Parramatta Central Council
About Parramatta Central Council.
Anne Stanfield – Central Council President:
Anne has been a member of the Society for about 26 years as a member of Harris Park and now Winston Hills Conferences – the Vinnies Catholic parish based groups. She is a Vinnies Van reserve so goes out several times a year. Anne is currently Parramatta Central Council President, a trustee of the Society NSW, a member of the board of SVDP (NSW) and the board of SVDP Housing NSW– she feels privileged to have the opportunity to serve our community as a part of Vinnies in a number of ways.
Regional Councils and Conferences:
Central Council Events
As our world continues to change at a rapid pace, we are bringing you news of the 2020 Western Sydney Vinnies Community Sleepout.
This is an important fundraising event for our services and programs providing vital assistance to those in our local community who need it the most. Now in the wake of Coronavirus, this has never been needed more.
Following the Government’s recent announcement of the 3-Step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia, we have decided to postpone this year’s Western Sydney Vinnies Community Sleepout to 23 October 2020.
We will of course continue to follow Government and medical guidelines and only proceed if it safe to do so – the safety and wellbeing of our supporters, community and staff is paramount.
You have slept out before and played an important role in raising awareness and much needed funds to help break the cycle of homelessness in your local community. As we face these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we come together in solidarity to support one another.
Please save the date and be part of solution again.
We will continue to keep you informed but for now we ask that you stay on this journey with us so that together we can make a difference to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Stay safe and thank you for your ongoing support.
From,
The Vinnies Team
Central Council News
The Bartlett Street Engagement Project came about as an initiative between between PCC, Amelie Housing, and Rydalmere Conference. The aim was to engage with the residents in order to have them communicate, share ideas and develop community spirit.
To date Rydalmere Conference have held 19 sausage sizzles, 7 hot dog days, one Christmas Dinner, total of 26 events. It was perplexing to find that some residents watched from a far for some 10-15 gatherings before they had the confidence and trust to join the group.
What a Christmas Dinner you may say!
Yes this was our year’s grand finale before a break over Christmas and New Year; members felt that residents deserved a special and memorable end to the 2019 activity. This Christmas lunch was held on Monday 18th November and it was a full sit down affair with decorated tables, bon- bons, party hats. A veritable feast!
About 35 residents enjoyed their Christmas dinner with plenty of food being available for seconds. Each resident was given a gift bag contained various items of personal hygiene/grooming, calendar ,along with a generous amount of baked treaties ( thanks to some new volunteers!) Dr Geoff Lee State Member for Parramatta (Minister for Skills & Education ) joined the party and announced that our application for a grant for a Community Garden for Bartlett Street was approved by the Premier.
Rydalmere conference members are chuffed by the level of appreciation expressed by the residents and their willingness to continue to walk down this path of mutual respect and understanding. They feel that at last people do care for them.
As many members know Vinnies via SVDP Housing is building 502 social and affordable housing units in NSW under the SAFH program with NSW government.
300 are in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains; the Penrith units have had residents for 12 months now.
The Merrylands development on Centenary Rd is now full.
The Blue Mountains and Jordan Springs properties are nearing completion.
On 5th December members of the Cumberland Regional Council, housing officers, and tailored support staff had a tour of the site. It’s still a building site but everyone was excited by the look and fitout of the units we visited.
There are 78 , 1,2,and 3 bedrooms units with great kitchens, secure access, ceiling fans, window screens, etc. The gardens, BBQ play area and other amenities will give residents plenty of out door space to help build a community. All residents will have access to a tailored support plan.
Ideally conference members will be able to help build the community.
Do conferences have an opportunity to refer people they assist to be interviewed for residency?
Yes but all prospective residents MUST be on the housing waiting list.
More information will be circulated about referral to conferences soon.
