2003

17th March 2003
Cessnock Employment Rally Challenges Community to Renewal
Frustrated by unemployment and a lack of resources, over 100 representatives of the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) gathered last week at the Two Bishops Trust Employment Rally to plan strategies and solutions for local economic development.

In attendance at the two-day Rally, held on 11-12 March at the Hunter Valley Gardens, were local business people, workers, students, community workers, unemployed people, bishops and representatives of local and state government.

Two Bishops Trust Project Development Coordinator, David Baker said that the Rally helped participants to recognise the assets of the Cessnock LGA communities that can be developed and strengthened.

“The Rally was a really good example of diverse community sectors working together to develop solutions to community problems. It involved people from a range of experiences, discussing and coming up with solutions,” said Mr Baker.

“A number of key issues were identified, including transport, improving the main street of Cessnock, community pride, self esteem and soft skills that are needed by employers, involving youth in the development of the community, bridging the divide between Cessnock and Pokolbin, promoting apprenticeships and traineeships to employers, professional marketing of the Cessnock LGA, engaging the whole community, skills audits and an asset based approach, leadership development, breaking down barriers and changing our approach to the way we do things.

“The Rally is the beginning of a vibrant new approach to community development where working groups are being formed with committed people to action the strategies that have been developed. This energy will be harnessed over the coming months to ensure a positive future.

“A total of 21 workable project areas were identified that will continue to be developed through working groups formed as a result of the Rally.

“The Two Bishops Trust will continue to work collaboratively with the community in developing and implementing the projects,” Mr Baker said.

In a statement arising from the Employment Rally to be sent to the various communities in the Cessnock LGA, participants spoke of actively building up the area to be a place of vitality, interest and creativity.

“For this to happen we need to believe in ourselves and to work together as communities to celebrate and promote our area so that negative attitudes can be changed to positive ones.

“Our young people are integral to our growth, our older workers will share their skills, our elders will tell their stories - we want all in our communities to take pride in who we are and where we live,” the statement reads.

Please find following a copy of the full statement arising from the Employment Rally.

MESSAGE TO THE COALFIELD AND VINEYARD COMMUNITIES

Gathered in conference at the Hunter Valley Gardens on 11-12 March 2003 over 100 representatives of the community have discussed employment issues in our region and have dreamed of possibilities.

Our conversations moved beyond employment issues to the very heart of our culture and community.

Rather than passively waiting for whatever comes we spoke of actively creating our own future and being energetic about building up our communities to be places of vitality, interest and creativity.

We recognise that our region is rich in assets and natural beauty. With more imagination these could be developed to create greater employment opportunities for local people.

For this to happen we need to believe in ourselves and to work together as communities to celebrate and promote our area so that negative attitudes are changed to positive ones.

We know we can do this and call on all sectors of our communities to join hands in partnership to achieve great things together.

We cannot depend on ‘lifelines’. We must create our own destiny, enter into viable partnerships and plan for our own future with optimism and enthusiasm. We will work with government but not wait for them to lead.

Our young people are integral to our growth; our older workers will share their skills; our elders will tell their stories - we want all in our communities to take pride in who we are and where we live.

We submit the following priorities to you for consideration and action:

PRIORITY PROJECTS
1. Transport
2. Streetlife/Mainstreet
3. Community Pride
4. Community Engagement
5. Self Esteem/Soft Skills/Motivation
6. Youth Engagement
7. ‘Bridging the Gap’
8. Apprenticeship Development
9. Promotional /Professional Marketing
10. Skills Audit
11. Leadership Development
12. ‘Breaking Down the Barriers’ Between Communities

Signed: Participants and Partners of the Two Bishops Trust Cessnock Employment Rally

PLEASE NOTE: A copy of the Cessnock Employment Strategy Document is available upon request.