Increasing community pride and participation

DENR Newsletter
Residents are creating and publishing the local newsletter, which is distributed widely across the community.

Talent spotting
Residents are showcasing exciting local talent at monthly open Mic nights.

Creating History
Local residents and students have designed and painted a history mural. The mural will be completed in 2007 and will be officially hung at the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

Carols in the Park
Neighbourhood Renewal supports the local Carols in the Park/Farm, in partnership with the Doveton Baptist Benevolent Society. This event attracts up to 1000 local residents and includes performances from a diverse range of groups and individuals across the community.

Australia Day celebrations
Neighbourhood Renewal led the Australia Day celebrations in 2007, which attracted more than 1,000 local residents. In 2008, Little Athletics Victoria and the YMCA will work with Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal to promote physical activity at this annual event.

The Doveton Show
The show attracted 6,000 people in its first year in 2005. Neighbourhood Renewal is working with local residents and providers to establish a self-sustainable annual community show for the future.

Improving employment, learning and local economic activity

Employment Programs
Neighbourhood Renewal's Employment Support Initiative and the Workforce Participation Program are linking residents with jobs, particularly in skill shortage areas. The Public Tenant Employment Program is helping residents find work with contractors who have tendered to deliver housing maintenance and upgrade works.
Since Neighbourhood Renewal began in Doveton, these schemes have helped 21 residents find jobs. They will help a further nine residents in 2006/07.

Community Jobs Program
The Community Jobs Program, which operated until 2004-05, found jobs for over 3,775 participants, including 851 Neighbourhood Renewal residents. In Doveton, a total of 18 residents found work through the program.

Social enterprises
Neighbourhood Renewal is supporting social enterprises that create jobs and training opportunities for Neighbourhood Renewal residents. The enterprises generally employ people as trainees for 12 months or less and then help them into work or further training.
In Doveton, Celebrations Catering is producing Christmas cakes that are distributed by the Red Cross, Cultural Catering is a catering service specialising in culturally diverse foods and U-Reep is delivering landscape and gardening services.

Cultural School Canteen Project
The project began in 2006 and when fully operational will include management of the local school canteen and provision of catering for community groups. The Project will provide employment and training for residents from culturally diverse backgrounds.

After School Care
This fortnightly program for local kids has an educational focus.

The Kool Skools CD development project
The project is a great way for local youth and artists to showcase and record their talent. It started in 2005 and continued throughout 2006.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Upgrading and improving housing
To date Neighbourhood Renewal has spent more than $3 million on delivering over 250 housing upgrades and immediate improvements. In 2006/07 Neighbourhood Renewal has allocated a further $1.3 million for works to an additional 87 properties.

Community Tool Shed
Local residents can now access tools and gardening equipment from the shed, which is built alongside the local Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

Kids Playing up
Kids are having a great time playing at the new Linden Place playground, which was completed in June 2006.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Police in Schools program
Neighbourhood Renewal was involved in recruiting the local police Senior Sergeant and supported the 'Police in Schools' program, which ran in all local primary schools.

Police participation
Police continue to be involved in local community events and planning initiatives.

Reducing Crime
Neighbourhood Renewal residents are promoting local initiatives to reduce crime. These include a graffiti removal hotline and a hoon register hotline.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Breakfast Club Program
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with the Red Cross and local schools to run Breakfast Clubs, which are helping kids develop good eating habits.

Mental Health Education Workshop
The workshop was held to support local residents and services providers respond better to mental health issues.

Cultural Cuisine
The Cultural Kitchen Project will establish a community garden, kitchen and catering service. It will bring residents together to promote an inclusive and supportive society.

Cycling Safely
Parks Victoria, the City of Casey and Neighbourhood Renewal are working together to link the major bike paths that run along the east and west boundaries of the local area.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Supporting Sudanese women program
The Supporting Sudanese Women program has helped Sudanese families become better connected and supported in their local communities.

Community infrastructure developments
Renovations have been carried out on the Casey Cardinia Community Health Service and a new community resource centre has been built at Doveton North Primary School.

Community Action Plans
The City of Casey will work with the Department of Human Services to produce a 2007–08 Community Action Plan. The plan, which is based on extensive community feedback, will guide local infrastructure investment including road maintenance, minor and major capital works.