Child Friendly by Design targets 2528

On Wednesday 24th August a group of more than 30 community representatives came together to start a process overseen by the CFbD team.

Deb Langridge, the project officer from Health Cities Illawarra along with Associate Professor Geoff Woolcock and Prue Walsh from the Griffith University prepared a presentation that reviewed the progress of the project so far.

We then enjoyed a short DVD prepared by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People of children talking about the places they like to play and the things they like to do. It was a great reminder that experiences that stretch the imagination and/or pose a physical challenge are more important to kids than a piece of "Fantastic Plastic" that quickly becomes boring.

The challenge to our group was to look at the map of the 2528 area (Warilla, Lake Illawarra, Barrack Heights and Mt Warrigal) and using our experience and some photos taken by Deb and Tessa to jog people's memories, highlight The Good, The Bad and The Ugly places for children to play. The contributions from Community Police Officers Ben and Dave, Park and Play Coordinator Lynne, Jenny Mahony and other participants who have lived and worked in the area for many years helped to confirm some of the team's assumptions about where the hot spots are.

Over delicious sandwiches, cheese and fruit plates there was much lively discussion. Finally we all had a chance to vote for a shortlist of sites that a working group will examine in more detail and begin the process of consulting with the children and young people.

This is an exciting time and the beginning of another great C4C inspired activity. If you missed out on the workshop but would still like to get involed, make sure you contact Deb debra@healthyillawarra.org.au she will be happy to bring you up to date and include you on the working group.

Tessa

Kidsfest 2011 photos

Anne and Mia hopping on board the steam train

A group of passangers waiting for the Kidsfest Express

Kidsfest is all about parents and children having fun

The Grandparents event at HARS was a great success

KIDSFEST 2011 coming soon!

Everyone is working very hard to get ready for Kidsfest 2011. Ann is leading the event organising team and has come up with some fantastic activities to keep everyone amused. Elle has designed another wonderful and magical poster and program.



Go to the Kidsfest website to see http://www.kidsfestshellharbour.com.au/

On the porgram you will see that on Wednesday 18th May we are hosting our annual Child Health & Development Expo at Shellharbour Indoor Sports (formerly Playdays) Sunset Ave Warilla. Last year was so popular that this year we hace TWO sessions; 9.30am - 11am then 11.30am to 1pm. Just so everyone has time to check out the great range of exhibits and a chance to talk to the friendly service providers who will be there. Once again there is FREE entry for families and there will be students from the Wollongong University Early Years program to supervise the childrens play while parents and carers browse.

If you are not too worn out by then on Thursday it is fun in the park with the Playgroup Muster at Blackbutt Forest. Enter off Shellharbour Road or park in one of the side streets off Woodlands Drive and walk through. Bring your picnic and a rug to sit on. There will be heaps of activities, face painting, games, music Dancing and Billy Back Pack in due to visit. The Police and Rural Fire service also plan to be there.

Hope You can make it :)

Tessa

Fantastic Turnout for Fishing by The Lake

Wow! What a great night we had at Fishing by the Lake last Friday night. It was a bit hard to count but we think we had more than 70 children and their families turn up at Pelican Park on Lake Illawarra, that is over 130 people.

The night was a joint effort between Katie from the C4C Family & Community Engagement (FACE) program, Janelle and the C4C Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE), Layne the Police Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) and the PCYC. Watched over by Tessa & Judy from C4C.

Invaluable assistance came from Steve, Andy and the team from Fishcare Volunteers who brought along prizes for the lucky door prize, their information caravan and their expert advice for any novice who needed help to get their line in the water.

Thanks to Mark & Mark from PCYC for organising the fishing equipment and providing the BBQ trailer. A BIG thank you to Uncle Gerald & Uncle Alex from the Illawarra Koori Men's Group who cooked up the barbecue sausages and patties. What a team!

Feedback from families has been very good, lots of people want to do it all again, one mum said she had never been fishing before and just loved it. My own granddaughter Freya is certainly 'hooked' even though she didn't catch anything she had lots of fun trying.

The hero of the night and the winner of the Best Catch was 13 year old Leeton (pictured) with his Flathead. Leeton won a fishing rod and took his catch home for tea.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at Fishing by the Lake on Friday 20th May as part of KidsFest 2011.

Tessa

Welcome Back for a Great New Year

Hi Everyone

Welcome back to the C4C Blogspot for another year. Firstly our hearts go out to everyone effected by the floods all over the country. There are many opportunities to offer support coming up and we know you will all be very generous.

The weather has not been so dramatic in Shellharbour but we hav had quite a bit of rain and unfortunately this affected the first event of 2011. The team from Park and Play and Katie from FACE planned a session at Koona St in Albion Park Rail on 13th Jan but it was just too wet and miserable. That was not the case the following week when a good crowd turned out at Stewart Place, Barrack Heights.

The morning started with a wonderful example of Good Neighbourliness when John, who lives next to the park, got out his mower so that the children had a clear space for their ball games. The children soon got stuck into all the great activities set out for them and later in the morning Craig and Megan from Council arrived with the BBQ to provide yummy sausage sandwiches for lunch. "Thanks Craig!"

All the children had fun making colourful masks and to finish off there was a sing-a-long and story time. The best bit was when Jack let some of the kids try out his guitar.

Fingers crossed for fine weather on Tuesday 25th January at Cove Park Shellcove. See you there

:)

Tessa

Child Friendly by Design Toolkit Launched

Congratulations to Healthy Illawarra's Debra Langridge, Geoff Woolcock, Prue Walsh, Elle Holder-Keeping and every single person who contributed to the development of this fantastic and unique resource.

Over 80 people enjoyed a delicious breakfast and the stunning facilities at Ravensthorpe Guest House in Albion Park for the launch ceremony.

Local Members of Parliament Steven Jones MP (Throsby) and Matt Brown MP (Kiama) spoke and the Toolkit was officialy launched by NSW Commissioner for Children & Young People Megan Mitchell.

The launch was followed by a demonstration workshop that generated some lively discussion and reminising on childhood escapades!

Debra and team will now be offering facilitated workshops to other Local Government areas, developers and community groups.

Tessa Parsons

program Manager

Family Gathering at Barrack Heights Community Garden

On 6th October 2010 Barrack Heights Community Garden hosted a family day attended by visitors and local residents.

Shellharbour Council Community Services , Access Community Group, FACE, Housing NSW, NSW Police Community Liaison, Barnardos C4C, Baptist Community Services, Park & Play and Illawarra Children's Services Barrack Heights Children's Centre joined forces to create a great atmosphere at the garden.




Proud volunteers conducted talks and tours of the garden, Katie & Kac provided face painting. Wendy supplied her ever favourite 'Slime'. The police Community Safety van was there with lots of information and Craig's Good Neighbour BBQ was most popular.


Park and Play were on hand with craft, games and activities. Children and adults all joined in with the drumming sessions and some budding architects made teepees and decorated them with materials from the garden.




The Garden is open to everyone, especially residents of Barrack Heights and new volunteers are welcome. Working Bees are held every second Tuesday from 2pm - 5pm. Contact Aileen or Megan at Council for more information ph 4221 6170.


Tessa