HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CENTRES Stafford Cottage & Highlands Youth Hub

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Thomasine Gallagher
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HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CENTRES Stafford Cottage & Highlands Youth Hub The popularity of these courses continues into their fifth year!

technology of SMART phones. SMART phones are the touch and swipe phones.

They can be used as an alarm clock, play music and they can also be used as a GPS! Quotes from the classroom!

They provide one-on-one assistance for the participants through their High School volunteering Program and we find them really helpful and

Has advanced my knowledge A valuable learning experience especially for the IT-limited senior. Quotes from the Moss Vale students!

1 HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CENTRES Stafford Cottage & Highlands Youth Hub The popularity of these courses continues into their fifth year! As technology is moving forward the demand for the Basic phone course appears to be lessening as more and more move towards the amazing technology of SMART phones. SMART phones are the touch and swipe phones. On these you can retrieve your s, take good quality photos, keep them in a gallery. They can be used as an alarm clock, play music and they can also be used as a GPS! Quotes from the classroom! Moss Vale High students are again assisting the facilitator with the classes. They provide one-on-one assistance for the participants through their High School volunteering Program and we find them really helpful and friendly. Find the class invaluable! Gives me confidence.. Caring and professional tutor. Has advanced my knowledge A valuable learning experience especially for the IT-limited senior. Quotes from the Moss Vale students! I enjoy volunteering because I like the way it feels when you finally see the people you are helping develop new skills and knowing that I was a part of it! It really helps all seniors become confident and it's great seeing everyone s skills develop! This is a fantastic program for the senior citizens of the Highlands. PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE BASIC PHONE COURSES IN MARCH AND APRIL. SOME VACANCIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE TWO SMART PHONE COURSES IN MAY Page 1

The annual Dive-In was held at the Bowral Pool on the 1 st of February on a beautiful clear, hot Summer

Usually we can guarantee that any hot, dry spell will be broken on the day by storms and/or rain but this

This is a Council event with us taking responsibility for providing a staff member, the BBQ and drinks.

(M). Tutoring Program We started our tutoring program with 8 participants and 7 volunteer tutors in the

We continue to receive enquiries from tutors and students interested in participating so the need for this

A generous grant from the IMB has allowed us to purchase resources to support this great program.

2 The annual Dive-In was held at the Bowral Pool on the 1 st of February on a beautiful clear, hot Summer afternoon. Usually we can guarantee that any hot, dry spell will be broken on the day by storms and/or rain but this year was a welcome exception! This is a Council event with us taking responsibility for providing a staff member, the BBQ and drinks. 405 people participated and enjoyed the screening of Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G) and Dark Tide (M). Tutoring Program We started our tutoring program with 8 participants and 7 volunteer tutors in the first week, which was really good for first week back after the long school holidays. We continue to receive enquiries from tutors and students interested in participating so the need for this program is clear. A generous grant from the IMB has allowed us to purchase resources to support this great program. Love Bites Love Bites is part of NAP- CAN s respectful relationships program aimed at Year 10 students. We will be running it in Moss Vale High School in term 1. NAPCAN also came to the Hub in February to provide a short version of their training to local workers so they could help facilitate the program. Recruiting trained workers to assist with this program has been our biggest challenge. Page 2

ART Much interest and excitement is gathering around the Hub Media Arts Lab as Vincent McManus, our Arts Programs Co-coordinator, completes discussions, meetings and brainstorming sessions with local

Partnerships are being investigated to develop a brilliant variety of programs and projects for young people in the Southern Highlands.

Aspire through both Wollongong and Canberra Universities.

3 ART Much interest and excitement is gathering around the Hub Media Arts Lab as Vincent McManus, our Arts Programs Co-coordinator, completes discussions, meetings and brainstorming sessions with local school representatives, organisations, and youth facilitators around the type of programs that could work well there. Partnerships are being investigated to develop a brilliant variety of programs and projects for young people in the Southern Highlands. These include: Working with Bowral and Moss Vale High School students on leadership, filmmaking and positive social media projects in the Speak Act Lead program which is connected to initiatives like Aspire through both Wollongong and Canberra Universities. Rotary s worldwide Interact Club Partnership projects and programs with Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council (SHYAC), Workplace Learning s Entertainment and IT students and C3 Young Leaders group. Programs around Filmmaking, Songwriting, Music Production and Film Editing will be available as well as the potential for other related mediums and subjects: Graphic Arts, Street Art, Positive Social Media and Public Speaking. Stay tuned to future updates on youth arts programs and growing the potential that the Hub s Arts Media Lab can provide to the creative minds of our local youth. Holiday Activities Sixty five young people took advantage of our free activities in the school holidays. This included going to the cinema to see Frozen where they also had a popcorn and a drink; a sausage sizzle at the new Youth Hub premises; having a game of Ten Pin Bowling at Highlands Ten Pin in Mittagong; playing pool and even undertaking some cooking at the Hub! Page 3

NO INTEREST LOANS NILS loan clients continue to enjoy MASSIVE savings through HESS

Recently a client saved almost $800 on a new energy efficient fridge.

!!! HESS offers significant subsidies to NILS loan recipients and has been designed to

(energy star rating): This includes: * Refrigerators and freezer * Chest freezers *

water systems * Installed heaters/air conditioners (split system units) Gas ducted

4 NO INTEREST LOANS NILS loan clients continue to enjoy MASSIVE savings through HESS (the Home Energy Saver Scheme). Recently a client saved almost $800 on a new energy efficient fridge. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn t!!!! HESS offers significant subsidies to NILS loan recipients and has been designed to help clients purchase the following items that meet a minimum energy efficiency level (energy star rating): This includes: * Refrigerators and freezer * Chest freezers * Dishwashers * Washing machines * Clothes dryers * Solar and instantaneous gas hot water systems * Installed heaters/air conditioners (split system units) Gas ducted central heating So far, we have been able to assist seven clients save hundreds of dollars on brand new, energy efficient appliances. As well as providing loans for essential items, NILS is also available for CAR REGISTRATIONS! This program is becoming increasingly popular we recently approved three in one day. Remember, we have broadened our lending to include low income earners (included self-funded retirees and those working). To find out if you are eligible for a NILS loan, please contact Highlands Community Centres on for further information. Page 4

COMMUNITY KITCHENS What is a Community Kitchen? A community kitchen is a group of 6-10 people who come together to socialise and enjoy good food! What happens at the group?

5 COMMUNITY KITCHENS What is a Community Kitchen? A community kitchen is a group of 6-10 people who come together to socialise and enjoy good food! What happens at the group? A key aspect of Community Kitchens is participation from every group member with everyone will be involved in all processes which include planning, budgeting, shopping, cooking and cleaning up! Are you interested in joining a Community Kitchen? Or are you interested in starting up a brand new Community Kitchen with friends or colleagues? To find out more Call Invitation to 2014 International Women s Day Breakfast In MY Day..reflections on life as a woman in the old days Friday 7 March for 8.30 am am Mittagong RSL Auditorium, Cnr Hume Hwy & Bessemer St Mittagong $26 per person RSVP Monday 3 March Bookings and pre-payment essential. Table bookings available. Tickets from Mittagong RSL Reception or phone with credit card CHRISTMAS AT STAFFORD This year we were able to assist 49 families who had a total of 136 children. We were able to provide not only presents for the children of local families experiencing financial difficulties, but also to give a small gift to their parents or carers. For this, we also received support from some local businesses, the Wollondilly Wanderers, Bowral Lions Club, Berrima & Bowral Rotary and the Southern Highland News. Page 5

Joining IN Sports Subsidy Program Joining IN is a program that began at Highlands Community Centre in 2012.

Some families struggle to pay the day to day living expenses and would not have the funds to pay registrations fees, uniform costs or buy sporting equipment.

Studies have proved conclusively that children who do participate in community based activity have improved connectedness by being part of a team, improved self esteem & fitness and more

Moss Vale CWA donated $100 and Mittagong CWA donated $200. All funds have now been exhausted and to keep the program running we are exploring other avenues of funding and seeking donations.

6 Joining IN Sports Subsidy Program Joining IN is a program that began at Highlands Community Centre in The aim of the program is to make sport and recreational activities available to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Some families struggle to pay the day to day living expenses and would not have the funds to pay registrations fees, uniform costs or buy sporting equipment. So far we have assisted 107 children to participate in more than 20 different sorts of activities and provided over $13, in subsidies. Studies have proved conclusively that children who do participate in community based activity have improved connectedness by being part of a team, improved self esteem & fitness and more exposure to positive role models. The Bowral Lions Club through fund raising activities have donated $ 1,500 to us to assist us with this program. Moss Vale CWA donated $100 and Mittagong CWA donated $200. All funds have now been exhausted and to keep the program running we are exploring other avenues of funding and seeking donations. HCC Manager with members of the Bowral Lions Club drawing the raffle for two bikes. CHRISTMAS AT RENWICK The weather was fantastic for our first Christmas Event at Renwick. We couldn t have picked a better day! Santa enjoyed a tour of the Renwick development before meeting the children in the shade of the marquee with his talented face-painting elf who transformed the children (and some adults) into various new identities including Christmas trees, mistletoe, beautiful butterflies, fire breathing dragons and reindeer. The children had their photo taken with Santa who entertained them with some magic tricks and handed out an early Christmas gift of a lolly stocking or a plant growing kit. Everyone enjoyed a lovely cool summer punch and Christmas mince pies and had a great time meeting their neighbours. Page 6

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC A group of Teddy Bears joined children from Renwick for a picnic at Lake Alexandria, Mittagong.

Feeding the ducks was a highlight as well as seeing the Eastern Long Neck Turtle making an appearance.

Over the coming months we are working with Bunnings to deliver three workshops for the residents of Renwick covering lawn care, composting and building herb boxes.

friendships and celebrate living at Renwick.

7 TEDDY BEARS PICNIC A group of Teddy Bears joined children from Renwick for a picnic at Lake Alexandria, Mittagong. Each child was given a new Teddy to take home and enjoyed a lovely healthy picnic before heading off for a scavenger hunt around the lake. Feeding the ducks was a highlight as well as seeing the Eastern Long Neck Turtle making an appearance. The development at Renwick is growing at a steady pace and there are now around 65 completed and occupied homes. Over the coming months we are working with Bunnings to deliver three workshops for the residents of Renwick covering lawn care, composting and building herb boxes. We will be holding another Welcome Event, this time a Wine and Cheese evening featuring local produce to enable new residents and old to get together, make new friendships and celebrate living at Renwick. Back to School Vouchers This year we have been lucky to again receive a large number of $50 Target Vouchers through the Southern Highlands Foundation. These vouchers are funded by a number of philanthropic organisations that include: Sidney Myer Fund, Lord Mayor s Charitable Foundation, Pratt Foundation, Julian Flett Foundation, Australian Govt, (Infrastructure and Regional Development) Origin Foundation, Ian Potter Foundation and Target. These vouchers have been distributed to over 130 Highlands families already. Page 7

Our service is funded by We are supported by Highlands Community Centres Inc.

referrals, advocacy Emergency Relief Community Development Youth Services Tax Help No Interest

EMERGENCY RELIEF Our program runs Monday to Friday from 9.30 am until 2 pm.

These limits apply to: How much we can spend each day How often a person can visit us How much we

.. Stafford Cottage 22 Bendooley Street, Bowral PHONE: 02 4862 1122 Fax: 02 4862 2858 Highlands

8 Our service is funded by We are supported by Highlands Community Centres Inc. is an independent, non political, non denominational organisation that Provides: Information, referrals, advocacy Emergency Relief Community Development Youth Services Tax Help No Interest Loans. Governance is by a voluntary Management Committee that meets monthly. EMERGENCY RELIEF Our program runs Monday to Friday from 9.30 am until 2 pm. As we have a finite budget for this program there are limits to which we work within. These limits apply to: How much we can spend each day How often a person can visit us How much we can give each visit HOW TO FIND US... Stafford Cottage 22 Bendooley Street, Bowral PHONE: Fax: Highlands Youth Hub NOW Back at Loseby Park in our new premises! Ph: HCC Youth Services Ph: facebook.com/highlands.yc/ highlandscommunitycentres/ highlandsyouth hub/ WEB: www:highlandscommunity.org.au www:youthhub.org.au Page 8

Prepare to Pack Your Bags!

Prepare to Pack Your Bags! Use these 11-steps to fundraise for your trip to the Youth Bike Summit: Step 1: Budget Step 2: Develop a Committee Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas Step 4: Create A Timeline Step 5: