Mission Statement  

To engage and empower people to make a positive difference and build a happy, healthy, vibrant community where all people have a sense of hope, belonging, purpose and significance.            

Aims

• Build supportive relationships and networks

• Provide safe, inclusive, creative, life giving places for people to connect, participate and contribute to

• Help those in need

• Increase opportunities for people to learn new skills, grow and develop

Values

People – as unique and valuable beings

Community – healthy relationships & networks

Partnerships – working together for the common good

Diversity - respect and acceptance of difference

Integrity - good moral, ethics & standards

Generosity - open handed, lavish giving

Freedom – to explore opportunities and be all we can be

Life – in all its fullness

Compassion – awareness and empathy for those who are suffering                                  

Objectives

Offer a range of interest groups and work opportunities for people to participate in and learn new skills

CREATIVE - mosaic, craft, art, knitting, woodwork, gardening

PARENTING - dad’s group, playgroup

THEATRICAL – Choir, drama

HEALTH & WELL BEING – walking group, health checks, workshops by health services

Develop community garden @ Our Shed

Develop community art space and projects @ Our Shed

Develop Community Enterprise @ Our Shed

Encourage and inform volunteers/staff/community on training opportunities

Seek funding opportunities to train and up skill staff/volunteers/participants

Work in collaboration with other agencies to provide effective, quality services & assistance within the local context & build community capacity & resilience

Strengthen partnerships with Bendigo Community Health, LMHS, St Luke’s, Salvation Army, Bendigo Uniting Care Outreach, Dept of Justice, CVGT, Latrobe University, Long Gully Community Centre, Eaglehawk Neighbourhood House, Dept Human Services, On Track

Explore and organize regular inter-agency meetings/forum for Eaglehawk

Engage the church in the life of the community

Educate and prepare local residents for emergencies and in particularly be ready with fire plans for bushfire seasons

Promote and co-ordinate events, celebrations and projects that gather people together, boost community spirit, and bring joy and connectedness

Hold Community Christmas Celebration, Annual Dinner/Breakfast, weekly community BBQ

Participate in Annual Dahlia & Arts Festival, Canterbury Garden Carols by Candlelight and Skin, Ski & Surf Skate Comp

Facilitate fire recovery functions such as regular women’s functions, retreat, anniversaries

To respond to those in need with practical assistance, compassion, care, generosity and grace in a life giving and empowering manner.

Train and equip staff and volunteers to provide effective, professional emergency relief assistance.

Develop sustainable, regular food supply for emergency relief

Advocate for efficient and ‘fair’ provision of services in the local area

On February 7^th 2009, Greater Bendigo experienced its worst natural disaster when the Black Saturday Bushfires tore uncontrollably through the district.

The fire begun in Bracewell St, in the far north west edge of the city.

With little warning it took one life, the life of Mr Michael Kane, it destroyed 58 homes, countless sheds, outbuildings, cars, boats, caravans, and gardens and burnt through 354 hectares of land. The fire stopped just 1km short of the CBD and left in its wake a devastated and traumatised community.

Following the devastation, Bishop Andrew Curnow of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo appointed Rev Tracey Wolsley as community chaplain to work in the Bendigo fire affected areas.

In response to the needs of the community to have a place of hope, Our Place Community Assistance Centre was birthed and opened its doors on March 5^th 2009 as a Fire Recovery Centre.

Our Place is a grassroots initiative and the result of a community working with the community, for the community. From the very beginning Our Place quickly grew into a thriving hub of activity that engaged the broader community in assisting those in need. Our Place is a place of hope.... a friendly, fun, accessible, safe place for all people to connect, grow and contribute in meaningful ways that make a positive difference in the life of the community.

Our Place runs as a drop in centre, there’s no need for appointments or referrals to access assistance. Anyone can call in at any time for a cuppa, a chat, to join a group, to use resources, to find information, be encouraged, receive practical assistance, or be part of a growing community enterprise and gain valuable work experience. It is in the heart of the Eaglehawk shopping strip and has quickly become valued by business owners, the local community, service agencies and clients.