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:
  • children and families
  • young people
  • older people and people with disAbilities
• 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.

Acting Manager position held by

•  Fiona Morrison - fiona.morrison@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 and 1 Occasional Care Centre.

Team Leader - Child and Family Services
Coordinates and manages the Child and Family Services Team.

• Kylie Payne - kylie.payne@gosford.nsw.gov.au

Council Child Care Centre Directors

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.

Acting Team Leader position held by

• Nick Rendell mailto:nick.rendell@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.

Acting Public Space Officer position held by

• Jennie Dias- jennie.dias@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

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.