Local News

Renewal program boost
BALLARAT'S thriving Wendouree West Neighbourhood Renewal program will be expanded as part of an $84.6 million initiative. Aboriginal Affairs and Aged Care Minister Gavin Jennings, in Ballarat last week, announced the extension of the program to another four areas on top of the existing 15, as part of the State Government's four-year $788 million A Fairer Victoria package, part of tomorrow's State Budget. "Wendouree West has been a fantastic success in terms of communities who take control of their own destiny," Mr Jennings said. "We are going to expand that program, to actually develop more aspects of Neighbourhood Renewal in Wendouree West. "Our government recognises it's a model for neighbourhood renewal right throughout Victoria. "We're talking about the way the community comes together in Wendouree West." Mayor David Vendy said he was delighted by the Wendouree West Renewal Project. "It really is a great project and it has helped in the revitalisation of that area of Ballarat," Cr Vendy said. Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said the money would help reduce disadvantage and improve opportunities for residents and families in the region. We want to make Victoria the best place, and the fairest state, to bring up a family." The A Fairer Victoria package, which focuses on disadvantaged groups and communities, also details a range of initiatives for the Ballarat and Grampians areas. It includes an Aboriginal land and economic development program to involve more indigenous people in land and resource management, sustainable tourism and business opportunities. It also outlines new supported playgroups in Ballarat, the extension of the community-based Family Support Initiative Program. The package will also work with Indigenous families through a Ballarat-based Aboriginal Family Support Initiative program. Mr Jennings said another highlight would be the linking of the Ballarat Aboriginal museum to a new 250km tourism trail. He said the Kirrit Barreet Museum would form part of the Bunjil trail and would begin at the Bunjil's Shelter in the Gariwerd/Grampians National Park and finish at Lady Julia Percy Island. Across Victoria the social policy package will deliver $101.8 million for children, $180.3 million to support Victorians with mental illness and $119.5 million for Victorians with disabilities.
Renaming of Jaycees Park
On Wednesday, 2nd February, 2005, The former Jaycees Park, at the corner of Norman and Gillies streets in Wendouree, was re-opened and renamed Weeramar Park, which means `play' in the language of the Dja Dja Wurung/Wathaurong people. Premier Steve Bracks, whose father was one of the inaugural members of Jaycees, reopened the revamped park which has undergone a $320,000 facelift. The park received its former name after the Wendouree Jaycees group which helped develop the park and planted hundreds of trees.
Ministerial HUB Announcement
On July 13, 2004, The Wendouree West Community welcomed Victorian Communities Minister John Thwaites and Housing Minister Candy Broad together with Ballarat West MLA Karen Overington, Catherine King, UnitingCare's chief executive officer Cliff Barclay and other distinguished guests. Wendouree West Neighborhood Renewal Project manager Gerardine Christou, Convenor of the Residents Group, Kevin Waugh and many friends, lead the Ministers on a tour of Wendouree West, the Ministers announced that Wendouree West had received funding of $1M to help build the first stage of the Community Hub, adjacent to the Grevillea Park Primary School., The hub will house learning, health-care, childcare, employment and recreation facilities for the area, which will link into the primary school. An enjoyable day was had by all.
Skills Audit
Over 250 residents completed a skills survey last year. The audit will be conducted again this year to obtain more responses.
The Best In The West
Three residents have been employed (1 as YES Trainee) to work on housing works in the area. Coordinated by BEST Employment, it is hoped this can be turned into a sustainable business offering employment opportunities for residents.
Job Shop
This is a joint initiative between local job network providers, private business and government. Ten businesses are to be involved.
BMX Track
Local Young people worked with the City of Ballarat to obtain a grant from Sport and Recreation to upgrade and relocate the BMX track. Young people had raised safety and positioning concerns with the old track for some time. The City of Ballarat matched the grant.
Jaycees Reserve
This Park was recently upgraded through the efforts of the local community. Around 70 residents attended a day long working bee to erect a children's playground and plant trees. The City of Ballarat along with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Justice and Department of Human Services provided Assistance and funding for the project.
Community Gym
The community are in the process of setting up a gym in one of the Violet Gve shops. The Gym will be available for everyone to use.
Wendouree West Community Gateway Launch
www.wendoureewest.com is Launched... Wednesday December 10, 2003, saw Wendouree West take a step forward in the technology age with the launch of the Wendouree West Community Gateway. more..
Community Gateway	Community Renewal
A First for Victoria & A First For Wendouree West... Wendouree West has a new voice - an informative interactive website that not only shows the world what is happening in Wendouree West, but also enables the residents to access up-to-date information, and share in community information and events. more..	Renewal Committees Restructure... As the Renewal entered a new phase in its process, so too did the structure and formation of committees and working parties. For us to have long term, sustainable programs we needed to focus on involving more residents. more..

Renewal program boost

BALLARAT'S thriving Wendouree West Neighbourhood Renewal program will be expanded as part of an $84.6 million initiative.

Aboriginal Affairs and Aged Care Minister Gavin Jennings, in Ballarat last week, announced the extension of the program to another four areas on top of the existing 15, as part of the State Government's four-year $788 million

A Fairer Victoria package, part of tomorrow's State Budget.

"Wendouree West has been a fantastic success in terms of communities who take control of their own destiny," Mr Jennings said.

"We are going to expand that program, to actually develop more aspects of Neighbourhood Renewal in Wendouree West.

"Our government recognises it's a model for neighbourhood renewal right throughout Victoria.

"We're talking about the way the community comes together in Wendouree West."

Mayor David Vendy said he was delighted by the Wendouree West Renewal Project.

"It really is a great project and it has helped in the revitalisation of that area of Ballarat," Cr Vendy said.

Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said the money would help reduce disadvantage and improve opportunities for residents and families in the region. We want to make Victoria the best place, and the fairest state, to bring up a family."

The A Fairer Victoria package, which focuses on disadvantaged groups and communities, also details a range of initiatives for the Ballarat and Grampians areas.

It includes an Aboriginal land and economic development program to involve more indigenous people in land and resource management, sustainable tourism and business opportunities.

It also outlines new supported playgroups in Ballarat, the extension of the community-based Family Support Initiative Program.

The package will also work with Indigenous families through a Ballarat-based Aboriginal Family Support Initiative program.

Mr Jennings said another highlight would be the linking of the Ballarat Aboriginal museum to a new 250km tourism trail.

He said the Kirrit Barreet Museum would form part of the Bunjil trail and would begin at the Bunjil's Shelter in the Gariwerd/Grampians National Park and finish at Lady Julia Percy Island.

Across Victoria the social policy package will deliver $101.8 million for children, $180.3 million to support Victorians with mental illness and $119.5 million for Victorians with disabilities.

Renaming of Jaycees Park

On Wednesday, 2nd February, 2005, The former Jaycees Park, at the corner of Norman and Gillies streets in Wendouree, was re-opened and renamed Weeramar Park, which means `play' in the language of the Dja Dja Wurung/Wathaurong people.

Premier Steve Bracks, whose father was one of the inaugural members of Jaycees, reopened the revamped park which has undergone a $320,000 facelift.

The park received its former name after the Wendouree Jaycees group which helped develop the park and planted hundreds of trees.

Ministerial HUB Announcement

On July 13, 2004, The Wendouree West Community welcomed Victorian Communities Minister John Thwaites and Housing Minister Candy Broad together with Ballarat West MLA Karen Overington, Catherine King, UnitingCare's chief executive officer Cliff Barclay and other distinguished guests. Wendouree West Neighborhood Renewal Project manager Gerardine Christou, Convenor of the Residents Group, Kevin Waugh and many friends, lead the Ministers on a tour of Wendouree West, the Ministers announced that Wendouree West had received funding of $1M to help build the first stage of the Community Hub, adjacent to the Grevillea Park Primary School., The hub will house learning, health-care, childcare, employment and recreation facilities for the area, which will link into the primary school. An enjoyable day was had by all.

Skills Audit

Over 250 residents completed a skills survey last year. The audit will be conducted again this year to obtain more responses.

The Best In The West

Three residents have been employed (1 as YES Trainee) to work on housing works in the area. Coordinated by BEST Employment, it is hoped this can be turned into a sustainable business offering employment opportunities for residents.

Job Shop

This is a joint initiative between local job network providers, private business and government. Ten businesses are to be involved.

BMX Track

Local Young people worked with the City of Ballarat to obtain a grant from Sport and Recreation to upgrade and relocate the BMX track. Young people had raised safety and positioning concerns with the old track for some time. The City of Ballarat matched the grant.

Jaycees Reserve

This Park was recently upgraded through the efforts of the local community. Around 70 residents attended a day long working bee to erect a children's playground and plant trees. The City of Ballarat along with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Justice and Department of Human Services provided Assistance and funding for the project.

Community Gym

The community are in the process of setting up a gym in one of the Violet Gve shops. The Gym will be available for everyone to use.

Wendouree West Community Gateway Launch

www.wendoureewest.com is Launched...
Wednesday December 10, 2003, saw Wendouree West take a step forward in the technology age with the launch of the Wendouree West Community Gateway. more..

Community Gateway

Community Renewal

A First for Victoria & A First For Wendouree West... Wendouree West has a new voice - an informative interactive website that not only shows the world what is happening in Wendouree West, but also enables the residents to access up-to-date information, and share in community information and events. more..

Renewal Committees Restructure...
As the Renewal entered a new phase in its process, so too did the structure and formation of committees and working parties. For us to have long term, sustainable programs we needed to focus on involving more residents. more..

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