Increasing community pride and participation

Social events
Events like community barbeques, the Community Expo, monthly Have a Say Days, cross-generational dinner dances and Carols in the Car Park are bringing the community together.

Volunteers
Over 40 people are volunteering at the new Vinnies Budget Grocery Store.

Community survey
The community survey is designed to track how well Neighbourhood Renewal is working in the local area. Residents are involved in every aspect of the survey including organisation, management, training and interviewing 300 locals.

Men's Shed
Up to twenty local men are now involved in the Men's Shed. The project has been established with a Tool Pool, which enables local people to borrow equipment to maintain their properties.

Improving employment, learning and local economic activity

Employment and training 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 Wendouree West, these schemes have helped 17 residents find jobs. In 2006/07 they will help a further four residents into employment.

To date, two local residents have been employed on the Community Hub site and there will be further opportunities for local employment as the building progresses.

Eleven residents from Wendouree West and Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal recently undertook five days occupational Health and Safety training and four days First Aid training.

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 Wendouree West, a total of 92 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 help them onto further employment and learning pathways. Three enterprises are currently operating in Wendouree West:

• Wellbeing Wendouree Inc. is a community owned enterprise that has employed five residents. It is delivering programs that promote physical activity, social inclusion and wellbeing.
• Catering with Flair is based at the Wendouree West Community House and provides a fantastic catering service for Ballarat. It is employing one trainee and involves up to 10 volunteers.
• Simplicity is Best employs two local residents to work with the community on computers. Participants learn how to 'build' a computer, which they then have the option to buy at very low cost. The enterprise also runs a computer club, where like-minded individuals come together to play computer games and discuss all things technical!

Education
Grevillea Park Primary School and Yuille Primary School have successfully merged to form 'Yuille Park Community College'. The combined school is currently operating from the Yuille Primary School site and will relocate to its new home at the Community Hub, which is due for completion by the end of January 2008.

Reading Program
A new joint initiative will help Year 7 and 8 students with literacy problems. The program will involve the local secondary college, primary school and Neighbourhood Renewal.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Housing improvements
Neighbourhood Renewal has spent in excess of $11 million on more than 500 housing upgrades. In 06/07 an additional $1.5 million will fund a further 40 upgrades and 23 immediate improvements.

Weeramar Park
Weeramar Park, the Gateway to Wendouree West has been developed and now boasts a new playground, barbeque facilities, public toilets and parklands. The City of Ballarat, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Human Services funded the improvements.

Wendouree West BMX Track
A new track has been developed at the Wendouree West Recreation Reserve. It is widely used and holds regular BMX competitions.

Wendouree West Recreation Reserve
The Department for Victorian Communities and the Department of Human Services have jointly funded a feasibility study to develop a strategy for the Reserve.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Working with Police
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with local Police to reduce crime and improve perceptions of safety. The Police are contributing to local committees, joining in with local activities and getting to know local residents. A local Neighbourhood Watch program has begun and is well supported by residents.

Street lighting program
Neighbourhood Renewal's street lighting program has installed street lighting for all of the senior citizens' units in the area.

Street Improvements
A number of intersections in Wendouree West have recently been improved. A new roundabout has been constructed at the corner of Gillies and Norman Street and safety barriers have been installed. Footpaths have also been enhanced; changes have focused on improving wheel chair access.

Promoting health and wellbeing

SPAN project
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with Public Health to deliver the Sustainable Physical Activity in Neighbourhoods (SPAN) project in Wendouree West. The project is increasing physical activity across the community and is helping residents make healthy choices.

Wellbeing Wendouree Community Inc, is providing training to local residents and activities like a walking group, a fitness circuit and an alternative exercise day. The involvement of this local organisation will make the program sustainable beyond 2009.
Wellbeing Wendouree is also addressing the mental health, social inclusion and general wellbeing issues that face local residents. The organisation is offering: a homework centre; a young women's body image program; Morning Melodies; Sudanese cooking classes; and a monthly immunisation program.

Women's groups
Neighbourhood Renewal has established art, craft and physical activity groups with the support of the Western Region Health Centre and Maribyrnong City Council. Cancer Council Victoria pap screen funding has helped run women's wellbeing groups with strong health promotion messages. With the support of the Maidstone Community Centre, local women are now planning and running their own physical activity groups.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Wendouree West Community Hub
The Department of Human Services and the Department of Education and Training have funded the Hub, which will provide the community with an exciting and innovative multi-purpose facility.

The Development of Violet Grove
In 2001 the Violet Grove shopping strip had five vacant shops and one business - a fish and chip shop. The shopping strip had been left in a state of disrepair and vandals and graffiti artists had left their mark.

Today the area boasts a hairdresser, St Vinnies Budget Groceries, Simplicity is BEST Computer Centre, the Fish and Chip Shop and a large office complex that houses services from UnitingCare, Ballarat Group Training, Highlands Personnel, Primary Care Partnerships and several visiting services. It is a vibrant and community-focussed centre, where residents want to be.