Mentors rewarded for community contribution

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson today congratulated participants on their achievements in Tasmania’s popular Learning Partnerships/Stepping Forward project.

Senator Patterson presented certificates to participants who had helped make the mentoring/training program such a success, including program coordinator Jenny Gee.

“The project helped to train and motivate local community volunteers who could facilitate community projects and in turn give something back to their community,” Senator Patterson said.

“The training organised by Jenny Gee and volunteer, Nettie Burr, included communication, public speaking, the Australian legal system, project planning and funding submissions, among other useful tools, from stress management to meeting procedures.

“The training was delivered to various groups including refugees, community and youth groups, Country Women’s Association members and other members of action groups and associations. With new skills, these groups have since been able to plan for and complete local projects while some individuals are now in employment or are undertaking further training.

“This program joins the other 188 mentoring and leadership programs which have been funded under the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“The Stronger Families and Community Strategy aims to increase the capacity of communities to undertake and complete community initiatives for themselves, rather than relying on external assistance – and here in Tasmania we have an excellent example of this.

“Through programs such as the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, the Australian Government continues to show its commitment to strengthening communities, especially in regional and Indigenous areas, and empowering them to develop local responses to local issues,” Senator Patterson said.