Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre
The Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre is the hub of community services for Gundagai. Located in the Mirrabooka building in a central location in town.
GUNDAGAI NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
To assist in the planning and provision of community infrastructure to meet the support and development needs of Individuals, Families and Communities.
FUNDING
The Department of Community Services provides funds through its Community Services Grants Program to assist the Neighbourhood Centre to provide a local service. Services auspice by the Centre receive funding from other departments.
Department of Aging Disability & Homecare
(Funded by Commonwealth/State)
HACC- (Neighbour aid, Social Support, Community Transport, Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance & Modification).
Department of Community Services
(State Funding)
"Neighbourhood Centre/Vacation Care"
"EAPA Electricity Vouchers"
Department of Family & Community Services
(Commonwealth Funding)
"After School Care/Vacation Care"
"Children's Services Support & Development Worker"
"Emergenct Relief"
Department of Transport & Regional Services
(Commonwealth Funding)
Rural Transaction Centre-Centrelink Agency
We can fax and provide most forms for centrelink. We do not have access to your files.
Gundagai Shire Council provide the Nieghbourhood Centre facility
We gratefully aknowledge the assistance of all these funding bodies
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Local business people, service providers and community members are all represented on the seven member management committee. Their time is given voluntarily to manage the organisation.
The positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and three Community Members are elected to hold office for 1year at the Annual General Meeting held in August.
Associate members may nominate for election to the committee.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6.00pm.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Associate membership is open to all of the community.
Any person who wishes to become a member is welcome but must complete a nomination form and have it signed by two committee members.
Associate members are eligible to vote at General Meetings held in February, May and November of each year and also at the Annual General Meeting held in August.
STAFF
Responsibility for the day to day management of the Neighbourhood Centre has been delegated by the Management Committee to the Centre Manager, This includes responsibility for;
*The Management of Staff *Administration
*Service Delivery *Liaison with funding bodies
*Service Promotion & Community Liaison
All other staff are required to fulfil the requirements of the job descriptions for the various Neighbourhood Centre Services.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the backbone of our community. Many of the services available to people wouldn't exist without the tireless contribution of the volunteers time. Volunteering is rewarding work as you bring pleasure to other people who appreciate your efforts.
The Neighbourhood Centre is managed by Volunteers, the management Committe consists of seven community members who decide after consulting with staff, volunteers and community groups and individuals what is required to assist people in our community.
They are responsible for the Organisational & Financial viability of the service and the policies and procedures that all staff and volunteers must adhere to.
Our HACC services such as Neighbour Aid / Social Support, Community Transport and Meals on Wheels / Community Restaurant Services could not function without VOLUNTEERS. If you think you would enjoy visiting someone who lives alone or whose carer needs some respite, driving someone to a doctors appointment or assisting them with thier shopping. Assisting with small household tasks such as changing a lightbulb. Delivering meals, helping at the community restaurant, Reading, writing letters or any other way you feel you could help, contact the centre and we will register you as a volunteer.
The Centres office staff are always in need of assistance in the day to day running of the services so any assistance in the office or CTC is welcome. If you are interested in improving your office workplace skills, the Neighbourhood Centres Staff would be grateful for yoyr assistance.
The Neighbourhood Centre also co-ordinates several events throughout the year such as Senoirs Week, Youth Week , Adult Learners Week and Childrens Week. Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of these events.
All registered volunteers must undergo a criminal check and are covered by Insurance, are eligible to attend free training sessions and are reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.
Volunteers work for free BUT not for nothing!
AMENITIES
The centre is wheelchair accessible and provides a disabled toilet. There are also Male and Female toilets and a seperate Parents room with baby change facilities. A kitchen is available for use by individuals and groups. It contains a stove, fridge, urn, microwave, cups saucers, plates, cutlery, saucepans and cooking utensils. Tea, Coffee etc can be provided at a small charge or groups may provide their own.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
Information and publications on various government and non-government departments, services and groups are available at the centre. If staff cannot provide you with the information or assistance you need they will refer you to someone who can help you with your problem/issue.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The Gundagai Nieghbourhood Centre has a policy and procedures Manual which is available to the public on request.
COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIMENTS
If you are unhappy about any aspect of the services provided at the Neighbourhood Centre you are asked to contact the Manager or a member of the Management Committee.
All information will be treated confidentially and acted on immediately. You will be advised on the procedures available if you feel that your concerns have not been dealt with adequately.
Of course if you are happy with the service we appreciate being told so that we can continue to meet your needs.
Everyone should feel confident in commenting on how a service is operated as it helps us to improve the service.
NO SMOKING POLICY
The interior of the centre is a SMOKE FREE AREA as stated in the guidelines of the Neighbourhood Centres Occupational Health and Safety policy.
ADULT EDUCATION SERVICES
Each term the MIRRABOOKA services endeavor to offer several new courses or workshops to the residents of Gundagai. These courses could be run by local tutors, the CTC of offered by other organizations i.e. Riverina Area Consultative Committee, Riverina Community College and TAFE. If you are interested in a mainstream TAFE course or an accredited RCC course and would like it to be offered in Gundagai let our Reception Staff know. If the equipment needed to run the course is available and we can get the required number of students we will endeavour to have the course held in Gundagai. All courses and workshops offered at the Centre will be advised in the MIRRABOOKA Quarterly Newsletter.
TAFE OUTREACH
This service is co-ordinated from the Wagga Wagga TAFE campus. Free courses are organized to ensure that rural, isolated, disadvantaged communities have access to educational learning opportunities. Short courses are usually held as a one day or weekend workshop or a one day a week for 6-8 weeks on a variety of subjects. In the past courses such as computing, office skills, keyboarding, hospitality, listening and support skills and First Aid have been offered. The aim of these courses is to provide the students with a taster course so that in the future if they decide to enroll in a mainstream TAFE Course, Accredited Community College Course or University Course they have an idea of what they are interested in and basic skills to assist them.
The Neighbourhood Centre works with TAFE OUTREACH to provide this service to the Gundagai Community. Enquires about these courses can be made to the Neighbourhood Centre staff.
SENIORS WEEK
Neighbourhood Centre staff co-ordinate the Annual Seniors Week Events. Local seniors, groups and services are encouraged to assist in planning the Event. This planning also includes liaising with seniors and services from neighbouring towms to encourage participation in other activities across shire boundaries.
Contact details
Reception
02 69440290 (ph)
02 69442216 (fax)
gundagai.centre@westnet.com.au
