Babes with Babes - a Hunter Community Capacity Building Project

This program facilitates positive learning for young teenage mums in a safe and welcoming environment that is community based. The girls' learning is supported by a crèche and transport is provided. Learning includes up-skilling in cooking, nutrition, child development and personal resilience building. These are married with traditional studies in CGVE (Year10), H.S.C, Real Estate Certificate, Child Care Studies, Business Administration and other courses as offered through OTEN.

This is a flexible program that allows young women to continue their studies. Students enrol in a variety of modules (see above), depending on their career goals and learning needs. Crèche facilities are provided and welfare support is facilitated by a range of key community partners. This very innovative program has been put up by the Women’s Electoral Lobby as a program that would be valuable to have funded throughout the state.

For more information see the slide show

Wilkins Green - Growing a Community

Wilkins Green is nestled between two busy main roads. When we began the project, already existing natives welcomed us in the form of various species of gums, remnant grasses such as Kangaroo grass and Microlina, Fig trees, and various acacias. A high bank of Casurina trees protected the area and provided a filter to noise and pollution.

It began in 2004 when a Community Gardening Course run by TAFE Outreach grew out of the belonging project, a Marrickville Council initiative involving local community leaders and community members with a vision for the future of Marrickville.

Participants represented a diverse range of people from community as well as cultural, educational and environmental organizations.

The project has a exceeded expections in the outcomes it has acheived for the community, community partners and many individuals whose lifes have been touched by there connection to the project.

See our PowerPoint presentation about the project that was made for the recent Landcare Awards in Tamworth where the project was nominated for an award.