MANNING VALLEY INTERAGENCY
MINUTES OF MANNING VALLEY COLLABORATIVE MEETING
At: Greater Taree City Library, Victoria Street, Taree 2430
Date: 2 November 2011
Present: Caron Watkins, Sarah Wilkinson, Jenny Gibson, Pauline Smith, Rene Harper, Cathy Braiding, Lea Dawson, Steve Davis, Helga
Smit, Sally Osborn, David Petroulakis,
Apologies: Grant Sorenson, Gayle Halloran, Catherine Wendell
Time Commenced: 1.10pm
Time Finished: 2.30pm
Chairperson: Sarah Wilkinson Caron
Watkins
TOPIC
Minute Taker: Caron Watkins
DISCUSSION
ACTION
ACTION BY
BUSINESS ARISING
1. Housing/
Accommodation
a. Rent to Buy
Caron has tried to contact Kerry McDean for details but nothing at this
stage
b. Local Housing Forum
As per action item from last meeting, Caron emailed Rennay Miller
from New Horizons but has not had a response as yet.
Follow up
Sarah
Decided that there
will be no further
action from
interagency as it is
an issue that
should be
resourced by
housing and
accommodation
services to ensure
relevant input and
follow up
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c. Regional Housing forum
Jenny Gibson reported that there has been no further development of
this as MNC Regional Council offered to drive this but want funding to
do so. Nambucca NC has offered to provide a venue but it has not
progressed as yet.
2. Transport flyer
3. Bushlands
Community
Development
Caron only emailed Jenny Hadfield previous day but realised she was
probably too busy to respond as yet. Also suggested that TAFE may
be able to be involved in putting a resource together.
Put on agenda for
March Meeting
David showed interest in this exercise (mapping) as it would be
beneficial for housing residents to have more information
David Petroulakis was in attendance and provided an overview of
events over the past month relating to residents meeting with Stacks,
Housing and Police in relation to the state of the Bushlands shopping
centre. As a result he has been offered the centre for 12 months to
attempt to create a viable complex. He would like it to be part
commercial part community services/drop in. He currently has approx
40 interested volunteers from the community.
He also sees the following as major issues for the area:
Transport and transportation base
Media coverage
Stacks – 12 months
Commercial and community – link different organisations and clients
Food cooperative?
NEIS
Brighter Futures – playgroup
Classes – cooking/health
Kitchen
Food/breakfast program
Students – free tutoring
Contact Rowan
Caron
2
After school program
Biripi outreach program
Computers/internet access
EOI – the working party had developed an EOI to send out to other
services to determine levels of interest in providing outreach at the
centre
Modify and
distribute ASAP
Caron
Check Website
Caron
Invite to Feb
interagency
Caron
Determine support from Chambers of Commerce, Economic
Development Council etc
Wesley Employment are interested in providing mobile work crews to
assist with work
Healing Foundation.org – possible funding?
Discussion followed regarding how to generate action in the area and
promote a more positive image
NEW BUSINESS
4. NCOSS regional
visit
5. PIAC – advocacy
regarding energy
issues
6. GTCC
environmental
funds
7. Strategic
direction

NCOS are holding a community consultation in Taree 16/11 10-2
at the Community College
Public Interest Advocacy Centre – are in the process of advocating
regarding energy issues. We have requested that a representative
attend interagency to update us. They may be able to send someone
in the new year
Sarah is hoping to run an event early next year. This will hopefully
include participation from the Home Power Savings Program, and
other environmental programs
Training needs – Dundaloo have a training arm and are interested in
providing more information about what they can offer.
Sarah
Invite to Feb
interagency
Caron
3
8. Community
Development
priorities
CORRESPONDENCE
IN
CORRESPONDENCE
OUT
NEXT MEETING
The ‘Get That Grant’ workshops that Sarah ran were very successful
and obviously fill a niche.
Transport
Networking collaboration – Beth Fuller is looking at establishing a
networking event next year. More information in 2012
n/a
See above
Caron
Nil
Nil



Next meeting will be 1pm 7th March 2012 at Department of
Community Services, Victoria Street, Taree
Enquiries: Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc. PH: 6553
5121, Email [email protected]
Interagency minutes can also be downloaded from MVNS
Website: www.mvns.org.au
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