of
Community Gro. Our goal is to focus on growing our brand awareness including our media platforms to celebrate our great work. We are close to implementation of a new client database system, which will create efficiencies and improved processes for working with clients. We will be focussing on good data management across all our programs and creating best practice policies and procedures.
I look forward to continuing our partnership to lead and manage this organisation to continue to be a leading provider of quality services across our community.
Kathrin Meehan CEOThe Upper Ross Community Centre has had another great year providing support and service to the Upper Ross Community and we continue to explore new ways to provide place-based service to our families. The Upper Ross Community Centre has engaged with members of the Upper Ross Community over a wide range of activities including but not limited to accessing computers, phones, social engagements, emergency food relief, centre use and hire.
Throughout the year we have continued to enjoy positive collaboration and partnerships with a range of organisations across Townsville to assist in supporting community members. Some of the organisations that we have engaged with and been supported by are listed below:
• Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• Life Without Barriers – Be Connected
• Port of Townsville
• Red Cross
• The Smith Family
• Shine for Kids
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service
• Townsville Community Pantry
• C3 Church
• Selectability
• Relationships Australia
• Stronger Communities
• Communities for Children
• Centacare
• 1300 Smiles Dental
• CORES – Community Response to Eliminating Suicide
• Kelso State School
• Rasmussen State School
• Queensland Health
• Second Bite
• Brumby’s Upper Ross
• Domino’s Kelso
It is exciting to know that through our partnerships with Second Bite and Brumby’s Upper Ross we have assisted over 6,281 individuals with bread and fruit and vegetables throughout the year.
We look forward to continuing our partnerships with organisations to continue to support our Upper Ross Community.
Assisted over
6,281 individuals with bread and fruit and vegetables
Thank you to our Upper Ross Volunteers –wonderful ladies Ugarai, Pepper and Gertie – who work tirelessly to keep our Centre clean and sparkling. Thank you also to Andrew who collects our bread and Second-Bite donations and assists with all things including keeping the staff on their toes. Thank you to Noel who is our wonderful gardener keeping our gardens looking great, and also to Ted and Peter who volunteer their time to help our community with all things computers and tax.
Belinda
JensenOur Family Support Hub had a busy year supporting our little people to grow and learn. This year we were successful in attaining an increase of funding which allowed the service to implement additional staffing and activities in the program. Family Support Hub has facilitated a range of activities during the year, including a supported Homework Club, Kids Club, School Holiday Programs, Healthy Eating Sessions and Craft Groups. The introduction of a Monday playgroup has been very well received by our families as we continue to support our children to grow through play-based learning. The program purchased a cubby house to use in our play area which has been a hit for the children and increased imaginative play and social skills.
Our Family Support Hub staff provided intensive support to 156 families. Our intensive support included meals and accommodation assistance, informal counselling, and referrals to relevant organisations for early childhood or family interventions.
Some parents/carers who attended the 0-3 years playgroup reported feeling less isolated because they were able to connect with other families in a supportive environment, make friends, and increase their understanding of their child’s development from qualified staff. Many families have difficulty attending our programs due to lack of transport options, and utilising our van to transport families, alongside the Community Flyer service has meant increased social support for families to attend the Centre and engage in a range of activities.
Thank you to the following organisations for their ongoing support – Bunnings Domain, Save the Children, Townsville Libraries, Zonta Townsville, and Woolworths Rasmussen.
2021–2022 will see us redesign our Family Support Hub to be able to provide more intensive ongoing 1:1 support to Upper Ross families who identify as being in need.
Over the 2020–2021 reporting period our Family Support Hub supported 240 families to attend our Playgroups and 25 kids attended our Kids Club activities. Our Hub activities included school holiday programs, healthy eating and craft programs and attracted 248 attendees to these additional groups.
1,188 Playgroup total attendances
240 Playgroup total individuals
148 Kids Club attendances
22 Kids Club total individuals
182 Hub activities
3 Circle of Security courses
156 Intensive support cases
In November 2020 we celebrated eight of our Age 5 graduating from the program and 11 Age 4 families completed their first year in HIPPY. In 2021 we have been continuing to work with seven of the Age 5 families and 24 new Age 4 families. During this year we have engaged families in Parent Group Meetings, family outings, NAIDOC events, Under 8’s Days at Rasmussen and Kelso Schools and other events in the community.
We continue to strengthen our relationships with our current stakeholders in the community including Thuringowa Library, PCYC, Kindylink, playgroups in the area and primary schools. We have received donations from Bunnings to support self-care activities for our parents.
Our staff are being supported to increase their skills and abilities by engaging in accredited education and training of their choice. This year saw three of our tutors leave our employ due to obtaining other long-term employment. Our current tutors are engaging well to support our HIPPY families through to graduation.
We are enjoying the HIPPY program. Vicky, our previous tutor, was good – she worked in with our family needs especially with a new bub, hubby away for fly in/fly out work and only home every second week and my job being all over the place due to my project work. Our daughter looks forward to sitting down with her older siblings each afternoon and do her ‘homework’ (HIPPY Activity Pack) when her siblings sit down and do theirs.
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) has always been a valuable program, however in the past 12 months during the global pandemic the importance of maintaining ways for older people to stay connected socially has become more important than ever. The importance of reducing social isolation and loneliness of our older people has been shown to be of benefit to their overall physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
For the safety of our community, Public Health Directives outlined and enforced by the Queensland Government for residential aged care facilities produced numerous periods within the last 12 months of lockdowns and volunteers not being able to visit our older people living in aged care homes. Care staff have reported from their observations a decline in many residents’ overall wellbeing as they had not been able to have regular visitors and even being separated from friends within their own care home due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, volunteers from the CVS were still able to develop long-lasting friendships and boost the moods of our older people living in aged care. Volunteers had the opportunity to engage with elders at Shalom Elders Village. Elders enjoyed visits from volunteers that would spend time with them playing guitar, singing together, and listened to them yarn and reminisce about time spent on country. Some very loving dachshunds also visited residents,
which residents said, “they loved having time to spend with them”. Staff reported observing improvements in the residents’ wellbeing even after the visits had finished for the day. In the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday period the CVS Coordinator, Family Support Hub Coordinator and CVS Volunteers visited residents in our Christmas outfits to wish each resident a peaceful time during the holidays, provide Christmas cards and spent time talking about family.
Care home staff reported volunteers had done exceptionally well to engage with certain residents that had not developed any friendships previously in the care home due to some of their associated symptoms from living with dementia and that it was very heartwarming to see these residents now having regular “friends” visit them.
Mainly due to the global pandemic in August of 2020 volunteer numbers had reduced to one active volunteer visitor. During 2020–2021 five volunteers actively participated in volunteer visits throughout this time. Some volunteers continued to complete more than the one-hour visit per person per fortnight which improved the consistency of relationships, with some volunteers choosing to visit residents weekly. The volunteer matching process has also changed this year whereby one volunteer visitor is matched with three older persons to visit.
Throughout the 2020–2021 period some volunteers attended face to face Accidental Counsellor Training by Amovita International and Pallilearn education modules facilitated by Palliative Care Queensland. Volunteer feedback from both sessions was that “the training was of good quality and worth while attending”. Volunteers were offered opportunities to attend online education workshops from Dementia Training Australia, Smiling Mind (meditation and mindfulness) and the University of Tasmania (Understanding Dementia). Orientation to the CVS program has become more standardised with volunteers all completing in person and online training modules from MS Qld covering topics such as duty of care, boundaries, culture and aging, grief, loss and communication.
Thank you to our volunteers Beverly, Christiane, Deborah, Graham and Karen-Leigh who continue to commit to the program and support our residents through regular visits, friendly conversation and engaging in activities. We are looking forward to continuing to support our Care Homes and residents through our Community Visitor Scheme.
80% of CVS volunteer referrals from Volunteering North Queensland
Care Homes participating:
• Shalom Elders Village
• Good Shepherd Nursing Home
• Blue Care Mt. Louisa
80% of CVS volunteer referrals have been received from Volunteering North Queensland with 10% through OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) and 10% from the Community Gro website or contact with the organisation directly.
More than 70% of the older persons referred and visited were living with dementia. This required more direct engagement from the CVS Coordinator to provide support and education to volunteers to support the Volunteer and resident during their visits.
10% through OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network)
10% from the Community Gro website or with the organisation directly
Topsy Tapim
Wow! What a year it has been. The 2020–2021 year was full of surprises, challenges and, of course, celebrations. I can’t say this enough, but the Community Connect Program is well accessed and continues to empower the lives of those who experience vulnerabilities.
There were many moments throughout this year when families presented for support who were at breaking point and this program turned their situation around. This program is culturally safe, it provides a confidential space and safe place to chat, it works from a strength-based approach and creates realistic options for our families to achieve their goals and priorities. To ensure meaningful, effective, and efficient client support is delivered, it is imperative to not only keep up to date and informed of what service providers in our community can do for families, but to truly listen. Everyone has a story to tell and to have someone who can listen to their priorities, makes a big difference.
Client presented for assistance, she described herself as broken, no motivation, no plans and wanted to give up. Part of the support was an invitation to attend the Shield of H.E.R.S Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women’s group. She participated in the program for six months, she created friendships, gained self-confidence, self-love, strength, strategies to empowerment, and much more. Since participating in the group and receiving the support from the Community Connect Program this amazing woman continues to heal, she is working, life is so much better and happier. She often reminds me how this program and the women’s group saved her life.
I was blessed to take part in the Palm Island Community Company Women’s Healing Program to residents in the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre. This opportunity enabled me to facilitate a self-care session as well as promoting the Community Connect Program.
Identified Issues
Lynette* presented at the Upper Ross Community Centre in a very sad way and had no idea how she would get out of this difficult position. She was emotional and advised that no one could help her. Her student visa was cancelled so she was unable to study or work and to make matters worse the Immigration Department directed her to go back to Kenya and her flights was scheduled to leave in four weeks. At the time she was living with five people and paid $140 rent per week. She couldn’t afford her rent due to losing her job and had no food or any income. Her father who lives in Kenya was able to support, but due to falling ill he was no longer able to assist her. Her car had broken down and she did not have any funds to get a diagnosis let alone fix it. She had planned to sell the vehicle for extra money, but this fell through and was now costing her more money, money she didn’t have.
Actions
We explored many options for assistance, but no one was able to assist at this time. CCW contacted inter-cultural centre but was advised that no financial support was available for Lynette at this point. CCW provided pantry items, frozen food, and toiletries (from donated goods) to decrease any further stress. CCP assisted with maintaining a roof over her head.
Lynette was over the moon and got very emotional, she was so surprised with the amount of food and toiletries she had received. She was provided with financial support to get a diagnosis on her car, for which she was so grateful. Lynette had somewhere to live until her departure without any hassle from her landlord and had food.
Sometimes it’s the little things that are the big things for our families.
I look forward to what the next year will bring and I am very confident to say that, as an organisation we truly go beyond, to do our bit in meeting community needs.
*Not real name.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) Program for deliverance of the Community Work Skills has been an interesting journey this past year for all who have attended and achieved their Statements of Attainment and Certificate III in Community Services and to those who found themselves in gainful employment as well as undertaking further training. There was a change of staff from the first cohort to the second in both Community Gro and RTO Selectability, though this disruption did not deter both organisations in delivering and supporting all participants who attended the program.
As we entered the second cohort, as the new SQW Coordinator appointed to the role in February 2021, I worked hard to distinguish and observe all barriers that were obstacles for the ten participants who entered the second cohort. As the training weeks went by, Selectability staff and I worked together to support all students. Due to this program, five students have gained employment, two have gone on to further studies and two are mums actively in contact still and applying for jobs that suit their family arrangements.
Cohort 3 started in June 2021 and another ten final participants for this NQ04849 were enrolled. We are excited to see the progression of these final ten participants in their learning journey.
We would like to thank the endless support from our local MPs that continue to provide great references to Community Gro in aid of helping our community gain these opportunities.
One participant from Cohort 1 is now working casual as a Lifestyle Support Worker and currently undertaking Cert IV in Mental Health. Another participant from Cohort 2 is currently working within the disability support sector as a casual Support Worker and loves helping people, she has advised that since she has started, she has learnt so much and happy that she has a job after years of being a mum of five children.
Testimonial from Students that attended and completed the SQW Program – Community Work Skills
I would recommend the course and only have great things to say about Community Gro. So much so I want to either gain employment there or become a volunteer.
I’m standing here proud today with achieving this certificate and excited for what tomorrow holds as this is an exciting new pathway in my life and career.
The Garbutt Community Centre have maintained programs throughout the year that has engaged and provided support for the people in the Garbutt and West End area. Our programs have been successful with empowering our people in the community and providing access to computers, phone services, office services, referral pathways and assistance with individual needs. The Garbutt Community Centre’s programs are:
• Men’s Support Group
• JP Services
• Free Bread Services
• Community Kitchen Program
• PlayGro
• Shine Homework Program
• Common Ground Arts & Crafts Hub
• TIDDA’s Yarning Circle
• $3 Meals (affordable meals to families in need)
Overall, the Garbutt Community Centre has had a positive impact on the Garbutt and West End community. Along with the Centre’s weekly schedule of programs, we have also had the privilege of hosting a NAIDOC Celebration Day for our community members which was very successful and a great opportunity to connect with community.
It has also been great to see the Garbutt Community Centre grow not only with delivering programs but also growing a great team with new staff members. In June we said goodbye to Rebecca as she transitioned to a new program in Community Gro and welcomed our new Centre Manager, Courtney. We have also been successful for a new program
currently in development, the Wellbeing & Resilience Program, which will provide education and social support to the community to improve resilience and increase self-care strategies.
Throughout the year we have continued to enjoy positive collaboration and partnerships with a range of organisations across Townsville to assist in supporting community members. Some of the organisations that we have engaged with and been supported by are listed below:
• Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• Garbutt Magpies
• Garbutt State School
• Life Without Barriers – Be Connected
• Port of Townsville
• Red Cross
• The Smith Family
• Shine for Kids
• Giggle & Gro
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services
• Townsville Community Pantry
• C3 Church
• Relationships Australia
• Stronger Communities
• Communities for Children
• Orange Sky
• Centacare
• Tidda’s Yarning Circle
Thank you
Lastly, we wouldn’t be able to run the Centre so efficiently without the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Dee and Tracey have made the Community Centre an enjoyable environment for our community members and put so much love and effort into cooking homemade meals and participating in the Arts
Crafts Group
Community Kitchen
Program each week. Our gardener Kelvin has also put so much effort into cleaning up the grounds of the centre and making it look presentable and inviting for people to come into the centre. Having this handy man around has been such a great help and we appreciate all the work put in from all our volunteers.
The past year has been an awesome year for the Upper Ross Youth Hub. We have gone through a number of changes including the name. Previously called Youth Drop-In, we are now the Upper Ross Youth Hub and operate partially as a drop-in service.
Over the past year youth have participated in programs such as:
• Rock n Water – facilitated by Kalo Sue-Tin/ TAIHS Youth Services
• Deadly Choices Programs, Good Tukka and Healthy Lifestyle – facilitated by Leo Akee and Ennalise Tanna
• Love Bites – facilitated by Kristina Burr (PCYC)
• Elder Representation – facilitated by Uncle Frances Tapim
Activities over the past year have included:
• Barbecue, Games and Activities at Queens Park
• Day Out at Pallarenda
• Youth Disco
• Wet Day – a day where youth participate in water activities at the centre
• Get Active at Northshore
• Movie Nights
• Trivia Nights
• Barbecue and Karaoke
• Write a Rap – Youth Worker AJ shared his lyric writing skills with the youth to teach them to write a rap and add some music
• Games Night
• Arts and crafts
• Grassroots Connection – this activity involves youth identifying who they are and where they are from
In the next year my vision for the Upper Ross Youth Hub is to provide our own space where the youth can come in and relax where they can display their artwork and positive messages. I also hope to gain more funding to provide mentoring roles and more training for our youth workers who work endlessly to keep our youth safe and supported.
Highlights
• Youth continue to use the Upper Ross Youth Hub as a safe place and report feeling safe and connected at the program.
• The service was successful for funding from Queensland Police for ten new computers for the Youth Hub. This was appreciated by the program and the youth as they utilise these computers on a regular basis.
• Two new staff gained employment with the Youth Hub after being awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship Program for Young Australians.
A big thank you to TAIHS Lighthouse for their continued support and collaboration with the Upper Ross Youth Hub – we continue to do the “GET ACTIVE” program once a month with TAIHS to support connection.
Deadly Choices continue to provide our youth with education around healthy lifestyles and healthy food in the Upper Ross community. Thank you to Deadly Choices for tickets to the Cowboys game at the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The youth had an awesome night cheering for the North Queensland Cowboys.
We continue to work with PCYC Rasmussen in supporting our youth in the community and ensuring they are kept safe.
I come to Youth Group because it is fun and entertaining and because of the cool staff and the staff help us and make us feel welcome.
The Connected Beginnings (CB) – Rasmussen Project commenced in April and its main aim is to increase the participation of First Nations children 0-5 years into early childhood education in the Rasmussen area. Community Gro is currently one of three CB sites in North Queensland – the other two being Mareeba and Doomadgee. At the very heart of the project lies the ARACY Indicators – setting a very reasonable foundation of expectations as to what ALL children deserve to experience in life.
Breakdown of CB stakeholder connections as at 30 June 2021
Government Departments, Kindergartens and Schools
29%
Private Kindergartens
18%
Community Members and Traditional Owners
22% Not for Profit Agencies
31%
A highlight for this year was our trip to Darwin to attend ChangeFest 2021. ChangeFest is a festival of change, recognising that creativity, surprise, and celebration are at the heart of changing our systems and our culture. Local communities lead this process with a strong emphasis on empowering First Nations people. The event also provided us an opportunity to connect with other CB Teams from across the nation and was beneficial in supporting our growth and our understanding of the methods involved in this type of work.
The team has a Manager, Project Officer and Engagement Officer who are currently building relationships with all support services, early childhood, schools, welfare services and community to develop a common goal to enable more First Nations families access to early childhood education.
The team are currently working on the first stage of a Collective Impact approach to social change within the Rasmussen area – this involves raising awareness about a challenge (preparation and transition to school) that matters to the community and working to gain support for collaboration and system thinking to address that challenge. The team has networked with agencies and government departments to map the services provided in the Upper Ross area. It has also consulted with the Wulgurukaba and Bindal traditional owners to ensure program is delivered to meet the needs of all First Nations people.
The CB Team are continuing to work with Ninti One (our support agency) and Sharon Fraser (our Collective Impact Consultant) to plan the next year of work. This will focus on raising awareness about challenges as identified by the community through community forums with the aim of gaining support for collaboration and system thinking to address the challenges identified by the community.
NILS – Small Loans, Big Impact
Our partnership with Good Shepherd continued in 2020–2021, enabling us to continue to support community with NILS. Whilst our NILS program supports community with NILS applications it also provides the opportunity for our NILS workers to educate community and increase financial resilience through:
• Budgeting and financial support
• Referrals to other support services including financial counselling, homelessness services
• Providing information and referrals to other Community Gro programs
• Education on the ‘real cost’ of rent to buy schemes and pay day lenders and why these should be avoided
• Education on insurance
Loans 2020–2021
Number of loans
Total amount loaned
Number of items
56
$61,211
73 Loan Purposes
18 Vehicle Repairs
7 Other Household Appliances
17 Vehicle Registrations
10 Other Purposes
8 Refrigerators
5 Household Furniture
4 Computers
4 Washing Machines
These are the summarised financial statements for the year 2020–2021. Copies of the complete financial audited statements are available.
