This month, Nikki, our communications manager, headed off the Peninsula to Banksia Gardens Community Centre in Broadmeadows, with Sam Hearn and Sophie Moroney from Tanti Park Social Enterprise in Mornington. As a Young Hub the team was keen to learn from a big cousin that formed in 1979. This was a reciprocal visit to Broadmeadows as their schools partners had visited the MPF schools a few weeks prior.
There was lots to learn by both sides - and to share. Why reinvent the wheel when there is an expert around the corner - or up the freeway!
The centre in Broadmeadows began operations out of a tiny flat in the nearby housing estate run by residents. For the past 24 years CEO Gina Dougall has been the driving force behind the bustling community hub, now with 80,000 locals participating annually in their programs. It was inspiring to hear Gina talk about the range of programs, from homework clubs to women's groups, from environment and sustainability programs including community gardens, to successful social enterprise cafes.
A common approach to supporting community that Banksia Gardens and MPF share is their focus on education and schools working together to ensure children and young people have access to an excellent education. MPF includes small grants to local organisations as part of our focus on education and acknowledges the important role of community hubs, especially with respect to family wellbeing.
In 2020 Gina and her team in partnership with 17 local schools and the Department of Education and Training established the Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement (NCESE). This initiative provides educators with professional development, coaching & mentoring, and a community of practice.
In September NCESE will host its third annual conference: It Starts With Us: Creating Inclusive and Engaging Learning Spaces.
Thanks for having us!
