Annual Report 2005-2006 - Waverley Council

Waverley Council
Meeting Our Statutory Requirements
Activities Undertaken by the Council during the Year to Develop and Promote Services and
Programs That Provide for the Needs of Children (continued)
Council’s child care centres participated in the Global Table Street Festival with an information stall on
children’s services and a musical performance by children from Bronte Child Care Centre.
The 2005 Safe Summer Initiative as it is known was broadened to include managed family friendly
activities at Dudley Page Reserve on New Year’s Eve and activities, rides and stalls along Bondi
beachfront targeting families between Christmas Day and New Year.
200 children were involved in ‘Caring for our Native Bush’ program for World Environment Day
In partnership with the Eastern Suburbs Playgroups, Waverley Council again hosted the Eastern
Suburbs Children’s Festival in Waverley Park to celebrate Children’s Week in October 2005.
Many other popular children’s activities and events continued in 2005/2006 at the Bondi Pavilion and
Community Centre, including participatory programs at the annual festivals, pottery classes,
performances, holiday programs and art, music and movement programs.
Programs and activities in the Library
A program of children’s activities was available for each School Holiday, including four activities
provided by external entertainers, two craft workshops, author talks, and film showings. The annual
Children’s Book Week celebration involved competitions, bookmarks, Fun Book, puppet shows, and
author visits. 18 classes visited the library each the week. Regular Story-time sessions were held on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays and a film session each Sunday afternoon. An Outreach Program to
three child care centres in Waverley included story-time and film shows.
Grants and Management Support
The level of funding provided in support of non-profit organisations providing community services and
cultural activities for 2005/2006 was $287,000.
In 2005/2006 Council provided financial grants and in-kind support to a large range of children’s
services. Staff continued to provide assistance to the management committees of Kindamindi, Bondi
Beach Cottage, Grace Child Care Centre, Bondi Toy Library and each of the five OOSH Services in
Waverley. Activities included assistance with grant applications, financial management, recruitment,
conflict resolution and team building, annual general meetings, service review/ business plans for
funding bodies, client surveys and staff management. As part of the second and final stage of
Kindamindi’s upgrade, the service received financial support to complete its capital works program,
which under new Children’s Services Regulations requires staff facilities.
Lobbying, information exchange and representation on committees
Waverley Council staff continued to participate in and support a range of network meetings,
interagencies and working parties. The Child Care Support Team again hosted Waverley’s Annual
Information Exchange Forum which brings together all service providers in the East working with
families and children. Average attendance from community health, education, child care centres and
community workers is around 30 workers. The team also supported the work of local committees that
are active in the areas of domestic violence, child protection and early intervention.
Waverley Council as Eastern area representative was again part of the Management Reference Group
for the Families First and Better Futures programs which as state wide early intervention initiatives aim
to improve outcomes for 0-18 year olds and their families.
Annual Report 2005//2006
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