News & Events

IN THE NEWS!!!

22 January 2013 - BIG THINGS IN STORE AS WINDERMERE APPOINTS NEW CEO

Chairman Carl Strachan and the Board of Windermere Child and Family Services have announced the appointment of Dr Lynette Buoy as Chief Executive Officer.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Lynette Buoy to the position of chief executive officer at Windermere Child and Family Services,” said Mr Strachan.

“Windermere is an incredibly powerful brand, everyday we help children, families and individuals within our community, the work that has been done by an extraordinary team of staff, advocates and volunteers must be acknowledged and I look forward to joining them, “ Dr Buoy added.

Previously, Lynette has worked for The Smith Family as General Manager in Western Australia, and prior to this was the CEO for the Lady Gowrie Child Centre (Melbourne) Inc. Lynette has also served on a number of community and educational boards and has a PhD in organisational change.

Lynette will commence her position of chief executive officer at Windermere Child and Family Services on Monday 11^th February 2013.

click here for the full media release

17 December 2012 - BERWICK ROTARY RAISE MONEY FOR WINDERMERE

Over 180 people attended The Rotary Club of Berwick’s Charity Business Dinner in November
2012, which raised over $20,000 for a number of local charities, including $4,000 for
Windermere Child & Family Services.

click here for full media release

Windermere wins tender to support homelessness
In March, Windermere were successful in winning a tender to deliver a new program to focus on supporting people at risk of homelessness.  This builds on our existing homelessness assistance program and gives us the scope to work with people to prevent ongoing problems.

The new program called 'HOME Links' is based on principles of early intervention, child centred/family focussed outcomes and aims to assist families to maintain long term secure housing.  Housing is a significant issue for the families with whom we work and it's one of the most important in terms of outcomes for children.  Part of the program involves working with other welfare support agencies to recognise and manage the needs of families early so that they can avoid the ongoing implications of losing a tenancy or mortgage.  Some of the practical support includes working with real estate agents, assistance with financial management and support for children to remain in their schools and attend other normal activities.  Another key feature of the program is to assist parents to build skills to ensure longer term employability.  This program will be conducted throughout the outer South Eastern areas of Melbourne including the Mornington Peninsula. 

Finalists at National Privacy Awards
Windermere was presented with a certificate commemorating Windermere's achievement of Finalist in The Community and NGO category by Karen Curtis, Australian Privacy Commissioner at the National Privacy Awards in Sydney in November 2009.  Windermere were commended for their years of focussing on systems and programs that enhance their quality of work. 

Award for excellent services to Multicultural Victoria
Windermere has won an award for excellent services delivered to Multicultural Victoria.   This award was based on Windermere's significant contribution to, and facilitation of the Southern CALD Network, research, and broad range of capacity building projects within ethnic communities.  Windermere's development of a CALD Action Plan and internal achievements were also included in the nomination.

The Accreditation award is recognised internationally and is highly valued by Government Departments and funding bodies across Australia.  Windermere is one of only a handful of Child and Family organisations in Victoria that has been successful in achieving full accreditation.

CALD Community Events
These events are a part of the 'Strengthening the role of CALD men in their families and Australian Community' project, funded through the Diverse Australia program at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Reaching Out to Migrant and Refugee Families - Consumer Credit Education Program for CALD Communities in the Growth Corridor
The CALD Consumer Credit Project was initiated by Windermere in late 2009 with the financial support of the R.E Ross Trust, Collier Charitable Fund and the Trust Company.  It is an exciting short term project that is being conducted in partnership with Centrelink and Consumer Affairs Victoria, to provide diverse communities with information on credit, contracts, budgeting, warrants for unpaid debt or fines, and Centrelink payments.

Nine groups from across seven CALD communities have been engaged in the project, with some community representatives undertaking mentor training to  link people experiencing credit related difficulties with relevant support services.

The first of up to eighteen information sessions was held with the Hampton Park Turkish Seniors Group on the 10^th March 2010. Speakers from Consumer Affairs, Centrelink and the Sheriff’s Office attended, and through the assistance of a Centrelink Interpreter, 29 attendees were provided with information, and opportunities to ask questions and receive follow up one-to-one advice.  The next session is scheduled for the 26^th March with the Chinese Pensioners Club.

Freedom from Family Violence: CALD Community Education Project in the Growth Corridor
Windermere’s Freedom from FV Project, funded by the Legal Services Board, is due to officially commence in April 2010.  The purpose of the project is to contribute to the prevention / reduction of incidents of family violence within CALD communities through provision of information on the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, peer mentorship and enhanced consumer access to legal and support services. Four information sessions will be held within the Southern Region targeting the Burma Community, Afghani, Sudanese and Turkish groups.  

For further information on the Consumer Credit or Freedom from Family Violence Projects, please contact Sue Beattie-Johnson 9705 3290 or Serap Ozdemir 9705 3200.

Windermere receives funding from the Melbourne Community Foundation-"Building Harmony in the Growth Corridor Project"
The project aims to build the capacity of children and young people from diverse backgrounds in the Growth Corridor-Officer to live harmonious and productive lives. This project will facilitate partnerships between the various government and faith schools in Officer to develop strategies in order to further raise cross cultural awareness and understanding in the Growth Corridor. This project is in partnership with the Cardinia Shire Council, Monash University and Windermere Child and Family Services. 

The project will:

• Facilitate a partnership and an agreed project framework and action plan between a range of faith and government schools such as; St Brigid’s Catholic School, Officer Primary School, St Margaret’s, Minaret Islamic College, Manaratha Christian School, and other mainstream community service providers.
• Provide information/orientation session to families of children and young people to raise their awareness of diverse faiths and showcase good practice harmonious relationships of children and youth at the different schools within the area.
• Identify migrant/refugee community members, who will be trained as peer educators and mentors for at risk children and young persons, and who will work with local services such as Windermere and others in delivering the social and educational programs within and across schools.
• Implement cross-social and educational programs between the Muslim,  Christian and other faith schools and activities aimed  to create racial harmony, understanding and tolerance between children and youth.
• Share the project findings and learnings with other growth-area housing estates.

For further information please contact Tim Cooper, Community Strengthening Coordinator, Cardinia Shire Council, Phone: 5945 4335, Mobile: 0438 539 560 Email: t.cooper@cardinia.vic.gov.au