christ church mission inc. annual report page 2 of...

Christ Church Mission Inc. Annual Report of 8

Who are we? … What do we do? It seems a long time ago that the word animateur was used to describe those who seek to enliven the community within neighbourhoods, so that they may become communities. But here and now, this ‘enlivening’ - more than ‘community development’ or ‘community engagement’- is the purpose of the activity of Christ Church Community Centre. For many reasons there are people in our neighbourhood who are at a distance from others in the community and in this annual report we look back over another year when volunteers and staff – our animateurs – have contributed significantly to the enlivening of people who come to our Centre. Familiarity is a first step towards experiences of self-confidence, friendships and belonging. Through participation in a variety of ways, volunteers, people who come to our centre and staff are creating and sharing an experience of community that is not limited to this building, but extends beyond and into our neighbourhood. We are making a real contribution to the needs of the diverse local community in St Kilda through our presence, our activities and our venue by:

� involving people of all ages and abilities who are seeking engagement with the wider community; � fostering social inclusion for those who want and need to link and reconnect; � providing a safe and secure environment for individuals to reintegrate into their local community

through small programs based on reciprocity and social inclusiveness; and � supporting other community groups to have access to our venue.

You can read about the success of our staff members and volunteers in our Manager’s report on the following pages. Behind the scenes there is a management committee to provide support; at the start of 2014 the committee farewelled Father David Greentree, the locum at Christ Church (and one of the founding staff members of the Centre a decade ago) and welcomed Father Jubilee Turi Hollis, the new priest-in-charge of Christ Church parish, as a committee member. We hope that in reading about what is being achieved, you will be inspired to take interest in our work, perhaps to volunteer, and to support us in any way you can. Michael Wilson President, Christ Church Mission Inc. November 2014

Christ Church Mission Inc. Annual Report 2014 of 8

Manager’s Report - Our Programs We may be a small community centre but we aim high in our attempts to cater for the vast range of people who pass through our doors. St Kilda is renowned for its demographic mix and the Centre offers a variety of ways to be connected: through participation in a number of low cost, socially inclusive activities, through attendance at the weekly community meal or by volunteering to make all of our activities possible. Open House Our free weekly community meal brings together a large team of people who gather ingredients, prepare food, serve the meals, clean up or simply enjoy the delicious “home-cooked” fare. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of women who have found that this is a welcoming environment. Every week the big room buzzes with chat as volunteers and diners share their news and jokes and agree on the deliciousness of that day’s soup or pudding. Some even dare to ask what’s in the meatballs!

Community Kitchen Garden Apart from providing gardening opportunities for participants of the Centre, our on-site kitchen garden has been the source of a regular supply of fresh herbs and vegetables for the Open House meal. The recent donation of a shed from the St Kilda Eco Centre has provided much needed storage for tools and equipment. Stepping Stones

Each fortnight a group of local seniors meet to share their stories, hear guest speakers, compete at trivia quizzes or break into song at the slightest opportunity. The sumptuous afternoon teas are always impressive. In Seniors Week we host a special afternoon celebration of our seniors, with entertainment this year provided by The City of Voices. And of course, Christmas is enhanced by a visit from Santa.


Lively Arts: Patchwork & Quilting The introduction of a “Mystery Quilt” project has attracted a number of new members to the group who have quickly moved on from beginner status to slightly obsessed people plotting their next projects. A number of beautiful quilts are almost finished and will be displayed in the Church during the 2015 St Kilda Festival (2nd weekend in February). Apart from learning new skills while acquiring the quilting “bug” members are enjoying being part of a close knit friendly and supportive network.

Yoga These groups continue to attract a growing number of participants intent on improving their health and reducing their stress levels. Members meet for coffee and chat after the Wednesday group and have been having regular group outings to local restaurants. In addition to the evening and morning groups there is a chair-based session at the Esplanade social housing complex – all of which are strengthening community links.

Garden Nomads Green-fingered volunteers support elderly or frail local residents to maintain their gardens, often making it possible for them to remain living independently in the community. Where possible the work is done side-by-side as the social contact is just as important as the gardening itself.


Emergency Relief

Over seventy people a month are now approaching the Centre for emergency relief in the form of basic groceries, some perishables and toiletries. During the last year we’ve noticed an increase in the numbers of families with young children, many living rough or in transitional housing.

We do not see ourselves as a ‘welfare’ organisation and we are careful to take a community development approach in our relationship with people who request emergency relief. Substantial contributions of non-perishables have come from Albert Park Primary School (see picture) and the Kedem Community among others.

As we have no formal funding for the support we offer we are grateful for the generosity of parishioners and the local community in helping us keep the cupboards stocked.

The Centre as a Community Venue

Community recognition of our Centre has increased significantly as shown, for example, in the number of requests from organisations and individuals to rent space for meetings, seminars, rehearsals and celebrations. Core regulars are the daytime and evening Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups which use the venue for five very well attended meetings each week. We are now the local depot for Second Bite, with each Monday being pick-up day for the various community groups who rely on Second Bite to augment their resources.

We have certainly moved beyond being “just a place on the Acland Street hill that almost nobody notices”!

Our Volunteers

Over fifty people volunteer their time, skills and enthusiasm to support our part-time staff team. Theirs is an essential contribution to the work of the Mission in the full range of activities from preparing, cooking serving and cleaning up after the weekly community meal, collecting food from Foodbank and local bakeries, helping with the fortnightly seniors group, through to involvement in the Garden Nomads and our community kitchen garden.

We acknowledge and thank the following people who have volunteered during the last year:

Josephine Alexander Stefan Angheli Lee Baird Alexander Baker Josie Baker Marie Baker Victoria Baker Stephen Baldwin Ant Bridgeman Debbie Carmichael Steven Carter Janet Cathels Jack Connor Sue Connor Matthew Daniels Robyn Foy Zach Greig Heinz Grobe Adrian Harwood Dianne Hollis Norman Hooper Lindsay Jamieson Sandra Johnston Chetan Karkera David King Ruth Kingston Susan Kohn Evanna Lake Lorraine Lindsey Maria Lourdes Paco Luango Kay MacLennan Robyn Martin Glenys McLeod Anne Moriarty Anne Murphy Maree N’Diaye Barbara Nicholson Pauline O’Brien Phillip O’Callaghan Angela Phillips Stephanie Portwood Deborah Rohde Raffaella Santoni Peter Shacklock Archana Shankar Sam Song Mark Spehr Nicholas Stace-Aitken Lucy Strachan Mathew Stephens Trent Stringer Lyndal Thomas Ella Thomson Vanessa Turko Theo Warsh Damien White Adrean Widjaja Mounya Wise Steven Zammit


Testimonials

Here are extracts from testimonials by volunteers and participants, including some who were originally recipients of assistance and are now keen to give something back …

"I look forward to coming here to meet nice people and the food is fabulous. I also like the monthly film nights very much as I love films, especially Clint Eastwood's. But don't ask me to become a volunteer as I'm too young!" (Richard who lives nearby and has been dining at Open House each week for about 4 years, photographed with Valerie, volunteer and committee member.)

"Christ Church Community Centre has helped me in many ways … Social connection is needed within any community and connecting with people at all levels with different backgrounds allowed me to refocus on where I was and what I was doing. Revisiting the community centre provides me with stability and guidance on an ongoing basis." (Adrian, participant and volunteer)

"I was at a stage in my life where I felt a bit disconnected with my local community, despite having lived in St Kilda for many years. The camaraderie in the kitchen at Christ Church Community Centre is great and I very quickly became 'Queen of the Puddings', a role I take very seriously! I'm sure I get so much more out of volunteering than I put in. I love that now when I am out and about in St Kilda I come across people who recognise me and by just sharing a smile and a wave that makes me very happy and I feel I finally have that connection with the community.” (Angela has been volunteering at Open House for over 2 years.)

"Volunteering was an especially rewarding experience. It was good to know that our contribution was both needed and appreciated. In particular, it felt great contributing to the efforts of other people who are making a valuable difference to peoples' lives." (Steven and Adrean, volunteer bread collectors.)

Staff

Our staff members, all of whom are part-time, have varied backgrounds, with training and experience in Community Welfare, Social Work, Education, Mental Illness, Homelessness and Community Development:

Michele Sholl BA, Dip Ed, Dip Community Welfare, Dip Frontline Management – Manager 1 Elaine Wilkinson Dip Community Welfare – Community Development Projects Elizabeth Ng BA Community Development, Dip Family Therapy, Accredited Yoga teacher in the tradition of Krishnachrya – Program Facilitator Barbara Nicholson – Administration Assistant Anthony Bridgeman – Administration Assistant

The Centre staff are significantly assisted by Jim Arter as Caretaker. Committee of Management, Christ Church Mission Inc.

Michael Wilson – President Carmen Ayres – Vice-President Geoffrey Court – Secretary Charles Baird – Treasurer Valerie Lion Stephen Baldwin (from February 2014) Father David Greentree (to January 2014) Father Turi Hollis (from February 2014)

1 Supported until March 2015 by a grant from the William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees)


How we keep going …

We gratefully acknowledge support in money and/or in-kind given to Christ Church Community Centre by the following:

Individuals

Anonymous (x 3) Adreanus Widjaja Baker Family Stella Beal Rosa Coccioppo David Dawson Nicolette Forte Mary Grace Levakis Vincent O’ Hara Sophie Purvis Jutta Rubenstein Rita & Bernard Rubenstein Gill Upton Nurin Veis Joe Wilding Steven Zammitt

Organisations

Albert Park Primary School Anglican Parish of St John,

East Malvern Foodbank Victoria The Kedem Community Kiwanis Port Phillip Parishioners of Christ Church,

St Kilda Port Phillip EcoCentre Second Bite South Melbourne Community Chest Springvale Gospel Singers St Kilda Historical Society Theatre Works TransAccess

Trusts & Foundations

Bokhara Foundation Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees) Businesses

Bakers Delight - Hampton Bunnings - Port Melbourne Elwood Patisserie Grill’d St Kilda Ralphs Meats South Melbourne Market Government

City of Port Phillip

How you can help us …

� Donations of non-perishable food and toiletries are always welcome – you can leave them at the Community Centre, 14 Acland St., St Kilda, Monday-Thursday between 10 am & 2 pm.

� Donations of $2 and more are tax-deductible and can be sent to

Christ Church Mission Inc. OR Donate by Credit Card at PO Box 1221 http://www.givenow.com.au/cause1510 St Kilda South Vic 3182

� Volunteers are always welcome – especially for involvement in our Garden Nomads, Open House and Stepping Stones programs. Express your interest to any of our staff – phone 9534 9250 or email [email protected]

Our Finances - Christ Church Mission Inc. operating as Christ Church Community Centre

Income & Expenditure for the Year to 30 June 2014 2012-13 2011-12 Revenue $ $ $ Operating Income 74,264 97,002 127,545 Fundraising (incl. Grants) 18,015 6,293 262,150 Members’ subscriptions 35 30 35 Interest 7,804 9,423 965

100,118 112,748 390,695

Expenses Staff costs 101,470 99,126 76,744 Program costs 20,277 28,676 26,321 Office expenses 1,642 1,392 1,798 Insurance 3,400 3,658 3,112 Rent 9,000 9,000 9,000 Maintenance & Cleaning 11,804 6,443 4,222 Depreciation 70,932 75,111 74,581 Bank charges 255 261 253

217,780 223,667 196,031

Surplus (loss) from ordinary activities (117,662) (110,919) 194,664

This is an extract from the audited financial statements. Full financial statements are available on request.


You can make your donation to the Christ Church Community Centre through the GiveNow website at

http://www.givenow.com.au/cause1510

Visit our web page: http://www.ccm.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christ-Church-Community-Centre-the-Little-St-Kilda-Mission/409973252381298

Photos include: Front Cover (L-R from top of page) – Santa at Stepping Stones program for Seniors; Book Sale; iPads as part of ‘Lively Arts’; Pearl with Garden Nomads volunteer Steven; ‘Lively Arts’ Quilting Group participants; Wednesday Yoga Group morning tea; Jennie & Rae machining at the Quilting Group; Christmas Dinner is served; Kate & Lucy at Seniors’ Week; At the Volunteers’ Thank You dinner in the Community Kitchen Garden; Homelessness advocacy; Committee & Staff at strategic planning; Peter at Foodbank; Meatballs for dinner; More at the Volunteers’ Thank You dinner in the Community Kitchen Garden; Staff members Liz with Elaine & Jim; Robyn making her quilt; Admiring Fatima’s completed quilt; Barbara with Maya, Becky & Hana marvelling at the donations from the students of Albert Park Primary School; Sausage Sizzle on the veranda; Stepping Stones with volunteers and staff assisting; Elaine with produce from the Community Kitchen Garden; Richard & Valerie (Committee member); Manager & President (Michele & Mike); Looking healthy!; Father Turi Hollis with Councillor Serge Thomann; At the workshop for volunteers & staff “Is doing good doing good?”; Seniors’ Week afternoon tea; Bread being collected from Brumby’s in Hampton; Dinner is underway; Second Bite to the rescue. Page 2: Christ Church Community Centre (Photo by Catherine Sutherland, Architect Arthur Andronis)

We gratefully acknowledge support given to Christ Church Community Centre by the following …

christ church mission inc. annual report page 2 of...

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