success stories
Community Foundations and their Advocacy Role
When we see a headline we often think the worst of our city – but how is it really travelling? That is the question that The Ballarat Foundation answers with its first Vital Signs report to the community.
Ballarat needed an independent measure across a range of community issues that would give citizens an easily read and easily understood snapshot of the health and vitality of the community.
We embarked on the Vital Signs project to:- Provide a snapshot of the quality of life in Ballarat and its region.
- Provide an opportunity to compare Ballarat with its comparable cities using Victoria as a whole as the baseline.
- Act as a catalyst for further conversations and actions by the community and its leaders.
The Ballarat Foundation was most fortunate to have the services of Emeritus Professor Wayne Robinson, author of over 140 publications and retired vice Chancellor of the University of Ballarat who took a lead role in Vital Signs and became so engaged that he has completed the bulk of this body of work almost single handed.
Information contained in Ballarat's- Vital Signs is based on publicly available data from industry, and federal, state and local government sources exploring: the gap between the rich and the poor; personal and community safety; education; health and wellness; work; housing; the environment; arts and culture; and getting around [transport].
The findings are fascinating, sobering and instructive. Vital Signs shows that the great majority of people of Ballarat and its region continue to lead a high quality of life, well served by good infrastructure, health and educational services, sporting and recreational facilities and vibrant cultural offerings.
Average taxable income compares favourably with other major regional cities and a majority of couples with children have incomes exceeding $1200 per week. There is a high level of home ownership and a high level of housing approvals. University enrolments by school-leavers are high compared to other regions in Victoria. It is also a city renowned for its cultural and artistic pursuits.
Ballarat's population is growing at a rate faster than its comparable regional cities and Victoria as a whole. The city is increasingly multicultural and is economically stable. However, for a minority of citizens, income is low, unemployment occurs, and there is educational disadvantage for some. Aspects of the safety of our citizens are also of concern; as is the variation in educational opportunity. That identified, if we consider the wide sweep of the Vital Signs, Ballarat and its region should take heart and be quietly pleased with the overall scorecard with by far and away the majority of its citizens leading lives of fulfilment and achievement in one of the most pleasant regions in the nation, but, a minority of the population does not share either the prosperity or the opportunity available in the city and the region.
The Foundation sees Vital Signs as a catalyst firstly for opening discussion and secondly as a sound base for action. The Ballarat Foundation for its part continues to provide leadership, funds and strategies to assist those in need, especially through community organisations servicing those needs.
At the release of Vital Signs, Professor Robinson stated, "Taking the broadest of overviews we should aim to be seen as the benchmark in each area of Vital Signs and not be chasing the benchmarks of others. In other words it should be other regional cities that look to Ballarat as the exemplar and not Ballarat running a distant third behind other regional cities." "Our fundamental aspiration and inspiration should be to lead the field. And this will come through strong, collaborative and visionary leadership."
Future reports will allow for comparison to benchmark how we are improving or declining in each area. This will offer direction to leaders and individuals alike as to how what and where investments need to be made to improve our community. The recent census data will provide much of the input as it becomes available.
To read a full copy of the report or reference resource the material used go to www.ballaratfoundation.org.au
The Vital Signs Report was published in the Courier on March 30th 2011 with the support of the Ballarat Courier as has been received with acclaim by community leaders, councillors and generally by the public. Vital Signs® is licensed in Australia to Australian Community Philanthropy Limited and is based on an approach taken by the Community Foundations of Canada.
CF delivers where others could not - capturing our proud past in bronze for future generations.
Ballarat's long history of statuary memorials dates back to 1884 when Thomas Stoddart presented his impressive gift of 12 classical Italian marble statues to the City of Ballarat; setting the basis of a Ballarat tradition of recognising people and events, both local and national, through statues and memorials which has continued to this present day.
On May 7th 2011 Ballarat was introduced to its newest statue, the first in a decade; Major General Harold Edward (Pompey) Elliott, CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, VD now graces the 400 block of Sturt Street.But it hadn't been all clear sailing. The project was established through the efforts of the proponents of this statue John Birt, Tony Charlton AM, Don McKenzie and David Shaw and with the majority of funding being provided by the Tattersall's George Adams Foundation the statue looked set to arrive. However, the funding needed to be granted to a suitably endorsed organisation that could receive the funds and facilitate the project. With much work undertaken the proponents and their supporters explored every available avenue but could not find an organisation who met the legal criteria and who could undertake this task.
With only weeks to go before the funding would slip away, The Ballarat Foundation was approached and took up the challenge. They took the view that this project "needed to happen for Ballarat". With advice from Freehills and then by utilising a FRRR Regional Donation Account, the Foundation found it could meet the criteria and the funding was received with days to spare. The Ballarat Foundation had met the challenge and resolved the problem. With further support from the City of Ballarat and with the facilitation of the project by The Ballarat Foundation the statue came to realisation and completion.
Elliott was one of the very significant, native born military leaders Australia produced for the First World War. An exceptional fighting leader, brave, explosive and blunt; Elliott was worshipped by his men. Post war he did much to support returned soldiers whilst operating a legal practise and becoming a politician and father. Pompey Elliott was educated at Ballarat College, where today "Elliott House" proudly bears his name. This magnificent work by artist Louis Laumen was unveiled at the commencement of Heritage Weekend by General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret'd) and Mayor Councillor Craig Fletcher at a ceremony featuring the Australian Army Band Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir.
For more information on Pompey Elliott and this remarkable community asset go to www.ballaratfoundation.org.au Also, read the Pompey Elliott Biography by author Ross McMullin Scribe Publications / ISBN:9781921372018
Back to School
Many community foundations participate in a national rural program to distribute vouchers which are discreetly used to support children from families in need who are struggling to meet the expense associated with back-to-school costs. Co-ordinated nationally by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), in 2009 this was a $620,000 program. At the commencement of 2009, 840 vouchers were delivered to 68 schools across the Central Highlands region of Victoria alone through The Ballarat Foundation. Most of these schools supported are now actively engaging their school communities in self-funding future increases to this program for their schools.
On February 23rd, Andrew Dalgliesh, Principal of the Ararat West Primary School wrote, “The parents who we have been able to support through this wonderful program have also been most grateful of your support, with a number in tears through now being able to provide their students with new uniforms, where previously they felt a degree of hopelessness.
An example of this has been a family of 6 children, with 3 at our school, who have never had new school shoes, instead wearing their only pair of runners for school and at home. The children have previously worn out their runners within one term and have then had shoes with holes in them until we have been able to support them in getting new shoes. This particular family has, in the past, been quite confrontational and at times aggressive towards staff. We have now been better able to engage this family in the education of their children as we have been able to demonstrate more strongly that we are working together to achieve the best for their children. This family is now more actively engaged in the daily education of their children.”
Cultural Diversity
The Stand Like Stone Foundation, based in the Limestone Coast (South East of South Australia) facilitated a unique cultural project, Celebrations in Stone, where community members had an opportunity to work with a leading local sculptor to create a number of limestone sculptures.
In a series of workshops, sculptor Ivo Tadic assisted over 30 members of the community from different cultural groups to identify their strongest cultural elements and determine how to represent them through stone carving.
“The Celebrations in Stone project was a valuable activity in building community skills and giving people an opportunity to interact” Ivo Tadic said.
The result was Celebrations in Stone, 8 limestone sculptures representing multicultural themes from Australia, Celtic, Islamic, Aboriginal, Chinese, Crotian, Maori and Indian.
The Celebrations in Stone sculptures, convey and celebrate the story of the Limestone Coast’s history of multiculturalism and make those cultural traditions more visible.
The sculptures were presented to the community as a lasting and permanent memorial of its cultural diversity and have been placed on permanent public display at Mount Gambier High School.
“The development of the Celebrations in Stone project, under the expert direction of Ivo Tadic was very exciting. The unveiling of the sculptures ‘wowed’ the audience and it was exciting to see how proud the participants were to unveil their work” Stand Like Stone Foundation, Chairman, Sue Charlton said.
Grant Making
Seen as a high priority, the funding of a wide range of community groups and activities in the 2007-8 financial year saw the Border Trust, the Community Foundation for Albury, Wodonga and five neighbouring shires in Northeast Victoria and the NSW Riverina, distribute $64,362 in grants to around 60 local organisations.
Continually building collaboration, partnerships and good working relationships with businesses and community groups has been time-consuming but essential. In just one business quarter, Border Trust took several major steps in building its public profile and increasing visibility and awareness of its activities which included:
- Distribution of funds to eight community projects.
- Finalisation and distribution of Back to Reality funds to four programs supporting youth at risk.
- Presentation of the inaugural Bobby Garratt Memorial Scholarship.
- Launch of the Border Trust DVD and ‘Give where you live’ slogan.
- Hosting of the very successful two-day National Forum for Community Foundations in Albury.
- Launch of our Community Leaders Network of volunteers and supporters.
The knowledge and benefits gained through the project will be extended and shared with the wider network of Community Foundations across Australia through existing community foundation networks and the annual national Forum.
Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation - Worth the wait!After an 8-year journey Eyre Peninsula now has its very own community foundation. Residents across the region have the chance to join the celebrations as the Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation takes it official launch to Ceduna, Kimba and Port Lincoln. Each local council is supporting the launch in their area and local businesses and residents have pledged donations in anticipation of the festivities.
The Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation is governed by a board of 9 directors who come from all corners of the region and clock up a lot of mileage each month in service to the Foundation. They injected momentum into their establishment over the past 18 months by employing an Executive Officer on a part-time basis. With a suite of policies in place (which they're happy to share with other Community Foundations) to ensure they can service their community effectively, the Foundation will follow their launch with a public awareness campaign to ensure that locals across the Peninsula understand the opportunities that Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation offers them. They are keen to hear from other Community Foundations about how they've gone about making themselves known in their communities and can be contacted via their website at www.epcf.com.au
Bendigo Community Foundation helps business to support their communityMany years of work is starting to bear fruit for Bendigo Community Foundation, especially when it comes to working with local businesses to support their local community. In Bendigo many local businesses are getting behind their community. A local shopping centre – the Bendigo Marketplace – supports their community through a subfund with the Bendigo Community Foundation. Staff donate a portion of their salaries to the subfund and grants are distributed to local organisations each year. The shopping centre recently took their support a step further by outsourcing their community sponsorship program to the Bendigo Community Foundation.
Similarly, the Bendigo Stadium have a subfund with the Foundation which distributes around (how much) in grants to local projects annually. Smaller businesses are getting behind their local community too by running footy tipping competitions to raise funds for local “Back to School” vouchers. One local business has a policy of donating a percentage of their annual profits to the Bendigo Community Foundation, others offer workplace giving programs to their staff.
All of these businesses clearly understand that supporting their community doesn’t need to impact on their operations. As it is the Community Foundation’s job to do the research into local needs, businesses can rely on the advice of the Foundation. A partnership with the Community Foundation means they can maintain their focus on their businesses while enjoying the added benefits of connecting with their local community at a deeper level through their giving.
Successful Launch of FoundationThe Fleurieu Community Foundation was launched at Parri Estate on Sunday 31st of October by the Member for Finniss, Michael Pengilly. Speaking to a crowd of 90, Mr Pengilly praised the foresight of the steering committee and commended the Foundation's future as a community charity with strong links across the Fleurieu.
Chairman of Directors, Peter Hanlon, thanked his board for their support in commencing the Foundation and also thanked Mr John Phillips for the use of the Parri Estate facility, the Investigator College Senior Choir for their professional recital, members of the Rotary Club of Yankalilla for providing fresh donuts, tea and coffee for the event and of course the many visiting dignitaries. Also speaking at the launch was Andrew Lawson, Community Foundation Development Officer with Philanthropy Australia, and Executive Officer of the Geelong Community Foundation. He thanked Chairman Peter Hanlon for his opening words and described the growing role that Community foundations were playing all over Australia. Board Director Cindy Dale then provided guests with details on the exciting fundraising projects and educational undertakings the board had adopted.
The Fleurieu Community Foundation will act across the three Council areas of the Fleurieu Peninsula including Alexandrina, Victor Harbor and Yankalilla. The Foundation will seek to carefully identify gaps in the funding and resources available to community projects, organisations and families, then attempt to bridge those gaps. Grants to charitable projects and educational scholarships will consequently remain on the Fleurieu.
The Fleurieu Community Foundation will raise money through grants, fundraising, bequests and donations to benefit those in our local community. Some of this funding will be distributed to causes within the community immediately. However, the Foundation will also manage a corpus receiving donations which are never spent. Only the interest made from this corpus will be spent. This builds a permanent savings fund for the area.
The Fleurieu Community Foundation is excited to now embark on its role within the towns, cities and communities of the Fleurieu and look forward to hearing from community members and organisations.
Stand Like Stone Foundation's Swinging with The Stars Evening Raises $19,000
Local 'stars' danced up a storm at Swinging with the Stars on Saturday night. Guests crowded into The Barn and were wowed by the spectacular show put on by our own Limestone Coast stars to the unique sounds of the Limestone Coast Jazz Band.
The 'stars' Rachael Messenger, Jo Fincham, Lisa McCormick, Carolyn Gazzard, Garth Willoughby, Tim Lowe, Cameron Grundy and Steve Raidis with their partners shimmied and shook across the dance floor performing the Quickstep and Cha Cha.
While the judges were deliberating dancers from M J Dance kept the crowd in the dancing spirit by performing a Jive.
The Barn was buzzing with enthusiastic support for each couple. There was barracking, cheering and banner waving as the couples put their best foot forward to impress the judges and the audience. The crowd showed their enthusiasm and appreciation of the effort all couples had put into their performances.
Due to the generosity of Channel 7 two spots in the live studio audience of Dancing with the Stars were auctioned along with a nights accommodation at Quest Docklands. The auction was also fiercely fought out coming down to two serious bidders, eventually the spots were knocked down to the successful bidder at $2,100.
After the official proceedings guests enthusiastically danced the night away to the live music provided by the Limestone Coast Jazz Band led by Graeme Lyall and supported by Dale Cleves and Ron Sandilands.
In total Swinging with the Stars raised a staggering $19,000 for the Stand Like Stone Foundation. This money will be added to Stand Like Stone's trust funds and the interest made from the funds is distributed in the form of grants to charitable projects in the Limestone Coast.
"We'd like to thank everyone who made the night a success by buying tickets and all the sponsors and supporters of the evening. We'd particularly like to thank the dancers for their commitment and dedication to rehearsals and the entertaining show they provided guests on the night. We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from everyone involved in helping to put on Swinging with the Stars", Stand Like Stone Foundation Chairman, Sue Charlton said.
Mirboo North Community Foundation Supports 11 New Local Projects
Eleven new community projects valued at more than $44,000 will soon be up and running, thanks to the support of the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation, which announced the successful applicants to its inaugural grants round at an awards ceremony on Monday night at Mirboo North's Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve.
Foundation Chairman, Norman Walker, said that he and his colleagues were delighted that the grants applications for this first funding round were all of a high standard.
-
Successful applicants will receive the amount they requested, and include:
- $2,476 to the Mirboo North Community Shed Co-op, to purchase woodworking equipment and a bench for the Men's Shed, which plays an important role in strengthening the community
- $1,567 to the Mirboo Recreation Reserve for the construction of safety fences – one as a weather shelter and barrier to the river, and one as a barrier for the flag pole
- $4,120 to Dumbalk and District Progress Association for the purchase and installation of a community notice board – a much needed resource for the local community
- $5,000 to the Mirboo North Newspaper Cooperative to purchase new computers for Mirboo North's highly valued community newspaper.
- $5,000 to Mirboo North's Secondary College for its Year 8 'Get Real' personal development program for students, that will have flow-on benefits across the school and broader community
- A further $5,000 for Mirboo North's Secondary College to enable Year 9 students to participate in the 'Break Out' (Duke of Edinburgh) program
- $5,000 to Mirboo North RSL, (auspiced by Mirboo Country Development Inc) for restoring, framing and building displays of RSL memorabilia to showcase the history of the service of local men and women
- $5,000 to the Mirboo North Arty Gras Festival and Art Show (auspiced by Mirboo Country Development Inc) to enable this important event to develop and implement a joint media and publicity campaign to attract more visitors
- $5,000 to Mirboo Country Development Inc for the professional development – with strong community engagement – of a distinct brand image for Mirboo North
- $4,000 to Mirboo North Pony Club for construction of a mounting area and ramp for riders with a disability, and safety and accessibility signage
- $2,000 to St Mary's Anglican Church, for the development of plans to replace the old, user-unfriendly toilet block.
"It's an immense privilege for us to be in a position to support the community in this way, and reinvest the legacy of former generations.
"We are confident that the projects we are supporting tonight will make a significant and meaningful difference to the lives of many people in our community, and we are looking forward to many occasions such as this, when we can give back to the local communities in which we live", he said.