OCTOBER 2013
ISSUE 11
WINDERMERE COMMUNITY NEWS CEO’s Message & Malcolm’s Place Gives Hope Kids On Track & Building Harmony Toomah & Breakfast Club Event Wrap Up Windermere Adventure Challenge & New Website Community Partnerships Specsavers Initiative Windermere Merry Mission 2013 Windermere’s Strategic Priorities How Your Donations Are Helping
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Welcome
From The CEO’s Desk As the new CEO of Windermere I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share with you our news. Since my arrival in February I have been overwhelmed by the generous support of our community and the dedication of our staff. With a strong and proud history of delivering services, identifying issues and making a difference. I am confident you will find this edition of Windermere’s newsletter both informative and inspiring. Stories such as ‘Malcolm’s Place’, about a transition home gifted to us by a local resident, demonstrates to me not only generosity, but also a real opportunity to
make a difference. Providing families with a sense of security and stable support is critical to ensuring everything doesn’t unravel at a time of need. Getting in early is critical to rebuilding independence. Having such wonderful resources as Malcolm’s Place helps us all to achieve such outcomes. We know our success depends on the outstanding contributions of our staff, volunteers, supporters and partners. I hope the following stories provide you with a real understanding of how together we can continue to help fulfil our vision of a stronger, connected and supported community.
Dr Lynette Buoy CEO
Malcolm’s Place Gives Hope Noelene Shields’ son Malcolm passed away in 2011. In loving memory, Noelene decided to generously donate his threebedroom home to Windermere Child and Family Services for use as family crisis accommodation. As one of Windermere’s most significant recent in-kind donations, ‘Malcolm’s Place’ has played an integral role in providing short-term assistance to families who are at risk of homelessness. Over the last 18 months Malcolm’s Place has housed two very special families. In late 2011, Sudanese refugee and single mother of three, Nyapar Chol, was referred to Windermere’s housing program through WAYSS. The young mother was homeless and couch surfing to provide accommodation for her children, daughters Kwalat (9) and Nyamar (5) and son, Latjor (4). The family stayed at Malcolm’s Place for about seven months, before finding permanent accommodation through community housing. Their stay not only provided stability and a sense of security for the family, but also gave the young mum the opportunity to focus on her major
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goal of providing for her children. Since then, Nyapar has been able to complete an aged care course, and is now in steady employment providing in-home care for people with disabilities. “I am so happy and so grateful for Malcolm’s Place and to Windermere for helping me and my children,” said Nyapar. Windermere continued to support the family throughout their move, and still stays in contact. More recently, a mother and her child moved into ‘Malcolm’s Place’ after being referred through Windermere’s Victims Assistance Counselling Program. As the victims of significant family violence and trauma, the mother and child needed somewhere safe to stay during their
transition period. Malcolm’s Place provides Windermere with a wonderful resource for clients, with access to much-needed stable accommodation in times of need. During the transition period, Windermere provides clients with support through its various programs and a choice of exit options, with the ultimate aim being future private rental. After their stay at Malcolm’s Place, Windermere can also provide references for these families. Thanks to the generosity of Noelene Shields, Windermere is able to continue providing transitional housing and support to those most in need.
Kids On Track
As Victoria’s suburban and urban populations are increasing each year, so too is youth crime. In the Cardinia Shire, for example, youth offences have risen by 25% over the last three years and the age of offenders is noticeably younger. To help change this we have been working together with our local schools, Victoria Police, Gandel Philanthropy and a number of private supporters to target the reduction of anti-social behaviour, and we are pleased to say it is working. We have implemented across the regions of Cardinia, Frankston and Casey ‘Kids On Track’. Focussing on children aged 10-13, this eight week program helps
support children to develop skills in the areas of self-regulation, anger management, smart decision making and personal safety. Our ongoing evaluation is demonstrating an increase in pro-social behaviours, increased awareness of choices made and teachers are reporting improved engagement at school. With a target of 300 children per year we want to thank all our school partners, Victoria Police and our generous funders who enable this work to happen. Community has a strong role in supporting programs like this. A few months ago, over 100 guests dug deep to raise money for Windermere’s Kids on Track, at a
charity auction.The fundraiser was held at Woodlands Golf Club, and organised by Matt Spring from Vantage Property Investment, was a huge success and gathered support from small and large businesses from the area. Guest speaker - former Essendon footballer and current seven commentator, Andrew Welsh provided guests with a very awe inspiring speech about his life experiences growing up and in football. A big thank you to the evenings sponsors Forty Winks, Buxton Sandringham, The Blind Factory, Mentone Tenpin Bowling and Vantage PI.
Former Essendon Footballer and current Channel 7 commentator, Andrew Welsh captivates the audience during his speech, with MC - Matt Spring in the background. 3
Building Harmony
Young leaders Sarah, Jakob, Jonah, Rylan, Alex, Yelda, Macey, Rawanne, Khaan, McMatt, Shane, David, Taj, Caitlin, Jessica, Hossain, Charli, Jaylaan and Shanika
Young Leaders Push for Peace Commencing in 2009 the schools based early prevention project Building Harmony has continued its great success as demonstrated at the recently held youth conference. Working together with young people from diverse backgrounds to build skills, respect and empathy, Building Harmony aims to promote and support harmonious living in our diverse emerging community of Officer. Since its inception, 19 major interschool activities have been implemented with a total of 398 students participating in both formal and informal program activities. Participating schools have included Berwick Grammar School,
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Maranatha Christian School, Minaret College, Officer Primary School and St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School who all have played a large part in its success as well as the generous support of the Australian Communities Foundation. At the recent youth conference twenty selected students learnt about different ways in which to respond to conflict and how to demonstrate leadership in adversity. Students heard from a number of guest speakers including Victoria Police and the CEO of Cardinia Shire. Across the year activities have included interschool sports activities, school visits, peer role modelling, literature reviews, teacher student exchange sessions and celebrations. This philanthropically funded program has been a successful initiative in creating new ways of bringing community together.
“I learnt that no matter where you are from we are one. Also I learnt just because we have different religions or come from different countries it doesn’t mean we don’t belong together”. “I learnt that there are a lot of people in Officer from different places all over the world”. “I learnt how to communicate with others; it does not matter if they are from another country, religion or speak another language. We should always respect others and be friendly towards them”.
Toomah Community Centre
Liberal candidate for La Trobe, Jason Wood and Windermere CEO Lynette Buoy inspect construction of the Toomah Community Centre.
Building a new home in Pakenham has long been a vision of Windermere. With a community growing at a rapid rate we know that there are many challenges ahead to ensure our community receives the support and attention that it needs. With growing levels of reported violence within the family or relationship context,
increased financial stress and mortgage default, and a high demand for mental health services, we are looking to bring much needed support to the community. The Toomah Community Centre is a Cardinia Shire Council facility with funding support from Windermere Child and Family Services and State Government. This is an exciting opportunity for Windermere and we now look forward to working in partnership to deliver important services and support to a
growing community. With a culturally diverse and growing population across Pakenham and Officer we are seeking to provide a range of activities to bring a sense of belonging and ownership for the community. Windermere would like to acknowledge the significant commitment by the newly elected member for La Trobe Jason Wood. Toomah is scheduled to open in February 2014.
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Breakfast Club
Cranbourne Park Primary School found a winning way to get students to have the most important meal of the day. Through their Breakfast club, children get to enjoy breakfast together and socialise. Ensuring kids get the right start to the day and with the knowledge that this doesn’t always happen, breakfast clubs have been a great way of addressing poor nutrition and just helping families make ends meet. Pushing the boundaries of simple needs is always an important part of any program. Supported through the federally funded Communities for Children program in Cranbourne, the Cranbourne Park Primary School - established a breakfast club about two years ago. Since then its focus has also become an opportunity to bring anybody who is a little shy into a ready-made social atmosphere so they join in and establish friendships through eating together. As part of the program the young students set up the tables and help with the washing, serve themselves and clear the tables afterwards. More recently the program was also visited by Windermere’s ambassador Matthew Richardson who helped serve breakfast and spoke to the whole school around the benefits of starting their day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast.
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Event Wrap Up Golf Day 2013
The Annual Windermere Golf Classic was held on 22 April in what can only be described as perfect conditions. The sun shone brightly on the prestigious Kingston Heath course, as the keen participants arrived all geared up and ready for a funfilled day in support of Windermere. Matthew ‘Richo’ Richardson was there to show his support as Windermere’s Ambassador and powered through the challenging Championship Course.
Meanwhile the display of Ferraris, Maseratis and Audis - thanks to major sponsor Zagame Automotive - proved a slight distraction to several car enthusiasts. The results were close in the end, with only a few strokes separating the top teams. In the end, the boys from The Montague Group were just too strong, taking out the 2013 winner’s title and trophy. All up, over $100,000 was raised to assist Windermere in continuing to provide its
much-needed range of services to the local community. A big thank you to all our loyal supporters and sponsors, and everyone that participated on the day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Special heads-up: the 2014 Windermere Golf Classic will be held next April. For further information or to register your interest, please contact Maree DeGeorge (PR & Events) via events@windermere.org.au or on (03) 9705 3200.
Bounce of The Ball Luncheon
The 2013 Annual Bounce of the Ball Luncheon was held on the eve of the season’s first Victorian football match at Etihad Stadium on 27th March 2013. Some of the biggest names in AFL attended to help raise awareness and support for Windermere’s Suicide Prevention Program. Over 400 guests were treated to an afternoon of laughs and fascinating stories from some of the AFL’s true greats including Ron Barassi, Kevin Bartlett, Brendan Fevola
and Peter McKenna, as well as Windermere Ambassadors Matthew “Richo” Richardson and David Parkin OAM.
Bounce of the Ball Luncheon was another great success helping us to support another 500 families across the year.
Windermere’s Suicide Prevention Manager, Bronwyn Owen, captivated the crowd as she spoke about the challenges and troubles facing young people throughout the south eastern suburbs, and the importance of openly discussing the issue of suicide.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of next year’s event, and help to get the ball bouncing for the 2014 AFL season. Contact Maree DeGeorge (PR & Events) via events@windermere.org.au or on (03) 9705 3200.
Raising over $130,000, the 2013 Annual
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Windermere’s New Website The first thing you’ll notice when you visit Windermere’s new website is how much clearer and easier it is to navigate. Redesigned from our consumer’s perspective, the new site enables people needing Windermere’s help to easily locate the right information, based on a range of challenges they may be facing like not being able to feed their children, or needing help to cope with a disability. The new website is a one-stop-shop for all types of useful information: • Where to go for help • How we help • Latest research and reports • News feeds and social media feeds • Latest programs and events Visit us as www.windermere.org.au and don’t forget to subscribe to receive our newsletter and latest event news via email.
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Community Partnerships Specsavers Initiative Windermere and Specsavers Fountain Gate are pleased to announce an ongoing customer driven partnership that will see our organisation become a beneficiary of the brand’s new donation scheme. Recently, each Specsavers store was asked to nominate a local partner for the initiative and fortunately, our local profile led the two Fountain Gate retail stores to choose Windermere. From 26 August, customers who make a purchase will be able to place a token in one of two containers to influence how Specsavers’ community donation dollars will be distributed. Windermere will be represented by one of the containers,
while the other will be reserved for the brand’s national charity of choice, The Fred Hollows Foundation. So for all of your optometry and vision needs, head to either of the Specsavers Fountain Gate stores on Level 1 or Level 2 of the centre, and be sure to get your vote in to help support Windermere.
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Windermere Merry Mission 2013
Windermere is once again gearing up for its annual community Christmas appeal, the Windermere Merry Mission. This community campaign brings together donors and in-need members of the local community to foster a sense of wellbeing and support at what can often be one of the most difficult times of the year. In 2012, the campaign grew substantially as Windermere, in conjunction with a number of generous partners and community members, secured over $40,000-worth of donations comprising of over 1,100 toys, gifts, vouchers and hampers.
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One of last year’s recipients was a family where the grandmother is the primary carer of her five-year-old granddaughter. As the grandmother is on a pension, she struggles financially and was “amazingly relieved” to receive gifts for her granddaughter, and a food hamper. Overwhelmed by the support from the Merry Mission, she said that “the spirit of Christmas had returned to the family home.” This year, Windermere aims to conduct the biggest Mission to date and will be collecting donations of goods and hamper items for distribution to our clients in early December.
If you would like to donate to the 2013 Windermere Merry Mission, please contact Maree DeGeorge (PR & Events) via events@windermere.org.au or on (03) 9705 3200
In a commitment to quality, we continue to ask and our consumers told us. • 90% of people using our services felt listened to, comfortable and respected by their Windermere worker
• 97% stated that information received about rights and responsibilities was easy to understand
• 80% stated that assessment, planning and case review activities were of very high/high quality
• 97% further stated they would recommend Windermere to family and friends
What they said. “I thought our worker was brilliant. Helped us so much, as we had never used any services before. Helped greatly”
“We felt listened to and had input into how the funding would benefit our family”
“We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for the care and support to keep together as a family. With much thanks”
*We thank our Department of Human Services clients for their time and information.
About Us At Windermere we work with approximately 14,000 consumers each year. We support individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, violence in the family, lack of housing, have been the victim of a violent crime, are living with a disability, who care for a child with a developmental delay or who just need help to fit in or feel part of their community. We
provide emotional and practical support, counselling, advice, education, advocacy, therapeutic interventions and reasons to come together. We also provide quality in home and centre-based childcare and work together with a number of schools to help children remain healthy and engaged. Windermere’s greatest strength is our broad array of services and expertise, which enables consumers to access multiple
Windermere’s Strategic Priorities Know our community Listen to our consumers
support options. Our core business is working with individuals, families and community to improve lives. While we offer a suite of interventions, our key focus is on prevention and early intervention, and innovative practice. We thank you and all our key stakeholders for your ongoing support that enables us to get in early to make a difference.
Special thanks to: Australian Community Foundation Berwick Soroptomist Cardinia Foundation Dominion Hotel Group Gandel Philanthropy
Improve lives
Lion’s Club of Beaumaris
Strengthen our future
Matt Spring
Inspire enterprising practice
Max Warwick Rotary Specsavers The Good Guys Foundation 11
How Your Donations Are Helping Zoe’s Dream Despite being born with multiple disabilities, 16 yearold Zoe’s dream activity was to go horse riding on Balnarring beach. Thanks to Windermere’s generous supporters and their donations, we were able to make this dream come true for Zoe in May this year. We are happy to report she had an awesome time and now has a beautiful blue ribbon as a keepsake.
Zoe horse riding
For Maya Education is Key Although she is a single migrant mother in her 40s who can neither read nor write due to an intellectual disability, Maya* is dedicated to ensuring that her 11year old son gets a good education, and that she finds fulfilling work.
You can now donate online.
www.windermere.org.au/donate Thank you for your support! 12
The generosity of Windermere’s supporters is helping Maya to return to her former work overseas as a hairdresser, by studying for her Australian certificate. With the help of an assistant provided by the school, Maya is excelling in her studies, and has discovered new levels of self-esteem and empowerment that are benefiting both herself and her son. * Not her real name