Free before-school breakfasts for disadvantaged kids, sustainable community gardens, and dancing lessons for people living with dementia and driving programs for youth were among the recipients of IMB Bank Community Foundation funding on Monday.
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Wollongong Art Gallery was the setting for the presentation of funding to 30 not-for-profit groups in the Illawarra and South Coast.
The occasion also marked the IMB Bank Community Foundation's 20th anniversary.
IMB Bank chief executive Robery Ryan said since 1999, IMB Bank Community Foundation has donated more than $10million to charity and community groups in the areas where IMB Bank operates.
2019 local recipients included Albion Park Youth and Community Care 's free Before School Brekky Club, Rotary Gerringong Sunrise's Dancing for People with Dementia, The SAGE Project (Sustainable Agriculture and Gardeners) Eurobodalla and Top Blokes Foundation's mental health support programs for young men and boys.
Mr Ryan said IMB Bank Community Foundation had a record-breaking number of projects apply for funding in 2019.
He said members of the Foundation committee who visited each shortlisted project were humbled and amazed at the dedication and commitment of community members to help others.
"It is a real pleasure to be able to allocate funds to these organisations announced today, so they can continue to grow and develop their resources," he said.
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Descriptions provided by the successful 2019 projects funded by the IMB Bank Community Foundation:
Kind Hearts Illawarra Outreach
- KHI Helps those in need through our outreach program that we run in MacCabe Park, Wollongong every Thursday night. We help, aid and assist the homeless, youth and anyone in need. We supply them with a meal, hot & cold beverage, food hamper, hygiene pack, blanket, towel and clothing. We always ask about their welfare and make general conversation with our patrons. We operate every Thursday night rain, hail or shine.
Older Women's Network NSW - Let's Loosen Up and Laugh.
- Runs a series of informative and supportive workshops aimed at inspiring our members to take on new challengers, (possibly leadership roles) and explore possibilities through art, meditation, music and dance.
Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club ATV Replacement.
- Thirroul SLSC's current ATV is eight years old and continuously experience significant mechanical and electrical breakdowns and is at the end of its serviceable life. The ATV is used to transport patrol equipment on and off the beach on weekends and public holidays but the critical use of an ATV is to provide the ability to respond rapidly to rescue situations that occur regularly in hazardous areas including the southern corner of the Beach at Towradgi Point, the middle of the beach opposite the caravan park and the northern end of the beach at East Corrimal. Sharon Bird said that it was important that local surf clubs had the equipment they need to keep residents and tourists safe on the beach each summer.
Farmborough Heights Rural Fire Brigade Thermal Imaging Camera.
- The project is for the brigade to obtain a Thermal Imaging Camera. This would enable the Brigade's fire fighters to fully interpret a fire scene and provide a more accurate situational awareness. The camera would assist in finding lost persons in search and rescue callouts both in daylight and night time hours.
CareSouth Health Hub.
- The hub was made possible by an IMB grant last year and provides free dental, optical and auditory checks, as well as speech and occupational therapy screenings, to disadvantaged children aged 2-17. Since the Health Hubs began in January last year, more than 500 individuals have attended the free health checks. There has been an overwhelming response to the service (all Health Hubs have been booked out) and feedback from the young people and their families has been positive. CareSouth now wants to replicate the Health Hub model across our geographical footprint, due to the ongoing success of the Berkeley Health Hub. Through a five-year funding partnership with the IMB, we envisage rolling out the program to Nowra, Goulburn, Wagga-Wagga, Griffith and Deniliquin, where access to health services is most difficult. With ongoing funding we will be able to build an evidence base for a Health Hub model of soft entry into medical services for vulnerable families. CareSouth recognises that accessing health care is difficult for disadvantaged families, not only because it can be cost-prohibitive, but also anxiety-inducing due to the fear they will be judged by health professionals and reported to community services. The alarming statistics, coupled with the desire to make health care accessible to those who need it most, led to CareSouth's Community Hub Development Officer (CHDO) running a one-stop shop of health provision services in a safe and supportive environment at no cost to participants.
MKUD Makedonski Biseri uniforms.
- Always closely linked to their native land, the Macedonian people have mostly lived through centuries of tradition transmitting it from one generation to another, and thus creating an unusually rare material and spiritual culture which bears some patriarchal characteristics. True folklore cannot be bought or sold, but has to be learned through toil, sweat and tears. To continue with this, MKUD Makedonski Biseri mission statements is youth engagement. Youth engagement goes beyond giving young people a voice. Youth engagement is about ensuring young people are valued and that their contribution is respected, considered and acted upon. Meaningful youth engagement is a partnership where together, we build a genuine sense of ownership. We encourage our older dancers to engage with the youth and give them a sense of responsibility. In essence it's our way of keeping these kids off the streets and doing something constructive. Wollongong has a large population of Macedonians and as a community we are losing our traditions and values. Aligning our tradition and heritage with our youth and providing meaningful engagement Is paramount. MKUD Makedonski Biseri committee are a volunteer group and through the help of choreographers try to promote the true art, stimulate and educate, in hopefully leading all who are touched by it to a new level of insight. At the same time, by its nature folklore is also accessible, not merely to an artistic elite, but to all who pursue it with passion. MKUD Makedonski Biseri committee largely rely on the families' assistance in fundraising activities, membership fees and donations. Amalgamating activities and encouraging excursions within the areas as well as interstate whereby the older kids are paired up with the younger kids (like a buddy system) gives a sense of value and responsibility, at the same time work and team ethic. A major project is uniformity and a sense of belonging. In order to be able to present and most importantly feel as being part of a team is a uniform. Uniforms give our youth a sense of belonging to a much greater cause than just a dance group. The uniform arms our youth with culture, heritage and an understanding of what it is to be Macedonian. It arms the youth of today with a story as each uniform represents a timeline of the Macedonian people and where they originate from. The Macedonian national costumes are characterised by richness and ornamentation. Western Macedonia, especially divided into smaller regional units with different ethnic characteristics is a real mosaic of various beautiful national costumes, where the women's costumes are of special interest. Decorative Macedonian embroidery, characteristic in the forms, technically complex and of picturesque colours give special expression and distinction to the national costumes. The women's gowns are especially decorative, and are the main bearer of this kind of traditional artistic creation. Embroidery is not only an artistic expression and the essential element but the most characteristic of the costumes of different regions. All of that is an historic heritage that makes Macedonia proud. We hope that working with IMB especially Warrawong branch, will allow us to provide this to our youth and our team. Warrawong as an area, has a major Macedonian base and we are hoping by working with our partners that we can fulfil the mission of our group and at the same time provide our partners with the best possible service via our registered families. In the past MKUD was linked with IMB by promoting the company's values and ability for assistance when dealing with loans etc. We are happy to willing to continue this affiliation with our partner.
Port Kembla Youth Project PK Leap
- In 2018, we piloted the PK Leap project - a 5 session interactive mentoring program to build inter-personal skills with young people (aged 11-13 years) to cope with change and transition to high school. The project engaged 41 participants and 7 high school mentors. The pilot revealed extremely promising results - 100% of participants liked working with high school mentors; 99% learnt something new; with 98% who enjoyed the program. 100% of Mentors rated the experience as highly valuable. Positive feedback from stakeholders cited the program engaging and interactive. Our request for support is to scale the program by delivering 1X PK Leap program X 7 sessions for primary students, engaging young people who are identified as at-risk and vulnerable to poor mental health to participate in 40 min workshops addressing: coping with change, building emotional resilience, positive mental health and building positive relationships & peer connections. The program will also create links familiarising young people to their local youth service and other for the future. In addition to this, we will incorporate an additional peer-mentoring training element where young people from high school and UOW will facilitate and support 7 workshops. This will also have additional outcomes of supporting the leadership and civic engagement of the peer mentors. Our project partners include: Headspace Wollongong, Warrawong High School, Port Kembla Primary School, Wollongong Women's Centre, Kind Art Ed and Multicultural Communities of Illawarra.
Family Services Illawarra Limited Securing the Safety of Women & Children's Safety
- The Securing Women and Children's Safety Project meets a number of community needs such as increased personal safety and living, increased community integration and increased mental health and wellbeing.
Top Blokes Foundation Stepping Up Mentoring - Expansion.
- In 2018, we were fortunate to receive support from ICF to pilot 5 x Stepping Up program to primary schools in the Illawarra. We had extremely positive results and since have received enquires from other local primary schools who have shared the struggles they face with their male students (listed below). This has been through word of mouth as well as positive media coverage of the ICF partnership. Stepping Up is an 8-week mentoring program for at-risk and disengaged boys in grades 5 and 6. Through weekly mentoring and social education workshops, participants have access to positive role modelling and increased knowledge and skills in the areas of mental well-being, anger management, online behaviours, discrimination, healthy relationships, masculinity and leadership and teamwork (just to name a few). We would love to continue the partnership with ICF and request support to expand 8-week Stepping Up Mentoring Program for boys in Year 5 and 6 by delivering an additional 5 programs to primary schools in the Illawarra. This will impact approx. 60 young males directly. Our strategic approach is to target primary schools that are in the same suburb as the high schools we already partner with. This will lead to a community-wide impact, where our programs engage young males from 10 years old to 17 years old within the one suburb. For example, in 2018, we partnered with Warilla Primary who feed into Warilla High School where we deliver a 6-month mentoring program to young men in year 9 and 10, as well as Koonawarra Public who feed into Kanahooka High and Dapto High (where we are also present). Schools who have expressed a need for the program (and we are still discussing needs with): 1. Tarrawanna Public School 2. West Wollongong Public School 3. Corrimal Public School (we delivered to Bellambi Public in 2018 with very positive results) 4. Dapto Public School If you require confirmation of partnerships, we will provide letters of support if we are short-listed.
Wollongong West Street Centre Solid Ground.
- Our project aims to: *provide an opportunity for local community trauma counsellors to be trained in the Lighthouse Rock Water Program. This program particularly supports children, young people as well as adults to recover from the disabling impacts of childhood trauma. *To develop a network of skilled practitioners who can provide this program to trauma survivors within the Illawarra.
Lions Club of Strzelecki Cows Create Careers.
- Cows Create Careers is a Strzelecki Lions Club project which was established in 2004 to promote career and education opportunities for students (Years 7-11) in the dairy industry. These students learn about the dairy industry while caring for dairy calves on loan from local farmers. This has been undertaken by introducing students in secondary schools across Australia to the dairy industry through an innovative and educational dairy based framework that is offered to the schools. It introduces students to educational opportunities in both vocational and university pathways. In addition, in involves dairy farmers and industry advocates with vision and dairy industry knowledge to encourage and support students with the project. Cows Create Careers aims to support students in making their careers decisions by providing and creating linkages to the education and employment sectors at the conclusion of the project. The project rewards successful students and schools and attracts much positive media attention throughout the project. The parties that will directly benefit from the Cows Create Careers project are the schools, the dairy industry and the local community, by providing a project that encourages ongoing collaboration and resource sharing. The Cows Create Careers project continues to build and reinforce existing networks with other like-minded organisations. These organisations can and will provide influence to the existing project framework to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for the project into the future. In the past, such organisations have included Tocal College, DairyNSW, NSW Dairy Industry Conference, National Centre for Dairy Education, National Foods and other industry organisations.
SCARF Incorporated's Let's LEAD.
- Let's LEAD is a program targeting refugee youth (age 17 - 30 years) in the Illawarra to support development of skills, attitudes and capacities for positive Leadership through Engagement and Appreciation of Diversity. Let's LEAD offers opportunities for personal development, cross-cultural learning and community engagement, in an environment that values diversity and acknowledges their lived experience. Let's LEAD will bring together 20 young people from diverse refugee and non- refugee backgrounds (15 refugee youth; 5 volunteers from non-refugee backgrounds) in facilitated monthly meet-ups and one off Impact Days where participants engage in a range of games, challenges and reflective discussions to explore their leadership potential and co-create community impact activities. The project will support participants to apply their leadership skills in co-creation of a 12- month program of activities enabling them to assume leadership responsibilities in context, collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and build self- confidence through leadership actions that strengthen community. This includes engaging new youth from their respective communities in the Let's Lead program, developing activities for younger children in emerging communities (age 9-16 years), and engaging with government, community and business sectors.
Illawarra Multicultural Services Swim Instructor Training Project
- The Project Coordinator will support four people with refugee backgrounds through the AustSwim 'Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety' training program. These four prospective-instructors will be supported in their preparation for the training, during the training and then as they progress through the post training practical assessment. Upon completion of their training the instructors will then conduct swimming lessons for other people with refugee backgrounds within the IMS Swim Program.
Wollongong Emergency Family Housing Our Place
- The housing crisis is at crisis point, it is for this reason Wollongong Homeless Hub is looking at establishing much needed supported crisis accommodation for homeless singles and couples.The clients will be fully supported by onsite homeless hub support workers, thus enabling them to access all Specialist Homeless Service partners and Wollongong Homeless Hub. This crisis accommodation will provide a safe bed for the homeless, with priority to those fleeing domestic violence(the only men's DV service available in illawarra) and give essential services to the increasing number of vulnerable number of people sleeping rough(i.e. sleeping in parks, on beaches etc) and to reduce the impact of staying in overcrowded situations. Homeless people will be positively engaged and assisted with making the transition from homelessness to home. 'Our place' will encourage the homeless members to engage with the broader community thus reducing social isolation.
The Rotary Club of West Wollongong Youth Driver Awareness Illawarra.
- RYDA which is an award winning program of Road Safety Education (RSE), a not for profit organisation committed to reducing trauma on our roads by educating young people in Years 9 to 12. RYDA is evidence-based, providing practical and powerful workshops to change the way young people think about road safety. Professional facilitators, the police, and driving schools, work with students to develop and practise personalised strategies and life skills which will help them respond positively to challenges on the road, both as drivers and highly influential passengers. The aim is to give them an interactive supervised discussion on a number of aspects about getting their licence and driving. RYDA challenges students to change the way they think about road safety and lay the foundation for safe road use throughout their lives. RYDA focuses on cognition development, building and increasing social competency and resilience and motivating low risk behaviour. Operating throughout Australia and NZ, RSE are industry leaders and industry led. Their RYDA Program is coordinated locally through community partner Rotary; and is delivered each year to over 50,000 senior high school students from more than 650 participating schools. In the Illawarra area RYDA has been operating as an annual event run by a consortium of Rotary clubs since 2005. We normally service around 1600 students enrolled in high schools from Bulli to Kiama. We had 1489 students attend in 2018. Ken Potter from the West Wollongong Rotary Club is the current Chairman for the Illawarra area and Rotarians have volunteered hundreds of hours of their time to manage and run the event. Previously, Bluescope and Allied Steel sponsored us, but both have fallen on hard times over the last few years and ceased their involvement. In 2017 we ran at a loss of $7536.60, which was made up by funds from the Rotary Clubs listed below. However, this meant that other charities supported by Rotary have missed out so cannot be provided every year. In 2018 The IMB Community Foundation Grant covered these costs. Illawarra Rotary Clubs involved are Corrimal, Dapto, Illawarra Sunrise, Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong South, West Wollongong and Wollongong Local Sponsors and Supporters include: Kembla Grange Turf Club Facilitators are: NSW Police, Headway, The Disability Trust and LTrent Driving School.
Albion Park Youth and Community Care Free Before School Brekky Club
- 'The Brekky Club' (a free before school breakfast program) is a program to help local children and youth of the community who are living with food insecurity which commenced Term 3 of 2018. Food insecurity is defined as 'the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.' According to Foodbank NSW, 22% of children are living in food insecurity. The Brekky Club operates out of the Albion Park Community Centre (a central location between the primary school and high school both walking distance as well as directly across the road from 2 public housing estates). It operates Monday-Friday from 7.30-9.00 am for children and youth to attend before school to acquire a nutritious breakfast. If a child or youth also requires lunch, volunteers are able to prepare a nutritious meal and snacks for them to take. We have 9 senior volunteers who run 'The Brekky Club' through out the week. The volunteers have all undergone criminal record checks and Working With Children Checks. The volunteers have also received training in Safe Food Handling and Hygiene Practices, First Aid and identifying/reporting risk of harm. The Brekky Club has been promoted in school newsletters, social media, email campaign, on ABC Radio with Nick Rheinberger, direct contact with community members and networking. The Brekky Club has been developed and is facilitated by Miranda Batchelor who is the Coordinator of APYACC and has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Food Science and Dietetics. Miranda has ensured that the breakfasts and lunches are all well-balanced, safe for consumption and provide plenty of essential nutrients necessary for overall health and well-being. The Brekky Club is not only a program for providing children and youth with breakfast but also a group for social connection and a space for children and youth to confide in our volunteers and workers about any issues they are facing (ie. disadvantage-neglect, abuse, homelessness, sexual health, domestic family violence, trauma, mental health).
Mt Brown Public School P & C Association Musical Sensory Playground.
- Our school is involved in the 'Share our space' program where during the school holidays our school is open to the public for parents to bring their children along to the school to play. We would like to provide the children of the school along with the community, during the 'Share our space' program, the opportunity to play in a sensory playground based around outside musical instruments.
The Rotary Club of Kiama Kiama High Mental Health Intervention.
- Following on from the success of the 2017 & 2018 Mental Health Intervention Program at Kiama High School, the 2019 program will present the Teen MHFA program to Year 8 & Year 10 students as well as delivering the Youth MHFA program to more teachers and advisors. This program, introduced in response to a suicide at the school and a subsequent plea from the school for assistance, has the objectives of providing as much assistance as possible to assist Kiama High School to address mental health issues with their students.
Rotary Gerringong Sunrise Dancing for People with Dementia.
- We organise 4 to 5 sessions per year of dancing for people who suffer from dementia. The sessions run over a period of 4 to 5 weeks and are the highlight of many of our residents who suffer from dementia. The dances are held on a Friday, from 2pm to 3.30pm with free afternoon tea for attendees.
Illawarra Flame Tree Project.
- The Flame Tree Project is an annual music and cultural program for talented Illawarra vocal students from Years 3 to 8. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic physical landscape of the Illawarra and history original compositions will be performed through song and movement. Participants will engage in choral and movement training workshops over 2 weekends, performing inspirational vocal pieces by contemporary Australian composers. The performance will reflect the beauty of the Illawarra escarpment, waterfalls, lake, rivers and ocean, its proud history and rich culture. The Flame Tree Project program provides music education and literacy in an engaging and uplifting environment, facilitating an appreciation of the Illawarra and inspiring life-long learning.
Sustainable Agriculture and Gardeners Eurobodalla SAGE Veggies for All 2019.
- Establish a community garden at the Anglicare Parish, Moruya with 22 veggie plots for individual and group use, continue with workshops and veggie bed installs for Centrelink recipients
TeenSafe Moruya Safe Driver Training.
- TeenSafe operates safe-driver training courses for teenage L and P plate drivers. They learn safe driving techniques behind-the-wheel with a trained instructor in our cars at the Moruya Motor Sport Complex.
Headspace Nowra Dual Peer mentoring Program.
- The project aims to build capacity of young people and community organisations to provide peer support opportunities for ongoing mentoring and support of young people. Building these partnerships assists young people to be included in local project planning and implementation regarding harm minimisation strategies to develop community safety. Under this pilot program a minimum of two community services workers from two organisation, along with four young people will be trained as accredited Save a Mate practitioners. One staff member will also be trained as a Save a Mate Trainer. Young people trained as peer educators will actively assist with planning and identifying opportunities for engagement and events with young people to support harm minimisation messages and be actively involved in SAM workshop facilitation.
Milton-Ulladulla Youth Driver Education Program.
- Our project is administered by a committee comprising a Highway Patrol Officer, Ambulance Paramedics, Fire & Rescue Officers, State Emergency Service Flood Rescue Technicians, Motor Mechanics, Driving Instructor, Deputy Principal & Community Volunteers. The program involves eighty Year 11 students who are about to, or have obtained their Driver's Licence. The students are involved in an intensive practical program over two and a half days. Stage 1 - The school presentation looks at topics such as the police role in reducing road trauma, the hazards, statistics and increased risk with speed/fatigue/alcohol and drugs. Student interaction is paramount in these sessions. Stage 2 - A morning half-day session is conducted at the SES shed and the sporting grounds carpark. Students rotate around the following presentations 1. Vehicle manoeuvring and distracted driving - Volunteer Driving Instructor 2. Vehicle maintenance - Shoalhaven Mechanical Services 3. Basic first aid at the scene of an accident - NSW Ambulance Paramedics (volunteers) 4. Demonstration of rescue from a vehicle - NSW Fire and Rescue 5. Avoidance of driving in flooded areas - SES Flood Rescue Technicians (Volunteers) 6. Familiarisation with the equipment and capabilities of the Highway Patrol Vehicles & demonstration of breath and drug analysis. Emphasizing keeping young drivers safe. Stage 3 - An afternoon session with guest speakers at the Ulladulla High School who have been victims of road trauma and family members who have lost someone through road trauma. Stage 4 - A full day at a Driver Training Centre where students attend lectures and participate in practical demonstrations of vehicle manoeuvring, braking and defensive driving. The purpose of our program is to reduce the fatality and injury rates of young people by promoting safe behaviour as drivers, riders and passengers.
Tomerong School of Arts Accessible Toilet.
- The project is to part-fund the construction of accessible toilet facilities at the Tomerong School of Arts. The existing facilities at the School of Arts building require access via a number of steep steps on the outside of the building, making access to a toilet extremely difficult for any person with a mobility disability. It is also difficult for parents with young children. The lack of suitable toilet facilities has reduced the opportunity for inclusion of people with a disability in community events, concerts, forums, meetings and information sessions held at the Tomerong School of Arts on a regular basis through the year.
Crossroads Rural Fire Brigade Vincentia Additional Firefighting Equipment.
- Crossroads RFS volunteers require two pieces of equipment that supports the brigades fire fighting effort. Being a portable generator that supplies emergency power and lighting in remote localities without an alternate power source. Secondly a fire hose washer that will extend the life of expensive fire hoses.
Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Bega NSW Indigenous Tutorial Program.
- The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation wishes to extend its successful Eastern Victorian program based on Bairnsdale into Southern New South Wales. The program will provide afternoon tutoring for indigenous school children, and young indigenous people who have left school. Southern NSW has one of the highest indigenous youth unemployment rates in the state, and recent surveys indicate that poor literacy skills is a prime reason for youth unemployment. Recent NAPLAN testing indicates that in this region indigenous students are on average between 2 and 4 reading years behind their non indigenous peers at Year 6. Lack of reading skills is one of the main reasons early school leaving in the indigenous community. This program can make a real difference to the prospects of young indigenous Australians in the Bega region.
Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society Bird Banner.
- The supply of a free standing pull up banner depicting the History of the State Bird Calling competition and its relationship to the Gould League of Bird Lovers
Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project Cultural education for Panboola's volunteers.
- Our is aim is to provide an opportunity for the Panboola volunteers to enhance their understanding of the landscape from an Aboriginal perspective. With the knowledge gained from the workshop interpretive signage will be develop and installed at 3 sites around Panboola.
Rotary Club of Goulburn U Turn the Wheel.
- The project is aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge relating to road and personal safety issues of all Year 11 High School students in the Goulburn and Crookwell regional educational facilities. Its goalis to reduce the incidents of road accidents and associated trauma and fatalities involving young drivers in the 'L' and 'P' plate phase of driving experience.
Giralang/Kaleen Men's Shed Belconnen First Aid officers.
- We have approximately 40 members and most are in their senior years and therefore more vulnerable to medical type emergencies. Additionally we have a woodworking workshop and from time to time accidents do occur. We have no trained safety officers and would like to have, say 3, trained members to ensure we have at least one on hand should an emergency happen.
Canberra Model Railway Club Belconnen Youth Mastering Digital Technology.
- Design & build a diorama model railway scene operating via digital technology- to challenge & inspire students in their application of such technologies. Enhancing student self-worth, building positive relationships & assisting stronger integration into the community. Part of a High School/CMRCI Mentor Program now in its 8th year. Approx. 50% of the target students are on the Autism spectrum, impacting learning and integration capabilities.
St John Ambulance Australia (ACT) Patient Transport at Events.
- Whether it is a community fundraiser, professional sporting game, or major music festival, St John Ambulance is the leading organisation in the provision of first aid services at events in Canberra, delivering more than 11,200 person-hours at 198 events with 174 engaged volunteers in 2018. We regularly provide acute care at high risk events such as music festivals, extreme sports, fun runs, Scouts camping trips, Marathons and other large area events across the ACT region. Recoveries in remote areas can present difficulties in transporting patients. A sturdy wheelchair with all-terrain tyres and a Patient Transport Cart equipped with two large non- pneumatic wheels designed for transporting injured persons on rugged terrain means someone who is injured in an inaccessible location can be quickly moved to medical aid by our first aid volunteers. Our current wheelchairs and patient transport carts are now reaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. We are hoping to upgrade to wheelchairs and carts which would enable us to transport patients or supplies quickly with just one bearer, over a variety of terrain. This will save personnel time and energy in the field. Additionally, the transport carts can be used wherever necessary as a temporary hospital bed. We are aiming to purchase six wheelchairs and two patient transport carts in order to be prepared for any emergency big or small.
Neighbourhood Watch Australasia Limited Canberra Building Social Cohesion.
- We will produce five diagrammatic brochures in five languages (62 500 in total), targeted at culturally and linguistically diverse communities promoting personal, public and property safety and integration into the community, to be dispersed in conjunction with our key partner Australian Red Cross - migrant settlement and support program in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. NWA staff will oversee the project, designing the brochures in consultation with the migrant settlement organisations and a reference group, utilising a graphic artist and printing company. The CALD communities targeted are Iraqi, Sudanese, Eritrean, Afghans and Myanmar with the brochures being dispersed to various communities where a large amount of migrants from these communities have settled. They will be designed for both new and settled migrants.
Girls on Bikes ACT.
- Girls on Bikes ACT is a free learn to cycle program mobilising and connecting migrant and refugee women in Canberra. The program started in 2017 and has now taught around 65 migrant and refugee women in Canberra how to cycle. The program is grassroots, run by volunteers and past participants who are now accredited coaches. As well as the five week learn to ride program, our participants get a free bike donated by the community, a helmet, insurance and other safety equipment so they can continue riding after the program. The program fosters independence, mobility, fitness and a sense of community for migrant and refugee women in Canberra.
Coaching My Future Incorporated Canberra City.
- An entirely volunteer-run program launched mid-October 2017 providing: - Confidential one-to-one coaching for women who've left domestic or family violence, wanting to re-gain financial independence and security for themselves and their children; - Coaching provided free by professional women from business, community and public sector backgrounds, trained/affiliated with International Coaching Federation; - Formal referral arrangements with all key ACT domestic/family violence support agencies; - MCMF Coaching Agreement, Code of Ethics and Complaints Policy based on International Coaching Federation standards. To enable vulnerable women to regain confidence, make their own decisions about securing their future, resume or begin studies, re-enter the workplace or find job opportunities; and -help them and their families avoid lifetime poverty; -bridge the gap between crisis intervention and regaining stability ; -reach out to culturally and ethnically diverse women; -evaluate, continuously improve and develop MCMF; -contribute information/resources to the ACT community and interstate to improve the situation of women leaving violence.
Girl Guides Association of NSW Queanbeyan High Ropes for Girl Guides.
- The project will allow the Girl Guides of Queanbeyan and surrounds to experience the thrill and adventure of high ropes which are a fun and exciting way to get outdoors, build teams, challenge the mind and stay healthy.
Canberra PCYC Street Support.
- To purchase and build a purpose built trailer, to take into & around the Canberra Regional area including close proximately NSW towns. The Trailer would be set up as a mobile food & information trailer to cook and provide meals to youth & adults that are rough sleeping and at risk on the streets. The Ute would be set up with a BBQ and Hot drink supply and area for supplying information and referrals to service providers to endeavour to get people into a safe place.
Canberra Health Services Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth' (P.A.R.T.Y) Outreach Program.
- An In-school injury prevention strategy aimed at Senior high school students aged 15- 16 years in the ACT catering up to 16 programs per year with a reach of approximately 1600 students annually. The program emphasises that the choices young people make, particularly when under the influence of alcohol, can cause life-threatening injuries to themselves or others, which not only affect themselves, but also their family, friends and the broader community. P.A.R.T.Y. Program Canberra already operates and In-hospital program at Canberra Health Services. We hope to expand the program to incorporate an In-school program.
Volunteering Wingecarribee Teeniors program.
- Enabling seniors and teenagers to engage, allowing the seniors to learn technology and avoid social isolation. The internet can be intimidating and the teenagers will introduce seniors to the virtual world as a solution to isolation from family and friends. E Mail, Skype and Facebook, using an I Pad with a touch screen which is more intuitive than a mouse. If teenagers can improve the standing of older adults and nurture what they can bring to intergenerational connections, then we can achieve a better community with a better quality of life for all ages. There is back and forth reciprocity between the two generations.
Bowral Men's Shed.
- Drill Press Replacement of 'worn out' drill press that is now generating inaccurate output. This item is an integral part of the Carpentry workshop.
Rotary Club of Moss Vale U Turn the Wheel.
- The statistics nationally show that young novice drivers aged 16 - 25 years old have an increased risk of a road accident and the consequences such as trauma and injury. This risk is currently 8 - 10 times higher than an experienced driver and peaks in the first 6 months of driving solo on their provisional licence. The program is an intensive series of 6 workshop presentations on young driver road safety awareness for Year 11 students for approx. 500-600 students annually from across 6 local High Schools. The program is funded by the Rotary Club of Moss Vale and supported by the Wingecarribee Council through its Road Safety officer and operated by volunteers within the community. The program was part of an intensive research program in 2015 and the results were delivered at the National Road Safety Conference in October 2015 and published in the Road Safety Journal. Further research continues to assist this vulnerable road user group reduce the tragedy and trauma associated with road accidents. The program brings together the wider community to be part of the solution and ensures community ownership of the issue and the program. The program is provided free of charge to the participants , all costs are covered through the grant and fund raising making it accessible to all students. U-Turn the Wheel is a series of road safety and awareness workshops aimed at those young beginning and developing drivers in each district, locally, nationally, and internationally and run by the local Rotary Clubs within each district. In conjunction with the local RSO (Road Safety Officer), schools, police, and emergency services, as well as Road Safety Professionals and volunteers, the workshops accommodate every year 11 student who wish to participate through the local school systems. The workshops are provided at 'NO COST' to the participant. This three day program is designed to reinforce the Road Safety curricula already being implemented in schools and provide an opportunity for Year 11 students to access additional road safety resources not easily available within the school. The U-Turn the Wheel program is designed to specifically address the ATTITUDES & AWARENESS of driver related issues such as speed, fatigue, alcohol, drugs and the wearing of seat belts; each which have been identified as major contributors to road casualties among our young drivers.This program also addresses the issues of risk taking behavior, peer pressure and responsible decision making in the areas of insurance and purchasing of a vehicle. Project objectives or expected benefits: (provide up to 3 measurable objectives of your project) 1. To reduce the number of young drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents 2. To provide positive skills through workshops that will reduce the likelihood of bad habits in young drivers 3. To engage teenagers through workshops, in dialogue with emergency personnel, driving professionals and those who have first hand experience of the consequences of poor driving skills.
Rotary Club of Camden How to Help a Mate.
- Mental health is a huge issue in our community and something Rotary raises allot of money for in research. Our club is intending to hold a Mental health Forum for the Camden community to educate, reduce and highlight the issues that are causing so many deaths , especially in men. We will have a mix of live performance, speakers, a panel discussion, stalls from NGOs and a community coming together to save lives and families.
educAID Australia Mental Health First Aid Course.
- Offering the 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid Course and the 3.5 hour teen Mental Health First Aid Course to schools and wider community. The courses are evidence-based training courses designed by Mental Health First Aid Australia for adults working or living with adolescents as well as teens. 1. The YMHFA course is particularly suitable for parents, school staff, sports coaches, and youth workers. The course curriculum is evidence-based and teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental illness, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. OUTLINE: Course participants learn about: o adolescent development o the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people o how to appropriately and effectively respond o where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness o what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective ohow to provide first aid in a crisis situation (Course participants also receive a copy of the Youth Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion.) 2. The teen MHFA Course teaches high school students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. The course was developed in response to research indicating that young people have a preference for sharing problems with peers. The course curriculum is evidence-based, informed by a study undertaken to determine the best actions a young person can do to support a peer with a mental health problem and is run over 3 x 75 minute lessons. Rather than focusing on specific mental illnesses, the course teaches participants to recognise when a friend is experiencing major changes in their thinking, feeling and behaviour, that are interfering with daily life and not going away as quickly as expected, as this may indicate the presence of a mental health problem. Students will learn about mental health problems and crises in young people such as: Anxiety disorders, Depressive disorders, Eating disorders, Alcohol and other drug use disorders, Suicidal thoughts and behaviours, Non-suicidal self-injury Bullying or abuse.
Liverpool Women's Health Centre Women's Clinic Upgrade.
- Liverpool Women's Health Centre has assisted thousands of disadvantaged women through our medical and nursing services since commencing operation in 1975. Our well utilised clinical rooms are in need of refurbishment and our service provision could be improved significantly with more modern equipment.
Wollondilly Macarthur Mountain Bike Club Australian Botanic Garden Mountain Bike Trail Restoration.
- We seek to reopen the currently closed mountain bike (MTB) trail within the Australian Botanic Gardens (ABG). The trail, the only authorised MTB trail serving the entire population of South-Western Sydney, has been closed since May 2017. The trail was closed to enable eradication of African Olive weed - during this work large sections of the trail were destroyed and require rebuilding for the trail to be reopened to the community. ABG do not have funding available to restore the trail. This project seeks funding to supplement the projected large community volunteer labour contributions as an alternative approach to expedite the trail restoration. Whilst volunteers with hand tools will undertake the majority of the required restoration works, professional contractors are needed to perform the heavier earthworks and trail building to required standards. The funding will also support the purchase of trail building hand tools as the key enabler for volunteer work to be undertake Mountain biking (MTB) is an outdoor activity suitable for all participants of all ages enabling exercise, relaxation, social interaction and community involvement. Growing evidence highlights the physical and mental health benefits derived from MTB principally with adult males. The nearest authorised MTB trail is 31km away. This project will enable the return of the only MTB trail in South-Western Sydney to be reopened for the community and fill a much needed gap in MTB facilities within the greater Sydney region. This project will return a recreation facility to the broader community and serve as an enabler to encourage physical activity and participation of all riders - new riders, experienced riders and families.
John Ambulance Australia NSW Parramatta First Aid in Schools.
- St John is committed to promoting the importance of first aid in our community and believes there is no better place to start than in our schools. First Aid in Schools was developed to teach First Aid to the youngest members of our community - primary school students. With the majority of accidents occurring within the home and 94% of Australians unsure about how to respond in an emergency, this program develops community resilience. To remove financial barriers to access, the program is provided for free. The students are taught first aid with fun hands-on activities, giving them the confidence to help in an emergency. The knowledge and skills gained in our First Aid in Schools Program will develop First Aid awareness in school children and contribute to building a more resilient community. Although no child should have to be relied upon in a medical emergency, their ability to respond should never be underestimated. Age- appropriate First Aid training often means the difference between life and death. This project will form part of our pilot to roll out a new program that will reach more students in the Parramatta and surrounding areas. Our new program has been redeveloped to enhance the learning experience of students and will use a mixture paid and volunteer presenters.
Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Engaging Cardiac Kids Through Play.
- The Heart Centre for Children cares for over 5000 patients per year diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). CHD is the most common congenital disorder in newborns, affecting up to 1 in every 100 babies born. Many of these children will need on-going care and review, with some requiring surgical procedures and intervention. The Heart Centre for Children would like to support families by engaging the services of a Child Life Therapist two hours per clinic day for a one year period. The value of this therapy resource is that this skilled professional will actively support each child to prepare for his/her operation, procedure or diagnostic testing using a variety of tools including books, photos, videos, medical play and Hospital tours. In funding this Therapist, we would support children and families during the busiest clinic days and times, maximising the positive impact on care and providing substantial support and respite for many families, easing the frequently stressful journey related to a cardiac procedure. It is estimated that over that over the twelve month period the Child Life Therapist would play a key role in the treatment of over 1,500 patients. This would be a clear and significant enhancement to the services we are currently able to provide. Child Life Therapists are allied health professionals who support children and families to cope with the stress and challenges associated with illness, injury and treatment. They use play based interventions to reduce feelings of fear and anxiety, teach coping strategies and provide positive experiences within the healthcare setting.
Royal Far West Healthy Kids Bus Stop.
- The Healthy Kids Bus Stop program (HKBS) is a free mobile clinic providing multi-disciplinary developmental screening and supporting access to follow-up developmental assistance for children aged 3 - 5 years of age in rural and remote areas of NSW. Annually, the HKBS program provides 2,000 - 2,500 initial screenings, for around 500-600 children, across multiple country communities -- communities where access to the specialist paediatric care needed to assess and address developmental issues in children is either limited or non-existent. Program implementation is a collaborative effort across the health, education and community services sectors in each location, and as such provides a comprehensive call to action enabling rural and remote communities to screen, and where required, establish a pathway to care, for children about to commence formal education. At each Bus Stop, a range of allied health professionals (eg audiometrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, oral health specialists, etc) lead each child through a series of screening activities to identify any specific health or developmental issues the child may have. When health and/or developmental issues are identified, referrals are made, and assistance in arranging a pathway to care is provided -- either via local community support services or when appropriate local assistance is not available to Royal Far West's telecare service, or for children with complex needs, a referral to Royal Far West's multidisciplinary team in Manly. Funding from the IMB Community Foundation will support a Healthy Kids Bus Stop tour to Southern Regional NSW during the 2019-2020 financial year. Based on current needs assessments and visit requests from the communities themselves, the probable focus area will be Goulburn and surrounds (FACS, Mission Australia, and several local schools have made representations to us requesting screening visits,), or the South Coast area between Bateman's Bay and Nowra (again, an area where the community has expressed interest). Australian Early Childhood Development Census Data indicates childhood vulnerability rates exceeding 30% in both these proposed areas. The final decision on regions and individual communities/localities to be visited will be made when funding is confirmed, and in close consultation with Southern District Health, local schools and pre-schools, and other community service providers working in the area. Our objective is to reach areas of greatest need, in a coordinated and consultative way, optimising outcomes and avoiding duplication, for each individual community.
Our Community Place Community Food Share.
- A few months ago we established a weekly food and info hub in a hall at a local Baptist church. The hub is open to people who are needing food, information, access to a computer and a place for a cuppa and chat. Many people who come to the hub are in emergency situations or homeless and need support. We currently receive food donations (of primarily fruit, vegetables & bread) from the Oz Harvest and Second Bite (Coles) programs. Our Neighbourhood Centre's geographical area of cover is from Boolaroo to Mount Hutton, however, people come from all over Newcastle and Lake Macquarie come to our service as there are not many places to access free groceries. These donations are greatly received, however, demand is rising and new people are coming most weeks to the hub. In addition, we often get people calling into our office requested 'food bags'. We do not get any funding for these and so are only able to give out limited amounts. To continue maintaining, and further expanding, food support services for our community, we are in need of; 1. Dry goods, long life milk and other non-perishables. We have an urgent need of these to supplement what we receive at the weekly food and info hub and to make up the 'food bags' for people needing food on other days of the week. 2. Food supplies for a community meal activity we are planning in partnership with local church - Church 4 Life. We plan to re-establish a weekly community meal in their hall, which had been run by church previously for many years. However, low volunteer numbers forced it to stop operating. The church has approached us to help start it up again. This would be a sit- down meal (with tablecloths, crockery etc) on a Wednesday evening and we would invite people from the food and info hub to attend. We would also inform other organisations who support people who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or financial or social disadvantage.
OzGREEN - Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (Australia) Youth Leading the World.
- One of OzGREEN's flagship programs is Youth Leading the World (YLTW). This is an award winning program that equips young people with the necessary information, skills and resources to develop and implement local environmental action plans that deliver positive environmental outcomes for their communities (more information below). OzGREEN would like to partner with IMB Community Foundation (ICF) to run three YLTW congresses. To achieve maximum reach for ICF, OzGREEN will run one congress in the Illawarra, one congress on the NSW South Coast and one congress in the ACT. Each congress will involve sixty student participants selected from three secondary schools located close to IMB branches. In total there will be 180 student congress participants and nine secondary schools involved. YLTW congresses run for two days. During this time participants will: 1) Engage in interactive and thought provoking games. 2) Measure their ecological footprint. 3) Learn about local and global environmental issues. 4) Create a collaborative artwork that showcases a more sustainable future. 5) Write a collective environmental vision statement. 6) Develop local environmental action plans that includes a project summary, a budget, timeframes, tasks and resources required for delivery. 7) Workshop how to present their plans to the community. Upon closure of the congress, OzGREEN will assist participants to hold a community forum. The community forum has two purposes. The first is to acknowledge ICF as the sponsor and provide an opportunity for IMB to speak about its products. The second purpose is to provide an opportunity for congress participants to present their environmental action plans to the following groups: 1) Their wider school communities. 2) IMB representatives. 3) Government leaders. 4) Local businesses. 5) Other interested members of the public. Following the community forum, OzGREEN will liaise regularly with congress participants to monitor progress and ensure that their environmental action plans are being implemented and delivered in accordance with agreed budgets, timeframes and resources.