Narrabri & District Community Aid Service Inc. Annual Report

1/11/2018 – 31/10/2019

What is a Neighbourhood Centre? Neighbourhood Centres are a universal point of access for members of the community. Each centre responds in a unique way to promote the social connectedness of people living in the local community.

Neighbourhood centres are accessed by a wide cross-section of the community, including people who are marginalised or have significant needs.

What is Homelessness?

Homelessness is defined as living in housing that is below the minimum standard or lacks secure tenure. People can be categorized as homeless if they are:

 living on the streets (primary homelessness);

 moving between temporary shelters, including houses of friends, family and emergency accommodation (secondary homelessness);

 Living in private boarding houses without a private bathroom and/or security of tenure (tertiary homelessness).

About this Annual Report

This Annual Report covers our activities and performance for the period 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2019, to coincide with NDCAS Annual General Meeting. It has been prepared to respond to specific legal requirements with the Department of Fair Trading - Incorporations Act of NSW (2009) and all relevant updates and amendments, Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) Code of Conduct and Guidelines, Australian Taxation Laws.

This Annual Report is one of the ways we seek to satisfy our accountability and obligations to all our stakeholders, including our partners and supporters. We believe accountability is crucial for our sustainability and therefore our ability to fulfil our Mission. By holding ourselves accountable, we demonstrate that we are worthy of this trust. We encourage you to read this Annual Report in conjunction with our Strategic Plan.

This addresses the mechanisms and processes that the Organisation, of which we are a part, has in place to assure quality improvement and ensure integrity, as well as the challenges the Organisation faces as a whole. This report covers activities we ( and District Community Aid Service Inc. (NDCAS) have undertaken or supported.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item Page

About this report 2

Table of Contents 3

Introduction 4

Organisation Chart 5

President’s Report 6-7

Manager’s Report 8

Our People – Meet the team 9-10

Service Report

 NHSS Team Report 11-18

 NFYS Team Report 19-22

 Supported Playgroups 23-24

 Toy Library 25-26

 Learning and Development 27-28

 Community Development 29-34

Newspaper Article ‘The Courier’ 35-37

Strategic Goals –What we have achieved 38-40

Contacts 41

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Introduction Narrabri and District Community Aid Service Inc. (NDCAS) is a not for profit community service. It provides essential services throughout the community and has been functioning since October 1974. The five key areas of work are:  Service development and delivery  Community activities  Community information, education and advocacy  Individual support and direct assistance  Social research and planning

NDCAS is:  Part of our community  Responsive to needs and gaps in services  An organisation that provides information and support to different groups in our community  Community development focused  Independent of Government departments  Run by a voluntary Community Management Board  Flexible in service delivery  Part of a network of similar organisations  Accountable for its actions

Memberships:  Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC)  Local Community Services Association (LCSA)  Families NSW  Australian Federation of Employers and Industries (AFEI)  Homelessness NSW  NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS)  Standard Performance Pathways (SPP)

Funding:  Department of Family and Community Services (FACS)  Department of Education and Training

Award:  Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010

Incorporation:  Fair Trading since 21/10/1987 no: Y0131125

Registrations:  Department of Trade and Investment - Charitable Fundraising no: 12301  Charitable Collections Act - Certificate of Registration no: c.c. 23936

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Organisational Chart

(NDCAS) Narrabri and District Community Aid Service Inc. Management Board 6 x Positions

(NDCAS) (NC) Finance Neighbourhood NDCAS Manager Co-ordinator Centre 1 x Position 1 x position Community Development/ Compliance Learning and 1 x Position Development 1 x Position (NHSS) (OEIFW) Narrabri Homelessness Support

Outreach Early Intervention Family Service (including Women’s Refuge) Worker Homelessness Families Co-ordinator Co-ordinator 1 x Position 1 x Position

Caseworkers (PLA) (NFYS) Supported Play Groups Namoi Family and Youth Service 4 x Positions 1 x Position 2 x Caseworkers

(NTL / WWTL) Namoi Toy Library and Access Worker Toy Library 1 x Position 1 x Position

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President’s Report

It is with pleasure and satisfaction that I write this annual report sharing some of the milestones, activities and achievements of the past year. While I draw attention to these activities, I am sure that I shall miss some so please accept my apology for any missing details!

We have settled in our new premises in Maitland Street a new cooling/heating system has been installed, there was a bit inconvenient for a few weeks but all good now.

We now have an Accounting Firm overseeing the financial processes, which to date has been very beneficial to the Board as we are able to keep track of the budgets and all of our other financial responsibilities.

Manager and staff are in the process of becoming quality compliant with the assistance of an independent provider.

NDCAS are working with Summit Community Housing as a sub-contractor, navigating the transition from FACS Housing I believe this has had it challenges, but not something that our manager and staff are not used to, and are quite capable to deal with this.

Some of the positives over the past year:

 New sprinkler system at two of our sites  Donation from Downer Mines paid for the fence around the Women’s & Children Refuge plus the purchase of outdoor furniture  Trainee employed in the Playgroup area.  A number of successful community partnership events were facilitated by NDCAS Community Development Worker  Apron Project Road Show at the Narrabri Craft Shop educating community about Family & Domestic Violence, Raised $700.00 for the Women & Children’s Refuge.  Harmony Day at the Post Office.  Learning & Development Conference.  Neighbourhood Centre Week with a free Community Lunch in Maitland Street outside NDCAS office.  Homelessness Week was celebrated in Wee Waa  R U OK Day was celebrated with a Working Women’s Wellness Weaving Workshop  National Families Week at the Crossing Theatre Grounds on a Saturday

The above brief activities do not reflect all of the events and collaborations that staff are involved in their day to day activities in delivering services to clients.

I would like to thank NDCAS board members Cheryl Pawley, Noeline Kiss, Alan Marshall and Karin Woods for their extraordinary work over the last 12 months through our many ups and downs, - 6 -

also their resilience throughout the difficult times we have had to make decisions that were very tough to do. Also, board members who have been able attend the many activities over the past year. I hope we will continue with the same passion & enthusiasm over the next 12 months to bring even more success to the organisation.

The board would like to thank our staff for their hard work over the past year and congratulate you on the many successful outcomes you have all achieved

As Chairperson/President I would like to thank our General Manager, Wendy Ross, also for her resilience, professionalism in dealing with staff matters and the community at large. Wendy has had to deal with some very delicate issues over the past year, and has displayed diplomacy at all times.

We as a Board, and I speak for our board, commend our manager Wendy, as you dealt with staff matters, and the many challenges this has presented, you always come through, no matter what is thrown at you whether government, funding body clients, staff or community.

It is due to Wendy’s excellent communication skills, that we have a positive relationship with our funding body and the many services that NDCAS collaborate with, which enables our staff to provide a quality service to our participants

Once again, many thanks to Wendy, Staff and our board.

Robyn Keeffe

President/Chairperson 2019

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Manager’s Report 2018-2019 I am pleased to present Narrabri & District Community Aid Service Inc. Annual Report for 2018–19.

2018 marked the first year of operation under our new strategic plan in place until 2021 The plan sets out our commitment to developing sustainable and integrated services and our long-term vision to deliver meaningful and life-changing outcomes for all clients. Vision: A connected, inclusive, vibrant community that is safe, healthy and resilient. Purpose: Working with individuals and the community to build strengths achieve goals and create opportunities. The valuable work that NDCAS employees’ do stops the fringes of society from fraying further.

Once again it has been my privilege to manage an organisation which is led by an impressive Committee of Management who has a strong focus to NDCAS values of respect, integrity, collaboration and innovation to life.

NDCAS is at the forefront of protecting the vulnerable in our community, including families, children and youth, people with disability and those experiencing disadvantages, domestic or family-based violence. We do this through the human services sector, providing housing and working to address homelessness, and through our child and youth protection services. In addition, we work to improve the status of women, achieve inclusion for members of our community from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and fund programs to keep our community connected.

The last three years we have been working towards building a strong resilient organisation that has the capacity to change and adapt to various reforms that have affected our families’ services, our homelessness program for young people, and our Community Builders programs.

These changes have strengthened us and we continue to provide services that are client centred and reflect NDCAS values, in the last year we have delivered services with a client centred focus through all our service streams.

Programs are developed and delivered as a response to the needs in our community, and in collaboration with our partners, funders and clients.

Our achievements and our stories are highlighted in this report, and reflect the hard work of our staff throughout the year.

In closing I would like to acknowledge the commitment and outstanding work NDCAS staff does for our community; without their dedication and passion we would not have such wonderful outcomes.

I would also like to thank our Chairperson Robyn Keeffe and Board Directors Alan Marshall, Cheryl Pawley, Noeline Kiss and Karin Wood for their support, guidance and commitment to NDCAS over the past twelve months.

Regards,

Wendy Ross - Manager – Narrabri & District Community Aid Service Inc. - 8 -

Our People

We have a wonderful diverse group of workers who have the passion and skills to make a difference in a persons’ life and in turn to our community. Our workers engage with partners and supporters across all sectors of our community including government, other NGO’s, corporate bodies just to name a few to achieve a greater longer lasting impact.

We would like to introduce you to the current team of NDCAS:

Administration

Wendy Ross Sue Waugh Kim Mason Lisa Almagro NDCAS Manager NDCAS Finance Officer NDCAS Compliance / NDCAS Community Administration Development Officer & Assistant Learning and Development Narrabri Homelessness Support Service/ Narrabri Women and Children’s Refuge

Renee Finnigan Renae Chard Olivia O’Meara Nicole Ham NDCAS NHSS NHSS Caseworker NHSS Caseworker NHSS Caseworker Coordinator

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Narrabri Families and Youth Service

Venessa Bruce Belinda Parkes Belinda Druce NHSS Access NHSS Caseworker NDCAS Counsellor

Gail Wilson Cassie Gorrie Joshua Pattison Jessie Ross NF&YS Caseworker NF&YS Caseworker NDCAS Toy Librarian NDCAS Playgroups Worker

Past employees for the 2018 – 2019 Year include:

Donna Young and Jacqui Richards.

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Service Reports

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service and

Narrabri Women and Children’s Refuge

Statistics from November 1st 2018 to October 31st 2019

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service had 2699 contacts recorded with the NHSS Team for support and assistance, According to CIMS Report.

 1006 Male  1693 Female  Brokerage spent: $35,624.31

The Women’s & Children’s Refuge 176 clients were supported for Domestic Violence, accessed for accommodation at The Refuge.

Domestic Violence Response Enhancement Funding is also used for flexible brokerage, safety planning, case management, and assessment and referral after hours. This ensures all women who present to a service receive a risk and safety assessment to identify immediate needs, and referral to the most appropriate accommodation and/or support.

 176 females  23 clients received DVRE after hours support.  Brokerage spent: $17,699.61 Domestic Violence Response Enhancement (DVRE) has been extended until 30 June 2020. The guidelines and purpose of the DVRE funding is to enhance the existing service response for Women& Children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic and family violence. Focus is to be given to enhancing after hours support e.g. risk assessment, safety planning, case management, monitoring and intake and increase crisis housing options.

Venessa, Olivia, Renee, Renae, Belinda and Nicole - 11 -

Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) Case Management

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service works under a client centred –approach

Case Management is the key to assisting and working effectively with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a range of complex needs. The complex problem of homelessness is not just about the lack of appropriate accommodation or having a roof over head. It is also about helping people get the support and skills they need to cope with the difficulties that arise in their lives, enabling them to stay in their accommodation in the long term and contribute to society. Case management is a key component in providing this support, by helping to address a wide range of client needs.

Effective case management is vital if we are to have an impact on reducing the number and rate of Homeless people. This resource aims to help us work with clients in a way which respects them as individuals, ensures their particular needs are being met and assists them to achieve their goals.

Case management has clear benefits for clients and service providers. It means clients have better access to improved services and are empowered to make decisions about the support they receive. For service providers, case management reinforces shared responsibilities of clients and the services that work with them, and helps to identify the client’s strengths. Of course, case management requires a true partnership approach and a commitment to work across

Access and Demand partnership with Summit Housing

Temporary Accommodation (TA) is a service provided through Housing Pathways within the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) Housing NSW under the ‘Housing Act 2001’ and supplements SHSs in providing short-term accommodation in “low cost motels or caravan parks” for clients to act as a ‘bridge’ by which clients may have somewhat secure accommodation while more permanent housing arrangements can be made. The contract between Summit and Narrabri District Community Aid was signed in May and has been beneficial for clients that need a client focused approach and experienced caseworkers to work with them when trying to access temporary and permanent accommodation. Access to TA is arranged through summit community housing which job share with NDCAS and via Link2Home after hours.

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Clients are required to demonstrate that they are searching for alternative forms of accommodation once placed in Temporary Accommodation. In order to get an extension of TA and must return to either service provider’s office to apply for an extension. This extension will only be provided if the client actively agrees to maintain engagement with our service and provide all documentation needed to either be on the active housing list, community housing or searching for a private tenancy. Clients will need to agree to a TA case plan that obtains all information about the clients past history of housing, drugs and alcohol, and domestic violence. Once this plan is completed we can refer to other appropriate services if needed. Looking to outreach once a week to Wee Waa for clients who are unable to travel due to being remote or who do not have access to services that can provide accommodation. NDCAS will continue to work with clients to sustain and help gain permanent accommodation in the district and complete referrals, and advocate for the homeless.

The access position has gone through a lot of changes since we have taken on the job share. Currently we are averaging around 1-2 per week in TA, and we now have a process that is much easier for the accommodation providers. We have built our working relationships with the providers and also given them a chance if they would like to participate in providing temporary accommodation in the Narrabri Local Government Area (LGA) and with continued support from other services it is a positive change for clients in the district who seek emergency accommodation. One of the NHSS team caseworkers and Team leader fill this position three days a week Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Summit takes Wednesday and Thursday.

Safety Action Meetings – Domestic Violence

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service, the Team Leader attends SAMS meetings fortnightly. The Safety Action Meeting (SAMS) are held across the state of NSW, as part of the NSW Government It Stops Here Safer Pathway Domestic Violence Reforms. SAMS aims to address this by facilitating information sharing between service providers in order to prevent or lessen serious threats to the life, health or safety of domestic violence victims and their children.

SAMS attendees include Oxley Police LAC, Summit Community Housing, Department of Education, Department Communities & Justice, WDVCAS, Hunter New England Health Services, Department of Juvenile Justice & Corrections and Non- Government Service Providers.

Domestic Violence affects people from all backgrounds and communities. It requires integrated, collaborative response from Government & Non-Government service providers.

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Survey Application

NDCAS prides itself on its ability to address feedback, complaints and suggestions to improve the quality of its products and services. NHSS has developed an interactive way to engage clients to provide the service with valuable information about their experiences through an iPad. Having this mobile device gives the entire organisation the opportunity to gather feedback at every interaction with our clients. Although the survey is still in its infancy, caseworkers and clients alike have embraced the new platform and eagerly wait reporting to action any opportunities raised.

Rent Choice Youth Program

Rent Choice Youth is a program that helps young people aged 16 to 24 years to:

 find a place to live in the private market  get approved for a lease  pay the rent for up to 3 years

Clients are also linked with support services that will help make and work towards study or job goals. This will eventually help clients to afford the rent on their own. Monthly PFG meetings are held with collaborative networks to brainstorm any challenges workers or clients may be facing, also put forward new client applications to the meeting for approval, and update on current client activity and achieved goals. Two NHSS Clients have successfully achieved outcomes with our service supporting their achievements and NHSS receiving $5000 each client as a part of the service agreement. The same clients have again maintained their tenancy’s for over 12 months.

NHSS currently have three active RCY clients and one RCY approved client.

Rent It Keep It

NHSS caseworkers also facilitated the “Rent It, Keep It” training package to equip participants of the RCY program to obtain and sustain a private rental property. It is particularly designed for participants who have had little experience in the private rental market. Topics covered include: Rights and Responsibilities of tenants and landlords, how to be a good neighbor, reporting & recording maintenance, how to maintain cleanliness & property condition (include lawns and gardens), managing visitors, budgeting & how to maintain your rental obligations; & services that can assist if you fall behind/are struggling, maintaining a positive relationship with your landlord/agent, routine inspections & finalizing your tenancy.

Clients are awarded a certificate of participation which then can then provide to their nominated real estate.

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Homelessness Week 2019….”Ending Homelessness Together”

Homelessness Week saw the NHSS team spend some much needed time in our local community of Wee Waa. On Wednesday 7th August 2019, Dangar Park Wee Waa was inundated with the aroma of 100 delicious fish and chip sticks supplied and cooked by Narrabri Fish farm, 100 extra frothy hot coffee’s supplied by Dr Chino and 50 good old fashioned sausage sandwiches perfectly cooked by the amazing NHSS team, and plenty of cold drinks to wash it all down.

NHSS regularly outreaches to Wee Waa to engage with clients who would otherwise be unable to be assisted due to transport and financial difficulties.

Homelessness week 2019 gave NHSS the opportunity to give back to the people of Wee Waa by hosting a community event that anyone and everyone could be involved in. Resource bags were packed full of goodies and supplied to the community members who joined us on the day, resources included information flyers on services provided by NDCAS, coffee thermos for those cold winter days, lunch box and lunch bag for taking lunch on the go, and sunscreen and a toothbrush for personal care.

Community members were thrilled to have NHSS host an event that identified Wee Waa as part of the wider community, and identified the need for outreach services in Wee Waa. This event provided valuable information and service contacts for community members who may need supports and or assistance from time to time. An editorial of the event was featured in The Courier newspaper, with a wonderful photo of the NDCAS Manager, chairperson and the NHSS team on the day.

NHSS Team

Renae Chard & Rick Cunningham

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The Home Starter Packs

Moving can be stressful, complicated and expensive. Even more so if you’ve recently experienced homelessness or have a history of being homeless more than once. The move from homelessness to more settled accommodation is a huge step and has a major impact on health and well-being. But often, after a period of homelessness, people have lost many if not all of their possessions. Imagine being homeless and losing all your possessions. We all need the basics; the packs include toaster, kettles, vacuums, microwaves, slow cookers, electric frypans, pots and pans sets, cutlery sets, utensil sets, recipe books, pillows and sheets. Without these, most of us would struggle to make the tenancy work. Starter Packs offer these basic’s to new tenants. By providing packs of essential household goods to those moving into a new tenancy, makes houses feel more homely, and help people keep their tenancy going. This in turn helps reduce the likelihood of future homelessness. Clients who are under case management by NHSS may receive Home Starter packs under brokerage assessment.

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service / Narrabri Women & Children’s Refuge Christmas Toy Donation Drive:

During the final months of 2018 – Narrabri Homelessness Support Service/Narrabri Women & Children’s Refuge were overwhelmed with donations of toys for children supported by our services. Donations were received from various societies, stores and individuals such as: Narrabri Show Society & Narrabri Woolworths. 20 Toy gift bags were constructed and distributed to excited children and grateful families (to assist with alleviating financial pressure), just prior to NDCAS Christmas closure.

Renee Finnigan, Kristy Hodges & Christina Brooks

Anglican Mother’s Day Gift Bag Donation - 16 -

Narrabri Women & Children’s Refuge 2019 Makeover

During the earlier months of 2019, Narrabri Women & Children’s Refuge underwent a makeover with the entire interior being freshly painted in early March (as per Homes North maintenance arrangement), to crisp & clean colours - from the original mismatched reds, whites and oranges. This provided a blank canvas to freshen up furnishings and artworks, to continually provide a safe and welcoming environment for Women & Children who require support for short term or emergency accommodation. Continuing on from the internal makeover – considerations into the external arears of the refuge have seen ongoing improvements being made, with seasonal plants and vegetables being planted in raised garden beds in the rear common area. Maintenance of lawns and garden beds has been made manageable with the installation of a pop-up sprinkler system that was purchased with donations made to the refuge.

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2019 Apron Project Roadshow

The Apron Project Roadshow aims to educate and raise awareness of Domestic Violence in towns across NSW while raising much needed funds for Women’s services at each town stop with an apron showcase, community art projects and the sharing of stories.

The Apron Project Roadshow is a travelling Textile Arts exhibition that visited Narrabri on the weekend of the 16th & 17th of February, 100 cloth Aprons were decorated by artists from , New Zealand and the United States of America. Local artist Vicky Phelps featured in the exhibition.

The Narrabri Arts and Crafts Society hosted an afternoon tea on the Saturday afternoon and the exhibition was officially opened by Mayor Cathy Redding. On Sunday the Narrabri Rotary Club were in attendance and cooked the BBQ selling sausage sandwiches for those attending the event. There was also a raffle and a collaborative art piece that was created over the course of the weekend that was gifted to the Narrabri Women’s and Children’s Refuge. All proceeds raised over the weekend are being generously donated to the Narrabri Women’s and Children’s Refuge the amount donated $700

Apron Roadshow staff attendance: Renee Finnigan, Wendy Ross, Lisa Almagro and Sue Waugh.

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Ndcas family services INCORPORATING ISOLATED FAMILY SUPPORT AND OUTREACH SERVICE SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS AND TOY LIBRARY

Service Overview

General information: NDCAS Family Services has continued to offer excellence in service delivery through case managed support in centre based and home visit modes of delivery. Namoi Family and Youth (Incorporating Isolated Family Support and Outreach Service) works in collaboration with NDCAS Homelessness Support Services, the Women and Children’s Refuge, local Primary Schools and High Schools, Healthwise, Centacare Rural Resilience Program and FAC’s offering client specific support programs and event partnerships. The School based programs focus on resilience, respect and self awareness; 2019 saw these programs delivered at Wee Waa Primary School, Fairfax Primary School (Maules Creek) and Narrabri High School. 2020 brings the Rock and Water program to Wee Waa High School for Year 7 as a possible sports option, also collaborating with Narrabri High School to work with Year 7 during sport too. Targeted Earlier Intervention Reform NDCAS Family Services has continued to focus on the TEI reform process over the past 12 months, ensuring that service delivery specifications are met in the areas of flexible client based case management and stream lining the referral process to meet aims of positive outcomes for families requiring support in our entire Local Government Area. Namoi Family and Youth Service has formed and worked with numerous partnerships as well as sole facilitator for support programs reflective of the mentioned target groups whilst maintaining holistic support to all families in need. Staff Training attended: Cassie: Early Years Conference 20.3.19 Cassie & Gail: DEX information Day 26.2.19 Cassie & Gail: LDN (Accidental Counselling) 9 &10 April 19 Cassie: Family Connections conference 1 & 2 May 19 Cassie: Child Awareness Conference 16 & 17 May 19 Cassie & Gail: Fire Training 5.6.19 Cassie & Gail: Self destructive behaviours 25 & 26 July 19 Cassie & Gail: A&OD Training 29.10.19 Cassie & Gail: Jumbunna (series of 4 webcast) Early Life: Shaping Children’s Brain Development 1st webcast 30.10.19

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Programs

Kids with a Purpose Program outline: The Kids with a Purpose program is developed for Primary School aged children (years 4-6) as a “stepping stone” to Youth with a Purpose and Rock and Water, it is delivered as a group exercise about respect for each other and the community. The group sessions (no larger than 25 students) have 2-3 facilitators and guest speakers to discuss wellbeing, cyberbullying and being safe on the internet.

Wee Waa Primary School Years 4 and 6 completed the 6 week program

Youth with a Purpose Program outline: This program explores the understanding of self worth and uniqueness, (self-awareness), mental health, wellbeing and positive relationships. It again is delivered as a group exercise with 2 – 3 facilitators; regarding respect for each other and the community, cyberbullying and being safe on the internet, with facilitators able to make referrals if concerns are identified. The targets is for secondary aged student groups (12-15 years) it is a follow on from Kids With A Purpose and again includes guest speakers from diverse areas of the community. Narrabri High School selected a group of year 7 and 8 girls for 2019 to participate, with guest speakers from NSW Police, RAMHP (Rural Adversity Mental Health Program), Two390 Health and fitness coaches.

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Rock and Water Program outline: This program is for students to gain skills for physical and social accountability of ones self, identify when it is acceptable to stand up for yourself or when to walk away from situations and above all; respect for oneself and others in the community. Target group is Year 7 High school students The program is run for 9 weeks (a term); there is a graduation at the end of this period if the students have successfully completed the program.

Guest speakers for this program in 2019 were; NSW Police and Two390 fitness coaches. Wee Waa High School and Narrabri High School l Year 7 students will complete the program at some stage throughout 2020.

Year 7 Boys at Narrabri High School participating in Rock & Water.

Rock and Water ran at Fairfax School for 6 weeks. All students attended this program. This program was scaled down to accommodate the age of the students at Fairfax.

Fairfax Graduation Cake

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Staff has been actively involved throughout the community organising and participating at the following community events:  Christmas Fun Day - 18.12.2018  Harmony Day – 21.3.2019  Neighbourhood Centre Week event 10.5.2019  NAIDOC Week events – 1.10.19 ( Council)  Families Week major event for whole shire 19.10.2019

Gwabegar Christmas Fun Day

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SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS

NDCAS Supported Playgroups operate weekly in Narrabri and bi-weekly in as an outreach service. Changes to the service dynamics of the Supported playgroups have been implemented over the past 12 months to incorporate a more Early Intervention focused service delivery, interactive association between parent/carer and children, as well as including informative sessions that are focused on enhancing parenting and children’s holistic development.

Each week NDCAS’ playgroup worker, toy librarian and caseworker are present to best- support and provide opportunities for both caregivers and children. Guest Speakers are also scheduled throughout the year to broaden the knowledge base of parents and children in the areas of Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Early Intervention Assistance Program and kNOw Waste. NDCAS Family Support service works closely with the supported playgroups and offers further assistance for parents/carers if the need for this is identified or requested.

The reporting period has seen the Playgroup attendees participate in Community and Centre based activities including making and entering exhibits in the Narrabri Show, participation and involvement in Children’s Week “Biggest Recess”, “R U OK? Day” and learning the importance of recycling and how this is done in our Shire, planting a variety of vegetables and flowering plants in the gardens at the playgroup site.

Forward planning for the 2019-2020 is in process and will ensure that all the activities and guest speakers will be repeated as we have new families attending on a regular basis and the ongoing service delivery format of educating, involving and appreciating our children will continue.

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GENERAL ANNUAL STATISITICS FOR FAMIIES SUPPORTED

LOCATION Total Families New Families Children 0-8 Supported Supported NARRABRI 69 32 99 BELLATA 5 0 10

TARGET GROUP STATISITAIOCAK BREAKDOWN FOR 2018-2019

LOCATION ATSI CALD Young Mother Sole Rural And Disability/ Parents Pregnant Parent Remote Special Needs During Families This Period NARRABRI 8 4 3 4 5 14 0 BELLATA 3 0 1 1 1 5 0

Playgroup Christmas Party 2018

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TOY LIBRARY SERVICE

NDCAS Toy Library services have been solely based in Narrabri for more than 12 months now and continue to offer regular fortnightly outreach services to local government area towns of Wee Waa, Gwabegar and Pilliga. Being based from a single location has meant members from every location are able to access a wider variety of resources for borrowing which has also been aided by the completion of a unified Toy Library digital catalogue. The catalogue has been provided to members in Narrabri and Wee Waa by email and on USB to playgroups/preschools at both Gwabegar and Pilliga to lend to members.

Over the past 12 months a number of new toys have been added to the Toy Library range including construction, infant, playsets, sensory and outdoor toys. Monthly ‘specials’ are also offered one week per month in Narrabri and Wee Waa to highlight various developmental/educational resources, for example

sensory and educational toys were the focus in July.

Memberships taken up in Narrabri and Wee Waa include families with single and multiple children, grandparents, Carers and Family Day Care educators while memberships in Gwabegar and Pilliga include families with single and multiple children and school based playgroups/preschools. Narrabri Supported Playgroup also regularly utilises Toy Library resources in delivery of the service.

The previous Toy Library van was traded in in March and a new van purchased which has greater seating capacity and a reversing camera. The Toy Library building and grounds have also undergone beautification works.

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Services Provided  Weekly Namoi Toy Library onsite service.  Fortnightly toy delivery and pick up service within Narrabri as an extension of the Namoi Toy Library, this is primarily accessed by family day care educators.  Fortnightly Toy Library delivery and pick up service in Wee Waa which includes delivery to members including a local family day care educator and partnership with Wee Waa & District Playgroup.  Fortnightly outreach to Local Government Area towns of Gwabegar and Pilliga during school terms. This provides the Toy Library service to families and partners with local playgroups/preschools to provide toy borrows to supplement and support their programs.

Location Members Borrows Narrabri 35 708 Wee Waa 7 227 Pilliga 4 75 Gwabegar 5 83

Namoi Toy Library – Tibereena Street

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Learning & Development November 2018 - November 2019

NDCAS hosted the annual LDN two day Learning & Development Conference in Narrabri on the 9th & 10th of April at The Narrabri Aquatic Centre. The Conference was attended by eleven different service organisations and represented six geographical locations within the region.

The focus this year was ‘The Community Service Worker’- learning strategies to enhance their lives both personally and professionally. Over the two days attendees learnt skills to improve their overall service delivery. We sought a better understanding of and to address the issues faced by Community Service Workers. These included Staff retention, burn out, compassion fatigue, boundary setting and how to actually find the time for self care.

On day one we had the vivacious and always inspiring Letitia Cross, Mental Health Coordinator from RAMHP present sessions on Wellbeing- “Wellbeing- Do as I say, not as I do”, Compassion Fatigue- “Beyond Kale and Pedicures” and Boundary Setting- “Bad Boundaries = Bad Balance”.

We also had Renaye Gadsby from North West Nutrition join us on Day one for a presentation on Good Gut Health- “The Microbiome and fermented foods”. We learnt the importance of our own health and nutrition and how our gut health can impact on our overall wellbeing. Using the knowledge learnt in this session the group headed to lunch Letitia Cross & Renaye Gadsby where they were able to build their own Salad Jar at the Salad bar.

Day two of the Conference was a full day workshop “The Accidental Counsellor” presented by Betty Stampoulis-Lyttle of ACWA. The workshop was a nationally endorsed CPD and all attendees received certification on completion of the day.

The conference was a wonderful opportunity for frontline Community Service workers in our region to come together to network, share, learn and grow. It is hoped that all attendees left the event with lasting positive effects to their mental health, overall wellbeing and workplace practices. Feedback received from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

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Conference Statistics

Registered to attend Day One 09/04/2019 24 Actual Attendance Day One 09/04/2019 23 Registered to attend Day Two 10/04/2019 28 Actual Attendance Day Two 10/04/2019 28 Organisations Represented 11 Geographical Locations Represented 6 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Specific Services represented 2 Networking Dinner attendance (optional) 12

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Community Development November 2018 – November 2019

Narrabri Neighbourhood Centre-

One of our first priorities after relocating was to make sure that everyone in the Community knew where to find us at our new location and to reassure the community that even though we had moved- it was business as usual for the NDCAS Team. Another challenge for reception was trying to fit all of Lisa’s resources into a space much, much smaller than she was used to. Using Social Media platforms, local print media and the Community Radio station we were able to get the word out about our relocation and thanks to Kim’s superior organization skills Lisa was able to cram everything she needed too into her new space. Proof of our success is that our Neighbourhood Centre regulars have continued to visit, the number of locals utilizing our services has steadily increased and Lisa can find you a multitude of resources on any given topic in her new tiny reception space!

NDCAS Regular - Paul

HARMONY DAY

Event- Eat Street Maitland- A Taste of Harmony Date- Thursday 21st March 2019

The 2nd Annual ‘Eat Street Maitland – A Taste of Harmony’ was held again this year for Harmony Day on the Narrabri Post Office Lawn. Australia Post provided use of the venue for free.

Last year’s event proved to be a hit with locals so we kept the formula pretty much the same this year by providing a long lunch type event with food and entertainment FREE to the whole community to celebrate the Harmony Day message- Everyone Belongs.

This year we celebrated with a FREE lunch event for the whole Community, with the support from a Santos Community Grant Narrabri were able to engage eleven local eateries to provide a delectable assortment of food for the Narrabri community. From butter chicken to sushi, from lemon grilled fish to steamed dumplings, there were sandwiches and

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sweets, burgers, wraps, fruit platters and more! Over 500 single serve lunches and desserts were dished out over the two hour lunch event to more than 300 locals!

Time Menu Item Supplied By- 11:30am Classic Subs & Wraps Subway 11:30am BBQ Sausage Sandwiches NDCAS 11:45am Steamed Dumplings with Fried Rice Panda Wok 12:00pm Curry Chicken T-Table 12:00pm Cheeseburgers McDonalds 12:15pm Lemon Grilled Fish & Chips Gourmet Goblet 12:15pm Mexican Chicken Wraps Coogle Cafe 12:30pm Harmony Day Cake NDCAS 12:30pm Sushi- Panko Prawn with sweet chilli & One23 Kewpie Mayo 12:45pm Fresh Seasonal Fruit Platters Thomas’ Corner Store 12:45pm Butter Chicken with Saffron Rice & Minted Tatt’s Bistro Yoghurt 1:00pm Gourmet Mixed Sandwiches Monterey Cafe 1:00pm Dessert Box Thyme2Eat The crowd were entertained by Narrabri Public School Choir and the Narrabri Public School Gamilaraay Children’s Choir. The crew from 2MaxFM were onsite to provide the background music with the dial tuned to 91.3 and to broadcast the children singing live to air. Guests were also able to take a memento from the day home with them from the Harmony Day Photo booth.

Harmony Day staff wore bright orange T-Shirts during the event which were in part supplied by sponsorship from Santos and Turners Signs and Embroidery. The Harmony Day Instagram Frame was in use on the day also with many snaps taken inside the frame. These pictures have been used to make a Harmony Day Photo album on the NDCAS Facebook page.

The Harmony Day Cake was cut by Narrabri’s Australia Day citizen of the year Patti Lettice. The day was an overwhelming success and such a positive reflection of the Harmony Day message- Everyone Belongs.

Event Statistics: Harmony Day Event Quantity Official Invitations Sent 23 Official Guests in Attendance 14 Caterers/Local Eateries Invited to attend 23 Caterers/Local Eateries Participated 11 Other Organisations to Volunteer Staff to help out at event 5 NDCAS Staff attending event 8 NDCAS Board Members in attendance 2 Total outside organisations involved in the event (including Caterers/Local 35 Eateries) Total (single serve) meals served at event 500+ Total people in attendance 300+ Certificates of Appreciation 105 - 30 -

Neighbourhood Centre Week 6 – 12th May 2019

This year to celebrate Neighbourhood Centre week NDCAS hosted a FREE lunch event on the Footpath outside our new office premises at 53-55 Maitland Street. The event was to celebrate the Neighbourhood Centre week theme- “Bringing People together” and to also alert the community to our new address in Maitland Street. Invitations were extended through the NDCAS Community development networks and in person at the Narrabri Interagency Meeting. The event was advertised via social media platforms, local community radio and print media.

The NDCAS Team in their NDCAS aprons were a highly visible presence in the Main Street of Narrabri. With balloons, posters and streamers, the BBQ cranked and The DoctorCino Coffee Van parked curb side we were ready to provide Lunch for hungry locals.

The free lunch consisted of a steak or sausage sandwich with coleslaw and/or onion served on a fresh bakery bun and a coffee of their choice from the Cappuccino Van.

From 11:30am – 1:00pm the NDCAS Team served 108 sandwiches and 76 coffees which is a mighty effort in an hour and a half! The event was well attended with a diverse mix of the Narrabri community joining us for lunch. Everyone was most appreciative and thoroughly enjoyed their hot lunch especially on a cold windy day.

The event was featured in the Courier Newspaper with an article “NDCAS puts on Lunch” and pictures of the NDCAS Team in action on Tuesday 14th May 2019.

Event Statistics

Event attendance 120+ Sandwiches served 108 Coffees served 76 Local Businesses supported to put the event on 8 Local Community service providers in attendance 12 Local Media in attendance 2 Social Media reach- 10/05/2019 864

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R U OK? Day Thursday 12th September

R U OK? Day Working Women’s Wellness Weaving Workshop “Guuma-li gayaa nguwa” Gather Happy here in Gamilaraay. The Working Women’s Wellness Weaving Workshop”. NDCAS invited Frontline Community Service workers in our local community to join them for a morning of connection, conversation and checking in to make sure we were OK. All too often as women we spend the bulk of our working and home lives taking care of those around us without thought of our own self care. Upon arrival guests were given their NDCAS Resource/Goody bag for the day and were ushered to the Coffee Van with their R U OK? Day Keep Cups who was waiting to take their orders and this is where the chatting began- in the coffee line! Attendees then spent the morning sitting together in the Narrabri sunshine wearing their NDCAS hats meeting new people, networking, sharing stories, learning the importance of asking “R U OK?” and learning a new skill. It was lovely to see friendships & connections formed and the only reason people got their mobile phones out was to “Friend” someone new on social media.

The expert teachers from Yinarr Maramali spoke to the group about the importance of “Sisterhood” and taught the group how to weave. As the group concentrated on their craft a hush came over the area as each woman found their “Flow”- where one is completely absorbed in the task at hand which is a form of Mindfulness.

Event Statistics: R U OK? Day Weaving Workshop Services Organisations invited to attend event 22 Official Invitations sent 51 Services Organisations attending event 14 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander specific Organisations attending event 5 Outside Organisations Involved in event 9 NDCAS Staff in attendance 9 NDCAS Board Members in attendance 1 Social Media Posts (Photo Album) Total Reach 2575

There were 12 Copies of the “R U OK Day? Booklet; “How to ask R U OK? At Work- A practical guide for the workplace” were available for guests to take with them. Nine copies were taken by organisations back for their staff to read.

R U OK? Day Working Women’s Our Event was featured in the Courier Newspaper Thursday 19th September; The Toy Library event was also featured with a photo and short article. Of the 34 - 32 -

people in attendance 23 returned completed event surveys. The event received 100% positive response in all of the six target questions. The event also received three ‘tribute’ posts on Facebook from Workshop attendees. The biggest surprise was a bunch of flowers presented at the September Narrabri Interagency Meeting in Thanks and appreciation for inviting the BEST Employment Team to our event.

RUOK? Day Facebook Post and Flower Appreciation from BEST Employment

National Families Week Event- Saturday 19th October

The BIGGEST NDCAS Event of the Year! A FREE Family Friendly Community Event. Following the success of last years Saturday event it was decided to hold the event on the weekend again this year. Narrabri put on a beautiful sunny day for our event and the NDCAs Team came together to help our Narrabri Community celebrate the importance of Families- Stronger Families, Stronger Communities. Upon arrival guests headed to the “Welcome” tent where they were given an NDCAS Goody bag which contained all sorts of NDCAS goodies and tokens for a FREE snow cone in an NDCAS reusable cup and a Fairy floss on a stick. Two hundred bags were handed out with 400 tokens, the response was overwhelming- we could have handed out double that amount!! The NDCAS BBQ cooked sausage sandwiches for the duration of the event and handed out over 250 snags to hungry people. Families were treated an afternoon where everything was FREE- the face painting, the photo booth, zorb balls and two live circus shows! In addition to the NDCAS Goody bags, 150 NDCAS hand held Fans were distributed amongst the crowd at the Circus shows. The fans have the NDCAS values printed on them and were used to create a bit of a breeze to keep the parents cool and to swat the pesky flies buzzing about. We received a phone call the week after the event from a Wee Waa Mother of five to thank us for putting on an event that was free. Having five children there was no way she could afford five snow cones, fairy floss sticks, sausage sandwiches and all the other activities her children enjoyed - 33 -

that afternoon if she had to pay for them. That one phone call is the reason NDCAS do what they do for our community. The Courier Newspaper attended the event and a full page of coloured photos was published Thursday 24/10/2019.

Event Statistics: Total event Attendance 600+ NDCAS Resource Bags Distributed* 200 Outside Organisations involved in event 8 Social Media Posts Made in lead up to event 10 Social Media Post Reach 11,274 NDCAS Staff in attendance 10 NDCAS Board Members in attendance 1 Post Event Social Media Reach (photo album) 2,165 Certificates of Appreciation 36 *NDCAS Resource Bag Contents x200- NDCAS Fan, NDCAS Air Freshener, NDCAS Reusable Cup, NDCAS Bang Bang Sticks, Families Week balloon, sticker, notepad, colouring in sheet, lollypop, FREE snow cone token, FREE fairy floss token.

Families Week Event

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NDCAS Newspaper Articles 2019 – The Courier

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Strategic Plan 2018 -2021

In October 1974 the “Namoi Valley Social Development Board” was formed. A Public Meeting chaired by the Narrabri Mayor, Mr. V.A Muller was held on the 29th of October and from this meeting Narrabri District Community Aid Service (NDCAS) was born. The object of the service was to “assist all people in need, irrespective of class, colour, race or creed”. The service began with local volunteers and a government grant of $500.

NDCAS and its integral role in the Narrabri community has grown and evolved over the past forty-four years with the changing needs of the Community. NDCAS now encompasses multiple services operating under the one umbrella. They include the Narrabri Neighbourhood Centre, Namoi Toy Library Service, Family & Youth Support Services, Narrabri Homelessness Support Service, Outreach and Education programs, Mental Health Counselling and the operation of the Narrabri Women’s and Children’s Refuge.

The valuable work that NDCAS does stops the fringes of society from fraying further.

Vision A connected, inclusive, vibrant community that is safe, healthy and resilient.

Purpose Working with individuals and the community to build on strengths achieve goals and create opportunities.

Values 1. Work for social justice 2. Act courageously 3. Empower our community 4. Operate respectfully 5. Prioritise safety and wellbeing 6. Appreciate diversity

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Strategic Priorities

Strategic Priority 1: We deliver responsive, evidence informed services and practice Goal Strategic initiative 1.1 1.1.1 Utilise data and evidence to inform service We deliver contemporary service models planning 1.1.2 Identify emerging communities and explore service needs

1.2 1.2.1 Establish mechanisms for staff to share Our staff are aware of current and emerging practice wisdom and expertise emerging service practice

Strategic Priority 2: We build and deliver culturally appropriate and responsive services with Aboriginal people, families and communities Goal Strategic initiative 2.1 2.1.1 Explore establishment of an Elders group We strengthen opportunities for to enhance partnerships in a manner that consultation with the Aboriginal upholds and respects Aboriginal people’s community right to self-determination

2.2 2.2.1 Explore development of a cultural We build the cultural competency of our competency program for our staff staff 2.3 2.3.1 Explore facilitation of culturally based We support the delivery of effective programs that respond to domestic and programs for Aboriginal people family violence

Strategic Priority 3: We are known leaders of innovative intervention programs that work with rural and remote communities, children and families Goal Strategic initiative 3.1 3.1.1 Review how current stakeholders and the We clarify and enhance our community broader community perceive the services profile we offer.

3.2 3.2.1 Explore opportunities to present on We showcase the skilled services offered services offered and successes clients through our programs achieve through our program delivery 3.2.2 Develop and implement a media strategy that showcases our programs, vision, purpose and values and longstanding connection to the region.

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Strategic Priority 4: Our workforce is well trained and strategic partners in our corporate plans Goal Strategic initiative 4.1 4.1.1 Underpin organisational capacity through We have a supported, skilled and effective workforce recruitment, retention committed workforce and succession planning. 4.1.2 Develop and execute an organisational culture strategy 4.1.3 Ensure our workforce are partners in our future strategies and are able to access appropriate levels of training and support

Strategic Priority 5: We are sustainable and have responsive and accountable governance, board and management practices Goal Strategic initiative 5.1 5.1.1 Diversify funding and income streams that We are financially viable are consistent with our values 5.1.2 Maximise the efficiency of our programs

5.2 5.2.1 Attract and retain a diverse skills-based We have effective corporate governance board and management team. 5.2.2 Maintain and develop sound governance and management practices 5.2.3 Manage corporate risk effectively

Financial Report – Independent Auditors Roberts and Morrow, available on request.

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Contacts

Narrabri Narrabri Supported Neighbourhood Centre Playgroups &

(OE, NC) Namoi & Wee Waa Toy Library 53-55 Maitland Street PO Box 593 (NTL, PL)

NARRABRI NSW 2390 51 Tibbereena Street Phone: (02) 6792 4900 NARRABRI NSW 2390 Fax: (02) 6792 4820 Phone: Email: neighbourhood centre (02) 6792 3562 @ndcas.com

Narrabri Homelessness Support Namoi Family and Service Youth Service

(NHSS)

(NF&YS, WWTL) 53-55 Maitland Street NARRABRI NSW 2390 53-55 Maitland Street Phone: (02) 6792 1109 NARRABRI NSW 2390 Phone: (02) 6792 4900 Phone: (02) 6792 4900 Fax: (02) 6792 4820 Fax: (02) 6792 4820

Narrabri Homelessness Support Service - Women’s Refuge

(NHSS)

NARRABRI NSW 2390 Phone: (02) 6792 4423 Fax: (02) 6792 4147 Fax: (02) 6792 6209

Thank you to all of the people who have made our achievements possible!

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