NELSON BAY SCONE BOURKE - Joblink Plus

COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Inverell Men’s Shed get the tools of the trade
Photo courtesy The Inverell Times
MEN’S SHED: Joblink Plus Inverell manager Ros Orchard checks out the
new tools with Men’s Shed Secretary Ray Boon.
Members of the Inverell Community
Men’s Shed are making the most of a
new planer, sanding machine and drill
set they purchased after receiving funds through
the Joblink Plus Community Donations Program.
The new equipment is making it easier for the notfor-profit
organisation to complete woodwork
jobs the Inverell community is requesting.
Men’s Shed secretary Ray Boon said the group
was lucky enough to receive its second donation
through the Joblink Plus program and said it
would go a long way to helping the wider Inverell
community.
“We received our first donation through the
Joblink Plus Community Donations Program
about two or three years ago which allowed us
to buy a printer/photocopier. This time around
we put the money to a planer, sanding machine
and a set of rechargeable drills,” Ray said.
“The shed is getting busier and busier. We have a
lot of requests coming in and there is constantly
a project on the go so this new equipment will
really help us get the jobs done,” he said.
Narromine Youth Lounge nears completion
As the Narromine Youth Lounge and Homework
Centre nears completion, already the facility is
being enjoyed by people of all ages.
The centre is run by volunteers from the Blue Cross Church
and has undergone major renovations after receiving
support from the Joblink Plus Community Donations
Program.
Ben Staines is a volunteer at the centre and has coordinated
the renovations which involved re flooring, refurnishing,
painting, tiling, electrical work and fit out.
“We are probably 80 per cent complete. With everything
that was involved in creating the perfect centre there is no
way we could have done it without the support from the
Joblink Plus Community Donations Program,” Ben said.
“We have installed multi-media equipment and have a
few desks and chairs here and there. Once it all comes
together it will be an ideal space for youths to come after
school,” he said.
The space is currently being used for adult education
classes and includes a coffee shop under the same roof.
“The next step is to fill the shelves with books and have
10 community link April 2012
older students come down after school and help younger
students with their literacy,” Ben said.
“The Blue Cross Church is a community based church that
just wants to help the community and raise standards.
Once finished, the youth lounge and homework centre
will go along way to improving literacy and numeracy and
provide youths with a place to come and hang out,” Ben
said.
Local tradesmen also helped get the project off the
ground by providing their services free of charge during
the construction stage.
Joblink Plus Chairman John Treloar said Joblink Plus was
proud to support the development of the youth lounge
and homework centre as the organisation understands
the importance of literacy in young children.
“It is often difficult for rural communities to gain the
resources they need to get a facility such as this one
up and running. Joblink Plus recognises the significant
role the centre will play in developing literacy skills in
Narromine children,” Mr Treloar said.