Increasing community pride and participation

Bright Street Community Park
The community helped with the construction of the Bright Street Community Park. The works included new play equipment, a rebound wall, landscaping, lighting and BBQs.

Launching Pad website
Local residents have been designing "Launching Pad" - the Neighbourhood Renewal Residents Action Group website. You can visit it at: http://communitysites.impulse.net.au/launchingpad

Newsletter
The Newsletter group is producing a regular publication as part of a joint project between Launching Pad and the Eaglehawk Community House.

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 areas of skill shortage. 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 Eaglehawk and Long Gully these schemes have helped 12 residents find jobs. In 2006/07 they will help a further four residents (from Eaglehawk and Long Gully) into employment.

Two residents are employed as trainees in the Bright Street Enterprise Hub.

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 Eaglehawk (and Long Gully), a total of 33 residents found work through the program.

Training Courses
The following courses are delivering training to local residents:

• The Certificate II in Childcare has been undertaken by 12 residents;
• Mums on the Move courses are helping young mums build self-esteem and secure pathways to employment; and
• Leadership Courses are providing residents with information, referrals and leadership skills.

Connect Central
Connect Central is helping 16-22 year olds move into employment or training or return to school.

Housing upgrades and improvements
Neighbourhood Renewal has spent more than $2.4 million on over 230 housing upgrades and immediate improvements to properties in Eaglehawk. In 2006-07 a further $64,000 will fund works on an additional nine properties.

Jobs Gully Natural Features Reserve
Parks Victoria has constructed a fence around the perimeter of the Jobs Gully Natural Features Reserve to prevent trail bike riders spoiling residents' quiet enjoyment of the area. A boardwalk has also been constructed.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Community safety audit
Results from a recent community safety audit will be presented to the City of Greater Bendigo, Office of Housing and Vic Roads.

Incident Report Form
Residents can now report incidents and crimes to the Police by filling in a standard form. The form is held at the Eaglehawk Community House and the Neighbourhood Renewal office.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Hands on health
Every week, local professional health workers (counsellors, masseurs, chiropractors and hairdressers) are donating services free of charge to Eaglehawk residents.

Eaglehawk Walk
An Eaglehawk walking group is taking shape, with four residents walking weekly for health, fitness and friendship.

Youth group
A youth group meets regularly for fun activities and recreational pursuits.

Sustainability Street
Sustainability Street is a three-year community-strengthening project that focuses on ecological sustainability. It began in May 2006.

Phoenix Group
A social discussion group for people experiencing mental health, emotional issues, or social isolation meets weekly at the Eaglehawk Community House.

School holiday program
A school holiday program for primary school-aged Eaglehawk residents operates each school holidays.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Street Surfer Bus
The Street Surfer Bus is fitted out with a variety of youth activities. The service, which began in July 2006, is available once a fortnight in the Eaglehawk Neighbourhood Renewal area.

Communities for Children project
This four-year project is improving the health and wellbeing of 0-5 year olds across five areas of Bendigo (including Long Gully and Eaglehawk).