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Community Development Related Committees

Committees specifically related to the Community Development function include:

• Great Lakes Community Network
• Great Lakes Arts Network (GLAN)
• Great Lakes Safe Communities
• Falls Prevention Taskforce
• Crime Prevention Taskforce
• Healthy Minds Taskforce (Suicide Prevention)
• Road Safety Taskforce (Cycle Action Group)
• Forster/Tuncurry Community Drug Action Team (CDAT)

The Community Development Coordinator provides support, advice, training and resources to advisory or management committees of Council and to community based management committees to facilitate community participation in planning and development of services to meet identified needs.

Email updates are provided for different community interest areas.

Great Lakes Community Network

The Great Lakes Community Network meets every two months, bringing together representatives from community organisations, government departments and the community. The primary purpose of the Network is to provide opportunities for networking, sharing information and building partnerships. Information is provided on programs, events, opportunities, funding and training relevant to community organisations in the Great Lakes LGA.  

The Great Lakes Community Network meets on the third Thursday of every second month, 10.00am-12.00pm at Great Lakes Council. Meeting dates for 2009 are: September 24 and November 26.  

For more information, please contact the Community Services Coordinator on 02 6591 7222 or council@greatlakes.nsw.gov.au.

Great Lakes Arts Network (GLAN)

The Great Lakes Arts Network (GLAN) is a section 355 committee of Great Lakes Council. The purpose of the committee is to: provide networking opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in the development of arts and culture in the Great Lakes; integrate arts and cultural opportunities with everyday life; and promote the arts and cultural development.  For more information, please contact the Community Services Coordinator on 026591 7222 or council@greatlakes.nsw.gov.au.  

Great Lakes Arts Network Website
Great Lakes Arts Network Brochure
Great Lakes Cultural Awards  

Great Lakes Safe Communities

Improve Actual and Perceived Safety

• Facilitate projects and programs that promote safety and prevent injury

• Support taskforces that promote safety and prevent injury. Taskforces formed so far: Crime Prevention, Falls Prevention, Healthy Minds/Suicide Prevention, Child Safety and Road Safety.
• The Safe Communities network provides a community safety advocacy role, representing the community and service providers to agencies and government.

How We Began

The Great Lakes Safe Communities Partnership was launched at a Safe Communities Strategy Day on 4 March 2004. Fifty-five participants, representing over 30 organisations and the community, identified local issues requiring attention. Informed by local injury statistics and experiences of the participants, four taskforces formed to prevent injuries and promote safety:

• Crime Prevention Taskforce
• Falls Prevention Taskforce
• Healthy Minds Team (Suicide Prevention)
• Road Safety Taskforce

We are part of a regional, state and international network of "Safe Communities"

The World Health Organisation Safe Communities model offers an approach to injury prevention and safety promotion. It creates an infrastructure in local communities for addressing injury prevention initiatives through the building of local partnerships. Communities build relationships to target injury-related issues that are of significance in their local area and then organise solutions to address these issues.

We are preparing for World Health Organisation Accreditation as a "Safe Community".

Falls Prevention Taskforce

Purpose

• To increase the awareness of falls prevention
• Increase enrolments in physical activity programs to develop strength, balance and social interaction.

Strategies

• Provide education on falls prevention to the target group 60+

Achievements

1. "Live It Up" Physical Activity Directory
2. The Falls Injury Prevention Expo - June 2004 (over 200 participants)
3. Bounce Back Ball & Falls Injury Prevention Expo - March 2005 (over 140 participants)

Crime Prevention Taskforce

The purpose of the Crime Prevention Taskforce is to coordinate the development, implementation and review of the crime prevention plan to ensure responsiveness to changing needs.

The Crime Prevention Taskforce consists of a broad range of service providers, community groups, Government Agencies and concerned citizens.

Healthy Minds Team (Suicide Prevention)

• Build partnerships between service providers and the community with a focus on mental health and well being.
• Support and initiate mental health promotion and community education programs.
• Raise awareness of available services and programs.
• Building resilience and developing understanding within individuals and the community.
• Advocate for improved services and resources for the Great Lakes community.

ARAFMI

If you are a family member or friend of someone who has a mental illness you may feel shocked, afraid, depressed or confused. These are not uncommon feelings and the ARAFMI support group is here to support you.

This support group will meet regularly so relatives and friends can share experiences and information with others who understand just what their lives are like. Carers are emotionally supported, encouraged and offered new ways of coping. Meetings are held on topics of interest and guest speakers are invited.

One in five people have some from of mental illness. Between 1995 and 2001 suicide was the main cause of injury related deaths and the fourth highest cause of hospitalisations in the Great Lakes Area.

ARAFMI Meetings: All welcome - first Thursday of every month 7pm-9 pm St Albans, Anglican Church Hall St Alban Place, off Strand Street, Forster. For more information telephone 0412 051504 click here or on the ARAFMI Information Brochure link below.

Road Safety Taskforce

A business plan is currently under development. This plan will be used to attract funding to implement cycle safety initiatives such as:

• Cycle clinics at schools and shopping centres
• Create routes where cycle pathways are to be established. Once the routes are established cycle maps will be provided for locals and tourists.

Forster/Tuncurry Community Drug Action Team (CDAT)

Council participates in the Forster Tuncurry CDAT.

The Forster/Tuncurry Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) was established in 2000. The Team meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 8 Wharf St (side entrance) Forster at 5:30 pm.

What we are doing Consistent with the principles of the Community Drug Action Strategy, the Forster/Tuncurry CDAT is committed to working in partnership with agencies, community representatives and government, to:

• Identify alcohol and other drug issues;
• Educate the community about relevant issues; and
• Implement appropriate collaborative projects.

Contact details
Communty Development Officer
02 6591 7221 (ph)
02 6591 7362 (fax)
council@greatlakes.nsw.gov.au

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