Community Learning Project Hunter Region NSW

The project aims to work with local community members and learning providers to identify community learning priorities and find the resources to meet those priorities.

Carrington, Islington, Tighes Hill and Mayfield East public schools are working with the Hunter Star Foundation on a Community learning project.

There is so much going on in our community

Local schools, government and non government organisations and other community groups and individuals offer a wide range of courses, group work and incidental learning opportunities for families and community members.

We have a strong artistic presence in our community, we have active sporting and exercise groups and many other community based organizations that offer opportunities for formal learning or to pursue a hobby lifestyle activity such as tai chi or yoga.

Local businesses, such as the Mayfield Mainstreet Committee are building links with the community that can lead to opportunities for both informal and formal learning.

Our community is diverse both in terms of cultural background and work and life experiences and there is much we can learn from each other.

Linking people

So, this project is not about re-creating the wheel it is about linking people, sharing spaces and recognizing the value of learning from each other.

Over the last year, the project has been involved in a range of activities including:

• craft activities such as making floating candles as part of the Throsby Creek Live Sites project
• nutritious canteen course - which was developed because school community members identified the need for information and training and then met with TAFE Outreach who were able to design the course based on community input
• increasing awareness of existing courses offered by schools and local learning providers- such as the popular TAFE Outreach course – Supporting Children’s Learning which is currently (Term 1&2 2005) running again at Tighes Hill Public School.
  

The Future

Some of the things in the melting pot for the coming year include oral history, learning about community gardening, involving local business in education week.

The project will continue to work with others so that community members and families can have direct input into learning opportunities and so we can increase awareness of what services and learning opportunities are available in our community.

For questions about the project or any ideas about specific courses or community events, see contact below.

The project is funded by the Hunter Area Assistance Scheme.

For further information

Contact	:	Bill Robertson Community Learning Coordinator
Phone	:	0403 766 729
Email	:	billrobertson@fastmail.fm