A little bit of history…..
Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre opened its doors to the community in January 1991 as Cynthia Street Neighbourhood Centre (CSNC) after the Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre Inc was successful in obtaining funding through the Central Coast Area Assistance Scheme. A part time coordinator was originally employed with their primary aim being to assess the local needs in the area and find avenues to meet those needs.
Since January 1996 CSNC has been assisting members of the community from Tumbi Umbi, Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale and Forresters Beach.
Over the years CSNC has been able to establish on-going funding for Before and After School care and Vacation Care programs (which they no longer auspice) as well as provide support and a venue for various groups that are interested in providing more local services.
Where to now…..
In late 2010 CSNC transitioned into the NSW Government Human Services Community Services Community Builders funding program from the outdated Community Services Grants Program (CSGP). Growing evidence has suggested that an effective way of reducing inequality and disadvantage is to strengthen a community by enhancing its capacity and opportunities for people to engage in a wide variety of social, economic, cultural, recreational, learning and civic activities.
Therefore CSNC’s main objective will be to provide a community hub that will work with individuals, service providers and community groups to provide a locally based, single point of access to services and information that is accessible to all members of the community. The Centre will provide a resource that connects people to information and services that will aim to promote community capacity building, increased resilience and improved safety in the community. They will also work to provide a location for a range of community based, non-profit services including visiting and/or co-located agencies that will benefit residents. More information can be found at the NSW Governments website http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/comm_builders.pdf
In 2013 the Centre is still moving forward and this is being reflected in a change of name from Cynthia St Neighbourhood Centre to Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre.
