Community Development
Gosford City Council's Community Development Homepage.
Our Community
"….Belonging to Gosford means living in an inclusive community that responds to the needs of all its people."
(Council's Vision 2025)
Strengths of the Gosford Community
- A relaxed lifestyle and sense of community
- Abundance of natural attractions, recreational opportunities and a growing recognition of indigenous and non indigenous heritage and culture
- Willingness to volunteer
- Valuing community development by embracing new ways of working with communities
- A central location well connected to major population centres
- Small connected communities with a sense of identity and place surrounded by a natural environment
Community Development
What is Community Development?
Community Development is the process or effort of building community capacity on a local level with emphasis on forging and strengthening social ties, building economy, and developing the not for profit sector.
Community Capacity combines building people's commitment and skills to build on strengths within the community to address problems and react to potential opportunities.
This is achieved by:
- Recognising and valuing of individual and community contributions
- Provision of direct services to:
- Building capacity of services in the community sector, by increasing skills and knowledge, advocacy and access to resources i.e. provision of financial grants and buildings
- Encouraging participation in community life
- Investigating and responding to community issues
- Ensuring the strengths of the Gosford community are maintained and accessible to everyone
This work is supported by comprehensive community planning processes incorporating research, consultation and partnerships
The Community Development Section
Manager
Coordinates and manages the Community Development Section.
- Helen Polkinghorne - helen.polkinghorne@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Services for Children and Families
The Child and Family Services Team provide high quality and affordable child care. The centres are staffed by qualified and dedicated professionals with a diverse range of skills, knowledge and backgrounds.
Council is committed to ensuring children have positive experiences from birth and this is achieved by higher than recommended staff to child ratios.
Council operates 7 Long Day Care Centres, 1 Occasional Care Centre and 3 Vacation Care Services
Team Leader - Child and Family Services
Coordinates and manages the Child and Family Services Team.
- Sandra Luxford - sandra.luxford@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Out of Hours School Vacation Care Coordinator
Coordinates Councils Out of Hours School Vacation Program
Chris Henderson - chris.henderson@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Council Child Care Centre Directors
| Child Care Centre | Director | Email Contact |
|---|---|---|
| James Mitchell Care and Learning Centre | Kristy Woods | kristy.woods@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Kariong Child Care Centre | Karen Jenkins | karen.jenkins@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Michael Burns Childrens Centre | Jeanette John | jeanette.john@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Niagara Park Childrens Centre | Ineke Smith | ineke.smith@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Papalya Childrens Centre | Debbie Andrews | debbie.andrews@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Terrigal Childrens Centre | Beverley Boys | beverley.boys@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Umina Child Care Centre | Jennie Wallington | jennie.wallington@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Erina Occasional Care | Sue Jordon | sue.jordon@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
Services for Young People
The Youth Services Team provide or facilitate a broad range of services for young people by ensuring access to resources and facilities to which they are entitled and encouraging them to make constructive life choices.
Council provides direct service from three youth centres; Erina, Kariong and Kincumber, and supports community organisations to proivide services to young people from six other facilities.
Team Leader Youth Services
Coordinates and manages the Youth Services Team.
- Fiona Miller - fiona.miller@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Public Space Officer
To develop, support and coordinate a range of activities and initiatives to enhance access to public space for all community members.
- Sue Verhoek - sue.verhoek@gosford.nsw.gov.au
| Youth Centre | Coordinator | Email Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Erina Youth Centre | Steve Knee | steve.knee@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Kariong Youth Centre Coordinator | Nick Rendell | nick.rendell@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Acting Kincumber Youth Centre Coordinator | Chris Minto | chris.minto@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
Community Partnerships
The Community Partnerships Team provide and facilitate a range of community development projects including Grants, Community Facilities and Area Assistance.
The team provide older people and people living with a disability with support and useful information, as well as improved access to Council facilities, relevant service providers and government agencies.
Team Leader Community Partnerships
Coordinates and manages the Community Partnerships Team
- Robyn Howes - robyn.howes@gosford.nsw.gov.au
| Position | Role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| HACC Project Officer | This position supports and resources the HAAC funded projects within Council. (Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays) | kareena.johnston@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Disability Services Officer | Provides support, resources and advocacy for people with disabilities in Gosford. (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). | ainslie.whitburn@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| HACC Training Supervisor | To co-ordinate training opportunies to assist HACC services implement quality service provision. | janette.robinson@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| HACC Training Administrator | Administration assistance to HACC Training Project. | melinda.dawson@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Co-ordinator Senior Citizens | Coordinates the Ettalong and Gosford Senior Citizens Centres. | rhondda.gibson@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Community Development Officer | Support, resource and develop communities in Gosford. (Monday to Thursday) | helen.eves@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Community & HACC Development Officer | Support, resource and develop communities in Gosford. | jodi.livesley@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Acting Community Facilities Development Officer | Partners with the community to ensure that community facilities are strategically planned, equitable, accessible and coordinated. | liam.heyden@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Community Development Officer - Grants | Support, resource and develop communities in Gosford through the implementation of Council's community grants scheme. (Monday and Tuesday) | sharon.moore@gosford.nsw.gov.au |
Aboriginal Programs
Provides support, resources and advocacy for aboriginal communities in Gosford.
Aboriginal Development Officer
Keith Hall - keith.hall@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Contact Us
The Community Development Team can be contacted on 02 4325 8351.