KA T OOMB A KNC...3 KNC acknowledges the Darug and Gundungurra nations as the traditional custodians of these lands • Raising awareness of local community issues and the needs of

1KATOOMBA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE ABN: 59 334 227 797Annual Report 2016 - 2017

KNCK A T O O M B A

NEIGHBOURHOODC E N T R E

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CONTENTS

Contents ........................................................................................................................ 1History, Vision, Mission & Objects ............................................................ 2Acknowledgements ........................................................................................... 3Organisational Structure ................................................................................. 4Strategic Directions 2014 - 2018 ............................................................... 5Honour Roll ............................................................................................................... 6

ReportsBoard ......................................................................................................................... 7-8Chief Executive Officer .............................................................................. 9-11Operations and Quality ................................................................. 12-13Community Hub ..........................................................................................14-16Tax Help ......................................................................................................................16Community & Cultural Development ........................................17-18ASSIST Building and Maintenance ..............................................19-21Katoomba Out of School Hours (KOOSH) ..............................22-24Community Visitors Scheme .............................................................25-26Katoomba Volunteer Home Visitors ............................................27-29Katoomba Film Society ..................................................................................30Intake ...........................................................................................................................31Brian Gravison Memorial ......................................................................32-33Sue Jaques Farewell ..................................................................................34-35Vale Street Centre for Social & Emotional Wellbeing ....36-38Older Parents as Carers (OPC) ...................................................................39Blue Mountains Community Support Programme (BMCSP)...............................................................................................................40-41Aboriginal Flexible Respite Programme ..................................41-42Disability Services Incl. NDIS ..............................................................43-46Treasurer ....................................................................................................................47Finance Report ..............................................................................................48-49Financial Statements & Auditor’s Report ................................49-60

Anna and Laurie

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KNC acknowledges the Darug and Gundungurra nations as the traditional custodians of these lands

• Raising awareness of local community issues and the needs of the vulnerable and those in greatest need.

• Advocating and assisting individuals to ensure that those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable can access the services they require in a timely and appropriate way.

OBJECTSThe Objects of the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre are:-

1. Provide for the direct relief of social and financial disadvantage, vulnerability, distress and misfortune for residents in our community

2. Provide practical assistance through the response to, and provision of services and support for people experiencing distress and or need

3. To increase the knowledge of, and use of, community resources by the more vulnerable within our community to assist them to realise their potential

4. Raise community awareness of the issues impacting on the disadvantaged and vulnerable within our community

5. To provide opportunity for community connectedness and access to programs that build resilience within and across our community

6. To work with the community to identify their needs, and to assist in the development and implementation of appropriate services, programmes and links to meet and address those needs.

We do this through:-• The practical provision of food and community

accessible meals to those experiencing misfortune or isolation.

• The provision of services to vulnerable children and families, the frail aged, persons with a disability and those living with or recovering from a mental illness to assist them to reach their potential and live independently and safely within their homes and be active within their communities.

• Social support and early identification, assessment and referral services to those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable and at risk, living in insecure accommodation, experiencing financial and housing stress and are at risk of becoming homeless or being removed from their home.

• Information and referral services accessible to all members of the public to enable them to utilise community resources and public services available to them.

• The provision of services to vulnerable families, the aged, people with disabilities, people living with mental illness and people on low incomes.

• Providing a community space supporting different social groups and activities aimed at enhancing wellbeing and community inclusion.

• Identifying community needs and where possible and appropriate, initiate, develop and operate programmes to meet those needs.

• Developing and supporting self-help initiatives and networks which strengthen our community.

• Creating opportunities for residents to meet others, develop beneficial relationships and links within the community.

BRIEF HISTORYKatoomba Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) has been operating for 38 years, providing a range of community services within the Upper Blue Mountains and across the Blue Mountains Local Government Area. In 1979, thanks to the efforts of local residents, and Thelma Murphy, a long term elected member of the BMCC, our doors were opened in two public buildings owned by the Blue Mountains City Council. KNC particularly focuses on the provision of services to the most at risk and vulnerable within our communities using strong partnership and collaborative models for project and service development and delivery. Our strength lies in our commitment to social justice and our strong community development operating framework. We strive to support and assist in developing a connected, safe, resilient and informed community.

VISIONTo build a community that cares and supports the vulnerable and disadvantaged, by providing services for those most in need. We work to remove barriers to opportunity and social inclusion and improve the quality of life for vulnerable individuals and groups within our community.

MISSION/PURPOSE1. To provide care and service to the most vulnerable

within the community we serve, in a safe and supportive way

2. That the services provided are delivered in a dignified and respectful way, with integrity and honour

3. That the capacity of individuals and groups most in need is enhanced to achieve better outcomes for themselves.

KNC HISTORY, VISION, MISSION, OBJECTS

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KATOOMBA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE INC.ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017

KNC acknowledges funding and financial assistance from:

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTCommonwealth Home Support Program

Department of Health

NSW GOVERNMENTDepartments of: Family & Community Services; Education & Communities; Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTBlue Mountains City Council

ORGANISATIONS

MOD.A (Home Modifications Australia)/HMS State Council

PARTNER AGENCIESStronger Families Alliance; Mental Health Commission of NSW, Blue Mountains Women’s Health & Resource Centre, Aftercare, Mountains Community Resource Network,

Australian Graduate School of Policing & Security, Charles Sturt University, Blue Mountains Lithgow Integrated Neighbourhood Network (BLINN)

PARTNERSMelanie Michael of the Christmas Connect program; Friends of Melrose Park; Nepean Blue Mountains NDIS CEOs Roundtable; Blackheath, Mid Mountains, Lower Mountains, Springwood and Winmalee Neighbourhood Centres and MOCS (Mountains Outreach Community Services).

LOCAL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTMember for the Blue Mountains, Ms Trish Doyle, Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.

Thank you to everyone in all services across the Blue Mountains who are committed to working collaboratively for a community that values justice and equality.

Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre thanks the following businesses and organisations for their contributions in 2016 - 2017.

GENEROUS SUPPORTERSThe Carrington Hotel, KatoombaThe Paragon Cafe, KatoombaCountry Women’s Association - Leura Evening BranchCentral Blue Mountains RotaryAnton Duc

BREAD AND FOOD DONATIONSHominy Bakery, KatoombaThe Buttery, KatoombaWoolworths Earth Recovery Australia

COMMUNITY LUNCHESAnanda Marga

Blue Mountains Food Co-op, KatoombaLeura NewsagencyLeura PharmacyThe Lunch Box, KatoombaFine Flowers, KatoombaMegalong Books, LeuraAvalon Restaurant, KatoombaThe Hatter’s Cafe, Katoomba Circus, Leura Cafe Landseers, Leura Office Choice, Katoomba Maharani Boutique, LeuraBIG W Katoomba

CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTORSConsultants: Dale Reardon, DRCS; Marty Walker, Still Moving Design; Ray Bennett, Com Management; Michael & Wendy Farrell-Whelan, Farrell Whelan & Associates; Juan Pereyra, PNYX; Wendy’s Home Care.

This Report was written by staff and volunteers at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre.

Edited by Kath Harrison, Barbara Cuthbert

Photographs - Marty Walker and staff. Graphic design and layout - Felicity Tonks.

The KNC Board and Staff acknowledge and thank Bennetts Printing, Katoomba, for the production of this report.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre Inc.PO Box 197 Katoomba NSW 27806 - 10 Station Street, Katoomba NSW 2780Ph: 02 4782 1117www.kncinc.org.au

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Katoomba Neighbourhood CentreBoard

Katoomba Neighbourhood CentreBoard Executive

Katoomba Neighbourhood CentreServices & Programs

KNC Finance & Resources

Community & Cultural Development

Katoomba Out of School Hours Care (KOOSH)

ASSIST Building and Maintenance

Katoomba Volunteer Home Visitors

Community Visitors Scheme

BMCSP Program

Vale Street Program for Social & Emotional Health & Wellbeing

Katoomba Neighbourhood CentreBoard Sub-Committees

Flexible Respite Program

Quality Improvement Policy & Procedure

Employment/HR

Constitution

Advisory Groups

Vale St Participants

Aged & Chronic Care/CHSP Program

Older Parents as Carers Aboriginal Flexible Respite

KEY

Direct Line of Responsibility

Professional Line

Communications/Promotion & Marketing

Katoomba Neighbourhood CentreChief Executive O�cer

KNC Management Team

KNC ManagerOperations & Quality

KNC Chief Financial O�cer

Disability Services (inc. NDIS service provision)

Intake

KATOOMBA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

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Service Provision1. Aged Care

2. Disability

3. Community Development

4. Mental Health

5. Children & Families (OOSH)

6. Vulnerable Children Families & Youth

Developing KnowledgeInfrastructure

2015 - 2018

1. Community Consultation

2. Data, information mining

and activity capture

3. Research

2016 - 2018

KNC as Enabler

1. Community Engagement

2. Social Capital/Collective Impact

3. Strategic Alliances & Partnerships

4. Education Evaluation & Outcome

5. Social Change

6. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders &

Cultural Safety

2015 - 2018

Resilient Connected Inclusive

Stra

teg

ic P

illar

sSt

rate

gic

Pla

tfo

rmD

rive

rs Reforms:

Evidence/ Results-Based Outcome Focused Public knowledge

Social Change/Collective Impact/Public Innovation

Sustainability Workforce development, community skills, partnerships & alliances 2015 - 2018

Quality Community Home Care Standards, Disability Support Standards, NQF, ISO 9001 2016 - 2018

Organisational Development Resources, Funds, Investment, Strong Governance, Strategic alliances 2015 - 2018

Community Engagement Social investment, collective impact, community profile, public innovation 2016 - 2018

NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTREAS COMMUNITY HUB

Aged Care; FACS Community Builders; National Disability Insurance

Scheme (NDIS); Childcare Services

Community Capacity, Capability & Connection

Quality Based; Person Centred & Self Determined

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2015 - 2018

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KNC HONOUR ROLL 2016 - 2017

BOARD MEMBERS

Ruth Bennett - ChairWendy Holland - Deputy ChairMahalya Middlemist - Secretary and TreasurerGay ThorntonNew in 2016-17- Don McGregor, Maria Katrivesis, Warwick Fuller (LMNC), Robert Firth (LMNC), David Caton (MMNC), Greg Birtles (MMNC)Resignations - Kerry Whitehead, Katherine Turner, Bettina Napier

STAFFKathleen Harrison - Chief Executive OfficerSue Jaques - Chief Financial Officer retired April ‘17Len Kasper - Chief Financial Officer commenced March ‘17Neil Smith - Financial Administration Carole Williams - Finance ReliefSteve Ramsay - Building services Manager, ASSISTMegan Kavanagh - Service Coordinator, ASSISTChris McKenzie McKarg - Senior trade staff, ASSISTSteve Duncan - Tradesman Thomas Redmond - Casual handy personPatricia Kerry - Administration, ASSISTAnna Tardent - Disability Services Coordinator/ Team Leader NDISTracey Johnson - NDIS Support CoordinationBarbara Cuthbert - Manager Operations & QualityJosie Vendramini - CCD CoordinatorMarlene Churn - KVHV CoordinatorClaire Grover - BMCSP Coordinator, Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program CoordinatorKorey Gunnis - KNC Intake & Sessional worker (Katoomba Film Club)

Vasant de Mello - KOOSH Co-ordinator/Nominated SupervisorJenna Cosgrove - KOOSH Certified SupervisorKatherine Johns - KOOSH AdministrationIsaac Sherring-Tito (KOOSH trainee)Hunter De Groot, Louise Bender, Belinda Lopez, Georgia Morris-Gardiner, Olivia MacPhail - Casual Child Care WorkersFelicity Tonks - CVS CoordinatorBren Sherring - Vale Street Coordinator, KNC IntakeMelanie van Kessel - Vale St Project WorkerAmos Tito - Bus Driver, Vale StreetJenny Lloyd - Casual Administration

VOLUNTEERSReceptionDavid Armitage, Maureen Lees, Jackie Delaney, Jim Hennessey, Tracey Johnson, Jenny Lloyd, Amy Hill, Georgia Harris-Wolfe, Bernie Power, Carol Price, June Rose, Angela Sharman, Claire Gladman and Mary Lawson.

Community LunchesJune Rose, Jim Hennessy, Brian Gravison,Lyn Harrison, Gillian Jones.

CVSElizabeth Bowe, Antoni Cornado-Cornet, Keith Davies, Betty Evers, Denise Garden, Linda Hemmings, Narelle McIntyre, Jim Peoples, Chantelle Wallis, Patricia Woodley, Carol Price, Carolanne Van Leeuwen, Helen Rabone, Peter Aboud, Vivian Handley, Jenny Ingram, Matthew Tonks, Patty Pye, Kerrin Gale, Sara Nyssen, Claudia Giacometti, Anna Clark-Doyle, Deb Hurley, Joy Constantine, Matthew Johnson and Pierre Narsoomamode.

KVHVWarren Windred, Antonio Cornado-Cornet, Heather Jansch, Narelle McIntyre, Bronwyn Hay, Robyn Fairbairn, Diane Stebbings, Bernadette Power, Biruta Latta, Wayne Airth, Joy Constantine, Suzanne Kuhn, Korey Gunnis, Greg Rich, Rhea Ellison, Matthew Johnson, Rexann Maxwell, Gwen Meehan, Sharon Shaw Pat McCullough

KOOSHMary Lawson

Vale Street participant/volunteersDesley I, Lesley P, Heather N, Mark O, Craig H, Garth C, Diane G, Hanna W, Peyton R and Judy C

KNC Volunteer, David Armitage, at Reception

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KNC Board Report 2016 - 2017

Ruth BennettChair

Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) is proud to acknowledge that we are privileged to work and meet on the traditional lands of the Darug and Gundungurra nations. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and future.

This year KNC has grown its staff and operations by leaps and bounds, including a rebranded and expanded home modification and maintenance service, and a new area of service provision in the new NDIS arena, which has brought many new clients to KNC.

Over the past year we have seen some change at board level, with several departures from the Board, and a number of new Board members joining us. We were very saddened to lose our Treasurer Bettina Napier, who has been an indefatigable contributor to the organisation over many years, and we are very thankful for her significant contribution. We also received the resignations of Kerry Whitehead and Katherine Turner, both of whom have made invaluable contributions, and we are gladdened that they will continue their association with KNC on one of our advisory committees, and appreciate this generous gesture.

Joining the Board we have welcomed the following new board members:

• Don McGregor (who is also a Councillor on Blue Mountains City Council)

• Maria Katrivesis, a cultural competence practitioner whose work focuses on the intersection between disability and diversity

• Warwick Fuller, who is also a Board member of Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre

• Robert Firth, who is also a Board member of Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre

• David Caton, who is also a Board member of Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre

• Greg Birtles, who is also a Board member of Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre.

As part of the Board Executive, Mahalya Middlemist has graciously, in addition to her role as Secretary, taken on the responsibility of KNC Treasurer since Bettina’s resignation.

On a personal level, we are still coming to terms with the loss of Ruth Ley, our long-time Blue Mountains Home Modifications coordinator. Her presence is sorely missed amongst us, as she was wise, kind and a leader who dealt with staff and clients with humanity, intelligence and empathy. We have also farewelled Sue Jaques, KNC’s Chief Financial Officer, who played a pivotal role over three decades in ensuring the organisation was well run in accordance with our financial and legal requirements. We also remember Brian Gravison who for many years was a Board member and volunteer, and who contributed in a deeply positive way to the culture of KNC over many years. He has left a distinct imprint on our organisation that is far reaching.

Two key new staff members who have joined the organisation this year are Len Kasper, our new Chief Financial Officer, who also has a Masters in Psychotherapy, and has come from a career working in major financial institutions and in the State Department of Justice; and Steve Ramsay, a licensed builder with decades of experience who has joined the organisation as the Building Services Manager to run the home modifications and maintenance service, which has been rebranded as Assist Building & Maintenance. They have both already made a substantial contribution to the reshaping of our organisation as we expand our services across the Blue Mountains in response to community demand.

BOARD REPORT Going forward we have been asked to partner with and do further collaborative research with Charles Sturt University, following on from the publication of the reports Blue Mountains Sustainable Approaches to Fire and Emergency, and Community Connections: Vulnerability and Resilience in the Blue Mountains. This research will further assist community centres, NGOs and local governments across the Blue Mountains and Lithgow region in developing preparedness in our communities for natural disasters. The constraints of our region, with its ribbon development

Ruth Bennett, KNC Chair

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spanning 70 km along the ridges and into the valleys and the mounts, means that unique operational and community requirements exist in responding to the episodic challenges presented by our natural environment – bushfire, flood, wind, hail, ice and snow.

Technology has been top of mind, and this year our organisation has further incorporated use of cloud-based software in its operations to better support our work with clients.

We are conscious of and responsive to our clients’ needs; it is our primary focus, as KNC operates to meet its aims and objects within a muscular system of governance. 5.5% of the 78,800 population in the Blue Mountains identify as living with a disability and requiring assistance on a daily basis. KNC serves those living with a disability and their families and carers, and provides assistance to those who are socially isolated. With house prices at an all-time high, and decreasing rental affordability, and with a Blue Mountains population that has lower income levels than the Greater Sydney region, we cater to many in our client base who are economically as well as socially vulnerable and to those living on the fringes of our society. Our staff work diligently to establish trust with our most vulnerable citizens, to assist them with services, and with referral pathways where required.

Our organisation is pivoting to providing increased child and family services, building in particular on the long history of our Out of School Hours care service and community development work.

There is a strong organisational commitment to working to reduce domestic violence, and a strong commitment to providing support to people living with mental illness.

Working in partnership with like-minded service providers and colleagues is central in all of these endeavours.

Over the past year, KNC’s turnover has increased from $2.1million to $2.4million. We are very aware of the great responsibility we have as an organisation to carefully husband these resources that we have been entrusted

with, and carry out the work we have agreed with the State and Federal governments for the direct benefit of our local community. We also are very grateful for the financial and practical support provided by Blue Mountains City Council to KNC, which is invaluable to our operations.

KNC is also involved in ongoing collaboration with the neighbourhood centre network across the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, and other community sector organisations. The sector is seriously concerned regarding its funding future, and KNC strives to work with other service providers in a spirit of trust and cooperation, to ensure ongoing empathic and responsive service delivery to vulnerable people, by our hardworking and inspirational staff who are often working with clients facing difficult situations with limited budgets and resources.

In light of the economic climate and far-reaching changes being implemented by all of our funding bodies, KNC has decided to actively pursue partnerships with other local organisations. To this end, KNC has joined with Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre and Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre to work towards a merger of our three organisations, with the existing sites of each of these neighbourhood centres being retained in Blaxland, Lawson and Katoomba.

It is envisaged that the merged organisation will create a significant and larger organisation with a footprint across the Blue Mountains, embedded in our local communities and responsive to local need. It is also envisaged that the new merged organisation will be competitive in the new and emerging funding environment. It is hoped this will result in us being in a much stronger position to provide for staff secure employment, enhanced staff development opportunities, potential jobs growth and flexibility into the future. It is critical to the boards of our 3 organisations that we retain our quality staff, and that in these changing times we minimise any impacts on service delivery to vulnerable people.

We have a lot of faith that the new organisation will grow into a strong, viable and sustainable organisation, offering

the best of the values of Neighbourhood Centres to our communities across the Blue Mountains for the long term. It will have a strong governance focus, and its outstanding management team led by Kath Harrison will expand as the organisation grows. We truly believe that this merger is the best and most proactive way to ensure that local communities and local voices have access to strong and vibrant grass roots local services going forward. 

It is envisaged that the merge will be completed and reported in next year’s annual report.

Finally I thank all our dedicated ‘tribe’ – our CEO and management team; our board; our hardworking staff; our hardworking volunteers; our external advisors. The health of this organisation over 30+ years is due to the energetic commitment and community engagement of all of our ‘tribe’, past and present. We have a very positive sustainable future due to our roots in the community. We deeply thank the Blue Mountains community for its commitment to our operations and for its support. It is from this that we draw our strength and our meaning, and it is a major key to our ongoing success. n

Ruth Bennett, Kath Harrison, Sue Jaques & Lyndall Sullivan

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Chief Executive Officer’s Report 2016 - 2017

Kath HarrisonCEO

I would like to begin my 2016-2017 report by acknowledging that we operate our services on the lands of the traditional owners, the Darug and Gundungurra peoples. We are privileged to live and work in this special place; I pay respect to their elders past, present and future. I would also like to begin by thanking the Board, the staff, volunteers and supporters of Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated. Your support of the Organisation is central to our ongoing ability to work with our communities.

This year has proven both challenging and exciting within the current social, political, funding and reform environments, providing impetus for the Organisation and staff to embrace new directions and partnerships, develop new skills and integrate new and different work and community needs into their day to day. The flexibility shown by the staff and their ability to adapt to rapid growth, a rapidly changing work environment and changing work practices is testament to their professionalism. I acknowledge and thank them for their ongoing support and commitment in what has at times felt like a roller coaster. The staff of KNC is a remarkable group of people and it is truly a privilege to be part of this team.

We could not operate KNC without the support and expertise of our teams of volunteers. KNC operated in 2016 - 2017 with seventy five registered active volunteers. We are operating the Organisation on an approximate 1:3 ratio, for every paid worker we have 3 volunteers. Our volunteer workforce enriches all service components of KNC; providing friendship and connection for the socially

CEO

KNC’s CEO Kath Harrison, Sue Jaques and Trish Doyle at Sue’s farewell.

isolated within our community, providing the vibrant and welcoming face of the Organisation as the first and essential point of contact as our reception workforce, enhancing the experience of our children in our child care service KOOSH, providing vibrant community lunches of home cooked food and a welcoming social space enabling friendship and connection through the time honoured act of breaking bread together. Our volunteers bring a breadth of expertise and life experience strengthening the reach and depth of the Organisation. We celebrate honour and thank our volunteers.

I would particularly like to acknowledge and recognise the professionalism shown by the KNC Board. This committed group of community members volunteer their time, experience, wisdom and guidance. The Board govern the Organisation with intelligence, integrity, engagement, leadership, dedication and humour; they truly embody strength in citizenship. The continued growth and successful expansion of KNC in a shrinking and competitive funding environment is testament to their input, energy, expertise and strong commitment to the Organisation.

As a local Organisation we are privileged to continue to be strongly supported by the broader community, Blue Mountains City Council, local business, community groups, our partner Community Sector Organisations, the Local Health District and individual community members. Special thanks and acknowledgement goes to our State and Federal Members of Parliament, Trish Doyle and Susan Templeman for their ongoing support of KNC services and their active representation of the Community Sector, our services and our community on the floors of our State and Federal parliament. The level of support and involvement received assists KNC not only to provide service but to grow, maximise opportunities, further develop services and influence policy and position. Our overall community support comes in many forms, practical assistance, resources, pro bono professional assistance, donations, fundraising, advertising, produce, expert advice, advocacy and representation. Our profile in the community is made possible by the strength and diversity of this

ongoing support.

This year has brought growth, opportunity and rapid change for Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre. The key areas of change have impacted KNC this year:-

1. Beginning the process of merging with Lower Mountains and Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centres.

2. The establishment of the KNC Disability Service

3. The Department of Family and Community Services Targeted Early Intervention Reform

4. The rebranding and redevelopment of Blue Mountains Home Modification & Maintenance Services to ASSIST Building and Maintenance

In line with the pressing reforms and changing funding environments, it was a decision of the Board to explore merging or partnering with other services. This decision was based upon the emerging competitive funding environment and the obvious vulnerabilities for smaller Organisations to continue to function and grow in this new reality. To serve our communities we needed to

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Ruth Ley at her Farewell celebration

ensure our sustainability going forward. This process began in earnest towards the end of the 2016 financial year. The coming together of the three Organisations brings opportunity for growth, provides a service footprint for the Organisation across the Local Government Area, increases areas of service diversification, provides significantly enhanced opportunities for our staff and greater ability to continue to work with our communities. It is planned that the full merge will be completed by June 30th 2018. I would like to acknowledge the work of my colleagues from Lower Mountains and Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centres, Peta Williams and Mick Barrett in progressing this mammoth undertaking together along with the support and guidance of our Boards, their delegates and Chairpersons. I would like to acknowledge Deb Dare, the Transition Project Worker, her knowledge of the sector and the required processes to achieve this vast change have proven invaluable in this process.

The full roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) within the local region has resulted in rapid growth in key areas of service provision to our community. KNC has established itself as an NDIS provider, with particular focus on:

• Plan Management

• Support Coordination

• Home Modification & Maintenance

• Group support

The Organisation has established a KNC Disability Service, working in partnership with community members to navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme and access plans that truly reflect their individual needs, support their innate right to choice and self-determination and provide services that enable people to reach their potential and attain their goals. I wish to thank Anna Tardent for working tirelessly to establish the KNC Disability Support Services, her generosity and expertise working with families and individuals to navigate a new and complex system and her grace and tenacity in assisting

our community members attain the best possible results for them to meet their unique needs. We also welcome Tracy Johnson to the KNC Disability Service in the role of Support Coordination, her energy and enthusiasm in a time of rapid change have been a shining light for us all. They have proven to be a formidable team with the service now established and a participant base at the end of the financial year of 75 and a funding stream exceeding $200,000.

Perhaps the most far reaching change in line with reforms will be felt for KNC when the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) Targeted Early Intervention Reform is fully implemented. These reforms see the move away from the traditional Community Builders focus on socially and financially disadvantaged members of our communities and the traditional capacity building work Neighbourhood Centres undertake with them and the provision of general services to the broad community. The shift in focus and funding concentration post 2020 will be services targeting areas of greatest need, Aboriginal young people and young families and vulnerable children, youth and families, with specific outcomes being sought for children at risk of removal. The pivot to these groups and the process of FaCS commissioning Organisations to supply services post 2020 will require KNC to build capacity and capability across a differing service delivery spectrum; this will be the challenge for the new face of KNC into the future. Whilst acknowledging and understanding the need for focus and funding in this area, KNC continues to advocate for the needs of socially and financially disadvantaged adults particularly in the 40-60 years age group who are the primary users of generalist Neighbourhood Centre services. Currently there appears to be no provision in the reform discourse or cited evidence around this group and their needs into the future.

This year saw the redevelopment of the Blue Mountains Home Modification and Maintenance Service to the rebranded ASSIST Building and Maintenance Service. Under the strong carriage of Stephen Ramsay our Building Services Manager and the steady hand of Megan Kavanagh

our Maintenance Service Coordinator, ASSIST has further established itself within the home modification space locally extending our provision into much larger and complex jobs. The end result of our work in ASSIST is the creation of safe home environments tailored to the needs of our clients, supporting their independence and enabling them to remain in community for as long as it is safe to do so. ASSIST successfully moved to a new level of provision increasing our client reach by 167% and returning a surplus that will enable the employment of an Occupational Therapist in the next reporting period. This is an enormous achievement and I thank all the ASSIST staff for their dedication, expertise and care, special people doing special work.

This year marked the end of an era with the retirement of Sue Jaques, KNC Chief Finance Officer. Sue had spent the greater part of her working life dedicated to Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, its ideology, its people, our communities - 32 years. Her contribution to the fabric of KNC is and will be ongoing it is baked into our walls and our hearts. We truly wish her every happiness in her retirement. Len Kasper was appointed to the position of KNC Chief Finance Officer. Len brings a wealth of experience and sensitivity to this role, and we welcome and thank him for choosing to work with us.

Whilst reform has become a constant companion within the Community Sector and the impact of these reforms touching all areas of KNC, this year saw some surety emerge in the constantly changing environment as our key funding contracts with the Commonwealth Department of Health Community Home Support Program and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services Community Builders contracts were extended to 2020. This timeframe enables us to embed the required changes, develop strong business practices, pivot to new areas of service delivery and build and embed the merged Organisation into a truly significant local service provider with a strong and sustainable future.

This year again bought with it great sadness with the death of two special men and two of our true champions.

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We mourn and acknowledge the death of Brian Gravison and Maurice Brady. They too were part of the KNC fabric, and made our community stronger and kinder with their presence, their loss is deeply felt.

I cannot stress enough the pressures that the Organisation has felt and managed during this reporting period. At the beginning I referenced being on a roller coaster, the KNC staff are to be congratulated for boarding this roller coaster, hanging on, screaming as we at times plummeted towards the abyss and laughing as we rose back out ready for the next cycle. Their resilience, dedication, integrity and humour make this a truly special place, I thank them and I honour them.

Despite at times a very challenging operating environment, the experience of working for your community, with your community and in your community is a rewarding experience like very few. I would like to finish by thanking all the members of the KNC Board during 2016/2017 – Ruth Bennett, Chairperson; Tina Napier, Treasurer, Wendy Holland, Deputy Chairperson; Mahalya Middlemist, Secretary and members, Kerry Whitehead and Katherine Turner (outgoing), Gay Thornton, Maria Katrevesis, Don McGregor, Warwick Fuller, David Caton, Greg Birtles, Rob Firth. I would also like to single out Barbara Cuthbert, Manager Operations and Quality for acknowledgement and special thanks. Her support, dedication, governance and real concern for the wellbeing of our staff is exemplary. I count myself very fortunate to work with such a skilled professional and truly good person. Thank you all for your stewardship, support, guidance and real belief in this Organisation, the work we do and what we achieve together.

KNC STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2015-2018This reporting period has seen KNC focus on the Organisations’ Strategic Platform priorities of Sustainability and Organisational Development (see KNC Strategic Directions 2015-2018 Diagram). The strategic areas of focus for this 2015-2016 reporting period have been: (see table to the right).

Strategic Pla�orm Area Priority Focus Outcomes 1. Sustainability Partnerships & alliances

- The commencement of a merger with Mid Mountains (MMNC) and Lower Mountains Neighbourhood (LMNC) Centres, through a process of non-controversial relinquishing of auspice for FaCS funding and nova�on of contracts for the Dept. Health CHSP funding and NSW Ministry of Health for Blue Mountains Pallia�ve Support Service funding to KNC

2. Organisa�onal Development

Funding & Resources - Development and establishment of the KNC

Disability Service - Service roll out in the new areas of Plan

Management and Support Coordina�on, with 75 ac�ve par�cipants

- Over $200,000 of fees generated form NDIS ac�vity

- Establishment of ASSIST Building and Maintenance with $54,000 annual surplus

- Transfer of approximately $320,000 FaCS funding to KNC for MMNC and LMNC Community Builders ac�vity.

3. Community Engagement

Harwood Community Consulta�ons - In line with the BLINN ini�a�ve of collec�vely

undertaking consulta�ons, over 900 community members surveyed using the Harwood method of community engagement

- Developed the BLINN Framework for Community Understanding based on the results of the Harwood Consulta�ons

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KNC OPERATIONS & QUALITY

Barbara CuthbertManager Operations & Quality

OPERATIONS & QUALITY

From July 2016, the roles of Operations Manager and Quality Coordinator were combined to create the Manager Operations & Quality role at KNC.

The Manager Operations & Quality role is the central point providing day to day support and assistance for KNC service coordinators, all KNC staff, and our reception volunteers, across the breadth of the 13 discrete services operated by KNC. This day to day management role has further grown across 2016-2017 as the KNC CEO moves increasingly into strategic planning and partnerships for the organisation as we continue to grow and diversify.

The role is challenging, works across the full breadth of KNC services and partnerships, is extremely contact-intensive, is a very hands-on role, and is an ever-shifting blend of proactive and reactive work. The role acts as a central point of reference and coordination for KNC staff, management, service users, partners and third parties.In addition to the central role of day to day support for the organisation and its staff, the Manager Operations & Quality is also responsible for:

• working closely with service coordinators to provide monthly supervision, develop and assist in implementation of their workplans, help monitor that service targets and outcomes are being met, and to act as a sounding board and provide advice, support and assistance around service issues

• manage and troubleshoot daily operational issues

that arise in coordination with other senior staff

• work as part of the KNC Management Team, together with the CEO and CFO, to achieve KNC organisational objectives, assist with development and implementation of KNC strategic directions and business plans, and implement Board and management decisions

• oversee the KNC Intake service

• help ensure reporting requirements are carried out

• assist with coordination of periodic training for KNC staff, and Board members

• support KNC in maintaining effective working relationships with third parties, including colleagues in the community sector, government agencies, partners and external service providers

• the ongoing development, dissemination, implementation, monitoring and review of KNC policies and procedures, in conjunction with the KNC Management Team and the Quality Improvement Policy and Procedure sub-committee of the KNC Board

• help monitor and ensure KNC’s compliance with regulatory obligations

• manage the KNC complaints process with the KNC Management Team

• provide secretarial support for various partnerships and projects that KNC is involved in, including BLINN and Blue Fringe.

The continued growth of KNC in 2016-17, particularly into NDIS service provision and the pivoting of Anna Tardent from the Service Support Coordinator role to the Disability Services Coordinator role, has meant that the day to day demands on the Manager Operations & Quality role to support service coordinators and manage daily operational issues has intensified considerably. The increasing

complexity of issues experienced by community members who come to KNC for assistance has also significantly increased the demands on all staff across KNC.

As an organisation we are actively engaging in the challenge of balancing the day to day pressures on service coordinators and the management team with creating adequate time and space for the blocks of concentrated work and planning that are required for KNC to flourish and continue to strengthen as an organisation. However, across 2016-2017 service coordinators and KNC staff were supported without reserve by the Manager Operations & Quality and the CEO, and it is the core purpose of Operations role that they feel that KNC management seeks to support them at all times to flourish as skilled workers making a real difference for all people who come to KNC for advice, assistance, to use one of our services, or to be

Barbara Cuthbert, Manager Operations & Quality

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acknowledged and welcomed as a fellow community member.

Two examples from 2016-2017 of how this role acts as a foundation of support and coordination for the initiatives and skills and talents of KNC staff and partners were:

• Being part of the team of KNC staff that organised a rollicking and heartfelt and deeply poignant farewell for our long-standing CFO Sue Jaques in April 2017

• Building on the work done by our Community Development Coordinator Josie Vendramini to bring the Meet Your Street event at Melrose Park to fruition on 26 November 2016, in partnership with the Friends of Melrose Park. Josie had to step back from work at KNC for a period, but with a number of KNC staff pitching in to help the day was nevertheless a great success for the local community.

• KNC was approached by a Year 10 student from Katoomba High School, Marion Ross, who asked if she could do her week of work experience at KNC. We were keen to support a local young person who was interested in learning about working in the community sector in the Blue Mountains. Marion joined us at KNC for a week in June 2017, and spent time in each of our services, with the service coordinators and staff, learning about the work that we do, and being a very willing extra pair of hands ready to pitch in and help with whatever needed doing each day. Marion also spent time on our reception desk with our reception volunteers, and carried out a significant piece of work in packing up more than 50 food parcels from the donation of winter cupboard supplies that came from Central Blue Mountains Rotary. Thank you to all the staff and reception volunteers who were so generous with their time and knowledge with Marion. It was an absolute pleasure having Marion at KNC. In her own words,

“I thoroughly enjoyed work experience at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre and learning about the various community services. I will definitely recommend KNC to future work experience students. Thank you so much for having me!”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThank you to all the staff at KNC, particularly the service coordinators who work with relentless dedication and who bring such generosity of spirit and a life-affirming sense of humour to KNC every day. Thank you to Sue Jaques for setting a tone that endures at KNC - even though you are now retired and having fun and no longer at KNC! Thank you to Kath Harrison – in the pressure and the relentless

change and complexity of the sector we work in, you help me feel strong and you help the staff feel strong, you help me feel inspired and you help the staff feel inspired. Thank you for giving your all for us, and for the community we serve. n

Barbara Cuthbert, Marlene Churn, Claire Grover, Bren Sherring, Anna Tardent & Vasant de Mello at KNC’s AGM.

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COMMUNITY HUBBarbara CuthbertManager Operations & Quality

COMMUNITY HUB

As a Community Builders funded organisation (this funding being provided by NSW Department of Family and Community Services), one of the central functions of Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre is to act as a community hub that all community members can access for information, assistance and referral.

KNC’s reception area and the people who staff it – our volunteer receptionists and the KNC staff who provide “back up” each day - are the central ways in which this community hub function is provided to the community. KNC reception is the first point of contact, whether by phone or by people coming through our doors, for community members with KNC.

VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONISTS 2016 - 2017Mary Lawson, Georgia Harris-Wolfe, Carol Price, Amy Hill, Bernie Power, David Armitage, Angela Sharman, Jim Hennessy, Jenny Lloyd, Maureen Lees, Jackie Delaney, June Rose, Claire Gladman, Lachlan Bertrand.

COMMUNITY LUNCH VOLUNTEERS June Rose, Gillian Jones, Jim Hennessey, Lyn Harrison.

Role of KNC Receptionists and back up KNC staff: A friendly, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere is actively created at KNC reception each day. People who come in to KNC reception are able to:

• Just sit and have a cup of tea or coffee and chat with our receptionists and staff

• Use KNC’s hub services, including using the phone, getting assistance with completing forms, be assisted to find or access KNC services and other services they need

• Help themselves to the fresh produce, bread and cupboard staples that are regularly provided to KNC by the wonderful people at Earth Recovery Australia

• Receive one-to-one assistance with referral and advocacy from KNC staff where their needs are more pressing and/or complex

KNC’s reception volunteers also provide assistance to groups meeting in our community meeting space, and assist our fantastic local Big Issue vendors when they come in to re-stock on Big Issue supplies.

Importantly, the warm and welcoming atmosphere created at KNC reception makes it a place that community members return to – sometimes each week, sometimes after some weeks or months have passed – for company and conversation and assistance when they need it.

During the year 2016 – 2017, the demands on the role of our volunteer receptionists and back up staff have increased significantly as KNC operations have grown and become more complex, and as we have seen increasing complexity of needs of the people who come to KNC for assistance. It is important to acknowledge that at this time of change, our reception volunteers have had to keep abreast of the changes, and to run with what has been quite a fluid environment, including changes to and creation of new services as well as changes to our staff roles. Our reception team is extremely professional and creative in the way they have dealt with these changes, and we would like to acknowledge their adaptability in all of this. In knowing that this was a difficult time, KNC staff Marlene Churn and Felicity Tonks put together a volunteer reception bulletin, to communicate the changes simply and effectively to our volunteers. Thank you to our volunteer Jim Hennessey for this suggestion.

We would like to thank all of the reception volunteers for continually going above and beyond, particularly for the extra shifts that you do when we are short-staffed. Particular thanks go to David Armitage, who has been doing the Wednesday afternoon shift on top of his Wednesday mornings for a large part of this year. Thank

you also to our reception volunteers for bringing in flowers and fresh produce from your gardens for the people who come in to the neighbourhood centre.

From early 2017, as Anna Tardent transitioned out of her previous role as KNC Support Coordinator and into the newly created role of Disability Services Coordinator and NDIS Team Leader, coordination and support for volunteer receptionists was very willingly and ably taken up by Felicity Tonks and Marlene Churn, who already managed KNC volunteers through their CVS and KVHV services.

COMMUNITY LUNCHES

KNC’s monthly Community Lunches, run on the first Thursday of each month by June Rose and her crew, provide an opportunity for members of our community to connect, with delicious nutritious vegetarian food and music and companionship and conversation. These lunches have been running for over 20 years, with June at the helm, cooking a wonderful assortment of vegetarian food and with cakes donated by The Paragon and The Hominy bakery. Thank you to our lunch volunteers for making the community members feel so welcome and so nourished.

Ananda Marga lunches: The Ananda Marga community in Katoomba again this year provided delicious vegetarian

Jim, June and Lyn: Community Lunch volunteers. Delicious vegetarian food.

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curries, dahls and accompaniments at community lunches at KNC on the second Thursday of each month. The gentleness and warm welcome of their members creates a lovely atmosphere within which our community can gather to enjoy a nourishing tasty meal. We thank them for another year of providing this welcome and nourishment to the local community. As with the monthly KNC Community Lunches, all members of the community are welcome to come for lunch, and while donations are gratefully accepted, payment is not required for people to access these lunches.

HIGHLIGHTSCentral Blue Mountains Rotary donationIn June 2017, Central Blue Mountains Rotary made a fantastically generous donation to KNC of tinned and packaged cupboard staple foods for winter. We made up over 50 food parcels from this donation, which were freely available at KNC reception, and their availability was well publicised on our Facebook page. In less than 2 weeks, the food parcels had all been collected and were accessed by a significant number of people who had never visited KNC before, some of whom perhaps wouldn’t fit the stereotype of living with food insecurity.

Goodbye to a long-term reception volunteerIt was by no means a highlight, but it was a significant

occasion when our long-standing reception volunteer Bernie Power decided to step down from her reception role. Bernie was the perfect blend of warmth and good humour coupled with efficiency and professionalism on reception, and the KNC staff miss her immensely! We are very fortunate that Bernie continues to volunteer with the KVHV service.

NOVA Employment traineeKNC was approached by NOVA Employment to provide regular volunteer work for a young trainee, Lachlan Bertrand. Our very experienced reception volunteer Jenny Lloyd agreed to take on the role of trainer/reception buddy with Lachlan every Thursday afternoon so that Lachlan could do his volunteer work as a KNC receptionist. Jenny’s

hard work and enthusiasm in this role was remarkable to witness, with Lachlan learning a great deal, and noticeably increasingly his confidence and ease in the role under her guidance. Training and getting to know Lachlan was a significant extra body of work that Jenny very willingly took on each week, in addition to the demands of managing KNC reception on a Thursday afternoon, and we would like to acknowledge the great skill and dedication it took for her

Service Contacts by Year80007000600050004000300020001000

0

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Services Co-ordinated through the Hub Wednesday AA 52 Women's Recovery AA 52 Narcotics Anonymous 208

All Addictions Anonymous 52 Living Sober AA 52 Pacopezants Choir 40

AS Bill Sees It AA 52 Saturday AA 52 FACS 3

Wesley Gambling Service 26 Lifespan Social Support Group 20 Stepping On 15

Family History 20 Art Workshops 6 Lifespan Therapy 2

NADO 3 Ethics Teacher Training 2 Koori Playgroup 40

Aboriginal Women's Art Group 30 Recycle, Redesign, Recreate 16 Tax Help 12

Max Employment 44 Gender Centre 1 Work Rehabilitation program 4 Total 804

Below: Service activity coordinated through KNC Community Hub - number of times service provided

Below: This graph shows the continued increase of service contacts each year.

Above: Lachlan with staff and volunteer Jenny Lloyd, who trained Lachlan at KNC’s reception

Adult

Senior

Youth

Child

Age Groups for Walk-Ins

& Phone Calls (where known)

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TAX HELP 2016-2017The community welcomed the return of the Tax Help scheme from August – October 2016. It continues to be a valuable and appreciated service.

Tax Help was administered by Neil Smith, KNC’s Finance Administration worker. Charles Packham was the Tax Adviser – a role he has carried out annually at KNC for many years now. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our reception volunteers, who answered enquiries and scheduled appointments.

With increasing numbers of people lodging their tax returns online using the pre-populated MyTax platform, there continues to be a lessening of demand for the Tax Help service. However, KNC in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office remains committed to this important community service for those community members who need it, and we acknowledge the outstanding and ongoing commitment of Charles to our community. n

Top: Rotary volunteers delivering food to KNC for food parcels to distribute to the community. Above: Re-cycle, Re-design, Re-create participant Mickey sewing an outfit.

to carry out both roles. We would also like to thank Lachlan for the work he did with KNC as one of our frontline staff on reception, and for his very keen sense of humour!

Linker Network prototype trialThe NSW Department of Family and Community Services this year ran a trial period in three key sites in NSW of a prototype for a new initiative called The Linker Network. Community Builders-funded organisations in the Blue Mountains were one of the three sites chosen for the six-month trial period, which ended in August 2017. The Linker Network model aims to reduce barriers and risks for people who need to access services falling through the cracks, or having to repeat their stories to multiple service providers. The model does this by focussing on ease of accessibility to services through common branding, a no wrong door approach, and creating practices for services to work more effectively and seamlessly together for the direct benefit of people who need assistance.

KNC has been an active participant in the Linker Network prototype trial phase, with several staff attending training; several staff being identified as “linkers” within KNC and actively using the Linker Network practices and materials for the benefit of people who have come to KNC for assistance; and by regularly contributing to the feedback mechanisms during the prototype phase. Felicity Tonks and Marlene Churn took carriage of the implementation of the Linker Network at KNC this year, over time bringing more KNC staff on as identified “linkers” and being trained in the Linker Network processes.

Re-cycle Re-design Re-createKNC has partnered with NSW TAFE to run this innovative TAFE Outreach program at KNC. The program runs during school terms and is a free course where participants have the opportunity to be creative and learn how to up-cycle pre-loved garments, fabrics and accessories. Similar to other social inclusion groups connected to KNC, the workshops also provide a space to meet other people in the community. The workshops also look at opportunities for participants to explore small business and social enterprises such as selling products at community markets. Demand for the workshops was so great that the course was run three times over this financial year, with a total of 173 attendances across the three courses. Participants

have included some of the members from our Out & About social group who had never used a sewing machine before – they have now purchased their own sewing machines they have been enjoying the course so much! Many thanks to TAFE teachers Liz and Denise, Vasant de Mello and the KOOSH team for the use of their beautiful space, Felicity Tonks and Marlene Churn for providing weekly support and organisational assistance, the participants and the wonderful teacher of the program Jenny who brings experience, skill, calmness and creativity to every session. n

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CCDCOMMUNITY & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTJosie VendraminiCoordinator

Funding body: NSW Government Department of Family & Community Services

SERVICE DESCRIPTION Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre through the community development program engages the wider community as well as targeted vulnerable communities to programs, projects and events that connect people, build resilience, enhance individual and community capacity, and support health and wellbeing.

Aspects of KNC Community Development:• Support of existing and emerging community groups

• Networking and partnership building

• Development of community connective projects, programs and events.

• In-house infrastructure for the public face of KNC including social media and public meeting spaces

• Partnership and collaboration to create and build events

• Building capacity in individuals and groups within the community

SERVICE ACTIVITY Across 2016-2017:• Over 300 people attended family lunches

• 180 attended the Meet Your Street event at Melrose Park in November 2016

• There were in excess of 1000 attendances at the community lunches which are held twice every month

• Over 1040 people interacted with KNC’s Facebook page

• There were 92 attendances at the Christmas Connect program

• CAVA street stall held for International Women’s Day in March 2017 reached 400 people

Meet Your Street event at Melrose Park, North KatoombaIn partnership with the Friends of Melrose Park, KNC hosted a Meet Your Street event on Saturday 26 November 2016. The event brought together local emergency services, community organisations, and artists, including:

• The Rural Fire Service came out in force to provide information and assistance around bushfire preparedness, and to let kids explore the fire truck and have games with the fire hoses

• The Salvos provided a delicious BBQ lunch

• The local RSPCA had a stall

• Mountains Outreach Community Services put on fun kids’ activities

• North Katoomba Public School’s fundraising cake stall

• Friends of Melrose Park had an information stall

• There were plant stalls for Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue and Mountain Herbs

• A fundraising raffle for Friends of Melrose Park included great prizes from Blue Mts Food Co-op, Schwarz Bakery and the Paragon Café

• There was wonderful music provided by Meg Benson and Simon and Malachi, Matthew Dennett, and David Griffith

• Engaging activities for children were provided by a discovery ranger from National Parks and Wildlife Service

• The Church of New Life had a stall to provide information about their free food distribution program that runs weekly from Bureau Park in North Katoomba

The event had a wonderfully welcoming and relaxed feel to it, and it was great to see so many local residents

gathering together to enjoy their local park, to bring their kids to have some fun, and to talk to local emergency and community services for information and resources.

Friends of Melrose Park partnershipKNC continues to auspice the Friends of Melrose Park. The installation of park benches and tables in Melrose Park in late 2016 was a great achievement for the partnership between KNC and Friends of Melrose Park. The park furniture was funded by a Community Building Partnership grant, together with in-kind support from Blue Mountains City Council.

KNC’s partnership with Friends of Melrose Park also supports the Melrose Park Park Care Group. KNC provides practical support and assistance for the group including liaising with Blue Mountains City Council, assistance with writing grants, help with building group infrastructure, support for the volunteers and assistance with planning connective events.

Christmas Connect The Christmas Connect program ran for a second successful year in the week between Christmas and New Year, and into the first week of January 2017. The program is designed to be supportive and provide positive experiences for people who may be socially isolated or

Below: Mel Michael, creator and volunteer of Christmas Connect, receiving an appreciation award from KNC.

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vulnerable, at a time of year when most services are closed.

Melanie Michael, the creative spark and organisational engine behind Christmas Connect, provided the following report on this year’s program:

In 2016/17 the class duration was redesigned to allow for a more social and relaxed feel.

The way this looked was: •         morning class of 4 hours

•         afternoon class of 3.5 hours

•         or an external class which was all day

The new format worked really well with feedback from participants saying they felt more relaxed and more able to take their time with the activities on offer. They felt they had more time with the instructors as well and hence achieved a greater level of skill in the activities which was satisfying and a worthwhile use of their time.

Instructors also noted the new format was preferred and that the longer time to work with participants and teach some more in-depth skills was beneficial. There was more time for a cuppa and chat as well and the social feel of the program was enhanced.

Classes included:

• Printmaking on fabric • Art Journalling

• External sketching class at Mt Wilson Gardens

• Sugar Flowers • Cup Cake Decorating • Creative Writing

• Painting with Watercolours • Improv – Acting

• Pen and Ink drawing

85% of participants were female with a high concentration of women in the 48-52 years age group.

CAVA fundraiser and information stall for International Women’s Day In partnership with Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre and the Blue Mountains Women’s Resource Centre, in March 2017 we held a fundraising cake stall on the main street of Katoomba, outside Bendigo Bank,

for International Women’s Day. Funds raised went to support the work of the Blue Mountains Coalition Against Violence and Abuse (CAVA). The stall was also used to raise awareness about the work of CAVA, and over 400 people interacted with the stall on the day.

KNC also continues to support Wimlah Women’s Refuge, in particular via a regular call out through the KNC Facebook page for specific goods required by individual women and their children who have fled their homes due to domestic violence. The local community always responds with great generosity to these requests for assistance on social media.

Harwood method of community consultationBased on the extensive work that has already been done across the Blue Mountains using the Harwood method of community consultation, managers and community development staff from the partner neighbourhood centres and community organisations developed a Framework for Community Understanding. The framework includes priority issues as identified by the Blue Mountains community, and will be used to guide our collective community development work going forwards.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to Kath and the KNC Board for being so understanding during an extremely difficult period.Thank you to my team members/colleagues who with their understanding helped make this period easier. Thank you to Barbara who stepped in to coordinate the highly successful Meet Your Street event.Thank you to the community members who inspire me with their dedication and passion. n

Left: A kind community member donating a handmade quilt to another community member in need. Below left: Framework for Community Understanding - an initiative of BLINN (Blue Mountains Lithgow Integrated Neighbourhood Network). Below: Fundraiser for CAVA.

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ASSIST BUILDING AND MAINTENANCESteve RamsayBuilding Services manager

Staff: Megan Kavanagh – Maintenance Service Coordinator Chris McKenzie McHarg – Trade staff Thomas Redmond – Casual handy person Patricia Kerry – Administration Assistant

FUNDING BODYAssist Building & Maintenance is funded by NSW Department of Family & Community Services (FACS) (Ageing Disability & Home Care); Commonwealth Department of Health - Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP); and by fees for service. 

FACS funding is for clients under 65 and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients under 50. CHSP funding is for clients over 65 and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients over 50.  

SERVICE DESCRIPTION ASSIST Building & Maintenance (ASSIST) provides home modifications and maintenance for frail aged people and people of any age who have a disability, as well as the carers for both groups, so they can remain safely in their own homes and not have to go prematurely into nursing homes or other care facilities.

ASSIST carries out home modifications to occupational therapists’ specifications, including building ramps, creating wheelchair accessible bathrooms and installing grab rails.

ASSIST also carries out minor home maintenance where it affects safety, including repairing steps, and minor electrical and plumbing work. We also provide garden maintenance

ASSIST

The ASSIST team. From left: Patricia Kerry, Megan Kavanagh, Steve Ramsay, Chris McKenzie McKarg

services, on a one-off or on-going basis for clients.

We cover the whole of the Blue Mountains from Lapstone to Mt Victoria and the Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine.

SERVICE ACTIVITYDuring this financial year we received 378 requests for service. This figure is up by 167% on 2015-16. 191 requests were for home modifications; 81 requests were for home maintenance; 106 requests were for garden maintenance and, of these, 37 clients are receiving an ongoing garden maintenance service. Approximately 95% of all requests were from people over the age of 65.

Most requests resulted in modification or maintenance work. The number of requests and referrals for service has increased dramatically this financial year, with the type of work required becoming more complex, and requiring more work hours.

Some requests for service ultimately saw no action for various reasons such as work being carried out by the client’s family, client deciding not to have the work done, client moving to permanent care or client moving in with family members, or the client passed away.

ASSIST can now complete home modifications of any value, however the maximum subsidy an eligible client can receive in a financial year for home modifications is $10,000.

With the advent of the NDIS roll out we are preparing for our role in supporting NDIS clients into the future.

OUTPUTSOur funding bodies require ASSIST to report work carried out separately for modifications and maintenance. Modifications are reported as the actual cost of delivering the service to the client and maintenance by the number of hours spent providing maintenance services to clients. ASSIST is also required to report outputs separately for clients over and under 65 (over and under 50 for ATSI clients). (see tables to right)

Outputs for funded clients over 65 (over 50 for ATSI clients) are reported every 6 months, at the end of December and end of June:

Period Modifica�on $ Maintenance Hours July 16 – Dec 16 113,123 430 Jan 17 – June 17 97,378 1,271 Total this financial year

$210,501 1,701 Hours

Outputs for funded clients under 65 (under 50 for ATSI clients) are reported quarterly. Outputs reported were as follows:Period Modifica�ons $ Maintenance Hours July 16 – Sept 16 8,911 33 Oct 16 – Dec 16 1,894 0 Jan 17 – Mar 17 1,013 456 Apr 17 – June 17 0 0 Total this financial year

$11,818 489 Hours

Annual output comparison for total funded clients:

Modifica�ons Maintenance 2015 – 2016 $227,130 1770 hours 2016 – 2017 $222,319 2190 hours

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These output figures do not include work done for clients on home care packages, private clients or clients of the Older Parent Carers service.

HIGHLIGHTS There have been significant staffing changes in ASSIST

this financial year. Our Building Services Manager Steve Ramsay started with ASSIST in July 2016. ASSIST’s carpenter and tradeperson Chris McKenzie McHarg also started in July 2016. Assist’s Admin Assistant Patricia Kerry started in May 2017. Megan Kavanagh now coordinates the maintenance arm of the service. Tradestaff member Stephen Duncan left the service in February 2017.

Blue Mountains Home Modification and Maintenance Service rebranded to ASSIST Building & Maintenance .

The 2 ageing service vehicles were sold and 3 new vehicles were purchased and fitted out.

ASSIST took out membership of the Housing Industry Association (HIA), and took out home warranty insurance so that the service could start to carry out larger home modification jobs, including major bathroom modifications. 3 major bathroom modifications have been completed, with a combined value of approximately $60,000.00.

ASSIST has expanded into providing garden maintenance both as a one-off service, and as an on-going service for clients. Demand for the service has been very strong and continues to grow, particularly during the warmer months. Assist now has 3 subcontractors covering our garden maintenance service.

ASSIST has also started expanding into providing service to private clients. We expect demand from this client group to increase with marketing efforts in 2017-18.

Occupational Therapist (OT) meetings/training – ASSIST/BMHMMS has been hosting these events quarterly for many years. These regular meetings ensure good quality of referrals from the occupational

therapists, a better understanding by ASSIST staff of the technical applications of the modifications and better outcomes for the client.

Training – Chris McKenzie McHarg attended an asbestos removal course. Steve Ramsay built on his Continuing Professional Development (required for his builder’s licence) with the completion of a business development course this financial year.

Client Satisfaction Surveys are sent to every client on completion of work. The return rate is approximately 70% with an average satisfaction score of 95.5%. The client comments and evaluations are complimentary regarding the appropriateness of the work done (the function) and the manner in which it has been carried out. The client responses illustrate how effective well designed and installed modifications enable clients to get about their daily lives.

These are some of the responses from clients:

Everybody who came to see me answered with the same cheery greetings and a smile on their face. This is so important and made me feel great. A big thank you to everyone who came to see me.

- IP Wentworth Falls

We feel that the modifications have made us aware how necessary such alterations are for a better and safer quality of life. As well, the information and recommendations made available to us by all

personnel we spoke with made us both feel that they cared and we wish to thank everybody concerned.

My husband and I have been most impressed at every stage of contact by the attitudes of the various staff who have been in touch with us. The practical work done has made a great difference to us. We

are both most grateful for what has been done for us; help we did not know was available to us to get things done that we had found too hard to try to arrange since health problems got worse.

- AO Mt Riverview

The service was 1st class - the work done was better than expected. The tradesman Chris was remarkable - polite, worked non-stop - lovely man. If we need any further work done in the future, we

both hope Chris is available. Ist class. Well done. - K K Wentworth Falls

Above: ASSIST client with newly installed chairlift.

At right: ASSIST client with newly installed hand rail.

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CHALLENGES o Lack of consistent funding for OT assessments and a

long waiting list for such assessments with Community Health affects provision of prompt, effective service to Blue Mountains clients. Limited brokerage OT funding has been available from Modifications Australia (MOD.A) who administer it on behalf of state and federal funding bodies. However it has been exhausted in this financial year. 40 clients received OT assessment from this fund during the year at a cost of over $18,000.

o Increase in complexity of clients and work undertaken – major modifications take up a large portion of the Building Service Manager’s time

o My Aged Care - All referrals for clients over 65 are now coming to the service via the My Aged Care portal. We continue to work cooperatively with MAC, regional assessors, OTs, other services and the clients to get the desired outcome.

o NDIS Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre is a registered NDIS service provider for home modifications. ASSIST is working to the evolving requirements of the NDIS and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to provide home modifications for NDIS participants. This brings with it a challenge for the service but more importantly challenges for the families and individuals trying to have modifications made to their homes. Assist is endeavouring to ensure that we can remain responsive, current and competitive for clients in this sector. Some minor modifications have been tendered for and 3 major modifications have also been tendered for. A great amount of time and attention to detail is being spent on these referrals and quotes with no guarantee that the work will be approved by the NDIA. It is proving a difficult sector to work in, with unknown outcomes and requirements. These difficulties are expected to remain for some time.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:We acknowledge the outstanding contribution of our contractors, the occupational therapists and specialist trades people we work with. Their reliability and their understanding of the needs of our clients is greatly appreciated.

Above: Steve Ramsay. ASSIST’s Building and Services Manager. Below: Complete bathroom fit-out by ASSIST.

The service could not function without the outstanding work and excellent communication skills of our valued trade staff, Chris & Tom. And Patricia has become a valued member of our team attending to our many garden maintenance clients.

We thank the CEO, Manager Operations & Quality and the CFO for excellent support over the year. n

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KATOOMBA OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS(KOOSH) Incorporating Before School, After School and Vacation Care

Vasant de MelloCoordinator

At KOOSH we strive to put each and every child and family that comes to our service at the centre of our thoughts and interactions. By valuing each child’s individuality we become a positive influence on their journey through life. We endeavour to create moments of equilibrium for each child as they move between their worlds of family and school; which is no small feat. Our primary tool is play.

Co-ordinator/Nominated SupervisorVasant de Mello

Certified Supervisor/Child Care WorkerJenna Cosgrove

Child Care Worker (trainee) - Isaac Tito-Sherring

Administration - Katherine Johns

Casual Child Care Workers - Hunter De Groot, Louise Bender, Finn Hilferty-Warren, Belinda Lopez, Ellen Wickens, Olivia MacPhail

Funding Koosh is predominantly funded by fees for service, however receives a small amount annually from the Department of Education for our Vacation Care program. Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate payments to eligible families from the Department of Human Services reduces the out of pocket costs for many of our families.

Volunteer - Mary Lawson

Duke of Edinburgh StudentsMieke Stolk, Jasmine Sandilant, Ophelia Nyssen

KOOSH

Kids artwork at KOOSH.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONKOOSH offers centre-based care for children aged 5-12 years for Before and After School Care during school terms and all day during the school holidays in Vacation Care. KOOSH’s aim is to create a safe, stimulating and caring environment where children can be cared for while parents/carers work or study and where children can freely choose from the program of activities.

The education and care practices at KOOSH are informed by the National Quality Framework and guided by the “My Time, Our Place” framework. At KOOSH we endeavour to ensure that all children that attend have opportunities to engage in play-based experiences that are responsive to their needs and interests. This is apparent, for example, in our Vacation Care programs which are built around activities and excursions that reflect what the children have expressed an interest in and shown enthusiasm for. This has seen KOOSH over the past year travel to Featherdale Wildlife Park, go ten pin bowling, have magical experiences at Jenolan Caves, do hip hop and puppet and hoola hoop workshops, and attend a rock climbing gym in North Katoomba.

Summary of KOOSH Attendances for 2016 - 2017

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Attendances 243 329 281 379 270 0 0 Capacity 15% 19% 15% 22% 15% 0% 0% Total Attendances 1502 Total Children 54 Average Attended per session 7.62

Average Capacity per session 17.00%

Katoomba Out of School Hours (BSC)From 1/07/2016 to 30/06/2017

BSC ASC Vacation Care Total No. of Children 54 149 149 352 Annual Attendances

1502 5142 1302 7946

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Katoomba Out of School Hours (ASC) From 1/07/2016 to 30/06/2017

SERVICE TARGETS• To operate as close to full capacity (30 children each

morning and 45 each afternoon and each vacation care day) as possible utilising, and as often as financially possible exceeding, our staffing ratio of one staff member for every fifteen children in a bid to deliver a high quality service while remaining financially sustainable.

• All staff at KOOSH continue in their efforts to provide high quality care to the diverse range of families within the area.

SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS• The KOOSH space hosted the 2016 Blue Fringe

Literature Awards and Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre’s 2016 Annual General Meeting. Both events were well attended and KOOSH received plenty of positive feedback about the overall feeling of peace and welcoming that the space exudes.

• Isaac Tito-Sherring, the KOOSH trainee child care worker, has continued into the second year of his traineeship and has been given positive feedback from the observations that have been conducted by his training supervisor.

• KOOSH continues to access the Inclusion Development Fund through the Inclusion Agency (KU), which enables us to employ extra staff to help us provide a high quality of care to several children with additional needs who use KOOSH.

• Our relationship with the Aboriginal Cultural Resource Centre’s KOORI playgroup continues and it has been gratifying to see families gathering at KOOSH each week. The space at KOOSH has also been used to host a variety of community activities and events, including book club meetings, volunteer group supervision,

SERVICE ACTIVITYKOOSH operated for a total of 243 operating days across 2016-2017, and provided care to 140 families across that period.

Katoomba Out of School Hours (VAC)From 1/07/2016 to 30/06/2017

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Attendances 1073 1208 1008 1039 814 0 0 Capacity 65% 76% 60% 65% 49% 0% 0% Total Attendances 5142 Total Children 149 Average Attended per session 25.46 Average Capacity per session 63.00%

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Attendances 222 310 281 255 234 0 0 Capacity 73% 81% 73% 75% 69% 0% 0% Total Attendances 1302 Total Children 149 Average Attended per session 31.76 Average Capacity per session 74.00%

Lego at KOOSH.

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Cid doing finger knitting at KOOSHmonthly family lunches, the TAFE outreach program Triple R and the Walanmarra (meaning: growing stronger every day) Women’s Art Group.

• KOOSH continues to attract an increasing number of referrals from the Department of Family and Community Services both directly and via the Brighter Futures program. KOOSH is able to offer ongoing support to families in crisis or experiencing tough times, and the children within those families, by providing a safe, non-judgemental and caring space for children and families to just be.

• KOOSH continues to host Duke of Edinburgh students from Katoomba High School to undertake their community services component of the scheme.

TRAINING ATTENDED BY STAFFProvide an Emergency First Aid Response in an Education & Care Setting – attended by Isaac Tito-Sherring

Statement of Attainment to Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – attended by Vasant de Mello and Jenna Cosgrove

Mental Health First Aid Course – attended by Vasant de Mello

Linker Network training – attended by Vasant de Mello

QUOTESA long term KOOSH parent shares her experience of her family’s journey at KOOSH:

MY FAMILY’S JOURNEY

I first came to KOOSH five and a half years ago when my then 5 year old son was enrolled into the after school and holiday programs.

My son had previously been in full time day care and we found the change to KOOSH much less like a big institution and much more like a warm extended family where my son was made to feel very welcome.

My son had, at that time, undiagnosed behavioural problems. Learning about these problems and how to best care for them began with Vasant and his team as did the long journey towards a diagnosis. My son was never made to feel different and was encouraged to take part in the many activities and skills development that took place, despite his often difficult behaviour.

The most important thing my son has learnt is how to communicate with others, how to fit in and play a part in a large happy family, how to make friends and maintain friendships. These valuable lessons were not taught to him at school.

My journey as a parent of a child with behaviour issues has meant that there have been some uncomfortable conversations at times. The team at KOOSH, however, have gone to great lengths to provide boundaries and modelled good behaviour and have become people that my son genuinely sees as his extended family and people that love him. My son has a personalised hug or handshake combination that he gives to each member of the KOOSH team on saying goodbye each afternoon. Every single time the team enthusiastically fist bump and mimic hand explosions with him. He is never made to feel small, or a nuisance.

It is difficult to express just how important KOOSH is to my son. I would like to thank each and every member of the team at KOOSH for the fantastic job that they do.Jeannine

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to acknowledge all the staff at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre for their ongoing support of KOOSH through thick and thin; their camaraderie is always welcome and appreciated. I would like to thank the following local businesses for their support of KOOSH: Fantastic Aussie Tours, The Edge Cinema, Mt Vic Flicks, Camp Street Climbing and Hands, Heart and Feet. I would also like to thank the Duke of Edinburgh students, Mieke Stolk, Jasmine Sandilant and Ophelia Nyssen for their participation at KOOSH while on their placements; the children were buoyed by your weekly visits. Lastly but by no means least, I would like to thank all the families that use KOOSH, the significance of this is never lost on all the KOOSH staff. Thank you! n

‘You see a child play, and it is so close to seeing an artist paint, for in play a child says things without uttering a word. You can see how he solves his problems. You can also see what’s wrong. Young children, especially, have enormous creativity, and whatever’s in them rises to the surface in free play.’ Erik Erikson

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Above: Rome and family with staff at KOOSH.

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COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME (CVS)

Felicity TonksCoordinator

CVS is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Department of Health

CVS Volunteers for 2016 – 2017: Elizabeth Bowe, Antoni Cornado-Cornet, Keith Davies, Betty Evers, Denise Garden, Linda Hemmings, Narelle McIntyre, Jim Peoples, Chantelle Wallis, Patricia Woodley, Carol Price, Carolanne Van Leeuwen, Helen Rabone, Peter Aboud, Jenny Ingram, Matthew Tonks, Patty Pye, Deb Hurley, Kerrin Gale, Sabrina Haberlah, Sara Nyssen, Anna Clark-Doyle, Melanie Nicholls, Gino Baudo, Joy Constantine, Matthew Johnson and Pierre Narsoomamode.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) aims to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for isolated residents living in residential aged care facilities (ACFs) and for those living in their own homes supported by Home Care Packages, by matching them with volunteers who visit on a weekly or fortnightly basis for social support. The CVS also provides volunteers to aged care facilities to help facilitate small group activities to further increase the residents’ connection to the community.

SERVICE TARGETS The performance of the program is measured and reported to the Australian Government Department of Health based on the number of Active Visitors in service. An ‘Active Visitor’ is defined by the program operating guidelines as someone who visits a resident 20 or more times per year. CVS Upper Mountains, which covers the area from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba, is funded for a target of 25 visitors for the one-on-one Residential Aged Care visits,

and funded for a target of 10 visitors for the Home Care one-to-one visits (Woodford to Mount Victoria). The CVS is also currently funded for a target of 5 ‘Group’ visits in residential aged care facilities.

SERVICE ACTIVITY In the year 2016 - 17 CVS had 18.25 reportable active visitors for the Residential One-on-One visits out of a funded target of 25 (an aggregate figure). This year we also reported on the number of care recipients who received service, of which there were 24 in the CVS Residential One-on-One visits. For the Home Care visits, we had 7 reportable active visitors, visiting 8 residents, out of the target of 10, which is a rise of 1.15 active visitors from last year. We had 3 groups out of the target of 5 running in local aged care facilities for this period, and are looking to start more. This is dependent on willingness and availability of volunteers. It is worth noting that while we calculate figures on the ‘active visitor’, the service still maintains volunteers who are not ‘matched’. This may be because they are on a break due

to ill health, or because we have no referrals from aged care facilities or home care package providers that are suitable for the volunteer.

CVS reports on the number of visits. Over 2016 - 2017, there were 438 visits in total. If we estimate the average visit to be 1.5 hours, this would equate to 657 volunteer hours given to socially isolated residents in our community (not counting the fact that in the group visits, of which there were 48, numerous residents were receiving the service).

HIGHLIGHTS• ForVolunteerWeekinMay,KatoombaNeighbourhood

Centre hosted an event at The Paragon to celebrate their volunteers and to thank them for their service. Trish Doyle, State Member for the Blue Mountains, was in attendance, and presented an award to Chantelle Wallis, who has been volunteering as a Community Visitor on a weekly basis at Morven Gardens aged care facility since March 2014. It was wonderful to witness Chantelle’s

Both Patricia Woodley and Blade receiving awards from Councillor Chris Van der Kley at the 2017 BMCC Seniors Week Award Ceremony.

CVS

Chantelle Wallis receiving her volunteer award with Trish Doyle, State Member for Blue Mountains.

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happiness upon receiving her award. Keith Davies, long-term volunteer at Morven Gardens, was also presented with an award by Trish Doyle, in recognition of the work he does with the residents at Morven Gardens and the Book Circle he facilitates there.

• On 28 March 2017, Blue Mountains City Council hosted an event for Seniors Week to celebrate all senior volunteers across the Blue Mountains. Patricia Woodley, alongside Blade her Siberian Husky, was nominated for her community visiting volunteering, human and canine both receiving an award from BMCC. Thanks go to Prue Hardgrove from council, who organises this wonderful event.

• In December 2016, volunteers and staff gathered together at Hana Japanese restaurant in Leura to celebrate the Christmas season, and the year that had passed. It is always a great opportunity to get together with KNC volunteers across services, to share stories and connect.

• Training opportunities for staff and volunteers: On 25 and 26 August 2016, staff from community organisations across the Blue Mountains, as well as some volunteers, were given the opportunity to partake in a two day training workshop on ‘Standard Mental Health First Aid’. The workshop was a joint project of Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre and Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre. It was well delivered and well received by all who attended, and provided participants with useful tools for interacting with people they might come into contact with as they work in the community. On 10 February 2017, we offered training to KNC volunteers, provided by Anglicare’s Dementia Advisory Service, called ‘Demystifying Dementia’. We make efforts to have this as regular training for our volunteers as a large part of our client base is people over 65, some with dementia. It is always well attended and is found to be useful and informative.

• We continue to have the support of Michael Farrell-Whelan to provide to our volunteers, Clinical

Supervision. This provides volunteers with the opportunity to talk about some of the issues they may have with the residents they visit, the facilities they visit within or things that are happening at KNC in a safe facilitated environment.

GRAPHIC DESIGNA significant part of my role at KNC, is in the creation of artwork for the organisation at large. I am pleased to be able to use my graphic design skills to make fliers for community events, reports, business cards, banners and posters, as well as the annual report, of which this is my 5th. Thank you to KNC for this opportunity.

Welcome to new volunteers:During the 2016– 2017 year, we have been fortunate to have new volunteers join the CVS, and we welcome them gratefully.

Kerrin Gale, Sabrinah Haberlah, Sara Nyssen, Anna Clark-Doyle, Melanie Nicholls, Gino Baudo and Pierre Narsoomamode.

Visitors who retired during the year:Thanks to Jim Peoples who has been visiting at Martyn Claver for many years - visiting both individuals and running a men’s discussion group. You have been a real stalwart in the Community Visitors Scheme.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to thank the following Aged Care Facilities and their staff: Kerry-Anne Coxhedge at Anita Villa, Rebecca Bishop and Elisa Southall at Bodington, Nellie Campbell at Morven Gardens, Anna Hottwagner at Martyn Claver, and Lisa at The Ritz. Thanks also go to Margaret O’Malley at Uniting Care for your support in referring Home Care clients to the CVS. Your assistance in identifying the residents who are most in need of social support has been an integral part in ensuring the success of the CVS scheme. Thanks also go to Michael Farrell-Whelan for supporting KNC’s staff and volunteers with our volunteer and staff supervision and orientation. Thanks also to Prue Hardgrove, Ageing and Disability Services Development Officer at BMCC for her support of our services – always distributing notification of events on our behalf, as well

as sharing useful information and events occurring in the sector. I would also like to acknowledge the support of KNC at large – I feel lucky to work alongside such a fantastic group of staff who I find to be very kind and knowledgable. The management team provide great practical support with the running of the CVS as well as with supporting us in our more generalist roles at KNC. Lastly and most importantly, I would like to acknowledge KNC’s volunteers who demonstrate a genuine willingness to help others, often going above and beyond in many ways to do so. n

Top: Felicity Tonks with CVS volunteer Peter Aboud receiving a recognition award on behalf of all KNC volunteers, from John Robertson MP, at the State Volunteering Awards in Penrith this year. Above: Keith Davies receiving an ‘Oscar’ for his volunteering at Morven Gardens, with Trish Doyle, State Member for Blue Mountains.

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KVHVKATOOMBA VOLUNTEER HOME VISITORS (KVHV)

Marlene ChurnCoordinator

Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

Project Worker: Korey Gunnis - Katoomba Film SocietyWriters Group and Bookclub Facilitator: John HockneyKNC Volunteer Group Clinical Supervision: Michael Farrell-Whelan

VOLUNTEER VISITORS Antonio Cornado-Cornet, Narelle McIntyre, Robyn Fairbairn, Diane Stebbings, Bernadette Power, Biruta Latta, Wayne Airth, Joy Constantine, Suzanne Kuhn, Korey Gunnis (Sci Fi KFS), Greg Rich (KFS), Matthew Johnson, Rexann Maxwell, Gwen Meehan, Sharon Shaw, Pat McCullough, Gino Baudo.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONKVHV aims to support frail-aged people and people of all ages living with a disability by providing services which enable people to remain in their own homes rather then moving into institutional settings. KVHV aims to enable people to remain independent for as long as possible within their community, for as long as it is safe to do so.  KVHV works to achieve these aims by providing opportunities for ongoing social connection and inclusion for older people and people living with a disability who are isolated within their communities. Opportunities for social connection are provided through one-to-one social support and through social inclusion groups.

Marlene and the MAG President, David Bowron at 2017’s Mardi Gras.

Photo by Marty Walker

 SOCIAL INCLUSION GROUPS RUN IN 2016-17• Writers Group• Bookclub• Katoomba Film Society (Project Worker Korey Gunnis)• Male Carers & Men’s Group Workshops• Out and About - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender• Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) Monthly Social Group• People Living with HIV & AIDS (PLWHA) Wednesday

Lunch Group

KVHV organised and facilitated events in the following annual community events in 2016-17:• Seniors Week • Carers Week • Volunteers Week• International Day for People Living with a Disability

(Project Worker - Korey Gunnis)

SERVICE TARGETSKVHV is funded to provide 25 one-to-one social support volunteer visitors.

Social inclusion group targets are included in the Blue Mountains Community Support Program social support targets (see BMCSP service report).

SERVICE ACTIVITYKVHV volunteers provide invaluable one-to-one social support for clients of the service who are often the more vulnerable members of our community living in isolated situations. As at 30 June 2017, there were 16 active clients and 16 active volunteers in the KVHV service. The past 12 months has seen a fluctuation in volunteer numbers due in part to some volunteers requiring time out due to family obligations and health needs. To address this the KVHV and CVS service coordinators have combined volunteer recruitment and training activity this year. This move to establishing a pool of volunteers across KNC has included planning for a register which will detail volunteer skills and interests to build and maintain engagement in the varying volunteering roles.

This year has also seen a move to the majority of referrals

of potential clients aged 65 and over (50 and over for ATSI clients) coming through the My Aged Care system. Accepted referrals are processed by KNC’s Intake service and referred to the appropriate KNC service (including KVHV) and/or other VHV services located at Lower Mountains, Springwood and Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centres.

Changes in the sector this year have affected the number of client referrals. The move towards Consumer Directed Care and an increase in the allocation of eligibility notifications for Home Care Packages since February 2017 have had an impact on the sector in general. During this year the sector has also seen the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to include 18 – 64 year olds in the Blue Mountains from July 2016. The impact on KVHV has been that where participants move on to Home Care Packages or are transitioned onto NDIS their eligibility for VHV services ceases. Funding for the services provided by VHV volunteers is only for Commonwealth Home Support clients and FACS Ageing Disability and Home Care funded supports where the clients have not transitioned or been

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eligible for NDIS. Clients who move to Home Care Packages are eligible for a volunteer through the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS). For example, where a current client of a VHV service has moved on to a Home Care Package and has a volunteer in place the client and volunteer can move to the CVS program and this has shown to be of benefit to the client with a seamless transition of the social support role. Furthermore, currently there is no added cost to their Home Care Package as CVS programs are allocated funding for a limited number of volunteer places where people are on Home Care Packages. By working together in an increasingly integrated way, the KNC KVHV and CVS service coordinators are assisting clients to maintain established social support relationships through a transition period, and are also building the sustainability of the KVHV and CVS services for the benefit of our clients.

HIGHLIGHTS Mardi Gras 2017 with Out and AboutOut and About (LGBTQI Social Group) and the PLWHA Lunch Club (People Living with HIV & AIDS) members were once again invited to be a part of the 2017 Mardi Gras celebrations. This year the Blue Mountains contingent climbed on board MAG’s (Mature Aged Gay Males) double decker bus and blazed a trail up Oxford Street in Sydney through a sea of glitter to the sounds of Kylie Minogue’s Better the Devil You Know and the melodic voice that is Rod Stewart singing Rhythm of My Heart. Mardi Gras is not only a time to celebrate and connect in community; it is also a chance to raise awareness about varying issues impacting on the LGBTQI community. A current ongoing issue is marriage equality, so it was great to witness that this was strongly represented throughout the parade. As the Australian Human Rights Commission has said “it considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.” With the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras to be held in 2018, ideas are already being discussed to have a ruby anniversary theme with some members hoping that these celebrations will include that

the right to marriage will also be available to them.

Carers Week October 2016, Blue Mountains Playback Theatre at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre KatoombaTo celebrate Carers Week 2016, and to raise awareness about the lives and stories of carers, members from all parts of community were invited to join and experience this through an interactive live performance by Blue Mountains Playback theatre held at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba. Playback Theatre is a form of theatre where actors and musicians retell stories from audience members using improvisation, voice, movement and music. The event provided a space where a connection was built between those attending and the performers and highlighted the stories being told, giving voice to the caring roles that varied from humorous to confronting. The performance powerfully acknowledged carers’ roles and demonstrated the continued need for support, understanding, information and services for carers.

Blue Mountains Elder Abuse Collaborative (Felicity Tonks & Marlene Churn KNC Representatives), NSW EAHRU (Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit) & World Elder Abuse Day 2016One of the main focuses of the Blue Mountains Elder Abuse Collaborative has been working towards increasing capacity in the workforce and community awareness around Elder Abuse through a combination of accessing training for its members and providing education programs to the community. The aim is to raise awareness and provide resources and supports available such as the Elder Abuse Helpline. Membership in the collaborative has provided an opportunity to both expand and build upon existing networks with a variety of workers including government, NGOs, allied health, support services and emergency service workers (including Springwood Police). The aim of the EAHRU has been to intervene and prevent incidences of elder abuse, with the Helpline offering information, support and referrals relating to abuse and suspected abuse of older people living in NSW. The resource unit designs, develops and facilitates educational programs and workshops. Felicity Tonks,

John, Robbie and trainer Jenny at the Triple R course.

KNC CVS Coordinator, and myself have been working as part of the Blue Mountains Collaborative over the past 12 months and have attended the Train the Trainer and Face to Face community education training sessions. The Blue Mountains Collaborative has organised for different members to run community information sessions targeting different demographics in the mountains. Felicity and I chose to nominate to run an information session specifically targeting the LGBTQI community to be held in 2018.

As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events for June 2016, the Blue Mountains Collaborative coordinated a workshop on early intervention, prevention and stress management targeting carers. The workshop was facilitated by Grief and Loss Counsellor Michael Farrell-Whelan and coordinated by Felicity Tonks and myself. The workshop highlighted the vital role of carers and the importance of access to support services and information for carers where responsibilities can be demanding and become extremely distressing. The day also provided an opportunity to hear from carers.

Stepping On ProgramStepping On is a community based falls prevention program run by NSW Health. The program has run three times at KNC over the past twelve months, targeting people 65 and over, and included a course targeted

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at Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participants. The program consists of a 7 week course running for 2 hours per week, plus a booster session once the 7 week course has been completed. The course run by trained workers is free and the aim is to teach participants how to reduce falls risk and maximise ability in everyday activities. The weekly sessions also include presentations from health professionals discussing a range of topics including: Nutrition, Medication Management, Footwear, Home Hazard Awareness and Moving Safely in the Community. The program also importantly provides a place for people to meet, share ideas and form connections. It has been a privilege to be able to support this program and many thanks to the amazing workers from NSW Health Nepean Local Health Districts including Susan, Andrew, Sheila (a physio who knows how to make people laugh and works them hard), Aunty Bev and all the fantastic participants.  

“Living the Luminous Life: Lighting up Your Life with Joy & Connection”, Volunteer and Staff Workshop presented by Anthony Ackroyd, Carrington Hotel June 2017 The idea behind the workshop was to look at the benefits of having a workplace where both volunteers and staff feel engaged, motivated, supported, valued and are provided with ideas and resources on how to look after yourself. The workshop is created by Anthony Ackroyd who has a strong background in stand-up comedy, film, radio,

writing, working as a humour therapist with people living with dementia and people living with a disability, clown doctor and Laughter Therapy workshop presenter “Stress Less Laugh More”. In this workshop Anthony engaged participants around four key elements: Joy, Purpose, Creativity and Connections.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWell what a year it has been both with highlights and challenges, including that of the heart. It takes many to be able to do all that we do in any community so a huge thanks to everyone. Brian Gravison, family and friends, the numbers-queen Sue Jaques heading west, our fantastic Katoomba Volunteer Home Visitors, the wonderful KNC Staff, Board members and volunteers, clients, participants, social group members, Aunty Carol Cooper, John Hockney, Michael Farrell-Whelan, Anthony Ackroyd, The

Anthony Ackroyd: ‘Living the Luminous Life”.

BOOK GROUP & WRITERS GROUPJohn HockneySessional Worker

BOOK CLUBThis year we counted how many titles our book club has digested and discussed since we began. Plus some typed short stories we have read over 63 books.

That’s a pretty good number and looks like some great titles coming for next year.

Our membership remains constant with 6 original members still part of the group. The success we feel is via the democratic choice of book selection and the rules we have applied form the start that we speak each for ten minutes then have open discussion.

WRITING LIFE STORIESIts amazing what people share, and indeed what they have done in their lives. There is no such thing as an ordinary person. Not in this writing group who openly have covered travels to Ashrams in India, bleak moors in Scotland and been schooled in the hinterland of Mid Coast NSW.

There is no one You-er than you says Dr Seuss – We agree. n

Blue Mountains Gazette, The Carrington Hotel staff and management, Michaela Murray and Anita (Carrington Hotel Functions Coordinator), Paragon Café, Big W Katoomba, Megalong Books, Bunnings Valley Heights, United Cinemas, Coles Katoomba, Megalong Books, The Family Hotel - Katoomba, Bygone Beautys (Leura), Zest Café and Restaurant (Leura), Rotary, CWA Leura, VHV Coordinators,  insightful Photographer Marty Walker, Prue Hardgrove and Blue Mountains City Council, colleagues across the services, Neighbour Aid Association, Elder Abuse Collaborative Members, Jack Goldberg, Kate Le Corneu, Cheryl Edwards, Trish Doyle MP, Suzie Van Opdorp, Susan Templeman MP, Jenny, Liz and Denise TAFE NSW, clients of the service, their families and friends, Katoomba Men’s Shed, Community Care Forum members and my family. n

Training, Workshops & Events

Title Number

of Sessions

Attendance

Inaugural Brian Gravison Volunteer Awards 1 40

Volunteer Group Clinical Supervision 4 36

Volunteer Orientation 4 24 International Volunteers Day & Christmas Celebrations 1 25

Volunteer Dementia Awareness Training 1 10

Blue Mountains City Council Seniors Week Awards 1 4+ 1 Dog

Carers Week Event with Playback Theatre Cultural Centre Katoomba 1 50

Volunteer Get Togethers 4 44

Anthony Ackroyd Luminous Life Workshop Volunteers and Staff 1 36

Elder Abuse Workshop for Carers with Michael Farrell Whelan – 1 8

Mental Health Training 1 3 (joint training 3 from KNC)

NSW Volunteer Awards – Nepean Rowers Club 1

3 (only 3 KNC Volunteer

Representatives allowed to

attend) Total 20 273

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KATOOMBA FILM SOCIETYKorey Gunnis Project Worker

FUNDINGKatoomba Film Society (KFS) is a social inclusion group of Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, funded by the Department of Health Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), and through annual membership fees.

VOLUNTEERSGreg Rich is a regular KFS volunteer who assists with projection work at matinee film screenings, poster design, and he facilitates the Friday night film screenings.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONKatoomba Film Society is a social inclusion group, aimed at bringing together people over 65, people with a disability and members of the general public with a love of cinema. KFS screens classic and science fiction films at the Paragon Café in Katoomba. Film screenings occur on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 11am, and during warmer months on the 3rd Friday of the month at 7pm.

SERVICE ACTIVITYAttendance at film screenings has been mixed during the 2016-17 financial year. Increased attendance during the latter half of the financial year was assisted by phone call reminders by volunteers at KNC reception.

Phone call reminders by reception volunteers have also been valuable as they provide an opportunity for regular contact between film club members and KNC, allowing members to provide feedback or comments, and find out about other KNC services and activities, as well as providing reminders about when and what type of films

are being screened.

Low attendances to Friday night film screenings are thought to be due in part to the cool temperatures of the event space at the Paragon Café during the evening. Knee rugs were purchased by KNC to alleviate the cooler temperatures for attendees during the colder months.

July 2016 - June 2017 film screening attendances

HIGHLIGHTSA Short Film Festival for International Day for People with a Disability was held in early December 2016 at Mount Vic Flicks, and attracted about 30 people. This event was held in partnership with NADO.

A wildly successful Trivia Night fundraiser for KFS was held in late January 2017 at the Paragon Cafe. This sold-out event attracted over 50 people who participated in a fun night of trivia and who enjoyed entertainment by the MC David Hill and the Megalong Marys during the evening (see image to the right). Over $450 was raised on the night from ticket sales and raffle ticket sales.

As part of Seniors Week during March 2017, two special event matinee film screenings were held at the Paragon Café. At these two events, a delicious morning tea was

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Matinee Friday Nights

provided to attendees prior to the film screenings, and there were lucky door prizes and raffles with special prizes.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI would like to particularly acknowledge Greg Rich, for all of the fantastic work he has done during this financial year - without his involvement, the special events and film screenings would not have been so successful. Further acknowledgement also goes to Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains, and to Susan Templeman MP, Federal Member for Macquarie, for their generous donations for the Seniors Week events.

I would also like to especially acknowledge the Paragon Café for their continued support for KFS and for providing a fantastic venue for our regular film screenings and special events. Acknowledgement is also given to other local businesses in the area for donating prizes for special events held during this period, including The Hattery, Megalong Books, Bunnings Warehouse at Valley Heights, and Bygone Beautys. n

Left: Quiche Lorraine aka David Hill and the Megalong Mary’s at Film Club’s Trivia night.

Right: The Paragon provides a festive venue for

Film Club’s Trivia night.

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INTAKEService Name: Intake

SERVICE STAFFKorey Gunnis – Monday, ThursdayBrenda Sherring – Tuesday, Friday

FUNDING BODYKatoomba Neighbourhood Centre’s Intake service is funded by a portion of funding KNC receives from the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONKNC’s Intake service operates 9am - 1pm Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri. Intake handles enquiries from community members, and provides a comprehensive intake service for referred clients, for all CHSP-funded services operated by KNC, including domestic assistance, home modifications, home maintenance, garden maintenance and social support. Intake also coordinates social support referrals for CHSP-funded social inclusion groups operating at our partner neighbourhood centres: Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, Springwood Neighbourhood Centre and Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre. Some general enquiries from NDIS participants are also handled by Intake.

Referrals to Intake are primarily received through the Australian Government’s My Aged Care online portal and system. Enquiries handled by Intake mostly relate to people requesting information about what type of assistance they may be eligible for, and what services are available from KNC and our partner neighbourhood centres. Intake staff work dedicatedly, over the phone and in person with clients, to assist people over 65 to navigate the complexities of the My Aged Care system and to refer

them appropriately to services which are best matched to their individual needs.

Intake staff make initial contact with clients to:

1. Establish a relationship of friendliness and trust with the client

2. Determine what services the client requires ; and

3. Obtain necessary information to populate our client management system

Risk assessments of the client’s home environment are carried out (to comply with WHS obligations towards KNC staff AND to highlight any areas where the client may need assistance) together with a prioritisation of the client’s various needs. The client is then referred to the relevant service coordinator/s for provision of service.

530 referrals were handled by Intake across 2016-2017. Please note that as our Domestic Assistance service maintained a full client base throughout the year, no new referrals for Domestic Assistance came through Intake. n

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Intake Referrals July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

Social Support- KNC

HomeMaintenance

ASSIST

GardenMaintenance

ASSIST

HomeModi�cations

ASSIST

NDIS

Above: Bren Sherring at Intake desk. Below: Fellow Intake worker Korey Gunnis.

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REMEMBERING BRIAN

My life saver

My go-to person

My guardian

The voice of reason

One amazing man

We asked people who knew Brian, to write a word or two about him. These words are those words...

A bringer of FUN!

Special

Generosity of spirit

Fun, Courageous and Giving

Compassionate

Gorgeous

Human

Wise, beautiful soul

Silver service always

I first met Brian when I applied for the position of Coordinator of the Community Visitors Scheme in 2000. Brian was on the interview panel; however, being so nervous and having my 3 year old son at the interview it was all a blur. My first clear memory of Brian was actually a couple of weeks later at a KNC event that I attended with my partner Andrew, not long after starting work with KNC. I remember Brian’s smiling eyes looking at us kindly as he introduced himself, making us feel welcome. Being new to KNC and new to the Mountains with two very young children was daunting, let alone computers, emails and some strange thing called the internet. Fortunately I was lucky to have Brian as a volunteer, a service committee member on the various projects I worked on and the KNC management committee. Brian always said “don’t worry” and with few words conveyed what was important in the job and about being a part of community. While Brian had his official clients with the home visiting service there were so many people, their pets and community groups who were also supported by him. Brian noticed things and then did something about it. On one occasion after noticing that a neighbour across the road from him had not been putting their bin out, he went over, knocked on the front door and asked if they were ok. As it turned out the neighbour’s partner was very unwell in hospital and the neighbour themselves was also struggling. Brian phoned me at KNC and said I think this person could do with a volunteer visitor. “I’ll do it.” he said, “Can you come and have a chat with them and see if there is anything else we can do. “

There are so many fun times and memories shared by all of us at KNC which are associated with Brian and it’s hard to choose a highlight. Brian was always there to support others in the community so it was no surprise when others got together to help out Brian. While driving Brian had hit some ice on the road and his car was written off (Brian was okay). Friends of Brian organised a surprise Sunday afternoon tea at the Blackburn’s home to raise funds to get Brian a new car. As some of us could not make it to this event we organised a collection at KNC and the ruse to get Brian to come to KNC to give him his envelope was that we had introduced Fabulous Fridays at KNC and Brian was invited to our very first Fabulous Friday Afternoon Tea. Brian suspected nothing, a true testament to his easy going nature and time at KNC.

Just before Brian passed away Sue, Bren and I went to visit him in hospital. He was so unwell, so frail, and so sick. While we were there no matter who walked in he asked after them and their family. He joked with his friend Kevin who said he looked terrible. My last memory is of Brian smiling and looking at the people in the room. When I later spoke of this with Diane Jacobus, I said that I thought he was smiling and he looked like he was loved, Diane said he knew he was loved. - Marlene Churn

Brian was a part of KNC from 1993 - 2017, volunteering across a wide variety of roles including: management committee member, reception volunteer, Chair of the management committee, home visitor with the volunteer home visitor service, and he was a central part of the team who prepared and hosted the monthly community lunches. Brian very sadly passed away on 24 February 2017.

34

insurance company for a couple of years. Those were the days when jobs were plentiful and you could apply for three jobs at once and pick the one you considered best.

The hospitality industry appealed to Brian far more than the daily office grind, so he began working in pubs and clubs, remaining in the industry for most of his life.

After a short visit back to Perth, he returned to Sydney applying for a job with the Union Club, little realising the prestigious establishment was not a football club! He bluffed his way successfully through an interview by using forged references. Brian says “There was this wonderful manageress, and after I did the first lunch with silver platter service, she called me over and said “You’ve never been a waiter before in your life have you?”. And I said “No!”. She really was a wonderful person because she said “Well, we’ll have to teach you — because I like you. “

Brian continued working on a casual basis for over ten years. He recalls the extremes of his places of work when he took a job in a Balmain pub. It was before the suburb became trendy. Walking into the bar the first day, he gulped, and though “My God, they’re going to kill me.”. His versatile personality fitted well, so for three years his customers enjoyed Brian’s brand of service.

Brian was a people person! His congeniality, humour and general empathy with his fellow man were his endearing qualities.

He was also an alcoholic. When he successfully fought his addiction, he felt very strongly he should give something back to the community. Completing a drug and alcohol course at TAFE in Sydney, he thought he would do something else, so in 1991 he left the hustle and bustle of the city, and came to the mountains.

His first volunteer work was with the community network support, caring for people with HIV and AIDS. Sadly, most of Brian’s clients died. Two years later Brian applied for a volunteer reception job at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre. That was the beginning of a remarkable volunteer service.

Brian shares his story: “I have been a volunteer with them since 1993, working in reception and management committee for ten years, and chairperson for three years. Most decision are about services and are really about overseeing. I have also worked as a carer. The first person I cared for where I put out her rubbish bin,

was an eccentric woman who lived up a dirt track near the ‘Explorers Tree’. She wasn’t the easiest of people, but I got terribly involved with her - probably over involved, but she was such an interesting person. My Otto Bin lady, I used to call her.

Then I was a carer taking library books to an elderly couple until the woman died. I continued caring for her husband, until he died, that was over ten years ago. You tend to become friends, and become very attached to them. When they pass on, emotionally it is like losing a good friend. But the volunteer support service from the neighbourhood centre helps — they keep an eye on you. Make sure you are OK! I had a client not so long ago who was blind, and I had the greatest admiration for him. I won’t go into the detail of him dying, but I was quite shocked by it and still haven’t really got over it. I’m still talking about it, still feel the shock!”.

I have been involved with the community lunch since it first started ten years ago. June Humphreys does the cooking, creating wonderful food, assisted by a regular group of volunteers. It was the brainchild of Dianne Jacobus, to get people to come to the centre, so they would be aware what services the centre offered. In that respect the lunch has been highly successful. The rewarding part is from people in the boarding houses around the mountains who keep coming back on a regular basis. We have music as well: The Duffy’s (John and Tinker), played lively Irish music here for years, until they had to leave. Now June gathers other muso’s and plays with them. The live music really helps make it. Music for Dessert!

Volunteering becomes very satisfying, with most of my fellow volunteers becoming your friends. I never started with the intention of doing as as I do, but it just snowballs. The Blue Mountains community lends itself to this work. I mean, I think this is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. Living in Sydney for 27 years, I never really got to know my neighbours, you get absorbed into the greater community.

Here it just happens! There are so many incredible people in the mountains, who give of their time. Without these volunteers, and the people who care, the country would collapse. We can’t forget the other helpers, Smith Family, St Vincent De Paul, and all the other agencies that help and support people.

It really makes you think! Life really is beautiful! n

Beryl Jackson was a war bride. She met Curly Gravison, a handsome US Army private when he visited Fremantle on

R&R. They fell in love and were married in Townsville before Curly was posted to the Philippines.

New Hampshire, in the beautiful state of New England, became home for Beryl and Curly when they returned to the US after the war. In 1946 their second child Brian was born. New Hampshire boasts rugged mountains and breathtaking countryside, but Beryl longed for the warmth of WA and her own family. After the birth of Brian’s sister Sue, the family moved to Fremantle, (Curly believing it was for a short two year period). Beryl had other ideas, and the Gravison’s remained firmly entrenched in Western Australia.

The family first lived with Brian’s grandmother, until they found a tenement house near the wharves of “Freemantle. The house was two storeys, with the Gravison’s living in the ground level apartment and an Egyptian family upstairs.

After the birth of another two sisters, Rita and Annette, the house became too small for the growing family and they were allocated a commission home in the new suburb of Willagee, specifically built for migrants. The area was multicultural before ‘multiculturalism’ became a buzz word. Brian’s recollections were that life was harmonious and enjoyable, at least for the kids. Any prejudice came from adults. It was a league of nations with Europeans, English, Italians, and Greeks all living and working together within this small suburb.

At 19, travelling the world became Brian’s dream, but he met a guy called Kevin who was also 20. Both were eligible conscripts to the Vietnam War, but Kevin had no intention of going off to war, and coaxed Brian to join him on a big trip to Australia’s eastern states. Brian wasn’t happy about conscription either, but would have gone. In those days he did as he was told!

Kevin’s old Holden car was loaded up with possessions and spares. It wasn’t quite travelling the world Brian thought, but it was a beginning.

They drove across the Nullarbor Plain, absorbing its splendour and space, interrupted for repairs or wheel changes when the bull dust pot holes ripped their tyres. Needing some extra cash and sustenance, the adventurers took fruit picking work in South Australia before moving on to Melbourne, then up to Sydney.

Brian started work in the stationery department of an

EXCERPT: ‘OPEN HEARTS, HIDDEN LIVES’ - Interview with Brian Gravison by John Hockney

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Farewell Sue Jaques32 years at KNC!

36

Sue is an utterly amazing

person. She will be sorely missed by us all. Sue has made an unsurpassed contribution to KNC over 32 years. I have greatly appreciated knowing Sue on

a personal and a professional level. She has always provided strong, empathic and loyal advice to both the management and staff of KNC and also to the Board. The financial management Sue provided to KNC has been utterly professional, highly disciplined and well thought-out. Her outstanding service to KNC is one key reason why we are in a position of strength today after all this time. Sue, I hope you have a wonderful retirement and please stay in touch! - Ruth Bennett, Chair, KNC Inc.

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VALE STREETTHE VALE STREET CENTRE PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Bren SherringCoordinator

FUNDING BODY: Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD)

SERVICE STAFFMelanie van Kessel (Project Worker), Amos Tito (Bus Driver/Casual Support)

VOLUNTEERCatherine Rummery – Dance/Movement Therapy Student.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION The Vale St. Centre program is a social, emotional and recreational support service for people living with or recovering from a period of mental ill-health. The focus of the service is to provide opportunities for safe, supported socialisation and enjoyable, meaningful recreation and activities as well as development of practical, usable living skills.

The service direction is guided by the needs of the participants, and people who attend the service are encouraged to share their skills, abilities and knowledge with each other and service staff. The Vale St. Centre honours the life experience of the diverse range of people who attend the program.

Monthly Participant Meetings are an opportunity for people to comment and decide on the day-to-day running of, and planning for, the service and are chaired and minuted by participant volunteers. All participants have the opportunity to raise agenda items and be part of the decision-making process.

SERVICE TARGETS AND SERVICE ACTIVITY

Annual KPI Performance data Comments Service Activity Four terms of “short courses” and regular drop in program.

� Four terms of short courses and drop in run

� 2535 attendances at courses � Total of 68 programs/short courses (21

Term 1; 17 Term 2;19 Term 3; 28 Term 4)

Service activity – KPIs Met

Service Responsiveness Referred clients perceive the program as mee�ng their needs. Referrer sa�sfac�on with the range and quality of programs provided.

� 1012 total attendances 2016/2017 � 119 registered clients (10% increase) � 43 regular attendees � 37% increase in attendances from

2015/2016 � 47% of regular active clients (n=20)

attended > 10 times in the period � 28% of regular active clients (n=12) � attended >20 times � 92% of the client program evaluations

stated the program was very useful to meeting participants’ needs

� 109 external visitors accessing and supporting the programs

� 32 external referrers

Service Responsiveness – KPIs met

Consumer Satisfaction High level of general consumer sa�sfac�on with various program components.

� 90% of clients responding to satisfaction survey indicate high levels of satisfaction

� 2535 attendances at courses � 47% participants attend overall program

>10 times (7% increase) � 28% regular participants attended >20

times

Consumer Satisfaction – KPI met

Community Engagement & Partnerships Program contributes to consumer recovery and increased community connectedness. Program engages with key partners & mainstream ac�vi�es

� 35%(n=15) of active clients regularly attending Katoomba Community Lunch & Community Café

� 10% (n=4) of active clients have secured part time or sessional work

� 5 programs facilitated by external community agencies

� 10 Service Partner meetings attended � 117 OOS by core external agencies � Meeting friends and social inclusion as

the core activity in 686 attendances

Community Engagement KPI met; Partnership KPI met

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The Vale St Centre program continues to be a primary source of support and socialisation for the clients attending regularly.

Some of the program activities that have run through the 2016/2017 financial year are:

• ‘Teeny-Tiny Treasures’ memory boxes• Mosaic Magic• Lunch Club and Menu Planning and Preparation• Guided Meditation & Relaxation• Monthly Pizza Day & Movie Matinee• Production of ‘The Vale St. Voice’ newsletter• Home Fire Safety visit and workshop by Katoomba

Fire Brigade• PIR NDIS information visit• Community Conversations facilitated by Katoomba

Neighbourhood Centre• Monthly Participants’ Meetings• Pool Comp (win a free lunch!)• Up-cycled Wind Chimes• Writers’ Group• ‘More Than A Fire Plan’ bushfire preparedness

workshop by RFS and Red Cross• Older Women’s Housing Stress Research interviews

and discussion• ‘Bubbles & Fizz’ Soap and bath-bombs• Free computers/internet access• Emergency laundry, shower and kitchen facilities• Information and Referral to other services• Melbourne Cup Pamper Day & Champagne

Luncheon with Katoomba TAFE Massage Therapy students and Blackburn’s Family Hotel

• Open Day 2017• Card Making• Memorial gathering for the friends of Jane Wilson,

who sadly passed away this year• Christmas Party at Hotel Gearin• BMDAMH Mental Health Unit Information Session • Blue Fringe Art & Literature Awards Exhibition,

Literature Anthology & Presentation Ceremony

• ‘Movement & Meditation’ Dance & Movement Therapy• ‘Drumbeats’ drumming program• Recycled Paper Crafts• NDIS Service Coordination & Access• Older Parent Carer program linkage• Easter Lunch• ‘Transformography’ Fantasy Photography workshop

(TAFE Outreach)

HIGHLIGHTSMore than a Fire PlanThis resilience and preparedness initiative was delivered to the Vale St participants by the Rural Fire Service, the Red Cross and members of the Blue Mountains Resilience and Preparedness Working Group. This initiative is designed to assist individuals to develop their individual emergency plans, assist them to connect with neighbours and think through their triggers around responding in an emergency situation. The staff followed on from the More than A Fire Plan engagement to assist participants to feel and be prepared around emergencies and hazards. The Office of Emergency Management on the Emergency NSW homepage have Vale St highlighted in a video, see the link:https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/community-service-workers/index.html

Vale St. Centre Open DayThe Vale St Open Day was held on 29 June 2017. The aim of the annual open day is to showcase the program, invite interested community members to come and meet the staff and participants and see the environment and the program. The open day was hosted and developed by the participants and included a facilitated Dance Movement Therapy workshop. Over 49 people attended the open day.

Blue Fringe Literature Competition and Awards 2016Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre partnered with Springwood Neighbourhood Centre to facilitate the 2016 Blue Fringe Literature competition and awards. Local writer and facilitator John Hockney was chair of the Blue Fringe Literature committee. The Vale St Centre coordinator

Top: Winner of the Blue Fringe Literature Awards 2016, Rachel Corrigan. Above: Avis, Craig, Jade and Hannah celebrating the Melbourne Cup. Right: Bren, Vale Street Coordinator.

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Brenda Sherring was central to the organisation of the competition, and the awards event. The Vale St Centre participants were actively engaged in the competition, with John Hockney running writing workshops with participants (in addition to a workshop run at Springwood Neighbourhood Centre which anyone could attend) and several participants submitting entries for the competition.

37 short story and poetry entries were received from 25 people, and a published booklet of all works submitted was created. The awards event was held at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre on the evening of 1 December 2016, and was a wonderful gathering of more than 50 people. Many of the entries were read aloud on the night, some were read by the authors themselves, and some were read by members of the committee on behalf of the authors. Audience members listened with great warmth and attentiveness as the humorous, sorrowful, challenging, beautiful, painful, reflective stories were shared with them.

Thank you to John Hockney, Felicity Tonks for her graphic design work, Marilla North for judging the competition, Ally Mosher for producing such a beautiful booklet for publication, Megalong Books Leura and Turning Page Bookshop Springwood for donating prizes, and all staff of the Vale St Centre, Springwood Neighbourhood Centre and Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre who contributed to the success of the competition and awards event.

NDISThe roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has the potential to positively impact Vale St participants if they are successful in securing funding and a plan under the NDIS. Vale St and KNC staff are supporting clients to access the NDIS, with 7 clients already transitioning to the NDIS.

TRAININGThe Vale St. Centre Coordinator attended a Supported Decision Making Workshop facilitated by The Office of the Public Guardian in February 2017, to support vulnerable people to make sustainable and informed decisions regarding their own long term care and wellbeing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe would like to acknowledge the invaluable support of the following:

The Board, Management, Staff and Volunteers of KNC; Possum Printing; Blue Fringe Arts & Literature Awards Committees; Catherine Rummery; NBMLHD; AfterCare; PIR; Bernie & Darryl; Trish Doyle, Suzie Van Opdorp & Team; TAFE NSW; Katoomba Fire Brigade; Hotel Gearin; RFS; Red Cross; Katoomba Food Co-op; The Blackburn Family; Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service; our good neighbours and supporters in the community…

and never, ever forgetting…

The People of The Vale St. Centre.

Below: Poster for the 2016 Blue Fringe Literature Competition

Left: Michael playing guitar at Vale Street’s Open DayBelow: Vale Street Open Day activities in motion.

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OPCOLDER PARENT CARER PROGRAM

Paul Philpot Coordinator, Case Manager

Funding: The Older Parent Carer program (OPC) is funded by the NSW Department of Family & Community Services, Ageing Disability and Home Care.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONOPC aims to help older parents who are over the age of 60, who are caring for an adult son or daughter with a disability. The program provides support, information about respite opportunities and assistance in planning and preparing for the transition from parental care. The program provides individualised support for parents by helping them and their son or daughter develop plans that are tailored to meet their specific future needs. Brokerage funds are also available to purchase a variety of supports, including access to respite, and purchase of services or equipment to support the primary care-giving relationship.

SERVICE TARGETSThe service outputs required by the department are 42 hours of service received per quarter per client. The program at KNC has consistently met these target outputs throughout the 2016 - 2017 period.

SERVICE ACTIVITY21 parent carer clients and recipients (recipients being the adult children) were serviced by the program across 2016-2017. Across this period, 10 clients with 5 recipients were supported as the recipients transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The program assisted the families with the transition and KNC now provides NDIS support coordination and plan management services to three previous recipients of the Older Parent Carer

program. Two further OPC recipients have been assisted to apply for the NDIS and are currently awaiting NDIS linkage.

Services and support provided by the Older Parent Carer program this year include:

• respite for carers;

• immediate direct service provision including personal care services, domestic assistance and garden maintenance;

• functional assessments and allied health service provision from psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists;

• minor and major home modifications;

• referrals for carers and recipients to mainstream service providers

Advocacy was also provided where necessary through the care coordination component of the program.

These interventions improved the clients’ and recipients’ health, welfare and wellbeing and significantly reduced hazards in the clients’ domestic environment.

HIGHLIGHTS Assisting and supporting OPC clients and recipients through the process of the recipients applying to the NDIS and then transitioning to the NDIS.

Training:• Older Parent Carer annual conference held at

North Sydney July 2016;

• NDIS two-day conference held in Sydney CBD in February 2017;

• Attendance at several NDIS support coordination workshops in Penrith and Cabramatta across Jan – June 2017;

• Capacity building decision making workshop at Penrith March 2017, this workshop was run by the Office of the Public Guardian. 

• Regular attendance at monthly Blue Mountains Community Care Forums at Lawson representing KNC

OPC Coordinator, Paul Philpot at KNC’s AGM

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BLUE MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Claire GroverCoordinator

FUNDING BODYThe Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Service Coordinator: Claire Grover

Staff: Korey Gunnis & Bren Sherring - Service Administration

BMCSP

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONThe Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) aims to help older people live independently in their homes and communities for longer. The CHSP provides entry-level home support for older people who need assistance to keep living independently. CHSP is the funding body for the Blue Mountains Community Support Program.The Blue Mountains Community Support Program (BMCSP) is funded to provide care in three key areas: Domestic Assistance, Social Support and Transport.

This program is an initiative of the Blue Mountains Lithgow Integrated Neighbourhood Network (BLINN), with Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre as the lead agency for the program. The program is administered from Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with: Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Cooperative and Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre.

The program aims to help maintain the independence of people who are older and frail but still living at home. The program provides assistance to carry out

essential everyday activities, and supports people to live independently in their homes while maintaining access to their community. There are eligibility requirements for each of the key areas.

Domestic AssistanceThe Domestic Assistance Service helps maintain independence in the home through assistance with housework, cleaning and shopping. We are also able to provide a specialised service for people with more complex domestic cleaning needs where an initial one off large clean may be required with specialist follow up at negotiated intervals rather than regular visits.

Social SupportThe Social Support component of the program encompasses a variety of Social Support groups operating from the partner neighbourhood centres across the Blue Mountains. These groups encourage social interaction, community involvement and connection, and are diverse in the types of support they offer and the specific interest groups or special needs groups they cater to.Current Social Support groups in the program include: Cyber Shed, School for Seniors, Film Society, Writers Group, Book Club, Male Carers Group, Out and About, Community Café, Board Games, Dementia Support, Knit and Yarn, Open Door, Vision Impaired Group, Harmony Arts, Tai Chi, Over 50’s Social Club, and the Golden Years.

TransportThe Transport component of the program primarily provides transport to and from the Social Support groups to facilitate access to those groups. However, we are

also able to offer subsidised transport for short trips to members of the community identifying an urgent need.

SERVICE TARGETSBMCSP is required to report service activity twice per year, against output targets for each of the three key areas of support: Domestic Assistance, Social Support and Transport.

Outputs for Domestic Assistance and Social Support are measured in the amount of hours of service received by clients in the financial year. Outputs measured for Transport are the number of transport trips taken by clients in the financial year.

SERVICE ACTIVITYThis year we provided 2,200 hours of domestic assistance, coming in under the target of 3,000. We will be revising our number of allocations for the service for the next financial year to ensure that figure comes in at target for the next reporting period. This means that we will have more capacity to take on new clients.

We delivered 12,750 hours of Social Support through our diverse social inclusion groups - this far exceeded the target of 9, 918 hours. A number of these groups are facilitated by volunteers who make the running of these groups possible.

2,700 Transport trips were provided this year, somewhat under the target of 3,840 trips. We will be looking at providing more social outings for the current Social Support groups into the next reporting period to increase these outputs.

Service: Domes�c Assistance Social Support Transport

Target Output 3,000 hours 9,918 hours 3,840 trips

Achieved Output 2,200 hours 12,750 hours 2,700 trips

Service Targets

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HIGHLIGHTSAlthough the Domestic Assistance program had no major events this year the main highlight was a good solid year of service. While still a young service we were able to maintain a full client base all year round and provide many hours of crucial service to older people in our community, assisting them with basic needs including cleaning, shopping and housework.

Highlights from the social support groups included:

Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre’s Community Cafe hosted a Seniors Week Morning Tea and a Biggest Morning Tea fundraising event. It was a big hit with many in attendance. There were games, trivia, live music, a raffle and every attendee was sent home with a lovely plant. The event raised $260 for the Cancer Council of Australia and a lot of fun was had in the process.

Out and About (LGBTQI Social Group) & PLWHA Lunch Club (People Living with HIV & AIDS): members were once

again invited to be a part of the 2017 Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations. This year the Blue Mountains contingent climbed on board MAG’s (Mature Aged Gay Males) double decker bus and blazed a trail up Oxford Street in Sydney through a sea of glitter to the sounds of Kylie Minogue’s “Better the Devil You Know” and the melodic voice that is Rod Stewart singing “Rhythm of My Heart”. Mardi Gras is not only a time to celebrate and connect in community, it is also a chance to raise awareness about varying issues impacting on the LGBTIQ community.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to acknowledge the hard work of Wendy’s Home Care, both the management and in-home staff; Metro CM who are always on board to assist; all staff at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Cooperative and Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre – in particular the Social Support and Transport service coordinators Nicki Reed, Narelle Mackander, Liz Murphy, Eva Regitz, Marlene Churn and Octavia O’Brian; all volunteers who assist with the BMCSP; Prue Hardgrove at Blue Mountains City Council and special thanks to David Armitage for always going above and beyond to assist with service changes. n

Left: Men on the MAG bus, Mardi Gras 2017

ABORIGINAL FLEXIBLE RESPITE PROGRAM

Claire GroverCoordinator

FUNDING BODYThis program is funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services – Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

Service Coordinator/Caseworker: Claire Grover

Relief Worker: Tracey Johnson

AFRP

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONIn response to a call from carers for greater flexibility and choice in managing their respite needs, and prior to the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the NSW Government’s Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care developed the Flexible Respite Program. This provides people with a disability, their carers and families, with much greater choice and scope when selecting services and activities to respond to their varied and often complex needs. The Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program supports culturally appropriate community and recreational activities, and options that are respectful of family background and values that support family and cultural needs including respite involving return to country. Respite provides carers, and families, with a break from their caring responsibilities while also providing a break for the person with a disability through a range of activities and positive experiences.

The Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program is able to provide for clients: planned short-term breaks in order to support and maintain the primary care-giving relationship; positive experiences for both the person with a disability and their carer by engaging them in meaningful activities and enhancing quality of life; and connection to services that

43

build resilience and reduce the potential for the breakdown of the informal support network of the person with a disability and enable carers to continue on in their primary care role.

These flexible respite services may be provided in a client’s own home or in a range of community settings - including recreational or cultural activities away from home. Respite has a dual focus in that both the carers and the person with a disability are the clients of the service and both should benefit from respite services.

For the majority of the clients on the program in 2016-17, the respite program became a bridging program to allow them ongoing service provision until such time as they were able to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

This year we have seen the majority of the clients on the program successfully make that transition, with several clients choosing to remain with Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre as their NDIS service provider for support coordination and/or plan management services.

SERVICE TARGETSKNC is required to report quarterly on service activity. The outputs for the program are measured in hours of respite received per client/family per quarter.

The target output for the financial year 2016 -2017 was 1,849 hours of respite received, which equates to 43 hours of respite received per quarter per client/family.

SERVICE ACTIVITYAll clients met their targets this year while they were part of the Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program. Some clients came under target due to the fact they had not received a full quarter of funding as they had transitioned to NDIS halfway through a quarter.

Respite was provided in a wide variety of forms this year: family and respite holidays, childcare respite, educational courses and technology, respite from household duties including in home and garden care, community access

activities, return to country, youth groups, and assistance with transport.

It is also worth noting that some of the expenses covered under the respite program were not expenses directly measurable in terms of hours of respite received, but were still critical to client wellbeing and ability to access respite, such as breathing Nebulizers allowing the client to stay mobile and continue to be able to engage in more measurable respite activities such as exercise classes.

TABLES

HIGHLIGHTSOne of the big changes and highlights this year has been having clients transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. One of the major benefits of this is additional funds becoming available and individual client needs taken into account when creating their plan. This has also provided funding for staff to work with individual clients to provide more targeted assistance. Under the Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program this type of funding did not exist and staff were always stretched for time to spend with clients. The AFRP Coordinator has taken on the role of NDIS Support Coordinator for a number of clients who have transitioned from AFRP to the NDIS. We are excited that we have been given an opportunity to continue to work with these clients under this new scheme.

TRAINING• “Pathways to a Good Life” NDIS planning workshop for

Aboriginal people with a disability and their carers, run by the Jeder Institute

• NDIA Support Coordinators training

• NDIA Complex Home Modifications information session

ACKNOWLDGEMENTSI would like to acknowledge the local families involved in this program - it has been an exciting yet also very trying time during the transition phase to the NDIS and we appreciate all their patience and eagerness to move forward.

I would like to thank Tilly Elderfield, Social Worker with Healthy 4 Life, and the Healthy 4 Life team – their help with this program and the clients was immeasurable. The Healthy 4 Life program sadly ceased to operate toward the end of 2016.

Finally I would like to thank the finance and the NDIS team at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre for assisting with the transition from respite to NDIS and all the complications that had involved: Sue Jaques, Len Kasper, Neil Smith, Carole Williams, Anna Tardent, Marlene Churn, Tracey Johnson, Paul Philpott, Brenda Sherring. n

YEAR Clients on Respite Clients transi�oned to NDIS

2015 16 0

2016 10 6

2017 3 7

Claire Grover - Coordinator of the Aboriginal Flexible Respite Program and the Blue Mountains Community Support Program.

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DISABILITY SERVICESNDISDISABILITY SERVICES, INCLUDING NDIS SERVICE PROVISION

Anna Tardent Disability Services Coordinator, NDIS Team Leader

STAFF Tracey Johnson, NDIS Support CoordinatorSeveral KNC staff also act as NDIS Support Coordinators, in addition to their other service coordinator roles at KNC. They provide support coordination services primarily for existing clients of their services who have transitioned to the NDIS. This has allowed for an established professional relationship of trust and support to be maintained as these clients have transitioned to the new world of NDIS funding. These staff are: Claire Grover, Brenda Sherring,Marlene Churn, Paul Philpot

FUNDINGFunds in individual participant NDIS packages pay for the services that KNC, as a registered NDIS service provider, provides to each client.

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONKNC has long been a provider of disability supports across a number of our block funded services. Our Home Modification and Maintenance service; the Katoomba Home Visitors Service; the Community Visitors Scheme and The Vale Street Centre for Social and Emotional Wellbeing are just some of the long running KNC services which have provided supports to people living with a disability.

In 2011 the Australian Government Productivity Commission released a major report into Australia’s disability support system and that same year the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided to establish a new disability scheme. In 2013 the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act) came into force and the

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) was created to implement the scheme.

KNC, with Laurie Strathdee leading this body of work, began exploring what the changes to Australia’s disability support system would mean to us and by September 2015 we had applied to the NDIA to become a registered provider of supports under the NDIS. Due to the newness of the scheme and the agency things moved fairly slowly and it was difficult to get information and move forward; however in May 2016 the NDIA decided that organisations that had Third Party Verification (TPV) would be automatically approved as NDIS service providers. As KNC had successfully completed a TPV audit in 2015, we became an approved provider of various supports on 25 May 2016. In June 2016 our first NDIS participant approached us to provide Plan Management of their NDIS plan. Having got us this far, Laurie went on extended leave from July 2016. Anna Tardent became the coordinator for this new service provision area for KNC.

In September 2016 KNC decided to increase the number of supports it was registered to provide and in particular add Support Coordination. In October 2016 we began to hold targeted workshops in partnership with NDIA approved trainers to groups of existing KNC clients. Anna Tardent and the KNC Management Team continued to research and model just how our NDIS services would look and keep up-to-date with the now more substantive information the NDIA was providing to participants and providers. Of the 13 NDIS Supports/Registration Groups KNC is registered for, it was decided that the following 3 Supports would be KNC’s main focus for the first year of operation as an NDIS service provider:

PLAN MANAGEMENTWhen a participant gets an NDIS plan, there are 3 ways the budgets in the plan can be managed. ‘Agency Managed’ – the participant can engage only registered providers of supports, and the provider requests payment directly from the NDIA. ‘Self-Managed’ – the participant is responsible for requesting payment from NDIA and paying providers. This

gives the opportunity to purchase supports from suppliers that have not registered with the NDIA. The participant is responsible for keeping appropriate records and receipts, and reporting to the NDIA on funds spent from the NDIS plan. ‘Plan Managed’ – the participant still has the benefit of being able to choose providers not registered with NDIA as well as registered providers, however an intermediary is responsible for organising the financial and administrative aspects of the plan such as paying invoices on time, requesting payment from the NDIA, preparing reports on how funds are being used, and helping a participant to connect with providers and organise service agreements. ‘Service Intermediary’ is plan management with a level of support coordination provided as well, to support

Anthony Marr is an NDIS participant with support coordination through KNC. Below, is Anthony running a Blue Mountains Radio program.

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participants to locate and engage service providers, and manage ongoing relationships with service providers. KNC’s experience working with individualised funding packages and existing robust finance systems enabled us to confidently begin to provide this NDIS registered support.

SUPPORT COORDINATIONSome NDIA participants have a budget allocated within their plan for Support Coordination. This allows them to access help to build the best system of supports from their NDIS plan. It is a “capacity building support to implement all supports in a participant’s plan including informal, mainstream, community and NDIS funded supports. Support Coordinators work creatively and resourcefully with participants in how they utilise their support budgets to achieve their goals.” (NDIA March 2017). Support Coordination: Information for providers). KNC had existing staff with many years of experience helping individuals in this way, and clients of our existing services had already begun to request that KNC provide this support to them once their NDIS plans were in place.

HOME MODIFICATIONS AND MAINTENANCEKNC is an NDIA registered Home Modifications provider, and is also registered under “Household Tasks” which allows us to provide ‘essential house and/or yard activities that the participant is not able to undertake”. Assist Building & Maintenance began providing home and garden

maintenance services for NDIS participants, and started moving into providing home modifications for participants, including major bathroom modifications.

SERVICE ACTIVITYDuring December 2016, just as other services were getting ready for the holiday season and annual closure period, a steady stream of people began to phone KNC, and walk in the door, to get help around the NDIS. Some clients of our existing services had their initial NDIS planning meetings, and many people called seeking help to prepare for upcoming planning meetings. A young lady walked in the door on our last trading day before Christmas, NDIS plan in hand. She had both Support Coordination and Plan Management approved in her NDIS plan, and asked KNC to provide both services. So at the end of December 2016 KNC had 2 NDIS clients.

By 30 June 2017 this had grown to more than 75 NDIS clients and an income stream in excess of $200,000.

January to June 2017 saw steady growth across both Plan Management and Support Coordination. KNC staff were able to begin providing Support Coordination to their existing clients when requested, and by May 2017 KNC had welcomed Tracey Johnson to the dedicated role of Support Coordinator as word of mouth referrals, and KNC’s 30+year reputation, saw more and more new clients come to us for help with their NDIS plans.

KNC’s NDIS Support Coordination staff now includes Brenda Sherring, Claire Grover, Marlene Churn, Paul Philpot, Tracey Johnson and Anna Tardent. Len Kasper CFO and Neil Smith in KNC’s Finance team also contribute significantly with between 50 and 60 payment requests being made to NDIA on behalf of participants weekly at the end of June 2017.

KNC’s Support Coordinators meet weekly for training and to discuss cases to ensure best practice and the best possible outcomes for each participant. Our meetings often finish with a guest disability service provider in the Blue Mountains to ensure we have a broad local knowledge of options for our participants.

KNC staff also regularly attend workshops and information sessions provided by the NDIA as the agency continues to roll out the scheme and create systems and refine practices. Anna Tardent and Barbara Cuthbert, Manager Operations & Quality also attend a monthly roundtable of Blue Mountains NDIS service providers, where local organisations have access to NDIA staff to help resolve various issues.

To June 2017, KNC staff put in for 6 NDIA reviews for our participants, 5 were successful and in one case the participant changed their mind about the need for review. Three of the successful plan reviews were considered urgent by KNC staff and the participants as these people did not get Support Coordination included in their plans.

Numbers of Participants Jan ‘17 to Jul ’17

Suppport Coordination Participants

Service Intermediary Participants

Plan ManagementParticipants

60

50

40

30

20

10

0Jan-(01)17 Feb-17 May-17 Jul-17

NDIS PHONE CALLS AND WALK-INS JAN-JUL 2017

100

80

60

40

20

0

Phone Calls

Walk-Ins

Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jul-17

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These participants self-identified as not being able to coordinate the funded supports in their plan. Other reviews were required because the support budgets contained in plans were not sufficient to fund current supports; and where support budgets did not line up with the plan’s stated goals.

NDIA SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY KNC:• Support Coordination

• Plan Management

− Financial Intermediary

− Financial and Service Intermediary

• Assist Personal Activities and Household Tasks

− Garden Maintenance provided to NDIS participants

− 1:1 Support provided to assist with and/or supervise tasks of daily life to allow the participant to live as autonomously as possible.

• Participate Community

− Community, Social and Recreational activities (eg. for one participant to attend KOOSH where no other social participation options are available).

NDIA SERVICES PLANNED FOR 2017-18• Group/Centre Activities

− Group based activities in a centre (KOOSH)

− Group based community, social and recreational activities (building on the successful Eat and Greet model)

• Home Modification

− Provide home modifications to participants with NDIS plans

− Consultation about home modifications designs with occupational therapists (prior to recommendations going to NDIA for approval).

− Project Management of home modifications (where Assist would not be the provider of home modifications).

SUPPORT COORDINATION STAFF and their experience with the NDIS:

Bren SherringThe participants I currently provide support coordination for have mental health issues, and I have found it frustrating that the NDIA currently more easily recognises the support needs of people with physical and intellectual disabilities, but doesn’t seem to understand the many impacting layers of a mental health issue on a person’s life and abilities. There seems to be little understanding at present of the lability of mental illness, and that even though a person may present well at an initial planning meeting with the NDIA, they may not be that well in 3 months’ time. Or 6 months’ time. Or a year’s time. Recovery is not a static process.

It has also been my experience that people in this cohort are frequently resistant to accessing NDIS support as they often don’t understand what it means, what is available to them or how to begin the process. Many people see themselves as ‘travelling well’ and don’t believe that they need support. Currently there is a review into the provision of NDIS support to people living with or recovering from a period of mental ill-health, to which KNC have made a submission. Hopefully this will result in real and significant change for people who so often fall through the cracks of the current system.

Claire GroverI currently provide support coordination for four NDIS participants. These participants are all clients who have been with Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre for a number of years under the Aboriginal Flexible Respite program. NDIS has been an exciting new program to work on, and a steep learning curve. It is lovely to be able to continue working with my existing clients through their transition to the NDIS and be able to keep that familiar relationship. This has also allowed us to ensure a seamless transition of services during what can be quite a stressful time for applicants to the NDIS.

Having an existing professional relationship with clients

has allowed us to properly advocate for their known needs and ensure they have received adequate plans to support their day to day living.

We have seen both difficulties (as often is the case with new programs) and great triumphs come out of NDIS and I am excited to continue working with NDIS participants and build my skill base around this new service model.

Marlene ChurnDecember 2016 saw my initial introduction to the role of NDIS Support Coordinator at KNC with the transition of an existing client of the VHV service to NDIS, and the client requesting that KNC take on the role of support coordination for her. Although it has been a steep learning curve, it has also been an opportunity to better understand the workings of the NDIS in its early stages. I have since been allocated a second participant for support coordination and this too has provided its challenges combined with opportunities and the scope to engage with other health professionals, service types and family

Annalise is an NDIS participant with support coordination through KNC. Above: Annalise as writer and author of a children’s book. Right: Cooking classes.

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supports while working with the participant. One of the main areas that I have been involved with is negotiating and coordinating both current and new services for the participants while simultaneously preparing submissions to have reviews of their initial NDIS plans and navigating the Plan Review process. Many thanks to the KNC NDIS team for sharing ideas, skills and being supportive throughout this learning process.

Paul PhilpotI have worked closely with 3 adult children of Older Parent Carer program clients this year to support them in their transition to the NDIS. This support has included:

• being present as an advocate and support person at their initial planning meetings with NDIS Local Area Coordinators;

• assisting clients to prepare and submit applications for plan reviews where their initial plans were inadequate to provide the full range of supports needed – two of the three reviews were successful and new plans were issued by the NDIS (we are still waiting for a determination by the NDIA on the third review);

• taking on the role of NDIS Support Coordinator for all 3 clients, at the clients’ request. The ability to build on the established relationships of trust and familiarity I have with these families has been very significant over the period I have worked with them as their NDIS support coordinator.

I have also prepared and submitted with a client a request for a significant plan review, where there is a substantial shortfall in the core support funds allocated in the plan compared with the daily supports required by this client. While we wait for a determination from the NDIA, I continue to work with this client as his support coordinator and keep him informed as to the progress and representations I am making on his behalf.

Tracey JohnsonWhile working in the role of NDIS Support Coordinator for Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, I have experienced

the highs and lows of the NDIS process. One particular frustration has been lack of access to services due to some participants’ plans being NDIS agency managed (these participants can only use providers who are registered with the NDIA). This is proving to be a significant barrier for participants living within the Blue Mountains and is not reflective of the NDIS guidelines of participant choice and control. This problem has resulted in plan reviews for some participants and to date this process has been highly successful for participants of Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre.

One particular achievement was a successful review for a participant who had never accessed services previously. This lady lived in isolation and was extremely hesitant to accept help and in her own words described not wanting to be a burden to anyone. After slowly introducing supports via social and community access, this lady is now going out into the community with a worker, grocery shopping for herself and making new friends. This lady has gone from being isolated to wanting to reconnect with friends and family and participate in local community events. Now this lady reflects on how happy she is to have the opportunity to start living a fulfilling and meaningful life again and embraces having support to assist her with reaching her goals. This outcome was only made possible by having access to the NDIS and funded support coordination.

ACKNOWLDGEMENTSI would like to acknowledge all the KNC Staff who have been impacted by the change in my role and who have remained supportive, and the KNC Management Team who showed faith in my abilites to start our new NDIS services and have continued to provide whatever support I have asked for. Huge thanks and appreciation to Tracey Johnson, I couldn’t imagine a better Support Coordinator for our participants. A big thank you to all the NDIS Participants who have chosen KNC to help them to implement and maintain the supports outlined in their plans. It has been a very busy, challenging, fun, and sometimes frustrating

time. It has been seeing the difference NDIS is making in your lives that has made it a joyful time. n

Anna Tardent, Disability Services Coordinator, NDIS Team Leader.

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Treasurer’s Report 2016 - 2017

Mahalya MiddlemistTreasurer

TREASURER’S REPORT

KNC continued to receive funding this financial year from a range of government departments including

NSW Family and Community Services (FACS), NSW Department of Ageing and Disability & Home Care (ADHC), Commonwealth Department of Health, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Australian Department of Education plus one-off grants from other sources. Our overall grant funding increased this year, allowing the KNC Board and Management Team to position Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre more strategically in the face of challenging funding changes including the transition to the NDIS, significant proposed changes to funding received from FACS, the transition to the My Aged Care system and its impact on our service provision to clients 65 years old and over. Fee income increased significantly due to the restructure and extension of the Home Modification and Maintenance service; the management, at the request of ADHC, to take over the management of several Aboriginal Flexible respite clients as well as the management, at the request of ADHC, of the Older Persons Carers Respite program as flagged in last year’s report. Fee income also grew due the establishment of the provision of services via the National Disability Insurance Program. Overall the organization returned a surplus of over $96,000, increasing reserves to over 437,000, representing 19.5% of gross revenue. KNC continues to work towards its strategic objectives of having a number of income streams, not just heavy reliance on government grant incomed, as well as building a level of reserves that ensures the long-term

sustainability of the organization into the future, thereby ensuring the critical services we provide to the community are maintained despite the significant and constant changes in government policy that continues to occur in this sector.

KNC also continues to review operations to ensure all projects remain viable and operate within the financial constraints of funding bodies.

Our Financial manager for the past 32 years, Sue Jaques announced her retirement in December 2016, finishing up at the end of March 2017. Sue’s dedication and hard work has paid a significant part in the current healthy financial position that the KNC finds itself in. She has helped set the platform for the continued growth and success of the organisation in ensuring the sustainability of the critical services that the KNC provides to the community, despite the ever-changing political landscape, particularly in this sector.

I would also like to thank our outgoing Treasurer, Tina Napier who resigned in June 2017 due to personal circumstances. Tina brought a level of professionalism and knowledge to the position that has provided for a strategic direction that will ensure the long-term viability of the organisation.

I would also like to thank our new Chief Financial Officer, Len Kasper, our Finance and Administration Officer, Neil Smith, and our Casual Finance officer, Carole Williams for their continued high-quality work and dedication. n

AGM 2016

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Finance Report for year 1/7/2016 to 30/6/2017

Len KasperChief Financial Officer

Financial Administration - Neil Smith

Relieving Finance worker - Carole Williams

Outgoing Chief Financial Officer - Sue Jaques

FINANCE REPORT

OVERALL RESULT AND COMMENTARYThe net surplus for year ended 30th June 2016 was $95,916 compared to a net deficit last year of 58,003. This is an important result as the organisation continues on its 5-year strategic growth plan aimed at increasing turnover and reducing reliance on government sourced block funding income. Grant income represented 66% of income compared to 74% last financial year. Growth in the organisation necessarily requires a higher level of reserves to ensure the ongoing sustainability of operations especially in the current environment of significant change in funding models by government in the areas in which the centre operates. Reserves totalled $437,971 this year (19.5% of gross income) compared to $342,0555 last financial year (17.9% of operating income).

The surplus result, being just under 4% of gross revenue, is mainly attributable to an increase revenue of over $330,000 compared to an increase in expenses of just over $175,000. The increase in revenues were derived from increased fee income from the Home maintenance and modifications scheme and the provision of services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that commenced at KNC in October 2016, as well as full year funding from the NSW Department of Ageing Disability & Homecare for

Aboriginal Flexible Respite and Older Parent Carer schemes that commenced toward the end of last financial year.

Operating expenses were fairly consistent with last year’s results, with the increase in overall expenses largely attributable to the new programs and activities undertaken during the year, especially the provision of services under the NDIS, Older Parents as Carers scheme and the Aboriginal Flexible Respite program. Additional expenses were also incurred in the area of Home maintenance and modifications in line with the increase in revenues and services delivered in that program.

A detailed analysis of income and expenses is as follows:

INCOMEIncome for the financial year ended 30th June 2017 was $2,241,084 (after excluding internal KNC charges for management & shared administration), an increase of $331,323.Sources of grant funding were:

• NSW Department of Family & Community Services $276,898 Neighbourhood Centre, Community Builders, an increase of $9,336.

• Commonwealth Department of Health (previously funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services) $801,114, an increase of $19,481, for people over 65 years age, Home modifications, home maintenance, social support and social transport, community visitors to nursing homes and one to one community residential visits.

• NSW Department of Ageing Disability & Homecare $241,056, an increase of $123,458, for Social support, home modifications, home maintenance, flexible respite packages and respite flexible support for older parent carers.

• NSW Department of Education $8,610, no change in funding, for vacation care activities for 5 to 12-year-old children.

• Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

$89,714, an increase of $27 for Vale Street Social & Wellbeing program.

• Department of Infrastructure & Regional Planning $7,433 grant towards the installation of air-conditioning in both Neighbourhood Centre buildings was received on 20th June 2016, and therefore carried forward from last year. The Air-conditioners were installed in July 2016.

• Aged & Community Services NSW & ACT Transition Assistance Program Funding $35,000 to support small disability services in regional and remote NSW intending to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

• Ministry of Police & Emergency services $2,724 being the final balance of funds carried forward in relation to the Community Resilience Innovation Program.

• Home Mods State Council/ MODA. $11,911 being the final balance of funds carried forward to access Occupation Therapists to provide report for Home Modifications.

• NSW Department of Education Inclusion Support $2,282, a decrease of $10,299, for special needs children in Out of School Hours Care.

• DIISRTE Australian Apprenticeships $1,500 traineeship rebate.

Other sources of income were:

• DEEWR childcare reductions $146,146, a decrease of $3,214, paid to KOOSH based on individual parents’ income level and the daily fee charged.

• Fees received for services were $400,813, an increase of $159,971. Childcare fees decreased 5%, Home Modifications & Maintenance fees increased 346%, Domestic assistance fees increased 1% and $67,115 fees were received for the provision of services through the NDIS.

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• Donations & fund raising $9,389, a decrease of 11%.

• Interest & Dividends $24,633 a decrease of 1%.

• NDIS Plan Management Claims $149,503, offset by NDIS Plan Management Payments of the same amount.

• Long Service Corporation- Building Industry long service leave payments $3,383.

• Other income $28,975 which includes reimbursements from other organisations for services provided or programs operated through KNC on behalf of another organisation, Big Issue magazine sales (by private vendors), insurance claims and profit on sale of motor vehicles.

EXPENSESTotal expenses for financial year was $2,139,912 (after excluding internal KNC transactions for management charges & shared costs), an increase of $175,078.This consists of:

• Employment expenses (wages, superannuation, travel reimbursements, training, workers compensation insurance) $1,267,555, an increase of 1.9% on last year.

• Program expenses (equipment, programs, social support, volunteers, materials) $160,649, a decrease of 3.7%.

• Administration and occupancy costs (excluding internal management fess and shared expense levies) $155,738 an increase of 14%, primarily due to equipment purchases.

• Contractors, consultants (include domestic cleaning, electrical, plumbing, social support, data analysis, occupational therapists, business consultant) $ 209,584 a decrease of 5.5%.

• Flexible respite and aged care package expenditure $138,468, an increase of 34%.

• NDIS Plan Management payments $149,503, offset by NDIS Plan Management Claims of the same amount.

• Other Expenses $58,412 a decrease of $34,631, primarily due to HACC surplus repayment last year.

KNC would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Sue Jaques, financial manager, for the past 32 years. Sue announced her retirement in December 2016, finishing at the end of April 2017. The strong financial position that the KNC finds itself in is a great testament to her years of hard work and dedication. We wish her all the best in her retirement and cannot express pour gratitude for her 32 years of service. Thanks Sue. n

Incoming CFO Len Kasper and outgoing CFO Sue Jaques, at Sue’s Farewell, May 2017.

KATOOMBA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE INC.ABN: 59 334 227 797

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

CONTENTS (pg 50-60)

COMMITTEE’S REPORT

PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT

BALANCE SHEET

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE

MEMBERS

AUDIT CERTIFICATE

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57

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