December 2008 - January 2009 Newsletter - Newtown ...

Hi AllCentre NewsThank you and thank you again to the wonderfulpeople who supported the 30 th NewtownFestival. It was an enormous success from allperspectives and it highlights how even thoughwe are a diverse community we are a strongcommunity.What a fantastic day! The sun shone, the bandsplayed, the people danced, shopped, playedbingo, relaxed, participated in the roomies artspace and got involved in our housing campaign.There are many people I would like to thank.Firstly the biggest thank you must go to ourwonderful and dedicated volunteer team. I wouldlike to thank every one of you from the bucketcollectors, traffic marshals, stagehands and coincounters to the admin workers. I would also liketo thank our wonderful festival staff, Sue, Tina,Jacqui and Cathy. Your hard work anddedication always make this festival a majorsuccess. I don’t how they do it but I think everyyear the Festival improves that little bit more. Iwould also like to give special thanks to our twovolunteer assistants Dan and Amber for all theirenthusiasm, commitment and good humour onthe day. I also would like to give another thankyou to our Management Committee PresidentJames who is also on our Festival steeringcommittee and has been a long time supporter ofthe Festival.I would also like to thank the local community,who for one day a year accommodate themassive crowds and general influx of people thatcome hand in hand with a large communityfestival like ours. Lastly I would like to thank allthe people who so generously donated to thecentre. Don’t forget all the money raised at theFestival goes back to the community via theservices we offer.December 2008 / January 2009NNC has recently employed a HousingDevelopment and Outreach Worker for 2 days aweek. We welcome Marianne to our staff team.Whilst we thank the City of Sydney for thisgrant, as you can imagine this is not nearlyenough to make a dent in our client’s housingneeds. In fact since Marianne has arrived she hasbeen overwhelmed by the client demand.Every newsletter this year we have spoken aboutthe housing and homelessness crisis that iseffecting too many people in this community. Atthe Centre we see nearly 50 people per weekwho come and ask us for housing assistance.The Centre does not have the infrastructure orthe resources to meet the needs of these people.Frankly we are finding our inability to assistpeople more and more disheartening. Funny isn’tit that I am pleased the nicer weather has arrived,because at least our rough sleepers wont be ascold and wet as they are in winter! Just this weeka 74 year old gentlemen came to us forassistance and he ended up spending the night inthe local park, as we could not findaccommodation for him. As a result of thissituation and all the other cases we see we havedecided to launch a Housing Worker Campaign!The Centre needs at least a full time housingworker as a matter of urgency. We are askingfor your assistance and support in this matter. Inthis newsletter I have enclosed a petition andother ideas on how you can get involved in ourcampaign. Whilst we know this won’t answer allof our clients housing issues we know it willassist them in many ways.As another year draws to a close the staff andManagement Committee would like to thank youall for your support throughout the year and wishyou a peaceful and happy New Year.Old Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts1

The Centre will be closed from the 24 thDecember and will reopen on the 5 th January. Wewill also be holding a Christmas BBQ on the 16 thDecember, so please come along and help uscelebrate the festive season. We will also beholding a volunteer Christmas celebration on the4 th December. I look forward to seeing all of ourvolunteers and thanking them for all theirsupport and dedication they give to the Centre.Most of the projects will be hosting their ownChristmas parties so please talk to one of ourstaff and see when your Christmas party will beand what dates your service will be resuming.Have a happy and healthy festive season and seeyou all in 2009!CheersLisa BurnsExecutive OfficerContentsPageCentre News 1New Housing Worker 2CALD Carers Resource Kit 3NNC’s Christmas BBQ 3Street Soccer 3NNC Programs End and Restart 4DatesAccessible Transport in Marrickville 4Shopping Service News 5Boarding House Project News 5Multicultural Neighbour Aid - Greek 7Multicultural Neighbour Aid -7Communities From Former YugoslaviaNewtown Festival 8Newtown Festival Sponsors 11Volunteers 12Room Hire at NNC 12New Housing WorkerIf you were at The Newtown Festival you mayhave heard or seen our campaign to have ahousing worker at NNC. The reasoning behindthis is the overwhelming demand we have forhomelessness and housing related advice andsupport - against a backdrop of homelessnesscrisis in Sydney.The need for such a worker has been recognisedby the City of Sydney, who has funded a parttime worker for a year. Whilst this is verywelcome, and will certainly increase ourcapacity to respond to these issues, we are verykeen to make this a permanent position –hopefully with increased hours. In the meantimehowever we are very grateful for the supportreceived and pleased to introduce our newworker Marianne Todd.Marianne is employed as the housingdevelopment and outreach officer. Her roleinvolves further developing the closerelationships and links we have with othercommunity services based in Newtown, such asthe Newtown Mission and Our Place. Also shewill be spending time on outreach and face-tofacework with people requiring housingassistance and developing our resources forhomeless people. A big ask for a part timeworker! But Marianne has been taking it all inher stride and has hit the ground running.Her employment is a great start to our housingcampaign, but we have a long way to go to makethis a permanent resource for the Newtown area,so please support the campaign and if you seeMarianne on her busy schedule take time to sayhello to her!Old Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts2

CALD Carers Resource KitNewtown Neighbourhood Centre and theMulticultural Neighbour Aid Project havedeveloped a new website resource:The Resource Kit – Working with Carers fromCulturally and Linguistically DiverseBackgrounds.NNC’s Christmas BBQCome celebrate with us and sign our petition toget funding for a housing worker at NNC.When: Tuesday the 16 th December 12 – 1:30pmWhere: Out the front of NNC(opposite Newtown Station)Street SoccerNewtown Neighbourhood Centre in partnershipwith Mission Australia, Marrickville Counciland the Marrickville PCYC launched the newSTREET SOCCER program in the Marrickvillearea in October. The program is modelled on thevery successful Street Socceroos Program startedby the Big Issue in Australia.• Are you a bi-lingual worker in communityor health services?• Are you a community worker working witha specific cultural or ethnic community?• Are you a community worker who maycome into contact with a CALD carer?• Do you come into contact with CALDcarers as part of other community workroles?If so then this kit will be of assistance to you.It aims to assist:• To identify carers• To understand a carers role• To better understand the particular needs ofcarers and how services can help meetthese needs• To understand the impacts of being a carer• To understand some of the specific issues thatcarers from CALD communities face• To find further information to support theneeds of CALD carersPlease have a look at it by visiting our websitewww.newtowncentre.orgWhen: Every Wednesday 1:30 – 3pmWhere: The Debbie & Abbey BorgiaCommunity Recreation Centre531 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville.How can I get there? Catch the 423 or L23 bus.If transport is a problem call Beck or Joel on9516 4755.Who can come? Everyone. People of all agesand fitness abilities are welcome. Street soccervalues inclusiveness and participation.How can you help? We are looking for players,volunteers and supporters to promote theprogram. We are also looking for transport forplayers. If you can help or would like moreinformation please contact Joel or Beck on 95164755 or email commdev@newtowncentre.orgOur coach Joel and staff member BeckOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts3

NNC Programs End & Restart DatesGentle Exercise ClassesWhen: Thursdays 10am – 11amLast class 11 th DecemberRestarts 5 th FebruaryWhere: Newtown Neighbourhood CentreCost: $3 per sessionNNC BingoWhere: Newtown Neighbourhood CentreWhen: 10am - 1pm 12 th DecemberRestart Friday 6 th FebruaryCost: $2.50 for 1 booklet (10 games)Tai ChiWhere: Newtown Neighbourhood CentreWhen: Tuesdays 1-2pmLast class 16 th December.Restart 3 rd FebruaryCost: $2.50 unwaged and $5 wagedHomeless Persons Legal Service (HPLS)NNC with HPLS and Newtown Mission Church runa free weekly legal service for anyone who ishomeless, in insecure or short-term housing.When: Fridays 1:30 - 2:30pmLast clinic for the year is on 19 th DecemberHPLS will start again on 6 th FebruaryWhere: The Drop In CentreNewtown Mission Church280a King Street, Newtown.Housing Assistance & Referral Service (HARS)Where: Newtown Neighbourhood Centre,When: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30pmLast day of HARS 17 th DecemberRestart 2 nd FebruaryHousing NSW Outreach ServiceWorkers from Housing NSW Broadway will beavailable to assist with your housing needs.When: Monday 1 st December 2008Restart Monday 2 nd February 2009Where: Newtown Neighbourhood CentreAccessible Transport in MarrickvilleMarrickville Council has put together anAccessible Public Transport Information Kit anda series of fact sheets that talks about the mainissues around accessible transport in theMarrickville area. The kit contains informationabout how limited accessible transport in ourarea effects our community at large. The factsheets including information about access torailway stations and the accessibility of busroutes.If you would like more information or wouldlike to download a copy of the AccessibleTransport Information Kit or fact sheets pleasevisitwww.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/accessibletransport.htmTraveling by bus?The benefits of access to low-floor buses extendto everyone:- people with reduced mobility and thosetraveling with them- parents and carers with prams- people with shopping or luggage- commuters – through quicker boarding for allSome statistics?The STA state that 90% of routes in theMetropolitan area have accessible buses. InMarrickville of the 22 bus routes that crossthrough the area only 4 have any accessible lowfloorbuses and of those 4 bus routes only 1 in 6buses is accessible.This means people with reduced mobility andthose traveling with them who want or need tocatch a bus are highly restricted as to where andwhen they can travel.The above information is taken from fact sheet#4 prepared by Marrickville Council.Wrap With Love Thursday GroupWhen: Thursdays 10.45am to 12 noon.Last Thursday knitting group 18 th DecemberRestart Thursday 5 th FebruaryWhere: Newtown Neighbourhood CentreOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts4

Shopping Service NewsOur new staff settled into their roles and thingsseem to be running well. Trent recentlycompleted his senior first aid certificate andMirjana will be taking some much neededextended leave over the Christmas period but theservice will be running as usual.We have welcomed new clients to the serviceand hope they enjoy shopping with the regulars.Thankyou to all clients who participated in therecent service review, the outcome was generallypositive in that the shopping service is helpingyou to maintain living in your home and enablesyou to access much needed grocery shopping.Some of you have been using the service for 10years. A lot of you mentioned that you would notbe able to do your shopping if it was not with thegreat help from staff who are able to carry yourgroceries for you. It was also noted that manyhave gained friendships and have been able tomaintain friendships because of the service.Trent has been asking shoppers on the bus if theywould like to become members of the Centre. Itis only $2.20 a year and entitles you to vote atthe annual AGM and you receive a bi-monthlynewsletter to keep you up to date with activities.The Christmas period is fast approaching sothere are some dates to keep in mind. The lastshopping run day for 2008 is Tuesday the 23 rdDecember. This day will be for clients who haveno other method of getting groceries over theChristmas period.There is NO shopping service between the 24 thDecember and the 2 nd January. Service resumesTuesday 6 th January.Please ensure you have enough groceries overthis period. I will be mailing service run datesfor 2009 to clients soon with alternativeshopping methods over the Christmas period.The Shopping Service staff and I would like towish you and your family a wonderful Christmasand all the best for the New Year.Kerry MuldoonShopping CoordinatorBoarding House Project NewsIt’s the silly season for many of us with theBoarding House Project but the festive season isnot the same for everybody. For some it’s thewonderful time of Christmas carols, trees andfairy lights but for others it’s a reminder of lossof family and the challenge of time alone andisolation. Keeping this in mind we have tried tokick the festive spirit into gear with come recentcelebrations.ROOMIES exhibitionThis year the exhibition was fantasticallysupported by Marrickville Councils Anti-Povertyprogram and complemented the variety ofactivities highlighting this cause.Most Boarding House residents are living on apension and getting by week-to-week takes upmuch of their income, the opportunity to showand sell their art works is a gift. The exhibitionopening night was attended by about 130 peopleincluding many ROOMIES artists, BoardingHouse residents, Sydney Street Choir (who hadeveryone join in singing Happy Birthday fortheir seventh birthday celebration), localcouncillors Marika Kontellis and Cathy Petersand many others. This exhibition showcasedworks from a series of printmaking workshopswith Seraphina Martin along with a range ofother mediums. Clarrice’s tapestries continue tobe popular and whilst the exhibition only wentfor 3 days sales were excellent and every artistsold at least one piece of work. Well done to theROOMIES art group, artists Natalie and Anne,and Jodie who supports the program everysecond Tuesday.The next big event will be in February whenROOMIES will be exhibiting at the NSWParliament House Fountain Court exhibitionspace.Old Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts5

ROOMIES art tent at Newtown FestivalThis is the second year of ROOMIES art tentsetting up at Newtown Festival and what a greatday it was. Art workshops were run by localartist and ROOMIES artist Clarrice and Davidwho set about showing others how to maketapestry brooches. More people joined theworkshops this year and enjoyed sitting underthe wonderful tent that displays a range of workson its wall. Many thanks to Denise, Paul andJodie who volunteered on the day andcontributed its success.ALI activities:Choir, Indoor Bowling and Women’s groupBefore the end of the year these activities will beevaluated. Funds are tight, resources and timescarce and we need to take stock to check ifthese are meeting the goals of ALI. To do thisstaff that facilitate each area (Choir-Joel, IndoorBowling-Gwen and Women’s group-Soniya)will look at the Strengths and Weaknesses foreach given activity. We will invite participants toshare a coffee and their thoughts. So speak up,these are your activities and programs and wecan make them better together.Summer BBQ’s and games at Enmore ParkYes, its that time again. One of the OT studentson placement this year is coming on board to runthese cooking extravaganzas. Welcome backMelissa.When: Thursdays 4:30-6:30pmWhere: Enmore ParkWhat’s happening with Boarders & LodgersSupport for residents living in unlicensedboarding houses is becoming more evident as theBHAG group facilitate events such as BBQconsultations for residents and a forum formanagers and owners.Joel and Dale will be donning the Santa hats andpassing out hampers just before Christmas day tothose that will be having quiet times at homeover the festive season. Well done to Kevin, aresident who will be volunteering his time onChristmas day assisting at a hostel, he loves ajoke and song and will bring an extra smile tothe many that day.Street SoccerWell done to Joel for taking on the coaching rolefor the Marrickville street soccer program. Ascoach he is being joined by Mission Australia,Newtown Neighbourhood Centres CommunityDevelopment Officer and Marrickville Councilrecreation staff to facilitate the joy of a roundball to homeless and/or less fortunate others. Ahandful of boarding house residents are takingon the challenge. Anthony and John are provingto be great goalkeepers and others are workingup a sweat learning training drills and playing agame. The end of year will see a friendly gamebetween the street soccer participants and aMarrickville council team. Go street soccer.What’s happening in 2009!JanuaryThurs 8 th - BBQ & games @ Enmore Park4.30–6.30pmTues 13 th - Morning tea @ CarinyaThurs 15 th - BBQ & games @ Enmore Park5.30-7.30pmTues 20 th - Morning tea @ DenromaTues 27 th - Morning tea @ 300 HostelTues 22 nd - Sydney Street Choir rehearsal @Marrickville Health Centre1.30 - 3.30pmThur 29 th -BBQ & games @ Enmore Park4.30–6.30pmFri 30 th - Women’s group @ NNC 10am-4pmFebruaryMon 2 nd - Indoor bowls @ Steel Park 10.30amWed 4 th - Street soccer @ steel parkWed 4 th - KITES @ NNCTues 10 th - ROOMIES art group at Tom FosterAll the best for a safe and happy festive seasonand may 2009 bring greater opportunities forhappiness, joy and compassion to all.Leigh ConnellBoarding House Project ManagerOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts6

Multicultural Neighbour Aid - GreekDuring the year we received feedback from ourday care members in relation to the services weprovide at the day care centre, the recreationaloutings and the various functions and events thattake place.Please note a waiting list applies to someservices, and people must register prior toattending any group or class. Registration is freealthough a small contribution towards some ofthe services provided is requested.I would like to take this opportunity to sharewith you some of the positive feedback we havereceived from our members during 2008. Pleasenote that consent has been given for publicationof these quotes.‘Nice to come to a place where you are greetedwith a smile, you don’t know how important that isespecially when you live alone.’- Martha 77‘Thank God for the community bus that picks meup from home especially on a raining day.’- Steve 81‘Anything new that you learn from guest speakerscan only be of benefit to you.’- Savva 80‘I just love going on outings I get out of the house,talk to people and have a nice big meal. I know Ishould watch what I eat.’- Christina 71‘I don’t have Pay TV so getting funny videos andbooks in Greek is nice especially to watch atnight.’- Maria 80‘What a great idea to have a doctor inform youabout health issues in your first language.’- Kyriako 75Outings are just great especially when we all gettogether and have a barbeque.- Members from the Men’s GroupThe Project will have a break during theChristmas and New Year period. Day Groupswill resume on the following dates:*Tuesday HACC Group: 13/1/2009*Home Library Service: 13/1/2009*Door to door Transport serviceTuesday HACC Group: 20/1/2009*Recreational outings (members only)27/1/2009The Greek Multicultural Neighbour Aid Projectwould like to take this opportunity to wisheverybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear.Marie KostovMulticultural Neighbour Aid Greek CoordinatorMulticultural Neighbour Aid –Communities from Former YugoslaviaI would like to take this opportunity to wish allof our members a Merry Christmas and all thevery best for the New Year.Sretan Boi i Novu 2009 godinu vama i vaojfamiliji.Hope to see you all in 2009 ready to participateand to have fun doing the activities under theMulticultural Neighbour Aid program.Day Care CentreRestarts on Monday 19 th January 2009.“Wrap with Love” Monday groupRestarts on Monday 19 th January 2009.Exercise Class for over 55’sRestarts on Thursday 5 th February 2009.Dushanka DobrichMulticultural Neighbour AidCFF Yugoslavia CoordinatorOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts7

Newtown’s eclectic community and bringtogether this diversity in a united day ofcelebration and equality.NEWTOWN’S DAY OF DAYSNewtown Festival celebrated its 30 th birthdaywith a celebration befitting such an occasion.Sunshine, sweet music, community Spirit and80,000 people came together to help theNewtown Neighbourhood Centre celebrate theNewtown Festival’s 30th birthday on Sunday 9 thNovember 2008 in Camperdown Memorial RestPark.It’s 30 th birthday was no exception attractingfamilies with young children, the elderly, localresidents and the broader community andtravellers, community groups representinglocals, artists, multi-cultural communities,political groups, Indigenous groups andenvironmentalists.To celebrate this monumental event, this year’sFestival took a trip down memory lane and tookon the same focus as its origins. The programshowcased the local community and NNC’sprograms and put a spotlight on the focus of theNNC’s current campaign – homelessness.30 years ago the NNC started the NewtownFestival, which consisted of one stage and a fewhundred people. The aim of the Festival was tohighlight the dire need for safe, appropriate andaffordable housing. Amazingly and somewhatsadly, thirty years later the same issue exists andis in need of being addressed.One of the most unique qualities of the NewtownFestival is that its existence and success reliesalmost entirely on the goodwill of individuals,the wider community, businesses and artists.Nearly 300 individual artists contributed bydonating their talent and time to the festival forfree, and then there are the tribe of volunteers.Each year over 120 wonderful people volunteerfor the Festival, either before, during or after theday. Volunteers assist with administration,marketing, postering, flyering, trafficmanagement, stall marshalling, photographers,information tent, artists management, kids zonemanagement and one of our most valuableresources…gold coin collecting.The NNC’s core projects were showcased at theFestival including Roomies Artspace, WrapWith Love, Bingo and this year the NNCprovided a display of homelessness to go withthe petition to help the push for government toaddress the housing crisis.The Newtown Festival has an undeniably uniquefeel! It always aims to celebrate the diversity ofOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts8

The celebrations and activities of the main arenakicked off at 9:30am with the infamousNewtown Festival Dog Show. This year anunprecedented number of four-legged friendsparticipated in the festivities. Categories thisyear included the Small, Medium, Large DoggieDashes, Open Doggie Dash, Celebrity Look-a-Like, Most Disadvantaged Dog, Best in Showand to celebrate our birthday the ‘30 thAnniversary agility’ which had pooches showingoff as they jumped through the big ‘3’ ‘0’.As Australia’s longest running free communitymusic festival, the Newtown Festival boasts asone of the greatest opportunities for unsignedAustralian artists to gain exposure to a largemarket. The Festival hosted 3 music stagesincluding the Main Stage, Essential Stage andVocal Local Stage. The 2008 lineup was again atreasure trove of beats from rock, indie, funk,soul, jazz alternate, hip-hop and reggae.Cartel brought the Festival to a spectacular close.Our wonderful main stage MC was Gina fromFbi Radio’s Baselines program. Our Essentialstage MC was Lewi McKirdy from Fbi Radio’sMonday lunch program.The Essential Stage started early with ouryoungest performers Calyca Rose, Toys BecomeReal, The Makeup, Megastick Fanfare, SpitSyndicate, Cutherbert and the Nightwalkers, TheSeabellies, The Wahas and Ray Mann Three.The Vocal Local Stage was again made possibleby the generosity of local crew Figureight Inc.who created and coordinated the staging andperformers. The Figureight crew also ran theentire stage on solar power!!!The Vocal Local Stage opened with localLaughing Club group followed byMacadonarudo, Footbag Battle, Mouna Stone,Hot Air Balloon, Deaf Hedge, Stiff Gins, PlanetArk National Recycling Week Launch, HollyAustin, Busker’s Final, Adrian Dean, Brackets,Token Imagination, Kaya, Boom Band Krewe,Snowdroppers and a big finale with SC Trash.The Vocal Local Village is fast becoming asuper popular hub at the Festival with all dayentertainment from 9am in the morning until5pm. Also in the Village were the NewtownNeighbourhood Centre’s homeless display,Roomies Artspace and workshops, bingo andWrap with Love.The Main Stage welcomed back Aunty AllieGolding to again give the Indigenous ‘Welcometo Country’ followed by Aunty Wendy’s Mob,MA, Great Apes, Radical Son meets Shift, Yen,Mr Percival, Kobra Kai, The Bakery and TijuanaAlso in the Vocal Local Village the eco themecontinued with The Watershed, Newtown’s localenvironment centre, running free workshops andinformation on living sustainably, The Bowerhad information and ‘live’ furniture repairs andsculptures from pre-loved objects.Old Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts9

Still with the eco theme, also in the park we hadPlanet Ark Park launching National RecyclingWeek and hosted a Clothes Swap Party andBIKESydney presenting bike trials, unicycletrials and radical display of bike feats. One of themost popular additions was the giant MobileWorm Farm.The dreamy Kids Zone was a hit!! The evergrowingpopularity of this area is a testament tothe changing demographic of the Newtown area… a new baby boom is among us! The stage areahosted All Day Dreaming with performersmesmerising the kids and in the creative spacethere was Generate Your Dream where the kidscould be involved with interactive workshopsand activities. The usual favourites were backwith Pony rides, jumping castles and bubbleman!!!!Also around the park was nearly 300 marketstalls selling wonderful culinary feats, art andtreats, making the Newtown Festival one of themost ideal pre-Christmas shopping expeditionson the Sydney calendar. The creativity andcolour continued with the delights of the bellydancers and Capoeira dancers and array of streetperformers.The Writers Tent was again hosted and presentedby local bookseller Better Read Than Dead. Thisyear we were blessed with yet anotherphenomenal program creating a very popular and‘different’ corner of the park. The programdelights included Newtown’s Performance Poets,Maggie Hamilton on ‘What’s happening to ourGirls?’ Susan Duncan on ‘The House atSalvation Creek’, Malcolm Knox on ‘Scattered:The inside Story of Ice in Australia’, HughMcKay on ‘Advance Australia Where?’, JamesPhelan and Mark Abernethy on ‘Killer Thrillers’,Christos Tsiolkas on ‘The Slap’ and DavidSmiedt and Mark Dapin on ‘Traveller’s Tales atHome and Abroad’.As in previous years festival patrons were askedto consider giving a gold coin or note donationat the entry points. These donations go towardfunding the Centre’s activities and programs forthe disadvantaged people in our community.Thanks to all those in the community thatgenerously donated a gold coin or more!So to wrap up, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NewtownFestival and a big THANK YOU to allsupporters and contributors including NNC staff,bands, volunteers and Board Members. We lookforward to seeing you again next year.Tina Demetriou and Sue AndersenFestival DirectorsOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts10

Thanks must also go to our wonderful Sponsors – please support the peoplewho support the NNC and the Newtown Festival:NEWTOWN FESTIVAL MAJOR SPONSORNEWTOWN FESTIVAL GOLD SPONSORSNEWTOWN FESTIVAL SILVER SPONSORSNEWTOWN FESTIVAL BRONZE SPONSORSNEWTOWN FESTIVAL MEDIA SPONSORSNEWTOWN FESTIVAL COMMUNITY SPONSORSCARLISLE HOTELTOWN HALL HOTELCOOPERS ARMS HOTELCONSTANT SECURITY SERVICESOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts11

VolunteersWe welcome two new front office volunteers,Sharon and Lisa. Sharon will be assisting peopleat the front counter and providing office supportand Lisa will be updating the low costAccommodation Board.We farewell our Social Work student Michellewho has been on placement with us for fourmonths, we thank you for your hard work anddedication. We also farewell David our frontoffice volunteer and wish him all the best.Christmas CelebrationWe can’t finish the year without holding a big‘Thank You’ lunch for our volunteers. Thankyou all for your valuable contribution to NNCthroughout 2008. Without you we would not beable to provide the valuable community serviceswe do.Shopping Service volunteerThe Shopping Project runs a crucial service tothe frail elderly and people with a disability. Weneed volunteers to meet shoppers from the Busservice at Marrickville Metro shopping centreand assist them with their shopping. The Busservice runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays andFridays. The time commitment from volunteersis around 2 hours on any one of these days.and Abbey Borgia Community RecreationCentre at 531 Illawarra Rd Marrickville. This isan opportunity to get involved in your localcommunity and be part of a great program.For more information on the above volunteeringpositions please call Beck on 9516 4755 andcheck out our website www.newtowncentre.org.Room Hire at NNCNewtown Neighbourhood Centre has roomsavailable for hire at reasonable rates for self-helpgroups, social justice organisations, classes,public meetings, rehearsals, employment groups,fundraisers, etc.We have three rooms available:Main HallMeeting Room Upstairs RoomMain Hall - 150 people capacityMeeting Room - 25 people capacityUpstairs Room - 60 people capacityThe assisted shopping service is also in need ofvolunteers on Fridays. This service has a flexibletimeframe from 2 hours to a whole day.Boarding House Project volunteersWe are looking for people to assist with thefollowing BHP programs:- Indoor Bowling on Mondays 10am – 12:30pm- BINGO every second Friday 9:30am–1pm- Visit a Boarding House Resident for a chat andcoffee during the week at a time that suits- Social support to walking groups, Mon, Wedand Friday afternoons for an hour and a half- Social support for women’s group every FridayStreet Soccer Program volunteerWe are looking for enthusiastic volunteers,preferably with soccer skills, to support oursoccer coach and assist with the running oftraining sessions. The Street Soccer programruns Wednesdays from 1:30-3pm at the DebbieThe Centre has wheelchair access on the groundfloor and a disabled toilet.The flooring of this building is not ‘sprung’ andas a result we are unable to hire out or hostevents or activities that present a heavy impacton the floor. This includes, but is not restrictedto, activities/events that involve martial arts,dancing, jumping, running.GROUPS & INDIVIDUALS HIRING ANYSPACE MUST HAVE THEIR OWNPUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE!!If you are interested in room hire please contactShashanka on (02) 9516 4755 or emailaccounts@newtowncentre.org.For more information please see our websitewww.newtowncentre.orgOld Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 Fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.org www.newtowncentre.orgA just community that includes and acts12

Old Town Hall, Corner King & Australia Street, PO Box 19 Newtown 2042Ph: 9516 4755 fax: 9519 2509 Email: admin@newtowncentre.orgwww.newtowncentre.org13