2002

18th December 2002
Cessnock Rallies to Beat the Unemployment Blues
A two-day community rally in response to unemployment in Cessnock has been organised for March 11-12, 2003.

Initiated by the Two Bishops Trust, the community rally will harness the skills of Mr Peter Kenyon, a social entrepreneur and community development facilitator. Over the last decade Mr Kenyon has worked with over 600 communities in Australia and throughout the world inspiring creative approaches to enterprising community and economic renewal.

As keynote speaker and facilitator, Mr Kenyon will work with those who attend the rally to create a community employment strategy.

The rally will focus on how the mature-aged and young people can work together to beat the unemployment blues and gain jobs.

The Two Bishops Trust, a collaborative venture between the Hunter's Catholic and Anglican Churches, has been invited to respond to the problem of unemployment in the Cessnock local government area. The Trust aims to inspire and unite the whole community in finding workable, just and creative solutions to unemployment.

According to Mr David Baker, Project Coordinator for the Trust, "This is not a solution that will come from outsiders. We have been listening to the concerns of local people and we have some strategies that we believe will make a difference. This rally will be an opportunity to get ideas from all sectors of the community.

"We call on all members of the community of Cessnock to be represented at the rally", Mr Baker continued. "To achieve this we are asking community leaders and all types of organisations to sponsor a delegate, particularly from those most disadvantaged by unemployment. This means we will hear from those who have the most to gain from the outcomes of the rally."

Further information
The workshop aims to provide an opportunity for local people to take responsibility for their economic future. It will involve identifying and harnessing community resources and opportunities to stimulate sustainable economic activity. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to start changing perceptions and choices regarding development options, community resources, markets, rules and decision-making capacity.

The workshop principles are founded on the simple premise that each community has within itself or within its grasp considerable capacity and opportunity to influence its social, economic and employment future.

We invite you to become a supporter of this exciting opportunity to be involved in the process of community and economic renewal.

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