The Community Development program works with individuals, groups and communities to develop activities and/or programs for people who live or work in the Woden Valley. Some examples of activities include:

Woden Valley Community Festival

Woden Community Service, the Woden Valley Community Council and other stakeholders are proud to present the second annual Woden Valley Community Festival. The festival is a one day celebration held in Eddison Park (off Launceston St, Phillip) on Saturday October 31, 2009 from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

The festival is an opportunity for local community groups and businesses to not only showcase their contribution to Woden, but also their interest in the new festival theme – health, wellbeing and sustainability. It is also a chance for people, who live, work or have a connection to the area to celebrate what it means to be part of this community. Activities and entertainment will be provided for all ages and the festival will be a child friendly event.

For more information about the festival or how you can get involved please call
6234 6837 or email wodenfestival@wcs.org.au.

Woden Voice

The Woden Voice is a community newsletter produced in partnership with the Woden Valley Community Council. It is produced four times a year and is distributed to 19 000 households in the Woden Valley.

It is a great source of information on local issues, groups and activities.

If you would like to contribute information, advertise or receive a copy, please contact Astoria on 6234 6837 or email wodenvoice@wcs.org.au.

Woden Interagency

Woden Interagency is a quarterly meeting for community organisations who work in the Woden Valley. For more information on how you can get involved, please call Emma on 6234 6820 or email: emma.walter@wcs.org.au.

Other exciting projects include:

• Facilitating social groups, such as coffee and conversation morning at Woden Library
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• Establishing partnerships with local communities and other agencies, including organising local walking groups
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• Facilitating student placements, to provide experience and encouragement to the next generation of community workers

If you have any ideas on activities or events that would provide opportunities for people to become involved in their local community, please call Emma on 6234 6820 or email emma.walter@wcs.org.au.

The Community Linkages Program works with people living in public and community housing in the Woden Valley and Weston Creek. Linkages works with any tenant who wish to be a part of their local community.

Whether it is by assisting with social activities, providing information and support or by offering life skill development opportunities (just to name a few possibilities!) the Linkages program is always wanting to hear your ideas. Any tenants wishing to make suggestions on what they and their neighbours would like to learn more about is encouraged to contact the program on 6234 6822.

The Linkages program works closely with a number of other WCS programs and also other organisations such as Conflict Resolution Service, YWCA and Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak.

The Linkages program is involved in some great activities, including:

• The Monster Easter Egg Hunt held in Eddison Park in April this year (see a photo of the day below)
  
  
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• The Community Information Hubs held at Woden Centrelink each month (for more info call 6234 6822)
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• Clean up and Gardening Days at local residences
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• Residents meetings – An opportunity for tenants to have monthly meetings with their housing manager to talk about concerns and suggest ideas they have of improving where they live.
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• Tenant Initiated Grants – This is a great opportunity for tenants of ACT Public Housing to access grants of up to $5000 for any activity that help them and their neighbours get more involved with the community – The 2009 application round is now closed but if you would like more information please contact me on the details below

For more information on any of these activities, or for any questions or ideas you might have don't hesitate to get in touch.

How to get involved…

If you have any ideas on activities or events that would provide opportunities for people to become involved in their local community, would like to enquire about the possibilities of workshops or information sessions, or even just have a question you can't find an answer to, please give Lynton a call on 6234 6822 or email lynton.sheehan@wcs.org.au.