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Now offering AMEP

2018 – 2019 Annual Report

Would you like to work in hospitality? Have you considered being a barista, working in a café or serving alcohol? Are you interested in the flexibility that hospitality work can offer?

Djerriwarrh offers courses in Food Handling, Barista Skills, Responsible Service of Alcohol and more. Classes are held in our commercial kitchen teaching space and taught by respected industry professionals.

For more information please call: Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services on (03) 8746 1000.

Would you like to improve your English?Did you know Djerriwarrh offers a range of English classes?Improving your English can help you to talk to a doctor or to your child’s school teacher. It can help you to communicate with government agencies such as Medicare or Centrelink. Better English can help you to access training or get a job.

Djerriwarrh can also help English students to create pathways to industry accredited training that is recognised by employers.

For more information please call: Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services on (03) 8746 1000.

After being unemployed for a year, Djerriwarrh’s Jobs Victoria Employment Network (JVEN) west@work team were able to support Kim into a whole new industry. A short cleaning training course provided the opportunity Kim needed to move into sustainable work as a cleaner with Western Health.

Kim is now enjoying his role with a growing employer and opportunities for training and progression in the future.

Kim was made redundant from

his position as a Business Analyst and was struggling to find suitable work. He had applied for many positions without success. The ongoing struggle to find a

job was becoming increasingly difficult.

Kim connected with Djerriwarrh’s JVEN west@work team through his jobactive and our staff member Ray found a place for him in a local cleaning training program. According to Kim, ‘Ray was very professional. He was in constant communication and wanted me to succeed.’ After completing the course Djerriwarrh supported Kim to complete an application letter and resume for a cleaning position at Western Health.

As a part of the west@work consortium, Djerriwarrh accesses funding from Jobs Victoria to provide further support to jobseekers to help them transition from training to employment. In Kim’s case, Jobs Victoria funding assisted with the cost of the course as well as the police check and immunisations required before he could start in his new role.

Kim started working in April 2019 and has recently moved to permanent part time.

‘I’ve got my licence and a car for the first time. I’ve rented a place and I’m saving for the future. Things have really changed.’

Ray Tuckett, Samantha Boden and Kathi Parer

Kim’s journey to a new profession

INSIDE

Chair’s Report

CEO’s Report2018-2019 was

another exciting and busy year

PAGE 2

The first 30 years page 3

International Café page 5

Youth programs pages 6-7

ParentsNext page 8

Jobs Victoria Employment Network (JVEN)The Victorian Government’s Jobs Victoria initiative provides additional resources to engage with employers and disadvantaged jobseekers to get more Victorians into long-term work.

Djerriwarrh’s JVEN west@work team connects jobseekers and employers and uses Victorian government funding to help jobseekers address and barriers to them working. Jobseekers may need extra training or certificates such as police checks, trade tickets or Working With Children Checks. They may also need assistance with resumes and interviews skills or with suitable clothes to attend an interview.

Djerriwarrh delivers JVEN services as a part of the west@work consortium which is led by WCIG and also includes Wyndham Community & Education Centre. The JVEN contract was due to end in October 2018 but due to west@work’s success the contract has been extended to September 2020.

Thank you for another great year

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– Chair’s Report –

Once again I am delighted to present the 2018-19 Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services Chair’s Report.

It has been another exciting year of operational growth while the Board has continued to focus on long term strategy and planning.

Melton City Council’s redevelopment of the Community House located at 239 Station Road has created a need for office and training space in Melton. This has resulted in multiple interim accommodation solutions for our Melton based staff and programs. In Ballarat, it was a

great outcome to move our AMEP and SEE delivery to more long term accommodation and space at Barkly Square. Across both Melton and Ballarat, everyone involved has demonstrated great patience with moving and relocation.

There have also been multiple external audits in the last financial year including our reregistration as a Registered Training Organisation and as a Non School Provider of Senior Secondary VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning). The Board would like to acknowledge everyone who has been involved. These audits have a significant impact on Djerriwarrh’s long term viability and the results have been excellent.

The budgeting process and ongoing monitoring of results and actions, when required, has continued to improve over the past few years. This has been a contributor to Djerriwarrh’s solid financial performance in 2018-2019. I would particularly like to thank Board member Christine Pilbeam for stepping into the role of Acting Treasurer during Doris Cunningham’s leave of absence for work commitments overseas.

The Board’s continued focus on long term strategy and planning has seen us review and update all our policy documents. In addition to this, the Board has completed a comprehensive review of our Constitution. A huge thanks to Don Nardella whose expertise in policy and

constitution documents was invaluable during this process. The Board has also completed a new detailed long term financial plan to further assist the Board to make informed decisions. A big thank you to Doris Cunningham for leading and assisting with this process.

Finally, I would like to thank Trish, the management team, all of our staff and our partner organisations for making Djerriwarrh such a great place. To each of my Board colleagues, my sincere thanks, as you make the role of Chair an absolute pleasure to perform.

Thank you all for another great year and I look forward to seeing this continue into the future.

Ian Pearce

– CEO’s Report –

Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services welcomed a new program, ParentsNext, a pre-employment program which provides support for parents with children under 6 who receive Parenting Payment.

This has been a great addition to our services and we have been fortunate to recruit a committed and experienced team of staff to implement the program across western Melbourne.

I am pleased to confirm that our reregistration audits as both a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and as a non school senior secondary provider of VCAL were successful.

In mid-2018 we reviewed our organisational structure which resulted in the addition of two new roles, Compliance/RTO Manager and a Facilities/IT Manager position. Both of these positions have been

critical to the ongoing success of the organisation.

In December 2018, we conducted a staff survey where we found 98% of staff were aware of the mission, vision and values of Djerriwarrh, participants/students are a priority for the organisation and staff within teams treat each other with respect. This survey also helped the organisation to understand what areas we need to focus on to further improve staff and participants/students’ experience.

It was great to see AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program) consolidate in the second year of delivery and like SEE (Skills for Education and Employment) meet key performance indicators across all contracted regions. I’d like to acknowledge and thank our Learning for Employment (LfE) partners CommUnity Plus, Laverton Community Integrated Services, WCIG, Williamstown Community and Education Centre, Wyndham Community & Education Centre and Yarraville

Community Centre for their work. After the May Federal Government elections, the AMEP and SEE programs were transferred from the Department of Education and Training with AMEP moving to the Department of Home Affairs and SEE to the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.

In June 2019, 15 staff participated in a leadership program for new and/or aspiring leaders, delivered by CC Management. The program was delivered over several weeks and resulted in participants creatively presenting about their individual key learnings to myself and other senior staff.

Melton City Council’s redevelopment of 239 Station Road Melton commenced mid 2019 with the new Melton Central Community Centre scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2020. In the interim, office and classroom space have been an ongoing challenge for us, so we are looking forward to the buildings

completion and the possibility of additional space.

Djerriwarrh only achieves what it does by having great staff that are committed to the values and purpose of the organisation and have a focus on the needs and aspirations of our participants. We have an effective collaborative leadership team that support their staff and one another. I’d like to acknowledge and thank all Djerriwarrh staff with particular acknowledgement of Anita Cutler, Deputy CEO, Roma Pedersen, Senior Manager and Simon Harris, Finance Manager.

As always, thank you to the Board Members for their commitment to and leadership of Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the Chair, Ian Pearce, for his advice and support.

Trish Heffernan

Thank you for another great year

Visit www.djerriwarrh.org.au for the latest course information

2018-2019 was another exciting and busy year

Board members

Ian Pearce – Chair

Don Nardella – Secretary

Adeel Ahmed – Director (resigned April 2019)

Leanne Deans – Deputy Chair

Doris Cunningham – Treasurer

Christine Pilbeam – Director

Troy Watson – Director

Peter Blunden (completed his term November 2018)

Djerriwarrh Life MembersSyd Elliott

Brian Beveridge

Noel Donaghey*

Leo Johnson OAM*

*deceased

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MISSIONSupporting individuals and the local community to learn, connect and grow.

Our approachWe are a leading not for profit community organisation, providing high quality learning, engagement and employment opportunities for our local communities.

We do this by:1. Offering lifelong learning,

education, training, learning pathways and youth services.

2. Supporting individuals and families to engage with local communities and settle into the broader community.

3. Connecting, responding and adapting to community needs.

4. Continuous improvement and co-designing programs/activities with local communities.

5. Partnering with other organisations.

6. Staff as a community of learners connected to professional networks and global best practice.

CARINGWe provide a safe and welcoming environment

RESPECTFUL We treat all people fairly and equally

INCLUSIVE We are welcoming and put people first

ADAPTABLE We respond to individual and community needs in creative and flexible ways

ACCOUNTABLE We take responsibility for our decisions and follow through on our commitments

VISIONSelf-reliant people, strong communities.

OUR CORE VALUES

Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services provides students with training that results in qualifications and statements of attainment that are recognised and accepted by industry and other educational institutions throughout Australia.

TOID: 3771

ABN: 57 816 895 087

2018-2019 was another exciting and busy year

Supported over

1500 parents

94% of parents

satisfied with our service

100% attendance by

parents to their appointments

Supporting parents with young childrenParentsNext is an Australian Government initiative that supports eligible parents with young children to learn new skills through education and training, connect with community services and plan for their future employment.

Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services was awarded a three year contract to deliver the ParentsNext program across 11 sites in the Western Melbourne region from July 2018. The program is funded by the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.

The program is available for eligible parents referred by Centrelink and aims to provide individualised pre-employment support and assistance. It is not about getting a job right now. It’s about planning and taking steps so parents are job ready when their youngest child starts school.

Program support and assistance may include help to access secure housing, financial advice, domestic

and family violence services, parenting courses, child care, transport, community engagement activities and further education, training or volunteering.

Parents in the program have reported increased confidence, self-esteem, and a clearer sense of direction towards achieving their future goals. Parents have also reported that they are more motivated to study or do training and increase their chance of finding the job they want.

Here’s what some of our ParentsNext participants have to say about the program:

“It has given me more confidence, being able to talk to someone about what my plans are, bounce ideas off and put them into place. I think it’s a great program, a really great help. It has been a confidence builder.”

“Maureen (ParentsNext Coach) is like a friend I can talk to. She has empathy and she makes me feel comfortable so I can achieve my goals.”

Our 2018-19 highlights

The first 30 years at Djerriwarrh

• Incorporated as Melton Skills Training Group and located at 7 McKenzie Street Melton with support from Melton Shire.

• Funded as SkillShare providing employability skills training for job seekers

• Name change to Djerriwarrh Employment & Education Services

• Completion of Stage 1 of 241 Station Road Melton

• Registered as an Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Provider

Became a Neighbourhood House in Melton

• First delivered JPET (Job placement Employment Training) – a youth specific program

• Relocated to the ‘White House’, 239 Station Road, Melton with support from Melton Shire

• JPET program delivered in Melton and Sunshine (to 2009)

First registered as Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) first contract as Learning for Employment (LfE) consortium

• Australian Appenticeship Access Program (to 2014)

Springboard first delivered

Registered as a Non-school Provider of VCAL

AMEP contracted as Learning for Employment

• Youth Connections contracted in Melton and Brimbank (to 2014)

• Second portable established on 235 Station Road, Melton funded by Federal Government

ParentsNext contracted

• L2P first delivered in Melton and Bacchus Marsh

• Vocational Education and Training (VET) first contracted (Skilling Victoria)

• Renovation of 266 Hampshire Road Sunshine completed with Federal Government Grant

• Skills First Reconnect first contracted

• Jobs Victoria Employment Network (JVEN) contracted as a member of west@work

Portable (double) placed on 235 Station Road Melton funded by State Government

A timeline of programs, services and significant events which illustrate our journey. These and other programs, have helped to shape and form us into what we are today.

• First contracted to deliver Job Network, which was the privatisation of the previously government provided Commonwealth Employment Services (CES) (to 2009)

• Language and Literacy Training (LANT) first delivered, precursor to LLNP and SEE

• Completion of Stage 2 of 241 Station Road Melton

• School Focussed Youth Services first contracted

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Djerriwarrh delivers the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program and the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) under the trading name Learning for Employment (LfE).

Both of these programs are funded by the federal government and we partner with a network of community organisations to deliver classes for SEE and AMEP. Our Learning for Employment partners are CommUnity Plus; Laverton Community Integrated Services; WCIG; Wyndham Community & Education Centre; Williamstown Community Education Centre and Yarraville Community Centre.

Learning for Employment has been delivering AMEP in the Western Melbourne, Barwon and Ballarat contract regions since July 2017. AMEP offers eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants up to 510 hours of free English language tuition, focused on settling into life in Australia. The AMEP provides focused classes and support to specific participant groups, for example youth (18 -24), mothers with young children and refugees. Participant numbers have continued to increase and LfE has employed numerous additional teachers, assessors and administrators.

AMEP also offers the Volunteer Tutor Scheme, which provides

individual tutoring to AMEP clients in their homes or in community-based locations. We have enlisted the support of a generous and dedicated team of volunteers.

The SEE program offers up to 650 hours of free Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) training for eligible jobseekers with a focus on developing skills to pathway into further education and/or employment. LfE delivers SEE in the Western Melbourne, North West Melbourne, Inner Melbourne, Barwon and Ballarat contract regions over 27 sites. We are proud that the high quality of our training has been recognised as well exceeding the 80% benchmark.

Our AMEP clients have also benefitted from the rollout of the Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPET) program across Western Melbourne. This program focuses on employment and provides 200 hours of training including work experience. The work experience component provides many clients with their first experience in an Australian workplace.

Lynette Dawson

Year of consolidation for Learning for Employment

FEATURED COURSE Certificate III in Education Support Now taking expressions of interest for 2020

SEE-ing progressIt has been a busy and exciting year for the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program at Djerriwarrh.

Djerriwarrh has been delivering the SEE program since 2003. It is a federally funded program of 650 hours of language, literacy and numeracy designed to give participants the skills to gain employment or to go on to further education.

With one manager, four administrative staff and 17 teachers and assessors, we have been delivering classes over three different sites in Sunshine, Melton and Ballarat. The new Ballarat SEE class began during Term 2 at Barkly Square, which in a previous life was the Ballarat Secondary

College. BGT Jobs + Training, who manage the site, have beautifully renovated it and we share the facility along with other community service providers such as the YMCA, BRMC and Ballarat Wholefoods Collective.

During the year, we have seen over 350 students come through Djerriwarrh’s doors to take advantage of the 650 hours of free language, literacy and numeracy training.

We have also had regular presentations from many different service providers such as The Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Surf Life Saving Victoria, City West Water and the Stroke Foundation.

Our very talented teachers, as well as being qualified ESL professionals, are also authors,

musicians, poets, IT experts and artists. They have brought their skills into the classroom, making sure that their lessons are both valuable and entertaining.

Our amazing administrative team have provided expert customer service and administrative skills, keeping both our students and other stakeholders happy.

Changes in the program, along with the opening of a new SEE class in Ballarat, have provided some challenges; however, staff have continued to deliver with professionalism and a smile.

Our students often come back to visit us after completing their hours because they find Djerriwarrh a safe, friendly and engaging place to learn.

Bring on 2019-2020!

Peter Doran

From facing forwards circling around to the right: Thi Thiy Van Nguyen, Hao Huoung Lam, Andrew Robertson (teacher), Khayriya Awel Hassen, Thi Yen Nguyen, Suong Thi Thanh Nguyen, Thi Mui Nguyen and Jun Liu.

Thi Hien NguyenSolomon Hadish Girmay

AMEP Volunteer Tutoring is rewarding for allAMEP Volunteer Tutors are community members who volunteer their time to tutor students in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

Some students cannot attend classes because of their work, health or caring responsibilities. A Volunteer Tutor can be matched with these students and will work with them one-to-one. Volunteer Tutors meet with students in their homes or other mutually agreed spaces such as libraries or community centres. Volunteer Tutors do not need any qualifications as we provide training and support. We ask that our Volunteer Tutors are open to people from other cultures and genuinely want to help new arrivals with the English they need to settle into Australia.

Beress Vandepeer is a dedicated Volunteer Tutor for AMEP students. On the day that I meet up with her, she is tutoring four separate students. Two in the morning at their houses and two in the afternoon at our Harvester Rd office in Sunshine.

When I ask Beress why she does the tutoring her answer comes straight back. ‘I just really love it and I wish I’d done it earlier. I was a nurse but I should have gone into teaching.

The best part is when you can follow the interests of the student and teach them something they really need. I get a lot of gratification when I see the student’s improvement and increasing confidence.’

When I am invited into their homes, I can see that Beress’ students are appreciative. Sung assures me that Beress is a good teacher. Both Sung and Ngun are studying sewing, and Beress is helping them to understand their study materials. She brings in her own sewing kit and talks about a trip to a fabric store to help with vocabulary. Having a tutor come to their home helps both women, as they are both caring for their young children. Ngun’s two boys are very active and Beress has some children’s books for them to look at while Ngun has her English class. Ngun tells me that she practices speaking and listening with Beress, as this is what she finds the hardest about English.

As I leave I ask Beress what she likes most about being a Volunteer Tutor. ‘I like being involved and stimulated and I learn a lot every time I do a lesson. Also the students are so genuinely appreciative. When I came back from holiday recently, one of my students told me he had really missed me because he had no one else to talk to in English.’

Kathi Parer

Left: Ngun Za Hnem and her sons Right: Beress Vandepeer

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Now taking expressions of interest for 2020 Go to: http://www.djerriwarrh.org.au/coursetypes/education-support

AMEP services expandOur second year of delivering the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at Djerriwarrh has been an exciting time!

The past 12 months have seen our AMEP services expand to include a new site at Ballarat, evening classes at Melton and Sunshine and the delivery of a specialised AMEP sub-program: Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPET).

SLPET assists students in their transition to work by providing up to an additional 200 hours of tuition and work experience, to help them familiarise themselves with Australian workplace culture and values. The 200 hours begins with 160 hours of workplace-specific English language lessons, focusing on a wide range of skills including resume writing, interview techniques and general development of their employability skills.

These new skills are then put into practice with 40 hours of work experience placements, organised through Djerriwarrh. We have placed students in many different organisations within diverse fields including childcare, community services, aged care, education, retail, office administration and law. Feedback received from students and partnered organisations has been extremely positive, with one organisation reporting that their staff “LOVE them”. Some students have even gone on to be offered continuing employment.

Elena Raso

International Café

A Welcoming Place for AllInternational Café brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to showcase the diversity in our community through a common love of food. The free program encourages its participants to prepare and share an eclectic mix of dishes from their home countries. Some of the delightful dishes that have been made include Spanish Rice, Asian Mango Chicken and the ever famous English Sticky Date Pudding.

Our participants come from all walks of life, interested in learning more about different cultures and enjoying the company of new friends and wonderful food.

‘I walked through the doors of Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services one fine day, feeling a little lost and hoping to find an activity to widen my social needs. I was introduced to International Café and it has since enhanced my life’ shared Claudio Parrini originally from Sicily, Italy.

‘I met so many interesting people and we are now friends. We catch

up over coffee every once in a while and I’ve also extended my time to volunteer in another program offered by the centre. I feel a sense of fulfilment by being able to give back to the community what it has given me’ added Claudio.

This program is delivered with the support of a Community Grant from Melton City Council. People who are living, working or studying in Melton and the surrounding suburbs can meet up, make new friends, practise their English and enjoy the ‘craic’.

‘Come and share in the fun with a diverse group of people from all over Melton including seniors, young people and new migrants. Let’s celebrate all the wonderful ways our diversity adds to the vibrant and welcoming culture of our local area’ chimed Michelle, head volunteer of International Café with a big smile.

International Café runs every Thursday from 10am at Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services.

Lynnet Lee

Vocational education and training prepares students for employmentDjerriwarrh has been a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) since 1996. In the 2018/2019 financial year, nationally accredited qualification courses included:

• Certificate II in Community Services

• Certificate II in Hospitality

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Certificate III in Education Support

• Certificate III in Individual Support ( Ageing)

• Course, Certificate I and Certificate II in English as an Additional Language

At the end of June 2019, 104 students had successfully completed their accredited training in the 2018 -2019 financial year. A further 102

students are still continuing their studies.

We deliver these accredited training courses with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding through the Skills First Program. We also offer courses on a fee for service basis where students are not eligible for government funding.

In 2018/2019, Djerriwarrh conducted short course training for Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), Food Handler’s course and combined Professional Barista and Food Handler’s course. A total of 324 students gained certification to enable them to seek work within the hospitality industry.

Sharmy RamachandranCome and share in the fun with a diverse group of people from all over Melton including seniors, young people and new migrants.

1st row: From L-R – Maree Cross, Claudio Parrini, Alyn Beeg, Ibrahim Sambata, Oti Metuakore2nd row: From L-R – Jaiden Worrall, Michelle Smith, Phoebe Arthur, Mi-Sook Han, Eun-Mi Kim, Cindy Arthur, Taylah Ryan

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Maria Partasides

School Focused Youth Service (SFYS)

Students reduced risk of disengaging from schoolThrough School Focused Youth Services, Djerriwarrh works with schools in the Melton area to support students at risk of disengaging from school. Djerriwarrh provides targeted interventions for at risk students and capacity building for schools.

SFYS fosters collaborative relationships between the health/welfare and the education sectors through the delivery of coordinated prevention and early intervention services.

Our popular quarterly SFYS network meetings have provided a space for schools and the service providers in the community to come together and share wellbeing resources as well as forming collaborative networks.

In 2018 SFYS worked with over 640 students from Melton schools. Our programs have had very positive results. Prior to the Bounce program, less than 50% of the students involved reported that they had a friend they felt they could talk to and after the Bounce program 100% of the participants reported that they felt they had a friend they could depend on.

The Restorative Justice program saw a shift for the students involved from 30% engagement in school to 85% engagement.

Celeste Cody

Maria springs into training and employmentSpringboard is a Victorian government funded program which aims to improve the life outcomes of young people living in or leaving residential out of home care. Djerriwarrh’s Springboard Case Workers provide individual support to young people to engage them in education, training or employment.

Maria Partasides joined the Springboard program in May 2017. Since then, Maria and her Springboard Worker Juicenta have been working together

addressing barriers to her continuing in education. Springboard has funded the course fees for Maria’s study and her Working with Children

Check. She has also been helped to purchase clothes for job interviews and assisted with resume writing and interview skills.

Maria has recently submitted her final assessment, which will allow her to graduate with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with our partner organisation – The Laurels in Bacchus Marsh. Maria is excited to report she has gained part-time employment in a local child care centre in Melton, whilst she continues to work as a nanny (Au Pair) with a local family.

Juicenta Gunning

From doing this program, it’s helped me mentally to be more determined. I remember last term, I was having lots of days off, I just didn’t want to go to school, I didn’t feel like coming. Now, even breaking those tiles, mentally I was determined…. I want to bring that into a real life situation and break through the stuff that stops me coming to school.

I did [MAT program] because I lose my temper a lot, and I really wanted to change that. I wanted to be able to focus more. I have never really wanted to get into fights, but now I know that I won’t retaliate, I’ll be able to stay calm.

Before the MAT program I felt like I didn’t think about some situations, such as school fights. I didn’t think about the situation before I acted. Since doing the program, genuinely, not just saying this, but it helped me think a lot, in literally every situation. I now think ‘What do I achieve out of this or get out of this?’ before I do something.

The Martial Arts Therapy Program (MAT) also had some fantastic feedback from students.

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Community partnerships supporting VCALThe Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an alternative option to the VCE, for young people wanting to complete year 12. This year we have seen our student enrolment grow, higher retention rates and a strong focus on building community partnerships.

The VCAL team are committed to providing a supportive learning environment where all students are able to fulfil their potential. Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services works closely with community organisations in delivering services and programs that focus on improving the opportunities and resources available to students.

By partnering with community organisations, Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services has the ability to plan and develop infrastructure and

programs that assist young people across the community. This also helps foster greater integration between community organisations and directly impacts on better outcomes for our young people.

The VCAL team works closely with the Melton Library and Learning Hub, Melton Youth Facility, Reclink Australia, CoHealth, Eat Up Australia, Combined Churches Caring Melton, Skills First Reconnect, and the Navigator program.

Melton and Moorabool L2P learner driver mentor program

The Melton/Moorabool L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program successfully brought together community volunteer mentors and disadvantaged local learner drivers to achieve 15 probationary driving licences the last financial year.

This makes a total of 154 licences via the program to date. During the last financial year period, 80 local youth accessed the L2P program and were supported by 41 community volunteer driver mentors. Over 2,800 hours of driving was provided to the L2P participants in Melton and Moorabool municipalities for the year.

The Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services L2P program celebrated 10 successful years in May 2019 with a presentation involving our partners and sponsors including VicRoads, the TAC, mentors, learners and the Melton and Moorabool councils. Our first promotional L2P video, funded by the Melton City Council grant, was launched at the celebration. It featured the journey of mentors, learners

and interviews from the local police and key council partners.

The L2P program has been guaranteed TAC funding supported by VicRoads until June 2023. Our Melton/Moorabool program is proudly supported by Melton City Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Melton Toyota, Harrison Hyundai, Victoria Police, IMO carwash, and Bacchus Marsh Rotary.

Kim Leech

Making Moves on Friday nights‘Making Moves’ started out 18 months ago as a collaboration between a number of organisations including Djeriwarrh’s Skills First Reconnect program, Victoria Police, Brimbank Youth Services and YSAS (Youth Support and Advocacy Services). It began as a response to increased local youth disengagement and anti-social behavior.

Now 15-20 young people attend most Friday nights to play basketball and enjoy a free barbeque. The majority of the participants have disengaged from school and are struggling with transitioning into training or ongoing stable work. They come to play basketball and spend time with their friends but can also access services that will help them. Brimbank Council provides youth services and YSAS provides support for alcohol and drug addiction issues. Victoria Police members also attend to build better relationships with the participants.

Djerriwarrh’s Skills First Reconnect Team Leader Hannah works with the participants to create pathways to reach their short and long term goals. She provides information about training and connects

participants with support services to overcome their barriers to transitioning to training or employment. According to one participant,

‘It’s fun – socialising but not just basketball. It actually helps you with your life issues. If you have any issues you can come and they can talk to you and help you. That’s why it’s fun. It’s a mixture of everything.’

Hannah has connected at least 20 of the young people attending Making Moves to support services or training. Seven have moved from training into employment and one of the participants has even helped his father to find work. They are also building trusting relationships with local police. One of the participants

had this to say about a police officer who attends regularly,

‘Of course some (police officers) can be rude but Steve’s not one of them. He always brings us back to maturity and realizing that

everyone can be different. Not every police officer is what we think they are. I’m not going to judge a police officer just because they’re a police officer.’

Kathi Parer

The Skills First Reconnect The Skills First Reconnect Program is funded by the Department of Education and Training Victoria. This program aims to support individuals that may be experiencing barriers to learning or transitioning into training or education.

Djerriwarrh’s Reconnect Coaches provide participants with wrap around support services to assist them with building resilience and the capacity to engage in training and education in preparation for employment.

In excess of 90% of our Skills First Reconnect participants have engaged in an educational pathway.

The benefits of these partnerships include:

• Supporting staff by making them aware of community services and activities that can provide students, and their families, with specialist support aimed at keeping students connected to school.

• Engaging community services to bring a holistic, coordinated and targeted approach to redressing disadvantage within schools and the community.

• Contributing to the learning outcomes for VCAL for students.

• Creating an opportunity to link curriculum options with VCAL and Vocational Education and Training (VET) requirements.

• Assisting in the delivery of programs that support key transition periods for young people entering or leaving school.

Our key partners continue to offer weekly support in the form of a physical education class, pop up barbecues and one on one student support. Our students work hard to reach their potential and they do so knowing they are supported by their local community.

Amy Farrell

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Interested in volunteering? You may be interested in our AMEP Volunteer Tutor program. Please visit www.learningforemployment.org.au for further information.

Melton – Head Office241 Station Road, Melton VIC 3337. T: (03) 8746 1000

Sunshine 266 Hampshire Road, Sunshine VIC 3020. T: (03) 9009 7900

Sunshine 155 Harvester Road, Sunshine VIC 3020. T: (03) 9009 7900

Ballarat 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East VIC 3350. T: (03) 5339 3180

E: info@djerriwarrh.org

Our friendly staff are here to help

Djerriwarrh would like to acknowledge Justin Ebbels (Air Drawn Industries) for design of the annual report.

Thank you to all the organisations that supported Djerriwarrh students on work experience or work placement.

Djerriwarrh acknowledge and thank

Djerriwarrh acknowledge and thankAlexandra Childcare Centre, AMES, APM, Apprenticeships Matter, Australian Women’s Vietnamese Association, Ballarat Community Health, Ballarat Group Training, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, Baxter ATMC Institute, Bennlynne Aged Care Centre, Brave Foundation, Brimbank Council, Brimbank Library, Bunnings Warehouse Melton, BUPA Nursing Home, CC Management, CentaCare Ballarat, Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), Centrelink, City of Melton Neighbourhood Houses, City West Water, Co Health, Coles Supermarket Sunshine West, Combined Churches (Foodbank service), Commonwealth Bank, Connect People, Djerriwarrh Health, Duke Street Community House, Eat Up, EnviroCom Australia, Estia Health, Foundation House, Future Connect Local Learning and Employment Network, Gforce Employment Solutions Ballarat, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Good Start Early Learning Centre Deer Park, Harrison Hyundai, Helping Hands Mission, Hepatitis Victoria, Hope Street, IMO Car Wash Melton, IPC Health (Refugee Nurse), Jesuit Social Services, J.N. Zigouras & Son Lawyers Melbourne, Job Prospects, Jobs Australia, Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation, Kurunjang Secondary College, Laverton Childcare Centre, Lendlease, Life Saving Victoria, Matchworks, MAX Employment, Melbourne City Mission, Melton Country

Club, Melton Library & Learning Hub, Melton RSL, Melton Toyota, Melton Vietnam Veterans Association, Melton Youth Services, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, MiCare, MRC North West, Mrinal Das, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, Nillumbick Living and Learning, North West Migrant Resource Centre, North West Psychological Services, OCTEC Employment Services, PeoplePlus Australia, Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education (PRACE), Quest Apartments Maribyrnong, Reach Foundation, Reclink Australia, RTO Logic, Salvation Army Employment Plus, Salvation Army SASHS, Sarina Russo Job Access, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, St Bernadette’s Aged Care Centre Sunshine, St Vincent de Paul Society, Sunshine West Community Centre, Sydenham-Hillside Primary School, The Rotary Club of Moorabool, Rotary Donations in Kind, The Youth Junction, Think West Community of Practice members, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Undercurrent Community Education Project, VicRoads, Victoria Police – Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Sunshine, Victoria Police Youth Liaison, Vision Australia, VU Skills & Jobs Centre, Wesley, WEstjustice, Western BACE, Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Western Water, Willowbrae, Winslow, Woodlea, Woolworths Supermarket Sunshine and YouthNow.

Djerriwarrh acknowledge financial support fromAdult, Community & Further Education BoardDepartment of Education and TrainingDepartment of Employment, Skills, Small & Family BusinessDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Home Affairs Department of Jobs, Precincts & RegionsCommonwealth BankHelen Macpherson Smith TrustMelton City Council

Partners Bacchus Marsh Community College CommUnity Plus Inner Melbourne VET Cluster (IMVC) Laverton Community Integrated Services Melton City Council Melton Secondary College Melton South Community Centre Shire of Moorabool Staughton Secondary College Sunbury Heights Primary School UTurn 193 WCIG Western Health Williamston Community and Education Centre Wyndham Community & Education Centre Yarraville Community Centre

Volunteers This list includes people who volunteer in a range of programs including L2P, AMEP Volunteer Tutor Scheme, VCAL, International Café, Neighbourhood House, classroom volunteers, the ParentNext Advisory Group and the Neighbourhood House Reference Group. Sarah ADAMSON, Emine AMBROSE, Diana ARMSTRONG, Greg ASTON, Aaron BENNEY, Rabya BHATIA, Sanjana BODA, Ana Claudia BORTOLASSI, Tyron BRAVO, David BULINSKI, Des CADMAN, Nola CAMILLERI, Rosana CAVKA, James CHADIMA, Kylie CHARLESON, Stacey CHAVASSE, Les CHITTS, Sultoneh Sue (Sue) CHOAUK, Jenny COOK, Margaret CROSBY, Nils CUSACK, Minixiben (Mina) DABHI, Mary DAICOS, Joyce DARMAJANTI, Di DOLMAN, Kirti DUBE, Bernadette DUFFY, Jan DUNBAR, Mark EDGECUMBE, Macy EL HAWLI, John ENNIS, Matthew FARROW, John FOSTER, Helen FOWLER, Jenerit FREZGI, Colin GARDEN, Graeme GEBERT, Antonia GEORGE, Francis GODRESSI, Michael GRASSAN, Peter GROSS, John GU, Thanh (Cindy) HA, Pauline HANSLEY WOODBRIDGE, Lyn HARDING, Alanna HARVEY, Taha HASSAN, Francie HILL, Stephen HILLS, Don HINKS, Carmel HOSKINS, Shayla HUSSAIN, Naw (Jacqueline) JACQUE, Coralie JENKIN, Gary KING, Rose LAROSA, Joy LAWN, Kristie LAWSON, Gina LEMAFA, Len LEN, James LOCKE, Raelanah LOLOA, Judy LONEY, Mitchell LOVELL, Akout Matrin MAJIER, Philip MANNING, Peter MARKE, Mark MCCARTHY, Margie MCDONALD, Jenny MCKEAN, Wayne MCKNIGHT, Tony MCMANUS, Mary MELCHERTS, George MIMIGIANNIS, Nick MOUTSOS, Cassandra MULLER, Noorjahan MUNNI, Khushboo NAGDEV, Sanjida NASIM, Lena NEIL, Michael NELSON, Asero NGUMA, John NORMAN, Jim O’CALLAGHAN, Roxy PEREYRA, Hung PHAN, David PHILLIPS, Rosalie PIERCE, John READER, Paula REYNOLDS, Stuart ROBERSTON, Brad ROBERTS, Robin ROCHESTER, Trevor ROSAN, Terrance ROSEWARNE, Vandana SAINI, Shelby SEABERT, Janelle SHEEN, Joseph SHIBERRAS, Sandeep SINGH, Aryani SITI, Michelle SMITH, Barry SPROULL, Steve STAUNTON, Ian STEWART, Christine SULLIVAN, Jane SULTANA, Jan SZOSTAK, Yolanda TAO, Natalie THERON- DE BRUIN, Keith THORNETT, Alex TRAYNOR, Katie VALENTA, Ngoc Hoa VAN, Van Dung VU, Wesley WANG, Peter WARD, Shane WARWICK, Gloria WHITFIELD, Andrew WINTER, Stephen WORTH, Neighbourhood House Reference Group and ParentsNext Parents Advisory Group.

Staff Amy ABDULLAH, Omer AFZAL, Jennifer

ANDISON, Prajwol ARYAL, Sonia BABIC, Mina

BARGHI, Eduardo BARRAZA, Anita BERTOLINI,

Samantha BODEN, Diane BOURAS, Angela

CAMILLERI, Kirsti CAMPBELL, Rhiannon

CARASSELLOS, Leanne CARROLL, Jeantine

CHADWICK, Susan CHANG, Ngun Bor CHIN,

Meenakshi CHOPRA, Zehra CIELLI, Hannah

CLARKE, Nicholas CLEREHAN, Celeste CODY,

Mathew COLBOURN, Anita CUTLER, Lucille

CUTLER, Carolyn CUTT, My Loan DANG, Ozlen

DANIELLS, Catherine DANIELS, Lynette

DAWSON, Anne DEDMAN, Tome DIMOV, Lily

DO, Helen DOBSON, Maureen DOOLAN, Peter

DORAN, Steven DUCKHAM, Freya dos

SANTOS, Abraham DUNOVITS, Mary DUONG,

Dezzie EKLADIOUS, Amy FARRELL, Paz

FIGUEROA-ORTIZ, Heidi FRANKL, David

FULLER, Geetanjali GABA, Suzanne GATZ,

Michael GIBBS, Heather GLOVER, Kate

GRANG, Juicenta GUNNING, Andrew HADDEN,

Simon HARRIS, Hayley HAUGH, Caleb

HAUNUNG, Gerard HEALY, Trish HEFFERNAN,

MatHINES , Paul HOBBY, Tracey HORNER,

Shamima ISLAM, Lea JOHNSON, Bianca

JONES, Annie JOSEPH, Katie JUDD, Veena

KARLEKAR, Amandeep KAUR, Lauren KERR,

Tony KILMISTER, Katy LACY, Susan

LAWERENCE, Ellen LAWSON,

Catherine Le ROUX, Kim LEECH, Lynnet LEE,

Wei LIAO, Kathleen LITERSKI, Samara

MABBOTT, Lisa MACHERAS, Lee MARTIN,

Temu MAUGA , Nicole McCARTHY, Melanie

McGRATH, Michelle McCARTHY, Billy McRAE,

Anita MEREDITH, Ash MORFFEW , Maree

MORGAN, Julia MORTELLARO, Amira

MUMINOVIC, Chris MURPHY, Michelle

NADREZ, Natalie NAWROCKI, Maree NICOL,

Stanley OPARA, Stacey OSBORNE, Tanya

OSBORNE, Adele OUSLINIS, Kathi PARER,

Stephanie PAYNE, Roma PEDERSEN, Kristina

PINTI, Tricia PRIEST, Sharmy

RAMACHANDRAN, Elena RASO, Wazih RAZIB,

Rallian RENGTHLANG, Belinda RIMMER,

Andrew ROBERTSON, Majd RUSTAM, Aloka

SARKER, Genevieve SCHULZ, John

SHACKLOCK, Sween SHARMA, Gourav

SHARMA, Pushkar SHARMA, Gengiz

SOYTURK, Shamala SUBRAMANIAN, Karl

TATTERSALL, Yui THANACHAROENPORN ,

Margaret TOOHEY, Lucy TRAN, Rosie TRAN,

Van TRAN, Ray TUCKETT, Zorica TUMBAS,

Penny TUPUOLA , Lydia TURDA, Hayrettin

UYAR, Nina VASSALLO, Chi VU , Rajesh WAHI,

Min WANG, Michael WANYAMA, Alan

WAYMAN, Rebecca WILLIS, Katrina WRIGHT,

Frances XU, Janice YANO and Gem YUCEL.

Jenerit now sees a positive futureWhen Jenerit first met her ParentsNext Coach Samara, she was a single parent living in unstable housing with low confidence and very few connections in Australia.

Since working with Samara, Jenerit has learned to use public transport, started talking to people and started to think about her future. She has moved into stable housing, enrolled into study and passed both her driver’s licence and Australian citizenship test.

When Jenerit arrived in Australia from Ethiopia in 2011, she was sure her future would be bright. She completed the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and then a hospitality course and started working as a barista. That is where she met the father of her four year old daughter.

Unfortunately her relationship broke down and she struggled as a single parent. She couldn’t drive and didn’t understand how to use public transport. Living in unstable housing and with few friends in Australia, Jenerit suffered from depression and felt

like she was not a good mother to her daughter.

When Jenerit met her ParentsNext Coach Samara, things began to turn around.

“I started seeing Samara, which is the best. I can talk to her about anything and she helps”. After many discussions around her future career goals, Jenerit is now enrolled in a Certificate II in Community Services. She wants to go on to work in a hospital, and even go on to complete her Diploma of Nursing in the future.

We are especially pleased to have Jenerit as a volunteer on the ParentsNext Advisory Group (PAG). The PAG advises us on how we can improve our ParentsNext program for parents. According to Jenerit, “This makes me feel empowered and part of the community”.

Kathi Parer

I started seeing Samara, which is the best. I can talk to her about anything

and she helps.

““

Left: Samara, Right: Jenerit

Left: Jenerit, Right: Samara