|
|
The following contains a summary of some of the activities of Community Connections.
New Book |
 Our newest book is called Great Ideas to Make Your Community Project Successful and aims to assist community groups to achieve greater success with their projects. Initially, the book was drafted as a simple handout which I had planned to distribute to groups which had asked me to help them with their projects. Joe Cauchi, the Director of Sustainable Communities for the Mornington Peninsula Shire, suggested that we should publish it as a book. It is now available. |
|
Men's Wellbeing Matters |
 Mornington Peninsula Community Connections has been working with the Mornington Peninsula Shire to develop a new project which focuses on supporting men and their families on the Peninsula. It is a trial project which aims to encourage men through community development and health promotion approaches to take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing. The project arose from concerns about the alarming current state of men's health in Australia. National men's health groups such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Andrology Australia together with with Peninsula GP Network have provided strong encouragement for the development of the project. I have written a discussion paper about the role of the project which is being widely distributed in the community. |
 |
Men's Health Evening |
In partnership with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Mornington Peninsula Community Connections has played a leading role in the organisation of a major men's wellbeing evening to be held in June 2008 at the Peninsula Community Theatre. Well-known and respected speakers have been engaged for the evening, including the Governor of Victoria and world-renowned men's health expert Professor David deKretser, television, radio and newspaper journalist Tracee Hutchinson (host), former AFL champion Simon Madden, champion long-distance runner Steve Moneghetti, sports physician and former Olympic track athlete Dr Peter Larkins, former AFL champion Robbie Flower, local GP and men's health advocate Dr Mark Sujecki and entertainer Mark Mitchell (Con the Fruiterer). Sponsorship has been obtained from a range of sources to cover the costs of the forum. |
|
|
Domestic Violence Campaign |
 Barrie Thomas, the co-director of Mornington Peninsula Community Connections and owner of The Body Shop franchise in New Zealand, is helping to take action against domestic violence by launching The Body Shop's 2006 Kids Are Unbeatable campaign which focuses on children as the forgotten victims. This year The Body Shop has joined forces with a number of key organisations in New Zealand to raise funds and awareness to help protect children who are exposed to domestic violence. Barrie said, "I really love it when we campaign in the stores. I think it really brings the staff and stores to life. It's great that we can use our business to try and make a difference to society. It's good to work in co-operation with organisations such as jigsaw and Women's Refuge on the campaign." Download information about the campaign here. ( 5 pages, 1.2 Mb) |
||
Burmese Refugee Children |
 Another project in which Barrie is involved is in Thailand. The Body Shop New Zealand, in partnership with Children on the Edge and Espirit (Singapore and Malaysia) is supporting the efforts of a number of local social action groups on the Thai-Burmese border to improve the appalling living conditions in refugee camps, especially for children. Ongoing civil war between the Burmese military junta and many of Burma’s minority populations has led to human rights abuses and the destruction of villages. As a result, there has been a mass migration of refugees to neighboring countries, especially to Thailand. Barrie has visited the Thai-Burmese border twice this year and has committed resources from The Body Shop New Zealand to support a number of migrant schools and an orphanage within a refugee camp. Download information about this project here |
|
|
Business supporting communities |
In partnership with the Frankston Community Support and Information Centre and the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the Getting Involved project will encourage and assist local business people to become more involved in supporting their communities. The project has two major components - a website containing information about why and how they can become more involved and a free consultancy service. The latter is provided by Vicki Martin, the manager of the Frankston Community Support and Information Centre, and I. A feature of the website is a series of case studies of local business people who are already involved in supporting their communities. The RACV Foundation and Mornington Peninsula Shire funded the project. The website address is www.gettinginvolved.com.au |
Community Business Partnerships |
 Mornington Peninsula's Community Connections' book, Partnerships with Business - A Guide for Small Community Groups, is being distributed widely among community groups in Victoria and interstate. Information about purchasing the book can be obtained from Frankston Community Support and Information Centre 03 9768 1600. Download and print the book details and order form here.
|
|
Young Musicians |
 Mornington Peninsula Community Connections has been involved in supporting a group of local business people keen to provide opportunities to young musicians from the Peninsula to develop performing skills. The project arose from concerns about the lack of venues which give young musicians opportunities to perform live which is resulting in a reduced availability of performers for local wineries and restaurants. Peter Sullivan, the musical director of Channel 9 in Melbourne, led the project which took the form of workshops held at Hickinbotham's Winery in Dromana. The young people graduating from the workshops have been provided with opportunities to perform live at Hickinbotham's. |
|
