COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

KIDS SPACE

We have had the biggest year at Kids Space so far! Each term brought new and exciting activities for all the kids to participate in. When we asked the kids what their favourite thing about Kids Space they all shouted various things but what stuck most is each week they did something different, making friends and having fun. We have another fun packed term 1 for Kids Space at North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre. Throughout the 8 week program, each week we set a different theme filled With fun and challenging activities to offer.

MENS SOCIAL GROUP

During Term 4 the men have been busy redoing the garden at Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre.  Thank you once again to the boys from the Boys Shed Program for helping with the project. Also a big thank you to the community and to Bryce Roney, the Field Coordinator from Public Spaces Maintenance at Penrith City Council for the generous donation of plants.

CRAFT AT HEART

Craft at Heart have been busy at work this term doing their bit to support our wildlife who have been affected by our recent bushfires, making koala mittens, joey pouches and bird nests that were donated to the Animal Rescue Craft Group. 

  

SENIORS LIVING WELL

During 2019 Seniors Living Well have done many amazing things. We have enjoyed bingo, created fabulous art pieces, gone on outings and shared many stories. On one of our outings we went to Berowra Waters to see a Christmas show. The ladies enjoyed sharing food, listening to live Christmas music and experiencing  somewhere new. They have also enjoyed celebrating birthdays, giving advice and being there for one another. The ladies have had an amazing year and are looking forward to 2020. Also a huge thank you to our volunteer bus driver Ted, that helps make every week  possible. What a great year it has been in Seniors Living Well group.

HAPPY HEALTHY KIDS 

This group have had a fantastic term playing with colourful parachutes, play-dough, yoga, playground fun and plenty of toys, a great partnership between Penrith City Council Children's Services team and Community Junction. We are  looking forward to more fresh-air and creative fun during 2020. 

YOUTH PROGRAMS

FRIDAY NIGHT OUTING

On Friday 13^th December 2019, we held our last Friday Night Term outing to Penrith Ice Place where our Youth Team took 32 young people from our 5 different Youth Spaces on a huge, fun joint outing. There was lots of first timers on the ice, trips and falls but above all heaps of laughs and playing tips on the ice.  It has been so awesome to see the friendships young people have built throughout 2019 continue to grow through our joint outings and we can’t wait to have more fun on Friday nights throughout 2020!

WERRINGTON YOUTH SPACE

This year at Werrington Youth Space the centre has seen many new faces. There have been friendships created and many laughs shared. The group have had a good time sharing jokes, competing in games and just hanging out. Handball has been a centre favourite for many months and has encouraged healthy competition with our young people. Prizes were won, rules were disputed, moves were created and laughs were never lacking. Werrington Youth Centre has loved bringing in more kids and is looking forward to continuing this in 2020. What a great year 2019 has been. Thank you to all our young people for making this a reality.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Children's Week
During Children’s Week 2019, we held two successful Children’s Week events. One of these events was held at North St Marys Children’s Centre and the other at Colyton Neighbourhood Centre. Both were great events and were enjoyed by workers, caregivers and children most of all. Rooby Roo made an appearance on both days, there was plenty of activities for everyone and the food grazing tables were a hit. Mission Australia and Ability Links also helped at these events providing activities and helping hands. A big thank you to our services and St Marys Band Club for providing us funding for these events. It was a great two days and we hope to do it again in 2020.

Carers Week 

“This Day is My Pamper Day” was held at Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre in St.Clair, with over  25 people attending. It provided opportunities for participant to meet with other carers from the local area, develop friendships and start to build strong bonds with each other which will help reduce isolation and not feel alone as a carer. The event empowered participants to improve health and self-care in a supportive and fun environment. The event had self- care guest speakers, health check stations, pamper stations and a stretch class demonstration workshop. Their was a lot of chatting, laughter, a few tears as well as support amongst all the carers who attended. The atmosphere this created was one full of love and joy making participants feel that they were in a comfortable environment to be themselves and breakaway from there carers role.

CHILDREN SERVICES

Term 4 was jam packed with many events which included our 35^th North St Marys Children Centre birthday celebrations,  Children’s Week 2019 with Rooby Roo, two of our Early Childhood teacher students, Shellbie and Lily graduating, School Readiness Orientation evening for parents, OOSH network Conference in Sydney, Preschool Graduation, and OOSH and Preschool’s Christmas party at Lollipops Playland.  Our team really thrived on the support of all families and our community who came together to attend and be a part of such memorable and significant occasions. We would also like to formerly announce that our service went through the Assessment and Rating process back in September and have received a proud ‘Meeting National Quality Standards’ which could not have been achieved without the children, families, educators and community that surround and support our Preschool and OOSH services each and every day, so thank you.

CHRISTMAS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Christmas Food and Toy Drive 

The 2019 Food and Toy Drive is over for another year. We were overwhelmed and thankful for the generosity of our community who again have donated food and toy items, which were distributed to families and community members in time for Christmas. Community Junction Inc. would like to  thank St Clair Shopping Centre and St Clair Public School for partnering with us again this year as well as local community members who donated to the drive.

Colyton Carols

Colyton Carols 2019 was a spectacular Christmas event hosted by Team Colyton and Community Junction on 7th December 2019. Kevin Dwyer Park Colyton was once again the home of the annual event which was attended by over 800 people who came along to sing, dance,  and celebrate the festive season with their local community. Colyton Carols is a major event in the Colyton community and is successful due to massive collaboration with local businesses, churches, schools and other organisations. We would like to thank all those who made Colyton Carols 2019 such a massive success and we look forward to doing it all again in 2020. 

North St Marys Christmas Event

Santa arrived giving children a big smile during our North St Marys Christmas Event. Over 200 residents joined us at North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre for this free event.  Families enjoyed free popcorn, slushies, jumping castle and having their face painted. During the event a Christmas card could be made or a letter could be written to Santa just to make the afternoon extra special. Thank you to Jo Greenwood from  CTET for providing our lucky door prizes to our community, it is greatly appreciated.