The University will develop the data-base, train residents in its use and maintenance and provide links with the Information Gateway Service.

The Skills Audit has been developed with support from the Office of Rural Communities. As a result of the Skills survey that was completed last year, residents have been linked into training opportunities, community events and community activities. By utilising the survey results, residents are feeling more connected and have many more opportunities to be involved in a wide range of activities. Volunteers will be delivering more of these surveys to each house shortly. Information obtained through the surveys will only be used by members of the Renewal Team. At no time will any personal details be given out. We would encourage all household members to complete a survey, you never know what opportunities might come your way. If you have any queries or want to know how you can fill in a survey now, please call into the Renewal Office or contact Kellie on  5339 0820.

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

Community Works, Environment and Housing
Jaycees Reserve
Jaycees Park is the Gateway to Wendouree West. It is situated along Gillies Street and is adjacent to Norman and Daffodil Streets. It is currently a dry and barren wasteland. In April 2002, the Tract Report on Urban Environment identified Jaycees Park as a key precinct for urban improvement.

The Western Region received a one off initiative funding of $40,000 towards urban design services for the Wendouree West Project and Jaycees Park is one of the components.

The Department of Sustainability & Environment has led this project to obtain urban design advice for the park, under guidance from the Community Works and Environment Sub-Committee of the Wendouree West Community Renewal.

After a tender process in December 2002, THA Landscape Architects were awarded the contract to develop the design for the Park. The design advice is to include plans that will enable construction works to be undertaken in various components, allowing for community and service group involvement. The designs will also incorporate an area for community arts being developed as a separate project by the Ballarat City Council. The design work was completed in May 2003.

                                
Source: Wendouree West Community Action Plan

This project has the potential to raise the profile of Wendouree West as Jaycees Park is in a highly strategic location. Further, it has the capacity to draw residents from outside Wendouree West into the community.

Update: 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.

BMX Track
The City of Ballarat has allocated $9000 to the Renewal after an application was made for the upgrade of the local BMX track. The youth of Wendouree West have been heavily involved in this process, and are eager to see the project through to completion. They have had many fantastic ideas, with work on the BMX track to begin shortly.

                                               

Update: 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.

Housing Works
One of the biggest projects to happen is the upgrading of houses, fences, gardens etc. We have seen the upgrade of 11 houses in Hyacinth Grove, and 60 properties in zone 1. 3 new four bedroom homes and 2 new two bedroom units built, 89 boundary fences erected, 5 vacant properties upgraded, 36 properties environmentally upgraded, and 12 Wattle Avenue properties received street scape work. We also received a $250,000 grant from Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria to undertake environmental upgrades and have an energy efficient program in homes. As you can see from this Boronia Grove home the transformation has been amazing.




Update: During the 2003/04 Financial year, 108 properties were upgraded and approximately 47 properties received front fencing or carports.

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

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.

Community Jobs Programs 2004
2 Projects - 26 positions. Aged/Child Care (BEST)
Business Skills CJP (Highlands Personnel) - Surveying local businesses about their employment requirements.

Statewide Residents Network
Wendouree West Residents Group initiated the formation of a Statewide Residents Network earlier this year. Residents from the Neighbourhood Renewal sites across the State get together every two months.

Website
The Wendouree West Website was developed by residents and launched in December 2003. A resident is employed part time to keep the website updated. The website was developed with funding from Multimedia Victoria and the support of the Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation.

YES Traineeships (5 positions for Wendouree West Residents)
2 residents completed 12 month YES Traineeships (Renewal Team & BRACE)
3 residents currently completing a 12 month traineeship.
-Ballarat University
-Disability Services, Department of Human Services
-Best In The West Maintenance Team.

Board of Management Community House
In December 2003, a Board of Management comprising of residents resumed control of the Wendouree West Community House. The House had been under the auspice of Ballarat Community Health for a number of years.

Native Plant Nursery
Local residents are working with the City of Ballarat on developing a store of indigenous plants to be used within Wendouree West. Residents will receive training in plant management and tend to a section of the City of Ballarat’s indigenous plant nursery. Upon maturation these plants will be made available for the community to plant within Wendouree West. The program commenced in April of this year.

Community Wellbeing and Safety
Young People's Events
The Department of Human Services provided funding for young people to organise social events. The Wendouree West Youth Group has staged a dinner dance for elderly residents in the area whilst a music festival showcasing local talent was also organised.

Physical Activity
Primary Care Partnerships provided the YMCA with funding to engage older adults in physical activity. The YMCA has employed 4 residents part-time to assist with this project. This funding has also been used to allow 5 residents to study Certificate III in Fitness.

Gym
The St John of God Hospital donated equipment for the establishment of a gym in one of the vacant shops. 5 residents have been funded to undertake a Fitness Level 3 course and they are working with the YMCA and Community House to coordinate the running of the gym.

Launch of Walking School Bus
Vichealth provided funding to start the Walking School Bus program. The program was launched in June 2004 and will run from both Grevillea Park and Yuille Primary Schools.

Neighbourhood Watch
Residents recently canvassed the community about interest in Neighbourhood Watch and determined there was overwhelming support for the establishment of this program within Wendouree West. Residents have now formed a working party with Police representatives to get the program up and running. The program was officially launched on 22nd July,2003 with over 30 zone representatives.

Mental Health
A working party has been formed to work with Lyn McLennan (Community Well-Being) on mental health issues. The idea is for carers & consumers to attend training sessions in relation to Mental Health issues. Grampians Psychiatric Services, Centacare, Carers Choice, A.P.R.O.T.C.H and Cooinda are all involved and contributing for our benefit. These training sessions are now in progress.

Hippy Program
Through the Community Well-Being sub-committee, funding is being sought for the HIPPY Program.  HIPPY is:  Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters.  It is a 2 year, home based early childhood enrichment program for preschool children targeting communities who have experienced disadvantage.  HIPPY believes parents play a critical role in their child’s education. HIPPY offers a structure which builds upon parental strengths so they can provide their child with necessary skills and confidence to begin school with a positive attitude towards learning.  HIPPY actively works with other early childhood and local services within the community. Each program has its own local advisory group comprising parent representatives, home tutors, preschool and principals, as well as relevant child and family services staff.  If the funding submission is successful, we believe that this is a vital first step in changing the patterns of pre-school and school attendance in the community.

Safety
For safety, we have installed 450 sensor lights and through the CFA and Ballarat Group Training have implemented house numbering. The Renewal has also developed a Traffic Management Strategy, which will enhance traffic safety for road users, pedestrians and school zones. 

Our goal is to make Wendouree West a safe community that supports the Police in responding to criminal activity and provides a safe haven for everyone.

We are committed to providing a happy, healthy, safe community.