Peel Community and Community Health Services Mapping Report

As the peak body representing the Peel Region’s not for profit community service organisations, Peel Community Development Group (PCDG) has, over the past two years, invested heavily in partnership with other key stakeholders from the Peel region in identifying the current and future needs of the sector to meet a growing demand for services addressing increasingly complex issues.

In October 2022 PCDG launched the Peel Away the Mask III report. This report, building on the Peel Away the Mask (PATM) reports published in 2001 and 2012, sought to understand how the challenges and opportunities facing the Region’s communities have evolved as well as the context in which health and community service providers are operating.

PATM’s data and research provides the health and community sector and stakeholders with a valuable resource to advocate for services and infrastructure that will have the strongest impact for the residents of the Region.

Accompanying the main PATM III Report is the PATM III Action Plan and the People of Peel Dashboard – two important new elements of the PATM III project. The Action Plan draws on consultation with health and community service providers across the Region and consolidates the key recommendations of PATM III into priority initiatives and projects that PCDG and partners can advocate for.

The People of Peel Dashboard provides a valuable online resource that is available online, providing access to interactive and up to date social and economic data about the Region and its people, including Local Government Area specific data (where available).

The PATM III Action Plan was developed in consultation with health and community service providers and stakeholders across the entire Region. It identifies Local Government Area (LGA) specific action areas and projects that align with the greatest areas of need and opportunity, to make lives better for the communities who live there.

The Peel Away the Mask III Priority Projects Report utilised insights from the Peel Away the Mask III Action Planning Forum to prioritise actions identified in the Peel Away the Mask III Action Plan. The following priority projects were identified, profiled and costed:

1. Expanding volunteer services

2. Supporting new parents to navigate childhood development

3. Delivering men’s behaviour change program

4. Life skills for primary schoolers

5. Expanded temporary accommodation

In April 2024 PCDG published the Peel Community and Community Health Services Industry Mapping Project Report.

The objectives of this project were to identify current and emerging gaps in community and community health service delivery across the region and to support the community and community health sectors advocate more effectively for the funding they need to provide effective services to their clients.

The key findings of this report focused on 5 areas of the Social Services sector operating across the Peel region and showed significant underfunding across all areas of the social services sector but particularly in the areas of:

·         Family, Domestic Violence and Sexual Services

·         Housing and Homelessness

·         Mental Health

·         Families and parenting

·         Youth services

This shortfall if funding has led to, inter alia:

·         Increased difficulty for organisations to retain suitably qualified and experienced staff;

·         A reduction in the range of services able to be offered to clients;

·         A reduced geographic scope of services being offered across the region.

Due to non-availability of publicly available data, detailed analysis on current and future funding requirements could not be fully completed for other areas of the sector.

PCDG will focus on advocating to Governments the need to provide indexed and realistic funding to social services and to improve the transparency of current processes to ensure the region’s stakeholders and communities have ready access to the detail and performance of their investments in Social Services delivery.

PCDG Chairperson's Report - AGM December 2018

PCDG volunteer board has continued to advocate on behalf of the community sector over the last 12 months.

All the board members have contributed to discussions, been involved in various networks and contributed to projects seeking to address the issues that our regional community faces.

This year we have continued our focus on increasing community awareness of the impacts of Family and Domestic Violence through supporting the Peel Says No to Violence Alliance.  The Alliance has continued its community awareness focus and grown its network of individuals and organisations that have made an active pledge towards ending violence in our community. 

The Alliance has recently formed a partnership with the City of Mandurah to support implementation and evaluation of community activities in alignment with the objectives of the Federal Family and Domestic Violence Toolkit.   These activities will be strongly focused on primary prevention and raising awareness of the effects of gender inequity in society.  Thank you in particular to Sue Fyfe who has stepped out of the role as volunteer and taken on the role of project officer to ensure the Alliance can meet these objectives.

We have maintained our network with the community and government sectors through Board Member representation on a number of key groups within the region.  Thank you in particular to Anne Sinclair, our representative on the Peel Region Leaders Forum (PRLF).  Through this forum Anne has ensured that community issues have been raised, presentations arranged and importantly that the community has a seat at the table with the regional leaders.

Jess Vati has continued to manage the Streetnet project with enthusiasm and professionalism, providing an invaluable service to the youth of the region.   Jess was recently recognised for her efforts by being named the winner of the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia Most Outstanding Youth Worker. Well done Jess and thank you to Nicci Lambert, Executive Officer Allambee Counselling for the excellent supervision of this project. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

In early 2018 the Board agreed to undertake a strategic review to examine its intent and consider positioning moving forward.  With support of Sonya Davies from SED Solutions the Board undertook a period of consultation to examine a number of key factors.  The review provided insightful information about the construct of the Board, the opportunities for the Group and posed a number of questions as to how the organisation fulfils the needs of the community moving forward. 

In considering the findings of the review the Board has identified two options moving forward:

Option one – recognise the achievements of the past, the changing strategic context and dissolve as a group.  This would involve transference of key projects such as Peel Says No to Violence and Streetnet to other community sector organisations within Peel.  Community sector representation on the Peel Regional Leaders Forum would be lost.

Option two – Recognise the achievements of the past, the changing strategic context and reposition through establishment of a Board more representative of the community sector.

The Board met with a number of community sector representatives to discuss these options during October.  Three main possibilities of focus for the group emerged from the discussions:

·         A collective voice

·         A conduit for collaboration

·         Research

There was discussion in the room about the value in the Group moving forward.  We are now calling on the sector to show their commitment to creating this value through nominating to be on the Board.

I would like to thank the outgoing Board for their passion, commitment, knowledge, conversation and friendship.  In particular recognising the efforts of our long time Treasurer, Leanne O’Neill, who during this year as not only worked so effectively managing our accounts but also stepped into the position of Acting Chairperson for a portion of the year. Thank you Leanne.

Our community faces many challenges I hope that through a new PCDG Board the sector can show its strength in contributing to finding the solutions.

Thank you for all the work this year, and I wish the incoming board every success in whatever future direction we take.

Jill Robinson

Chairperson

Peel Community Development Group.

December 2018

2017 Chairpersons Report

I am pleased to present the Chairperson’s report for 2016/17 on behalf of the Peel Community Development Group.

Our Board of committed and passionate volunteers has continued to engage with and advocate for the Peel community throughout the year. It has been an interesting period with a change of state government and challenging times that continue to affect some of the most vulnerable people in our region.

Through the professional and personal networks of our board members, the PCDG aims to understand the issues facing the community and the service sector that supports it, to clearly articulate those issues, and advocate for collaboration, support, resources and change where needed.

One of the key limitations faced by the PCDG is that our group is made entirely of volunteers. Whilst this may limit just how much we can do, it does not limit the commitment and determination that the Board members have to support the community sector in this region. Our members have networks within and outside the region that spread far and wide – across the community sector, all levels of government and the private sector. This network assists us to see and hear of developments that we believe can impact our region, both positively and negatively.

Changing Board members

The PCDG started the year with several new board members, following a renewed focus on ensuring we had good regional representation. We were pleased to welcome three new members to the PCDG Board: Ÿ

• Brad Vitale, Community Development Officer from the Shire of Waroona; Ÿ

• Sarah Farrance, Acting Manager of Community Engagement from the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale; and

• Jodie Doherty, Coordinator of Recreation and Community Development from the Shire of Murray.

During the year, Tim Williams stepped down from his position following his departure from his Community Development role at the City of Mandurah. David Walton, Peel LAC Manager for the Disability Services Commission has taken a leave of absence given an intense period of work with the introduction of the NDIS. Both Tim and David made a terrific contribution to the PCDG during their tenure and we thank them both for their time, efforts and genuine care for the work of the PCDG and the Peel community.

Our former Chair and current Board member, Paddi Creevey OAM, has recently been appointed to Chair the Peel Development Commission – a role that is perfectly suited to Paddi’s skill, knowledge, experience and passion for this region. Paddi has been an incredible advocate for the Peel region for so long and her 17-year contribution to the PCDG has been instrumental in ensuring that the community sector and broader community, has had yet another avenue and voice through which it can be heard. Paddi has guided and championed the PCDG with grace and determination, and for this we are most grateful. With her new appointment to the PDC, Paddi will be very busy and has understandably chosen to retire from the PCDG Board. Paddi, we thank you wholeheartedly and wish you all the best in your new role.

Engagement with the community sector in the Peel

Through all of our networks and various professional and personal relationships, it is a tangled web that we weave. I see this as a great strength of the PCDG. As a group, we made a commitment to more actively move around the region this year, and ensure we created opportunities to hear from people and organisations from all corners of the Peel.

Over the year, we met in Pinjarra, Boddington, Waroona, Mandurah and Dwellingup. And we’re looking forward to a meeting in Serpentine very soon! We had some wonderful presentations and discussions at each of these meetings where we heard from local service providers, community groups and local government representatives on a whole range of initiatives happening across the region. This has helped us to understand better the work and challenges happening in different parts of the region, which in turn has informed our advocacy efforts and our approach to various projects and regional discussions, of which we have been a part. To all of our hosts and guests – thank you for sharing your time and stories with us.

In the lead up to the WA state election, the PCDG hosted a ‘Meet the Candidate’ forum in Pinjarra. We invited volunteers and employees from the community sector (and the broader community) to come along and hear from each of the candidates running for local seats. The candidates who attended each made a presentation to share their approaches to tackling unemployment, affordable housing and substance abuse, and supporting vulnerable people and the community sector in the Peel. There was an opportunity for people to ask questions of each candidate. Feedback from the session was very positive and the PCDG Board felt this was an important event to host, to assist local people in making informed votes come election day.

PCDG Board members have continued to liaise with our local Members of Parliament on a range of issues throughout the year including the proposed mandatory drug testing of some welfare recipients in Mandurah, the International English Language Testing System (for new Australians) and support for ongoing funding of the Peel Mobile Health Service.

Peel Regional Leaders’ Forum (PRLF)

The PCDG continued to be a part of the PRLF, which consist of the CEOs and Mayor/Presidents of the five local governments within the region, as well as the CEOs and Chairs of Regional Development Australia Peel, Peel Development Commission, the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and the PCDG. This group aims to foster collaboration on issues of regional significance and identify opportunities to enhance regional prosperity.

Our role on the PRLF has been really important to ensure that there is an ongoing focus on the social impacts of growth and development, and that the PRLF considers the array of challenges facing the broader Peel community.

PCDG Deputy Chair, Anne Sinclair, and I have represented PCDG on this forum. Anne has done the bulk of the work, which includes attending meetings of the CEOs and the full meetings of the PRLF, as well as providing input to a range of debates, strategies and plans. It has been a fascinating journey that we have both enjoyed. I extend my special thanks to Anne for her time, thought and energy she has given to representing PCDG at the Peel Regional Leaders’ Forum.

Key projects

Our key projects for the year were the Secure Housing and Employment Support project, Peel Says No To Violence and the continued support of the StreetNet youth service.

Secure Housing and Employment Support

Following a series of regional workshops, meetings, planning sessions and research tasks, the Peel Development Commission assisted in the facilitation of a co-operative project that would see UnitingCare West and local service providers agree to collaborate on the Secure Housing and Employment Support proposal. This was an integrated accommodation and support facility to be constructed on Uniting Church Investment Fund land in Mandurah, aimed at housing and supporting families and young people.

PCDG was disappointed that the project was not successful in attracting $22.6m Royalties for Regions funding following the development of a comprehensive business case and funding submission. Subsequently, Uniting Church Investment Fund has sold the land where the facility was proposed.

Earlier this year, the PCDG and PDC jointly facilitated a workshop with the original project proponents and others working in this area of the community sector, to discuss ‘where to from here?’ The group focused on what has changed in the Peel housing / social sector in the last 12 months, what remains the same and what is possible. The discussion resulted in agreement to look at different models of collaboration, including intensive service provision, integrated housing, completely different types of housing, collective impact models, collaboration with a wider group of people/organisations and taking greater risks to attract seed funding for new initiatives. The PDC agreed to continue to facilitate discussions between interested stakeholders to progress exploration of these ideas. Further details of the outcomes of this workshop are available by contacting Kristie Tonkin at the Peel Development Commission.

Peel Says No To Violence

PCDG received funding from the Department of Social Services under the Building Safe Communities for Women and Children program. The project, Peel Says No To Violence (PSNTV), is a collaboration between PCDG, Allambee Counselling, Peel Youth Services, Pat Thomas House and Peel Community Legal Service. The project has progressed very well despite some early challenges. The project aims to: Ÿ

• Better understand the prevalence of family and domestic violence in the Peel region Ÿ

• Increase the awareness of support services for women and children experiencing family and/or domestic violence Ÿ

• Improve service delivery and coordination amongst service providers Ÿ

• Create a movement of people in the wider community to support the ‘Peels Says No To Violence’ message

PSNTV has been developed in three stages: Research, Alliance development and Alliance initiatives – and is based on an active membership model. That is, membership of the Alliance requires members, be they individuals, businesses, community groups or others, to pledge to actively do one thing each year that addresses the aims of the PSNTV and promotes knowledge and awareness of family and domestic violence in our communities.

We are about to formally launch the PSNTV Alliance on Tuesday 5th December, and I invite and encourage you all to come along, sign up and help us create a safer community here in the Peel. The PSNTV Facebook page has provided an excellent way to share information about the project and create better awareness and participation.

In early 2017, Leah Watkins was appointed as PSNTV Project Officer following the resignation of Francis Lynch. Leah did a wonderful job of refocusing the project and really bringing our steering committee back together to create a strong and sustainable model for how the Alliance could progress. Leah was offered a wonderful opportunity to do some more work to the development of a long term strategy to support homeless people in Perth: an area Leah is passionate about and highly skilled in. The PCDG and PSNTV committee thank Leah for her excellent contribution to this project.

For a short period, Marzel Norton stepped into the Project Officer role before recommencing at the City of Mandurah as the Coordinator of Community Development. We wish Marzel all the best in her new /old role and are grateful for her ongoing participation in the PSNTV Steering Committee. Subsequently, Sue Fyfe has taken over as Project Officer to see the establishment phase of PSNTV project through to completion at the end of 2017. The PCDG is confident that the active membership model for the PSNTV Alliance will enable the project to continue in perpetuity, however we will be actively seeking ongoing funding to ensure its success.

Throughout the duration of this project, we have had good support from our local Members of Parliament including Andrew Hastie MP, Member for Canning; Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for Local Government, Heritage, Culture and the Arts; and Zak Kirkup MP, Member for Dawesville. We thank them for their interest in the project and their continued support. Andrew Hastie brought Hon. Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women, to Mandurah to meet with the PCDG committee and we were pleased for the opportunity to share with the Minister how the project is progressing and the dire need for expanded support services here in the Peel.

Thank you to the PSNTV Steering Committee members: Paddi Creevey (Chair), Nicci Lambert, Jill Robinson, Be Westbrook, Lisa Craig, Kathleen Johnson, Sue Fyfe, Craig Edmonds, Tim Williams, Kristie Tonkin and Marzel Norton. I have enjoyed being part of this committee and learning from your experience, knowledge and wisdom.

StreetNet

The PCDG continues to auspice the delivery of the very successful StreetNet program in the Peel region, which is funded by the WA Department for Child Protection and Family Support. StreetNet Coordinator, Jess Vati, manages an excellent program of engagement activities that supports some of the most disengaged young people up to 18 years of age, in our communities.

Street Net aims to support and empower young people to increase their resilience and wellbeing by assisting them to access positive opportunities. StreetNet provides early intervention, diversional and recreational activities, and case management for young people who are at risk, through centre based and outreach services. The service aims to prevent the risks to young people escalating, and utilises strategies to divert young people away from high risk situations that may impact on their safety.

The range of programs and services offered include:

• Individual support and Case Management

• Home visits and Outreach

• Diversional and recreation activities

• Respectful Relationships (delivered in schools)

• Drumbeat

• Night Hoops

• Elements Hip Hop Program

PCDG congratulates StreetNet on the impacts of its programs and we also thank Allambee Counselling for hosting the program and team.

Communication

During the year, PCDG recognised the need to increase and improve our communication with the community sector and ensure that we provided another avenue for people and organisations to stay up to date with PCDG projects as well as contact us when required.

Andrea Kelly of Pepper Street Social has been engaged to assist us in this area and has done a fantastic job and improving our social media presence, developing electronic newsletters and updating our website. Andrea has a strategic approach to how we deliver our communication and we have all enjoyed the benefit of her wisdom. We hope that the community sector has also benefited from the increased communication and will continue to use our network as an opportunity to share news and information relevant to the sector.

The year ahead

Despite our resource limitations, I believe that PCDG has done a great job in progressing some key projects and discussions within the Peel community. We have all learnt so much and benefited from the willingness of the community and sector to share their stories with us. The year ahead will provide more opportunities to learn, grow and support the community and sector in this region. PCDG hopes to be able to secure financial support to continue its key initiatives and potentially fund an Executive Officer, in some capacity. Watch this space!

In the last month, we have seen leadership changes to local governments in the Peel with five new Shire Presidents / Mayor and many new Councillors. This provides an opportunity for PCDG to build new relationships with these community leaders and ensure there remains a focus on key social issues and the essential role that the social sector plays in this community. The participation of local government community development staff in our Board and events is an important way for local governments to access information and be part of regional collaborations. We look forward to their continued participation.

Membership of the Peel Community Development Group is an area that we are trying to expand. There is no cost involved as a member – but it provides a critical mechanism for the PCDG Board to connect with the community sector and understand opportunities and challenges facing our region. I thank you for your interest and encourage your ongoing membership.

In closing, I would like to thank each and every PCDG Board member for their friendship, support and the contribution they have made throughout the year. It is a big task to fit in with your work and personal commitments, but I know that I certainly value the time and learning opportunities that my time on the PCDG has afforded me. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Kristie Tonkin who is our PCDG Secretary. Whilst Kristie participates in the PCDG as a small part of her role at the Peel Development Commission, the majority of her contribution is made personally – and that contribution is huge. Kristie has kept us all on track with documentation for meetings, tracking actions, coordinating meetings and generally making sure the administration of our volunteer-based group continues to tick. And so, a very big thank you to Kristie.

I am stepping down as Chair but hope to continue on the Board to support the incoming executive board members and continue to contribute to the work of the PCDG. I wish the incoming Chair all the very best.

Liz Storr

Chairperson

Peel Community Development Group Inc.

14 November 2017

Peel Community Development Group Membership Update

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Peel Community Development Group Membership Update The Peel Community Development Group (PCDG) is a not-for-profit organisation that works to support and strengthen a positive and sustainable community development process in the Peel region, whilst advocating for and supporting the work of the community sector. PCDG is run by a committed volunteer board with members who each bring a diverse range of skills,experience and local knowledge to assist the PCDG in its various projects and activities. In recent years, the PCDG has focussed on - Providing professional development opportunities for community sector practitioners through hosting local conferences and information sessions with high profile speakers and quality presentations at an affordable price Facilitating dialogue, research and planning across the sector to address transitional housing needs for families with young children Developing and leading the Peel Says No To Violence Project in partnership with Peel Community Legal Service, Allambee Counselling, Peel Youth Services and Pat Thomas House Maintaining communication with Members of Parliament who represent our region and ensuring the voice of the community and sector is heard Working with the five local governments within the region, Peel Development Commission, Regional Development Australia Peel and the Peel Harvey Catchment Council through our participation in the Peel Regional Leaders Forum to provide a community perspective to collective regional issues and projects Attracting a broader cross section of Peel people to the PCDG board including from Waroona and Serpentine Increasing the flow of information to our community sector via electronic newsletters and an improved Facebook presence (new in 2017!) An important part of what we do is connecting with the community sector in Peel to understand the issues and challenges faced, and using our networks to advocate for the needs of the region.  In order to continue this work, we need your comminuted support through membership of the PCDG and participation in our dialogue, projects and events. Why be a member of PCDG? To make sure you are part of the advocacy and support network for the Peel community and community sector. To keep the PCDG Board informed of priority issues as you see them in your work and/or community. To ensure we know who to talk with about the challenges and opportunities within the Peel region. What does it cost? Nothing. Membership of PCDG is free – all we need are your current contact details. How do I join or renew my membership? Just follow this link and let us know your preference here. Can I just be on the PCDG mailing list without being a member? Of course. PCDG Is keen to keep people informed of our activities and advocacy work. But given that membership is free, we’d love you to join.  Just follow this link and let us know your preference. Who are the current board members? Have a look here on our website for profiles of each of our current volunteer board members. How do I find out more information? Find us on Facebook (please follow our page for regular updates) Check out our website (currently being updated) www.pcdg.org.au Email us – pcdg.info@gmail.com Please update your details by responding to the survey here

PCDG October 12, 2017 August 2017 newsletter PCDG October 12, 2017 *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Welcome to the August 2017 newsletter of the PCDG The Peel Community Development Group is a not for profit organisation that works to support and strengthen a positive and sustainable community development process in the Peel region, whilst advocating for and supporting the work of the community sector. The PCDG is represented by a voluntary board of management consisting of committed individuals involved in community development with a mix of professionals from local government, service providers, state government agencies, consultants, researchers and community advocates. Peel Says No To Violence…in Alice Springs! The Australian National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) in June brought together representatives from 41 Australia-wide domestic violence projects to Alice Springs…and the Peel region was there. Peel Says No To Violence representative Justine Hansen said that the three day conference provided a space for sharing ideas, learning from other projects, and sharing successes and challenges. “It was also an amazing cultural experience in the red centre of our wide, brown, extraordinary country!” said Justine. “Each project is at a different stage of its development, with a few completed projects able to give some guidance from their experiences,” said Justine.  “Projects’ focus ranged from women and children living in aboriginal communities (rural, remote and urban based), women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to women with disabilities. There were programs focused on perpetrators, communities developing region-wide strategic plans, and others that were developing community champions and advocates to spread the information about family domestic violence (FDV).” There are currently 41 projects across Australia funded under Building Safe Communities for Women, managed by the Federal Department for Social Services. Peel Says No To Violence is one of the these funded projects. Alongside of the project, ANROWS (Australian National Research Organization for Women’s Safety) is an independent, not-for-profit company established as an initiative under Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan). It is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia. www.anrows.org.au Our Watch was established to drive nationwide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children: www.ourwatch.org.au Keen to know more? Sign up to our mailing list so we can keep you posted on the PSNTV project's progress - click HERE. Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support Project Update The Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support project was initiated by PCDG and the Peel Development Commission in 2015 following research conducted by PDCG into key housing issues and options for the Peel. Following a period of further research and consultation lead by Shelter WA a business case seeking funding for the Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support Project - Mandurah Hub was submitted to the Department of Regional Development for Royalties for Regions funding consideration in August 2016 with UnitingCare West as the project lead. The proposed Hub is designed to provide supported transitional accommodation to cohorts of 30 young people and 30 families with children, who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. The facility would notably provide support to assist the households to gain educational and/or training skills to yield employment outcomes for participants of the project. The Project aims to assist 900 young people and families and 750 children and result in cost savings to government of approximately $76.1 million over a 30-year period. Following business case submission PCDG, Peel Development Commission and UnitingCare West have been in regular contact to discuss the project.  However, due to a State election, re-prioritisation of Royalties for Regions funding and changes in the way project are assessed for funding through Royalties for Regions we have had little progress. PCDG and the other key stakeholders are still keen to see this project progress and are holding a joint workshop in late August to discuss the current state of housing in Peel, revisit priorities and agree on a strategy to move the project forward. For more information on The Peel Secure Housing and Support project, including the research report, please click here. If you would like to be involved please contact Kristie Tonkin at Peel Development Commission on 9535 4140. Allambee Counselling Allambee Counselling is a specialist therapeutic service providing support for people affected by sexual assault/abuse and/or domestic violence. At Allambee our focus is on changing lives, developing positive outcomes, and creating healthy futures for children, young people, and families in the Peel region.  Services include individual counselling and group therapies for children, adolescents and adults, community education and a youth service supporting at risk and/or disengaged youth. A key focus of Allambee’s service provision is preventative intervention to promote positive change in community attitudes towards sexual and family violence.  Allambee provides a range of community education, awareness raising and training initiatives aimed reducing future incidence of violence in our community.  This includes Protective Behaviours education in primary schools, Respectful Relationships education in high schools, Child Protection Week activities, the Annual Peel Silent March for Domestic Violence in partnership with Pat Thomas House, and is a partner in the PCDG led Peel Says No to Violence Project.   The Street Net Youth Service located at the Billy Dower Youth Centre offers information, individual support, case management, referrals and recreational and diversional activities for high school aged youth in the community who are at-risk. This service has been operating in the Peel region since 1999 and has been managed by Allambee auspiced by the Peel Community Development Group (PCDG) for the past 5 years.  Some of Street Net’s recent programs and events include Drumbeat, Respectful Relationships, Night Hoops Basket Ball and the annual Skate, Scooter & BMX Comp at Falcon Skate Park.  Street Net also works closely with other local youth services on events like the Gnoonie Youth Football Cup, Nightfields Football, and Youth Week events. Allambee's website: http://allambee.org.au/ and Street Net: http://streetnet.org.au/ PCDG Board Meeting Update - July The Peel Community Development Group meets monthly, with the location rotated to each of the five local government areas in the Peel. In July we convened at the Edenvale Community Rooms in Pinjarra where we were joined by Leanne McGuirke, Manager of Planning at the Shire of Murray.  Leanne provided an overview of the Pinjarra Revitilisation Project which, after much research and community consultation, has resulted in the development of both a Town Planning Scheme and Town Revitilisation Plan that were recently endorsed by Council. The Pinjarra town currently has a population of around 4,000 with the Shire planning for 24,000 people, within walking distance to the Pinjarra town centre, by 2050. To meet this large growth and create a vibrant community centre, innovative planning is required enabling integration of green space with density and housing that link key nodes of activity within the town. A key element of the planning is the main road bypass which will redirect heavy traffic out of the town centre and enable greater connectivity.  The Shire’s plans are currently before the WA Planning Commission with an outcome expected later in 2017.  More information can be found on the Shire of Murray website. PCDG Board members Jodie Doherty and Brad Vitale also provided the group with an overview of projects occurring in the local government areas of Murray and Waroona, funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA).  The projects are aimed at engaging with the local Aboriginal community to develop strategies to improve the mental health of young Aboriginal people.  A key element to the projects is the engagement of Aboriginal people in the development, delivery and ongoing implementation of the initiatives.  Both projects are in early stages and we look forward to hearing more into the future. Our next meeting will be held in Boddington where we will receive an update from both the Boddington Community Resource Centre and the Shire of Boddington on key community issues.

August 2017 newsletter

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Welcome to the August 2017 newsletter of the PCDG The Peel Community Development Group is a not for profit organisation that works to support and strengthen a positive and sustainable community development process in the Peel region, whilst advocating for and supporting the work of the community sector. The PCDG is represented by a voluntary board of management consisting of committed individuals involved in community development with a mix of professionals from local government, service providers, state government agencies, consultants, researchers and community advocates. Peel Says No To Violence…in Alice Springs! The Australian National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) in June brought together representatives from 41 Australia-wide domestic violence projects to Alice Springs…and the Peel region was there. Peel Says No To Violence representative Justine Hansen said that the three day conference provided a space for sharing ideas, learning from other projects, and sharing successes and challenges. “It was also an amazing cultural experience in the red centre of our wide, brown, extraordinary country!” said Justine. “Each project is at a different stage of its development, with a few completed projects able to give some guidance from their experiences,” said Justine.  “Projects’ focus ranged from women and children living in aboriginal communities (rural, remote and urban based), women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to women with disabilities. There were programs focused on perpetrators, communities developing region-wide strategic plans, and others that were developing community champions and advocates to spread the information about family domestic violence (FDV).” There are currently 41 projects across Australia funded under Building Safe Communities for Women, managed by the Federal Department for Social Services. Peel Says No To Violence is one of the these funded projects. Alongside of the project, ANROWS (Australian National Research Organization for Women’s Safety) is an independent, not-for-profit company established as an initiative under Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan). It is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia. www.anrows.org.au Our Watch was established to drive nationwide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children: www.ourwatch.org.au Keen to know more? Sign up to our mailing list so we can keep you posted on the PSNTV project's progress - click HERE. Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support Project Update The Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support project was initiated by PCDG and the Peel Development Commission in 2015 following research conducted by PDCG into key housing issues and options for the Peel. Following a period of further research and consultation lead by Shelter WA a business case seeking funding for the Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support Project - Mandurah Hub was submitted to the Department of Regional Development for Royalties for Regions funding consideration in August 2016 with UnitingCare West as the project lead. The proposed Hub is designed to provide supported transitional accommodation to cohorts of 30 young people and 30 families with children, who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. The facility would notably provide support to assist the households to gain educational and/or training skills to yield employment outcomes for participants of the project. The Project aims to assist 900 young people and families and 750 children and result in cost savings to government of approximately $76.1 million over a 30-year period. Following business case submission PCDG, Peel Development Commission and UnitingCare West have been in regular contact to discuss the project.  However, due to a State election, re-prioritisation of Royalties for Regions funding and changes in the way project are assessed for funding through Royalties for Regions we have had little progress. PCDG and the other key stakeholders are still keen to see this project progress and are holding a joint workshop in late August to discuss the current state of housing in Peel, revisit priorities and agree on a strategy to move the project forward. For more information on The Peel Secure Housing and Support project, including the research report, please click here. If you would like to be involved please contact Kristie Tonkin at Peel Development Commission on 9535 4140. Allambee Counselling Allambee Counselling is a specialist therapeutic service providing support for people affected by sexual assault/abuse and/or domestic violence. At Allambee our focus is on changing lives, developing positive outcomes, and creating healthy futures for children, young people, and families in the Peel region.  Services include individual counselling and group therapies for children, adolescents and adults, community education and a youth service supporting at risk and/or disengaged youth. A key focus of Allambee’s service provision is preventative intervention to promote positive change in community attitudes towards sexual and family violence.  Allambee provides a range of community education, awareness raising and training initiatives aimed reducing future incidence of violence in our community.  This includes Protective Behaviours education in primary schools, Respectful Relationships education in high schools, Child Protection Week activities, the Annual Peel Silent March for Domestic Violence in partnership with Pat Thomas House, and is a partner in the PCDG led Peel Says No to Violence Project.   The Street Net Youth Service located at the Billy Dower Youth Centre offers information, individual support, case management, referrals and recreational and diversional activities for high school aged youth in the community who are at-risk. This service has been operating in the Peel region since 1999 and has been managed by Allambee auspiced by the Peel Community Development Group (PCDG) for the past 5 years.  Some of Street Net’s recent programs and events include Drumbeat, Respectful Relationships, Night Hoops Basket Ball and the annual Skate, Scooter & BMX Comp at Falcon Skate Park.  Street Net also works closely with other local youth services on events like the Gnoonie Youth Football Cup, Nightfields Football, and Youth Week events. Allambee's website: http://allambee.org.au/ and Street Net: http://streetnet.org.au/ PCDG Board Meeting Update - July The Peel Community Development Group meets monthly, with the location rotated to each of the five local government areas in the Peel. In July we convened at the Edenvale Community Rooms in Pinjarra where we were joined by Leanne McGuirke, Manager of Planning at the Shire of Murray.  Leanne provided an overview of the Pinjarra Revitilisation Project which, after much research and community consultation, has resulted in the development of both a Town Planning Scheme and Town Revitilisation Plan that were recently endorsed by Council. The Pinjarra town currently has a population of around 4,000 with the Shire planning for 24,000 people, within walking distance to the Pinjarra town centre, by 2050. To meet this large growth and create a vibrant community centre, innovative planning is required enabling integration of green space with density and housing that link key nodes of activity within the town. A key element of the planning is the main road bypass which will redirect heavy traffic out of the town centre and enable greater connectivity.  The Shire’s plans are currently before the WA Planning Commission with an outcome expected later in 2017.  More information can be found on the Shire of Murray website. PCDG Board members Jodie Doherty and Brad Vitale also provided the group with an overview of projects occurring in the local government areas of Murray and Waroona, funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA).  The projects are aimed at engaging with the local Aboriginal community to develop strategies to improve the mental health of young Aboriginal people.  A key element to the projects is the engagement of Aboriginal people in the development, delivery and ongoing implementation of the initiatives.  Both projects are in early stages and we look forward to hearing more into the future. Our next meeting will be held in Boddington where we will receive an update from both the Boddington Community Resource Centre and the Shire of Boddington on key community issues.

July 2017 newsletter

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Welcome to the July 2017 newsletter of the PCDG The Peel Community Development Group is a not for profit organisation that works to support and strengthen a positive and sustainable community development process in the Peel region, whilst advocating for and supporting the work of the community sector. The PCDG is represented by a voluntary board of management consisting of committed individuals involved in community development with a mix of professionals from local government, service providers, state government agencies, consultants, researchers and community advocates. Peel Says No to Violence research forum The Peel Says No To Violence (PSNTV) project aims to better understand the prevalence of family and domestic violence (FDV) in the region, identify how our community can better support women and children experiencing FDV, raise awareness of services and support available, and create a movement of people in the wider community to actively support the Peel Says No To Violence message.   Funding for this project has been provided by the Department of Social Services under the Building Safer Communities for Women and their Children program. The first phase of our project is now complete.  This involved in-depth research into FDV in the Peel region.  We conducted interviews and focus groups with a wide range of women who have experienced FDV, looked at other relevant research and literature, and surveyed all of the support service providers across the Peel to understand the extent of their FDV services and the challenges they face in supporting women and children in this region. The recent PSNTV Research Forum was a great success with over 30 service providers and interested parties attending the Senior Citizen's centre in Pinjarra on Wednesday 28 June, 2017. An update on the project status was provided, as well as the presentation of key findings presented, which included the following; Services in the region do not have the capacity to meet existing demand, with particular gaps identified in refuge/accommodation services, children/youth support related to FDV and in regional areas outside Mandurah. There is a role for a wide range of people and organisations to support women and children experiencing FDV, with the research highlighting the important role for family, friends, non-specialist services, police and volunteer groups in providing information and assistance. Pat Thomas House has a critical role not just in providing services, but linking women into a wide range of other supports. There is a need for improved FDV literacy, not just awareness. For women themselves, services and community members - there is a need to develop a deeper understanding of the power and control dynamic and how this impacts on family violence.  It is important to also understand and acknowledge how women are able to offer resistance to violence and the reasons why they stay, leave and return to relationships. Sharing women’s stories is a powerful way to help the community and individuals understand the complexity of family violence. To build a Peel-wide Alliance it is important to include organisations from all local government areas and the relevant districts of government departments. Attendees were impressed at the quality and depth of the research which really tells the story of FDV in the region from both a statistical and humanistic approach.  There is certainly a lot to be learnt from the womens' stories collected during the research, including the varied faces of FDV. If you would like a copy of the research report, please email Leah at peelsaysno@gmail.com .   Keen to know more? Sign up to our mailing list so we can keep you posted on the project's progress - click HERE. Meeting with Alcoa during June PCDG Board Member Anne Sinclair participated in a Peel Regional Leaders Forum (PRLF) meeting with Alcoa to discuss Alcoa’s ongoing involvement in the region. Alcoa made a presentation outlining their current operations and future plans, and estimates that they have approximately 2000 employees in Peel. PRLF and Alcoa re-committed to ongoing and regular communication. Zak Kirkup says no to violence Dawesville MP, Zak Kirkup, recently met with members of the PSNTV management committee at Lotteries House in Mandurah to lend his support for the Peel Says No To Violence project. The meeting was an opportunity to share the aims and achievements of the PSNTV with Zak, and provide him with some detailed insight into the extent and depth of family and domestic violence in the Peel region. Encouragingly, the PSNTV project is gaining momentum. By using the findings of our on-ground research, we are working towards the development of a regional alliance which will offer a way for all community members – either as individuals or organisations – to stand up against violence in our region. Zak generously offered in-kind support to our project and we are appreciative of his time and commitment to PSNTV. In the photo, left to right; Be Westbrook (Peel Youth Services), Paddi Creevey (PSNTV Chair), Liz Storr (PCDG Chair), Zak Kirkup MP Member for Dawesville, Nicci Lambert (Allambee Counselling), Craig Edmonds (PSNTV), Justine Hansen (PSNTV).

Continuing to Build Capacity for the Peel Region

Here at PCDG we were interested to hear from guest speaker Jenna Palumbo, who gave a great presentation about Social Ventures Australia (SVA), detailing areas that SVA provides support to non-for-profits in Australia. A number of interesting concepts were discussed including: Venture Philanthropy, Impact Investing, and Social Impact Funds. PCDG is planning to host an afternoon workshop/forum in early 2016 and will invite Jenna to come along and speak, but until then, head over to SVA's website to learn more.

We also spoke with Kerrie-Anne Cugley from Child Australia, a leading early years not for profit organisations in Australia, dedicated to improving children’s developmental outcomes. Child Australia have been working hard to develop a Peel Regional Children’s Services Plan to propose a way towards developing a sustainable Education and Care Sector, and have invited the PCDG to be included in their future roundtable discussions. Child Australia will also be hosting a family daycare working group in Waroona towards the end of August, promoting mothers/women back into the workforce.

At our next meeting, PCDG will be hearing from guest speakers regarding domestic violence in the Peel region as we look to better understand and tackle this concerning issue.

Street Net now at the Billy Dower Youth Centre!

Peel Community Development Group (PCDG) auspices Allambee to deliver the Street Net Youth Service that has been operating in the Peel Region since 1999, providing support, information and referral to ‘at risk’ young people.
 
During Januray 2015 Street Net moved to the Billy Dower Youth Centre and is now co-located with other youth services including Peel Youth Medical Services and the School Volunteer Program. Staff have settled well into the new office, and have more opportunities to engage with young people and network with other services.
 
Street Net’s Services for Young People At Risk Progress Report for the July - December 2014 period was recently submitted to the services funding body, the Department of Child Protection and Family Services. During this reporting period over 100 young people received support from Street Net through programs and projects, case management and significant support, workshops and other activities.

PCDG Planning Day 2015

Today we held the Annual PCDG Planning day at the beautiful Redgum Retreat in Dwellingup, facilitated by the amazing Megan Worsdell from WACOSS. The day began reflecting on our achievements of 2014, including our incredibly successful PCDG Conference in February; initiating the Housing Security Project; and representing the community sector in both the Peel Leaders Forum and the Peel Development Commission. With a number of new board members, we are setting our sights forward towards what is looking to be a great year in 2015.

The Housing Security Roundtable set for March 6th will bring together up to 60 representatives from various community organisations, and together will work towards creating an agreed upon solution for housing affordability and homelessness in the Peel Region. 

The PCDG Conference for 2015 will once again be held in the Peel Region, hosting speakers of international standing, and providing great networking opportunities across the community sector.

We are also looking to host a number of community sector workshops, and plan to further develop our online presence through both our new website and social media.

This year the PCDG’s broad aims are to provide ‘bricks and mortar’ solutions for housing security in the Peel Region; to continue our work in building resilience within the community sector; and to strengthen connections within the existing community network, working more closely with a number of advisors. 

Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to share your thoughts :)

New Website Launch!

We are very excited to have finally launched our new website design after many months in development! You’ll see things are looking pretty spiffy around here and it’s all been completely re-coded from the ground up.

A few of our goals with the new website were to make it faster, easier to navigate, and easier for us to manage/update. Most of all, we wanted to help you get to know us better. If you take a gander around the site I think you’ll get a pretty good idea of who we are and what we do. You can also find a wealth of knowledge on our site about various other community organisations from the Peel region.

PCDG have been keeping very busy and are looking forward to hosting a number of events in the near future. We'll also be keeping you posted about other other community events that are happening around town.

If you'd like to become a PCDG member you can now submit your form online here. And to sweeten the deal, memberships are now free! As always, if you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact us.