your community gateway to the west

I am a Mentoring Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne which is a youth mentoring not-for-profit agency. Myself and two of my colleagues who work in the Western region of Melbourne are currently undertaking a recruitment drive for volunteer mentors. for more information please download the information sheet attached.

Play a part in the development of solutions to the most challenging questions of our time at the 2009 Communities in Control Conference, Crisis, Catastrophe, Community: Rebuild, Renew, Recharge.

Highlights

Communities in Control 2009 features a fantastic line up of speakers, including:

* World-leading communities for health expert, Professor Len Syme;
* Australia's great homeless youth advocate, Major David Eldridge;
* Australian of the Year and indigenous advocate, Professor Mick Dodson AM;

Save the date: Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and Social Traders, on behalf of the International Social Enterprise Consortium, are hosting the second Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) in Melbourne on 6-8 October 2009.

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and Social Traders, on behalf of the International Social Enterprise Consortium, are hosting the second Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) in Melbourne on 6-8 October 2009. The Forum will bring together the world’s leading authorities in social enterprise for discussion, learning, showcasing and collaboration.

WIRE No Diet Day Seminar
Body Guardians: Parenting for Positive Body Image
This No Diet Day join WIRE as we explore practical parenting tips for positive body image. Wednesday 6 May, Melbourne.

Bratz Dolls, Barbies, Dolly and Cleo: how do parents compete with these images? Increasingly children are bombarded with messages that tell them to criticise their bodies. What can parents do to promote positive body image and self-respect?

This International No Diet Day join WIRE as we explore some practical tips for parenting for positive body image.

Speakers include:

Explore innovative and creative ways to engage and assist people with complex and diverse needs. MHCC & NADA Conference 6-8 May, Sydney.

The MHCC and NADA Conference is fast approaching. Registration forms and an indicative conference program are now available on our website www.mhcc.org.au/resources/2009-conference.aspx.

Keynote presentations include John Mendoza, Chair of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health, Tania Major, Young Australian of the Year 2007 and Professor Margaret Hamilton, Chair of the Multiple and Complex Needs Panel in Victoria

Presented by the Melbourne Social Forum
Arts, workshops, stalls, music, children's activities and more on what you can do about climate change and other social justice issues.

Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April, Melbourne.

The world is changing rapidly, with major crises such as climate change and the global financial meltdown polarising in people's minds the need for action. The time for discussion and talk is long over, realistic and practical ideas are needed now to help us all through our daily lives.

The Office of Housing's 6th National Housing Conference will provide a platform for exploring the essential connections between housing, people, place, community and nation, and propose innovative solutions and partnerships to guide Australia's approach to housing and homelessness policy reform into the future. Melbourne, 24 to 27 November.

For more details visit:
Contact Phone: (+61 3) 9682 0500
Contact Email: NHC09info@icmsaust.com.au
Website: http://www.nationalhousingconference.org.au/melbourne2009

This event is a national networking and development conference for people interested in building and strengthening natural neighbourhoods through initiatives such as:

* Circles of support;
* Informal and social volunteering;
* Daily living supports for older neighbours;
* Buddy, companionship and visitor schemes;
* Street parties;
* Homework clubs;
* Gardening clubs;
* Cross-generational interactions and mentoring;
* Schools and neighbourhoods;
* Car pooling and community transport;
* Family day care and baby-sitting clubs;

Learning Beyond the Bell in conjunction with Williamstown Community and Education Centre, is committed to developing educational opportunities for students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Williamstown Community and Education Centre will provide children of migrants and refugees a place and teacher, outside school hours where assistance will be given with homework/assignments and general school work.