Farewell Barb Jents

We are very sad to announce that our chief Blogger Barb Jents has resigned as Communications Officer for Communities for Children Shellharbour to pursue a full time position. Barb has been with us for almost all our four and a half years. She started when we were crammed into one tiny room at the Albion Park Community Centre. Then we moved to the larger (shop)office on Tongarra Rd. We thought we were there for the duration as the program was due to wrap up in June 09 but as you know instead of celebrating our swansong we ended up celebrating a new lease of life for C4C but also the need for a new home. Finally we arrived at our current location in Lake Illawarra where we are very happy to have undercover parking and inside facilities!

"Barb's 50th Birthday-June 2009

It is a hallmark of this project that we are continually breaking new ground. We are so proud of all the great activities our Community Partners have delivered and all the new partnerships and networks that have grown out of C4C. In all this growth, Barb has been there documenting everything through first our website, then the newsletter and now this Blogspot. She has also been the Keeper of the Clippings and so far has filled 9 albums with press clippings and copies of all the other media produced by everyone at C4C!

Kidsfest Business Awards 2008

So Good Bye and Good Luck Barb, we hope you have happy travels with Mark in your new caravan and discover new horizons on the way! Enjoy the adventure, we will miss you.


Tessa and Judy

PS there will be a Farewell Afternoon Tea on Monday 16 August at 2pm at the Barnardos Office, Greene St Warrawong.
Friends welcome.

New Poster Display for Communities for Children Shellharbour!

Pictured Above : Graphic Artist
Ellie Holder-Keeping

Our new conference poster was presented to us
here today at Communities for Children by Graphic Artist
Ellie Holder - Keeping.
Tessa will be taking the new poster display to the
Australian Child Welfare Agency (ACWA) conference
next week from Monday 2nd August through to
Wed 4th August at Darling Harbour.

Look out for it coming to a venue near you !

Barb

NAIDOC Celebrations

It is NAIDOC Celebration time and the theme is "Unsung Heros". C4C staff and Community Partners were very happy to participate in activities at the Lake Illawarra PCYC on 1st July 2010. The event was organised by a broad team of people lead by Wendy Ainsworth from NSW Community Services. The majority of families participating are engaged with the many family support programs in the Illawarra and there was a presentation to Foster Carers who open their homes to children in need.

Richard Davis gave a Welcome to Country and the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dancers performed for the crowd. It was great to see the children join in as 'joey kangaroos'. The team from Park and Play were there to showcase their service along with displays from Housing NSW, National Parks and Wildlife, Community Services, lots of games and activities for the children. It was all hands on deck to cook the BBQ and serve the healthy salads and fruit salads. There were also tastings of kangaroo meat, crocodile and damper with native plant jams - my favourite was the Lilipilli spread.

Communities for Children sponsored a native animal display from Symbio Animal Park. Staff brought down a Golden Possum, baby Crocodile, Shingleback Lizard, Water Dragon and a beautiful Python. The children (Big and Small) were fascinated and learnt a lot about these beautiful animals, where to find them and how to look after them.

Tessa

Latest News from CfBD

Congratulations to Deb Langridge on the progress of their project as detailed in the attached letter. Another step closer to a Child Friendly City.

Well done Healthy Cities !

Barb

Park & Play School Holiday Activities

It's that time of year again when school holidays are fast approaching !
The Park & Play Team will be providing their service at the below mentioned parks during these July school holidays and would love to see some new faces.
Come along to either venues :

Wednesday 7th July 2010
Little Park Addison Avenue
SHELLHARBOUR
9.30 - 12.30 (o-12 Years Welcome)
Tuesday 13th July 2010
Drysdale Park Drysdale Road
ALBION PARK
9.30 - 12.30 (0-12 Years Welcome)

Visit the Park & Play link on the Family Services Illawarra Website for more information about their Term Program
www.fsi.org.au/section.content/park-play

Barb

WIDA - Breastfeeding Group at Shellharbour Hospital

Barnardos and the AMIHS (Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service) want to support more Indigenous women to breast feed their babies. Elaine at Barnardos can be contacted on
42 75 85 75 to give more information on the service that is now available to any Aboriginal woman who currently is pregnant or has a newborn baby, be willing to try breastfeeding and attend a group regularly. With support given by way of transport where possible,vouchers as an encouragement to begin and continue breastfeeding, with lots of info on parenting as well.
There are culturally appropriate activities provided by Aunties from within the local community and a chance to form new friendships.

The Groups meet on a Wednesday from 10.30 - 12.30.

If you need assistance in transport please call Sara on 42 95 2417.

Barb

C4C Meeting

Communities for Children recently held their Committee meeting last Wed 9th June at the Headquarters and heartbeat of the Park and Play vans in Albion Park Rail. It was announced that the new Community Partners PCYC and Access Community Group will be delivering the Family Outreach Learning Activity targeting 8-12 Year Olds in Shellharbour. We are looking forward to the next two years of more valuable outcomes for the community.
There were many other ideas discussed with all Community Partners attending.

Barb