Wendouree West Community Portal

The Beginning
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.

Considerable support was expressed from the City of Ballarat as well as many other key health and welfare agencies for a renewal process.

Consequently in April 2000, a resident-led, whole of Government approach was launched for the residents of Wendouree West with significant support by all government departments for the "Wendouree West Community Renewal."

In December 2000 the Department of Human Services Departmental Executive, recognising Wendouree West as a place with a high concentration of disadvantage endorsed the Wendouree West Community Renewal project by cross-divisional commitment and financial contribution of $120,000.

The Hon. Bronwyn Pike, Minister for Housing and Aged Care at this time, launched the Wendouree West Community Renewal on 29th April, 2001, with a $3.1 million commitment.

Resident Involvement and Creating the Renewal Structure

Ms Karen Overington MLA, Member for Ballarat West, has participated in all resident components of the project including:

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 sessions, between 3rd and 5th June, were held at local school (Grevillea Park Primary). 90 Adults and 38 children attended. These sessions also called for expressions of interest from residents. 40 residents self-nominated to be involved in the Residents Group and a number of 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.

2001.
9^th April – Project Manager, Sara Vidal commences.
18^th April – Resident Networker, Kieran Murrihy commences.
29^th April – Project launched with a tree planting ceremony at the display house.
3^rd Jun – First community meeting
4^th Jun – Community meeting.
5^th Jun – Community meeting.
8^th Jun – Community meeting with Karen Overington.
26^th Jun – Community meeting which endorsed 5 sub-committees.
16^th July – First Residents Group meeting. Convenor Gayle Britten was nominated. Meeting fortnightly.
11^th Aug – New bus and carport for the Wendouree West Community House.
14^th Aug – First Steering Committee meeting.
20^th Aug – Resource Project Officer, Keryn Crebbin commences.
             – Information session for sub-committee members.
21^st Aug – First Community Works and Environment committee meeting.
23^rd Aug – First Housing committee meeting.
28^th Aug – First Safety committee meeting.
30^th Aug – First Community Well-being committee meeting.
31^st Aug – First Education, Employment & Economic Development (now Learning, Employment & Economic Development) committee meeting.
12^th Oct – Government Secretaries visit.
28^th Oct – Resident forum to discuss housing issues.
             – Display House open for inspection.
             – First Community Renewal newsletter published.

2002.
22^nd Jan – Guest speakers at the launch of the Traralgon Neighbourhood Renewal.
24^th Jan – Guest speakers at the launch of the Moe Neighbourhood Renewal.
18^th Feb – Display House opened for business. The Office of Housing moves in.
22^nd Feb – Governor’s visit.
4th Mar – Assistant Convenor Lauren Sculley was nominated.
23^rd Mar – Installation of security sensor lights begins.
May – Sports and Recreation Project Officer, Stuart Clarke commences.
1^st Jun – Wendouree West Community Expo held.
26^th Jun – First Community Jobs Program launched. (BRACE). 100 positions.
1^st Jul – Project Manager, Gerardine Christou commences.
29^th Jul – Resident information session and recruiting campaign.
22^nd Aug – The Hon Bronwyn Pike, MP visit.
3^rd Oct – CJP launched. (BEST).
7^th Oct – Community surveys begin.
16^th Oct – Community meeting for vision and development of Community Hub.
25^th Oct – Community surveys completed.
30^th Oct – Community Hub submission completed and submitted.
13^th Nov – Healthy Kids Carnival.
Dec – SEAV Trainees commence.
6^th Dec – Employment Forum.
13^th Dec – First CJP graduation, Team 1 (BRACE).

2003
28th Jan – Wendouree West Community Gateway (website) coordinator Sam Gray employed.
Feb – YES Trainee commences with the Wendouree West Community House.
12^th Feb – CJP graduation, Team 2 (BRACE).
21^st Feb – The Premier Mr. Steve Bracks and the Hon Candy Broad, MP launched the Wendouree West Community Action Plan (CAP).   – CJP graduation (BEST).
               – 2003 CJP program launched.
Mar – Employment and Learning Facilitator, Jeremy Nijam commences.
11^th Mar – CJP for Community Gateway launched. (Highlands Personnel).
          – Presentation made to the Community Support Fund (CSF) for Community Hub funding.
4^th Apr – CJP graduation, Team 3 (BRACE).
2^nd May – CJP graduation, Team 4 (BRACE).
23rd Jun – YES Trainees commence with Ballarat a Learning City and the Wendouree West Community Renewal Office.
11^th Jul – CJP graduation. (BEST).
21^st Jul – All Community Renewal committee positions declared vacant, for restructure.
22^nd Jul – Neighbourhood Watch program launched.
24^th Jul – Education forum.
25^th Jul – CJP graduation. Community Gateway. (Highlands).
25^th Aug – Information session for new Renewal Structure, committee members etc.
           – New sub-committees formed, reduced from 5 to 3. They now are Learning, Employment & Economic Development
                (LEED); Community Works & Environment and Housing; Community Well-being and Safety.
8^th Sep – First Residents Group meeting after restructure. Convenor, Lauren Sculley and Assistant Convenor, Kevin Waugh nominated.
6^th Oct – First Steering committee meeting after restructure.
           – First LEED sub-committee meeting after restructure.
14^th Oct – First Community Works& Environment and Housing sub-committee meeting after restructure.
15^th Oct – First Community Well-being and Safety sub-committee meeting after restructure.
             – Mental Health forums launched.
24^th Nov – Employment and Learning Coordinator, Keryn Crebbin commences.
           - Statewide Residents Network representatives Lauren Sculley and Kevin Waugh nominated.
10^th Dec – www.wendoureewest.com launched.

2004
9th Feb – Project Resource Officer, Lauren Sculley commences.
16th Feb – Convenor, Kevin Waugh and Assistant Convenor, David Spenceley nominated. Meetings moved to monthly.
24th Feb – First Statewide Residents Network meeting.
26th Feb – Jaycees Park redevelopment commences.
Mar – Community Gateway Project Officer, Fiona Beaumont Commences.
Apr -
22nd May - Construction of playground equipment during Community Working Bee at Jaycees Park
Jun -
13th July - $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.
Aug - 'Walking School Bus' Launched.
Sep - Designs for the Shop fronts in Violet Grove were presented.
Oct - 2nd Community Survey Begins.
'Strengthening Generations' Workshops conducted.
27th Oct -'Connecting Wendouree' Bus Shelter Mural Project Launched.
29th Oct - 'Building Stronger People' Project launched at Grevillea Park Primary School.
23rd Nov - Combined Meeting for everyone involved in the Renewal.

2005
2nd Feb - Jaycees Park is re-named 'Weeramar' Park and opened by Premier Steve Bracks.
4th Feb - Launch of Violet Grove Shops by Senator Judith Troeth.
25th Feb - Residents Group votes themselves out of existence in favour of having Community 'Have A Say' days.

9th Mar - Fiona Beaumont commences 8 weeks work with Renewal Team while Kieran is working with Braybrook/Maidstone Renewal.

10th May - Wendouree West Innovation In Action.
15th May - Residents 1st Community Have A Say Day at Grevillea Park Primary School.
17th May - 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 enters 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.