The Mountains Community Resource Network’s History of Working for Social Justice NOVEMBER 2006 Page 2 Aims and Objectives OUR VISION Mountains Community Resource Network is a dynamic peak organisation whose actions are founded on social justice and community development principles. We value community and cultural diversity and we challenge inequality. On behalf of organisations, groups and individuals and concerning the Blue Mountains as a whole, the Mountains Community Resource Network will work towards achieving a socially just community in the Blue Mountains and alleviating community disempowerment caused by poverty, discrimination and human rights injustices. OUR OBJECTIVES MCRN will initiate and co-ordinate actions which address social justice issues, using the following strategies: Networking and Advocacy 1.1 Represent Blue Mountains community organisations on local, regional, statewide and national bodies (both government and non-government), and advocate on behalf of disadvantaged groups and communities 1.2 Lead individuals, groups and agencies in the Blue Mountains to advocate for social justice 1.3 Network and collaborate with non-government and government agencies on community welfare service development, community development and developing responses to social policy 1.4 Contribute to public and social policy development by raising issues and facilitating a community response to government initiatives Community Development 2.1 Facilitate action and activities aimed at improving the wellbeing of disadvantaged individuals and groups 2.2 Initiate, support and resource the emergence of projects which address social justice and respond to community needs. In cases where there is no other appropriate sponsor, MCRN may auspice such projects, depending on available resources Facilitation and Resourcing 3.1 Facilitate a range of interagencies and forums that enable Blue Mountains community organisations to work effectively together 3.2 Facilitate community education on issues of social justice, disadvantage and prejudice 3.3 Facilitate training opportunities for community welfare workers and community welfare organisations 3.4 Provide information and referrals to community groups 3.5 Provide resources, support and promote community organisations for the wellbeing of individuals and the community Research 4.1 Seek resources for and undertake research on community needs and issues in the Blue Mountains 4.2 Promote the use of research for effective social planning. Best Practice 5.1 Manage the organisation in accordance with best practice principles as determined in MCRN policies. August 2005 Page 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Disability Development Page 85 Foreground Page 2 Volunteers Page 88 Introduction to the history Page 3 Regional alliances Page 89 Aims and objectives Page 4 Advocacy Page 95 Partnerships Page 105 History in brief Page 6 From the perspective Year by year history Page 9 of the Chairperson Page 113 Community Appendices Page 120 development Page 67 Staff and Committee Migrant development Page 79 members Page 121 Mental health Page 82 Acronyms Page 126 Community development is an interesting process for workers to engage in. It’s not just a job. For me and other workers at the Network, and for Mary, it’s more than a job. It’s a framework of reference. And it’s speaking our ideology. That’s something that I will take away. The whole concept of being able to work with the community and work with their strengths and, in my case, with people with mental health problems and carers – to capacity build the sector. Mary and others have been passionate about displaying that in their lifestyle. That’s about capturing the spirit rather than just working with skills. Not the stuff that is courage – it’s the heart stuff, being around like minded people, sharing and collaborating rather than doing things on an individualistic or a project basis. It’s the collaboration and inclusion. (Kylie Clark, 2006) Page 4 Foreground I am always telling people that I have the best job in the Mountains and compiling this history has reinforced this. It is an honour to build on the work of many people whose energy, vision and intelligence has been brought together in the Network over the past twenty years, culminating in an organisation that is far reaching in its productivity and leadership. This book tells some of the stories that show the life and vitality of the Network. It is a very small organisation that contributes enormously to building a strong healthy democratic community voice in the Mountains and beyond. The Network named itself the “lean tiger” in the early 1990s, with an image of being courageous, responsive and flexible. This image continues to be apt in 2006, in a political and global environment where independent community voices are needed more that ever. The strength of the Mountains community sector is a testament to the value of resourcing community connectedness and strengthening community sector collaboration. The successes and productivity detailed in this history can be largely attributed to the energy and commitment of strategic and skilled management committee members over many years. Our thanks go to the many people who have given generously of their time, skills, contacts, experience and commitment to social justice and most of all their willingness to go the extra mile in supporting the Network. We hope we have represented them all well in this document. Mary Waterford, Team Leader, 2000- 2006 Page 5 Introduction to the History Welcome to the 20 year history of the Mountains Community Resource Network Having been a member of the Mountains Community Resource Network Management Committee for six years and, as its current Chairperson, I feel incredibly honoured to write a piece for this history. I understand that MCRN’s position is unique in the community sector. From its very beginnings, it was clear that MCRN would become a vital part of the community sector in the Blue Mountains. Its reputation has continued to grow as has its commitment to social justice and community advocacy. This history will indicate that all staff, both past and present, have shown that it is possible, whatever the political climate, to stand firm for those who do not have a voice to speak for themselves. We should be very thankful and grateful that we have such an organisation in the Blue Mountains and hopeful that it will continue to do this invaluable work. My thanks go to everyone who has contributed to compiling this history. It has been a terrific team effort and an example of people pulling together – so very like the Network! I am proud of the achievements of the Mountains Community Resource Network. I am thrilled to be part of this great group at this memorable juncture in its history and I am glad that I am a part of celebrations. They are well deserved. I commend this history to you. Happy reading! Sue Hardwick, Chairperson. Page 6 History in Brief YEAR EVENT PLACE STAFF BMCC convenes a public meeting to initiate a group to be 1983 an Advisory Committee to Blue Mountains City Council. First meeting of the Blue Mountains Community Services Advisory Council held in June 1983. 1984 Granted WSAAS funding for Co-ordinator. Sandra Warn employed as first Co-ordinator April. Sandra Warn 1985 Initially housed at Springwood Neighbourhood Centre then shared building in Raymond Road with Open House. hood Centre then Open CentreOpen then hood Mountain Link bimonthly magazine commenced. Neighbour- Springwood Incorporated as “Mountains Community Resource Leigh Cupitt 1986 Network Inc.”. MCRN moved into the “Pink Cottage” Leigh Cupitt: Co-ordinator. BM Community Transport funded. MCRN auspices “Relating to Change Conference”. Helen Walker: Co-ordinator of Community Transport. Helen Walker 1987 Alex Gooding: MCRN Co-ordinator . Kate McClean Alex Gooding Lower Mountains Task Force established. Philippa Rainsford 1988 Development of Mid Mountains Community Centre Ditto Judy Finch: MCRN Co-ordinator. Judy Finch Lyn Reynolds 1989 WSAAS funding: Admin Assistant, 3 hours. Lyn Helen Walker Reynolds. MCRN initiates Social Plan work in BM. Kate McKean “Community Survival Conference”. Philippa Rainsford BM Community Transport incorporates. Judy Finch 1990 MCRN funded through DIEA MAP grant for NESB Lyn Reynolds research project undertaken by Carolyn Leigh Research. Carolyn Leigh Report called It’s not such an Anglo Community. BMCC employs Social Planner Funded by Commonwealth for research into needs of Judy Finch 1991 people with disabilities. Chris Hall (now Wolfe) employed Lawson Cottage, Pink Lyn Reynolds to prepare Directions for Blue Mountains Disabilities Services. Chris Hall (now Wolfe) Suzi Hewlett: Co-ordinator for six months. Funding for Judy Finch the part-time Grant-in-Aid project provided by DIEA. Suzi Hewlett Helena Virtanen-Pienemann: BM GIA Migrant Worker. Lyn Reynolds 1992 Helena Virtanen- Pienemann Roger Horton: MCRN Co-ordinator. Roger Horton 1993 Coalition against the Recession formed. Tracy Morgan Family Resource Centres—Nepean TRI funded. Esther O’Sullivan Nepean Consultative Committee (NCC) developed. Helena Virtanen-Pienemann Page 7 Migrant position becomes full time—Esther O’Sullivan Roger Horton 1994 Migrant Residents Association established. Tracy Morgan Save WSAAS campaign. Esther O’Sullivan Men’s Network developed. Phil Davey - BM GIA Migrant Worker. Roger Horton Phil Davey Emergency Relief funding. Regular meetings with politicians. Esther O’Sullivan 1995 Migrant Residents Association incorporated. Tracy