NSW Centres
Centre History
Neighbourhood and Community Centres have existed in NSW since 1961, growing alongside movements in self-help, resident action and welfare rights. Their establishment reflected the move from traditional welfare dependency to community engagement and management of community and social problems, by marginalised and vulnerable individuals and groups.
Funding and Government Involvement
NSW Government funding began with small seeding grants in the late 1960s and was boosted by Federal Government funding through the Australian Assistance Program (AAP), which emphasised the development of local initiatives and participation.
The number of centres steadily increased as funding was made available. The NSW Department of Youth and Community Services funded 32 Centres in 1977, 59 centres in 1978 and 143 centres by 1984-85. Its name was changed to the Department of Family and Community Services, then Department of Community Services (DOCS) and is now Community Services.
Neighborhood Centre Program
From 1976 DOCS operated a specific funding program for centres, the Neighbourhood Centre Program which was amalgamated with the Community Information Centres Program in 1980, Neighbourhood and Community Centres came under both. In conjunction with LCSA and centres, DOCS developed its own Neighbourhood Centre Policy in 1985 and was launched by the Minister at the LCSA Annual General Meeting. The Neighbourhood Centre Program saw Neighbourhood and Community Centres being the only program area to have a specific policy of this nature.
Community Services Grants Program (CSGP)
In 1991, centre funding was incorporated into the CSGP which funds a range of community services. Community Services remains committed to funding a large number of the 280 plus NSW neighbourhood and community centres that now exist.
LCSA's CSGP Funding Campaign
Focus of Centres
Many early Neighbourhood and Community Centres began as Community Aid Centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux or Community Information Centres and since the 1970s many have adopted a community development focus. Centre services and activities are often becoming more diverse as centres adapt to changing community demographics and needs; many now act as multi-purpose community service providers, while others still focus on a single service or activity.
The purpose and operation of centres vary depending on the community setting – rural, provincial towns and cities, outer metropolitan Sydney, inner urban Sydney, with differences often reflecting historical and political events and pressures. Other differences come from conscious choices and strategies to meet specific local needs.
Neighbourhood and Community Centre Philosophy
With the resources and skills available to them, neighbourhood and community centres exist and operate under the principles and philosophies of:
• Affirmative action in assisting vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups
• Community participation and management
• Community development
Neighbourhood and Community Centre Philosophy 2003
