Renewal History
In 2000, the Grampians region proposed a comprehensive renewal to address the fabric of housing stock, physical environment and social issues for the Wendouree West Area.
- Development of the project proposal,
- The project's launch,
- Opening the resident forums,
- Holding a working sessions with 25 self-nominated residents to confirm and develop the proposed structure and process,
- Formally opening an information session for members of the wider community,
- Calling for expressions of interest for convenors and members of the Action Area Committees.
Information Session Held at Grevillea Park Primary School
All residents
who had expressed an interest were invited to an information/working session
held at the Wendouree West Community House on 8th June, 2001. The Meeting
was convened by
Ms Karen Overington
MLA,
Member for Ballarat West. 25
residents were in attendance. The outcomes of the meeting included the
residents endorsing the proposed overall renewal structure, with changes
being made to the number of residents in Action Area committee from three
to six, and expressing the need to establish a separate safety committee.
The
Residents Group, consisting of 16
residents including the Convenor, met on 16th and 30th July 2001. In these
meetings residents focused on process issues, elected their convenor,
discussed the Terms of Reference and made changes to proposed resident
representation on the steering committee to enable cross-linkages to
occur. In future meetings residents focused on developing issues
for follow up by Action Area Committees.
Structure of the Renewal Committees when first
established
Steering Committee
The Role of the steering committee
was to engage the residents of Wendouree West in the community renewal
process, oversee issues and planning in each action area (see below) and
facilitate the development of an integrated Community
Action Plan.
Chair:
Ms Karen Overington
MLA,
Member for Ballarat West.
Members: Convenors and one resident from each Action Area Committee.
Sub-Committees
The five
sub-committees originally established were:
-
Housing,
-
Community Safety,
-
Community Works and Environment,
-
Community Wellbeing,
-
Education, Employment and Economic Development.
Renewal
Timeline
Following the establishment of these committees, each of the Sub-Committees
have been working together with the Residents Group and the Steering
Committee on a series of projects related to
their specific sub-committee area. The following timeline lists some of
key dates throughout the project.
| Date | Achievements |
| 2001.
9th April 18th April 29th April 3rd Jun 4th Jun 5th Jun 8th Jun 26th Jun 16th July 11th Aug 14th Aug 20th Aug 21st Aug 23rd Aug 28th Aug 30th Aug 31st Aug 12th Oct 28th Oct 2002. 4th Mar Feb 4th Apr Jun 23rd Jun 22nd Jul 15th Sep 6th Oct 10th Dec 2004 9th Feb 16th Feb 24th Feb 26th Feb Mar Apr 22nd May Jun 13th July Aug Sep Oct 27th Oct 29th Oct 23rd Nov 2005 2nd Feb 4th Feb 25th Feb 9th Mar 10th May 15th May 17th May |
Project Manager, Sara Vidal commences. Resident Networker, Kieran Murrihy commences. Project launched with a tree planting ceremony at the display house. First community meeting Community meeting. Resource Project Officer, Keryn Crebbin commences. First Community Works and Environment committee meeting. First Housing committee meeting. First Safety committee meeting. First Community Well-being committee meeting. First Education, Employment & Economic Development (now Learning, Employment & Economic Development) committee meeting. Government Secretaries visit. Resident forum to discuss housing issues. Display House open for inspection. First Community Renewal newsletter published. Installation of security sensor lights begins. CJP graduation, Team 3 (BRACE). YES Trainees commence with Ballarat a Learning City and the Wendouree West Community Renewal Office. Tool Pool launched. First Steering committee meeting after restructure. Project Resource Officer, Lauren Sculley commences. Convenor, Kevin Waugh and Assistant Convenor, David Spenceley nominated. Meetings moved to monthly. First Statewide Residents Network meeting. Jaycees Park redevelopment commences. Construction of playground equipment during Community Working Bee at Jaycees Park $1M Ministerial HUB Announcement by 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. 'Walking School Bus' Launched. Designs for the Shop fronts in Violet Grove were presented. 2nd Community Survey Begins. 'Strengthening Generations' Workshops conducted. 'Connecting Wendouree' Bus Shelter Mural Project Launched. 'Building Stronger People' Project launched at Grevillea Park Primary School. Combined Meeting for everyone involved in the Renewal. Jaycees Park is re-named 'Weeramar' Park Launch of Violet Grove Shops by Senator Judith Troeth. Residents Group votes themselves out of existence in favour of having Community 'Have A Say' days. Fiona Beaumont commences 8 weeks work with Renewal Team while Kieran is working with Braybrook/Maidstone Renewal. Wendouree West Innovation In Action. Residents 1st Community 'Have A Say' Day at Grevillea Park Primary School. Mick Malthouse visits BSC- Wendouree Campus and OLHC to talk to students from OLHC, Grevillea Park, Yuille and St Augustine's Creswick during Education Foundation's fourth annual Back To School Day. |
Achievements of the Wendouree West Community Renewal to date - click here.
Two Year Anniversary
On Thursday July 17, 2003 the Committees combined to celebrate two years of the Community Renewal in Wendouree
West and its accomplishments over the past two years. Committee members were presented with certificates and a glass in recognition of their contribution. Convenors were also honoured
for their commitment to the Projects.
Committee Re-structure
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.
After much discussion and planning, we decided the only way forward is by involving more residents. We gave every member of the community the opportunity to become involved. It’s important we all have a say in determining our future and that of the community.
As of the 21st July, 2003 all Resident positions within the Renewal were vacated. Residents nominated for as many committees or groups they liked. Prospective recruits were given information on this process, along with a booklet outlining possible areas of involvement. All residents were successful in obtaining positions within the Renewal.
Residents expressing an interest, or willingness to be involved were invited to attend a meeting on Monday 25th August at Grevillea Park Primary School. At the meeting we talked through the restructure, explained roles of resident representatives and called for nominations for these positions in each committee. Voting was done by a secret ballot. Newly formed committees met in early September.