COMMUNITY COLOUR UP PROJECT

Children and families of Oxley Park and Colyton Colts community have been at work building their art skills over ten workshops on a Tuesday afternoon at Ridge Park Hall in preparation for a community mural they will be spraying and painting on the Colyton Colts canteen at CEC Blinkhorn Oval  during April/May. This mural will be celebrated and unveiled to the community on Saturday 23rd June 2018 from 2:00pm –  5:00 pm at CEC Blinkhorn Oval.  All community members are  welcome to attend.

GIRLS SPACE SELF DEFENCE CLASS.

Girls Space Erskine Park ran free self-defence classes during Term 1 and has been a huge success with the young women. Each week they have been learning new ways to keep themselves safe within the community and situations to be mindful about. 

There was a lot of laughter and new friendships being made while learning important life skills. 

                               

ZEST AWARD AND PENRITH CITY COUNCIL AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS

The Koori Vest for Rooby Roo, the mascot of Paint Penrith ReaD was nominated for an award at the annual Zest Awards in February. The Rooby Roo vest started at Community Junction with the idea from Frances who then worked in conjunction with Maureen. From there, working under the guidance for local Aboriginal Elders and with local Aboriginal children from St Marys North Primary School the project was conducted respectfully from beginning to end. The vest was designed from artwork by the local Aboriginal children. The project helped to strengthen partnerships with all involved and the Elders witnessed their wishes and directions respected, the children felt honoured and heard and the legacy of the vest showing respect to the traditional owners of the land. It was an honour to be present on the night and even more of a thrill to accept the award on behalf of Frances and Community Junction, when we became the recipients of the Zest Award for the 'Outstanding Project Working with Aboriginal Communities in Greater Western Sydney'.

Also a big congratulations to the residents of #NorthStMarysMatters and ‘Team Colyton’ resident groups for winning Penrith City Council Australia Day Award 2018 Penrith Community Group Award.

  

CHILDREN SERVICES

What an exciting start to the year! A big welcome back to all of our existing families, and a very warm welcome to all of our new families across Preschool, OOSH and Care Pair services.  

This term the Centre has adopted a rainforest snail which is assisting in building strong relationships and respect for the environment to kick start the year. This has lead preschool into a mini pet project where children have been bringing in photos of their pets to put on display.  Preschool have had some really strong interests and exciting events already, such as borrowing from the school Library, participating in Return and Earn exceeding $5.00 to date by recycling at our local shops, and also growing our own pumpkin at preschool and making pumpkin soup, pumpkin scones and baked pumpkin.

OOSH have had some great active interests such as fitness, cricket and soccer where children are engaging in teamwork, fairness and turn taking, as well as engaging in an active healthy lifestyle. Care Pair has been overwhelmed with supportive groups and families, and have introduced an exciting new program that promotes interest based experiences and forward planning.  

For more information on our Children Services please contact Mel on 9623 0331 or email mel@communityjunction.org.au

“GOT A PEN” DRIVE

With research suggesting that up to 1 in 7 children are living in poverty, Community Junction Inc. have again supported the “Got a Pen” foundation by acting as a drop off point within Western Sydney. This is the second year we have acted as a drop off location and this year we have been overwhelmed with the support given by the community. There has been numerous stationary deliveries from families to the Namatjira Neighbourhood Centre, as well as Hearing NSW and Australian Unity Aboriginal Home Care Service, which has all gone to school children who are in need. Thank you to all those who donated.