mid mountains neigbourhood centre

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A Brief Background History Of M.M.N.C.

In the 1970's and 80's Mid Mountains residents had to travel out of the area to Katoomba or Springwood where 85% of mountain wide services, for example Youth services, childcare facilities, Women's health centres, government departments etc  were located.

In July 1987 in recognition of growth of the Mid Mountains, the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre prepared a submission to find a community worker in the Mid Mountains (identified as the area from Woodford to Bullaburra). In August 1988 the first worker was employed and the Community Development Project commenced.

(right)Management,staff and volunteers at our 2010 planning session

In 1991 the project moved from the old Shire Council Chambers in Loftus Street Lawson. to the newly completed Mid Mountains Community Centre. In December 1992 the Mid Mountains project became incorporated and changed its name to Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre and came under the management of local residents.

The Neighbourhood Centre is part of an  important infrastructure for locally based community service development.

In almost two decades the Centre has been involved with a number of initiatives and community issues in the area.

Mick Barrett Manager M.M.N.C. (right)

Some of these projects have included.

• new home for Mid Mountains Out Of School Hours (MOOSH)
• establishing the Youth Futures Group (now a separate incorporated body)
• Golden Horizon park- Hazelbrook (establishing a park and play equipment) 
• Connecting cultures- an international residents group.
  
• Gardening Circles
• Community readers Program
• Lawson Festival
• Hazelbrook Association
• Sustainable Transport Alliance
• Local Produce Stall
• MM City Gardens
• Mid Mountains Craft Market-monthly venue for community interaction, stalls for unemployed people, Chriskindle market. parenting classes with child care.
• Play equipment for Mid Mountains Community centre.
• Low cost leisure classes.
• Variety concerts for disability groups.
• On The Rails Community Art Exhibition.
• Generally promoting and resourcing existing groups and activities .
• Foodshare

Philosophy

The MMNC gives preference to disadvantaged groups, promotes the sharing of skills, empowering residents to help themselves thus enabling them to realise their full potential.

We are a voice for the community needs, believe in challenging structures which disadvantage people by working in a collaborative way.We are a workplace which models co-operation and Equal Employment opportunity principles which respect the diversity of our community.

Find Us Here