Successful Volunteering - with Helen Yorston

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Newstead Pavilion Sunday November 16, 2014 at 2.30pm.

The series of Rocket Science sessions supported financially by Mount Alexander Shire continues - this is the 6th session that looks at an issue that was rated 6th in the top ten raised in the Newstead Community Plan. 

Support for Volunteers and Community Groups.

More than 40 active and diverse community groups operate in  Newstead -  all rely on volunteers.

• How do we recruit, train, support and empower our willing, unpaid workers?
• Can  Newstead  continue to rely on volunteers as our population ages and our lifestyles become ever more busy?
• What can we do to encourage and welcome newcomers to be more involved in our vibrant little community?

The Presenter/Facilitator is Helen Yorston, Manager of Bendigo Volunteers Resource Centre.

Helen will help us tackle issues such as: 

• What support structures are needed  for supporting, retaining volunteers
• Implementing essential guidelines & Best Practice
• Clear position descriptions and outline of tasks
• Burnout
• Why volunteers move on

Come along to the Newstead Pavilion (Newstead Oval in Panmure Street) to join the discussion on Volunteers and Community on November 16th, 2014. 2.30pm Free Cake!

Extract from Top 10 Priorities identified in Newstead Community Plan

6. Establishing a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” initiative for volunteers and community groups

Background:

Newstead has some 40 plus active and diverse community groups and a high level of volunteerism. Our demographic profile shows an aging population. Sustaining the current levels of volunteerism will require specific support and strategies. Alongside this, we are experiencing some growth with new housing and residents and community members are keen to explore ways to involve and engage new residents to Newstead, especially as the population grows.

Newstead 2021 was established as an umbrella group to support the many projects that arose from the 2008 summit.

Current Status:

Newstead 2021 and the Rural Transaction Centre auspice community groups and activities, allowing small projects or activities to get under way without the need for incorporation or organisational legalities.

A Volunteer Register for identifying community needs and offers, and a Newcomers Kit were both discussed during the community planning process.

Next Steps:

Support the role of N2021, the RTC and other groups in auspicing commmunity projects

Seek support for a local community volunteer support worker, to assist in grant seeking, developing a volunteer register, sustaining volunteers and improving community group functions

Develop a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” proposal which focuses on succession, leadership and mentoring and governance, and seek backing from MAS, state and federal government, philanthropic and corporate bodies.

How are we doing? This is what we said to the N2021 AGM

Newstead Rocket Science – Back on track

The successful Strengthening Our Community Mt Alexander Shire grant application has prompted the revival of the once-famous Rocket Science series.

In the first instance the Small Town Big Ideas series of sessions will consider the top 10 priorities identified in the Newstead Community Plan. Then, from May 2015 sessions will focus on matters of a more general interest – Community Conversations on things that matter

In July 2014 Bronwyn Smith and David Stratton assumed responsibility for Rocket Science and the web address http://www.newsteadrocketscience.net now leads to the blog that is the centre of all Rocket Science activity. There has been a significant increase in the online engagement available for Rocket Science conversations.

The face to face conversations at the monthly sessions are proceded, and followed by, conversations on Facebook with a separate page devoted to each topic. The conversations are public, regardless of Facebook membership but participation requires a Facebook account. The blog offers directions for setting up an anonymous, Zero Friends Facebook (ZFF) just for this purpose.

The blog also acts as a “signpost” leading to the growing collection of conversations.

So far there have been sessions about four of the ten plan priorities:

• Planning for a liveable Newstead (# 8)– Trevor Budge - rural and regional planning expert
• A major renewal of street trees within the town precinct (#5) – Flynn Hart - Landscape Architect
• Refurbishing and revitalising the Newstead Station as an arts precinct (#1) – Ella Hinkley - Arts Officer Banyule City Council
• Creating a pedestrian bridge across the Loddon River to connect both sides of town (#2) – Michael Redden – Newstead Councillor and Mayor

Sessions are in an advanced stage of planning for October and November:

• Establishing a connected network of walking and bike paths and trails between Newstead and surrounding towns (#4) – Christine Henderson – Councillor and Chair of Shire Walking & Cycling Advisory Committee
• Establishing a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” initiative for volunteers and community groups (#6) -- Helen Yorston - Manager Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre

The remaining four topics will be the basis for sessions between February and May 2015.

A Final Summing Up & Review Session is proposed to assess progress and any further activity to implement Newstead Community Plan Priorities.

Newstead Community - Community - Facebook Page set up on November 21, 2012 was  renamed after the completion of the Newstead Community Plan

" but being together here on this page has become an essential part, amongst others, of the experience of living in Newstead."

The Newstead Community Facebook Page has 159 Likes (October 16th), the item on forthcoming Rocket Science Session - Trails & Pathways has reached 71 people! 

An item posted (October 2, 2014) Re the sign in old Petrol Station window "Petrol not far off" reached 317 people so far ! The lack of access to fuel in Newstead, though not rated in the Top 10,  was a significant issue raised during the consultation process and on the Planning Day itself.

The support of Welshman's Reef Winery, the Newstead Echo and guest speakers/facilitators is much appreciated. Their  willingness to support and be involved in our   Rocket Science Sessions is essential to the successful formula developed for engaging with the Newstead community.  

Newstead Trails and Pathways - with Christine Henderson

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Dig Cafe Sunday October 26th 2014 at 3.30pm.

The series of Rocket Science sessions supported financially by Mount Alexander Shire continues - this is the fifth session that looks at an issue that was in the top ten raised in the Community Plan.

Walking/cycling tracks were the fourth priority in the Newstead Community Plan. 

Walk or cycle to Dig Cafe in the centre of town for a discussion on footpaths, walkways, trails, cycle tracks in and around Newstead.

 It is perfect timing for Newstead to start talking and working as Council has already committed to upgrading footpaths in parts of Newstead. More can be done now that Council last month (September) endorsed the "Walking and Cycling Strategy 2010-2020" which sets out a strategic approach for Council to increase and improve walking and cycling activities in the Mount Alexander Shire over the next decade.

Huge potential exists for Newstead to provide safe and healthy outdoor recreation options as more people look to exercise, walk, ride and explore in our local area with maps and pamphlets & well signposted walking routes in and around town. The tourism and economic benefits are obvious. 

Council has just approved the Castlemaine to Maldon Trail so Newstead could be linked via existing Muckleford Forest tracks.

Newstead could also be promoted as the Gateway to Cairn Curran with a safe offroad path out from town.

Bring along or share online your favourite walks and bike routes. 

Extract from Top 10 Priorities in Newstead Community Plan

4. Establishing a connected network of walking and bike paths and trails between Newstead and surrounding towns, using existing easements and bushland areas

 Background:

Newstead is ideally located to take advantage of the surrounding river and bushland and to promote walking and cycling within and without the township. The idea of paths connecting with surrounding towns – Guildford, Maldon, Castlemaine – as well as more locally, along the river and between the west and east side of town, via off-road routes, accessible and safe for all, was strongly supported during the community planning process. The proposed Railway Arts Precinct and Pedestrian Bridge form key links in the proposed trail network. Benefits include enhanced community connections, health and fitness and possibilities for tourism and economic development.

Current Status:

• MAS Council has committed $800,000 towards a bike and walking path from Newstead (starting at the Newstead Railway Station) to Castlemaine via Guildford, alongside the rail line route. The Council has also established a Trails Advisory Committee as part of their 2010 – 2020 Walking and Cycling Strategy, to improve and increase this activity in the Shire.

NB This proposal has been ruled out due to excessive costs of safety railings on wooden structures - bridges etc.(September 2014)

        

Next steps:

• Get a group of interested locals together to define local township and intra town walking, bike riding and safe connections linking to the extensive network of tracks in the surrounding bushland areas, eg Muckleford Forest, Loddon River,
• Ensure local knowledge and input into MAS Trails Advisory Group and that Newstead’s needs are represented, including access and safety issues
• Create and update guide maps for local walking and cycling trails and opportunities for unobtrusive interpretive signage along routes