Organic Edible Gardening

For Feast & Pleasure

Come and be inspired.

You will learn all about the organics movement and the differing methods:
Permaculture, naturalist, no-dig (etc).
You will learn the basics.
You will take home a detailed design plan of your own bit of edible paradise, and have the confidence and inspiration to start digging.

Rachel Brown is a qualified Landscape designer and permaculture designer. She is passionate about organics, and spreading the message of growing your own food.
Rachel is also the Vice-chair of Geelong Organic Gardeners.

4 week course,
Tuesday 8 April
10.30 – 12.00am
$35 ($30 con.)

Contact: South Barwon Community Centre on 52438388
or email sbcommunitycentre@gmail.com to book your place or for more information.

A Short History of Scribes Writers July 2003 -2008

Where we have come from

In 2003 as a South Barwon Community Centre Inc. (SBCC) volunteer I proposed to the then coordinator, Mary Coward, that I begin a writing group. One person had rung to find out if there was a writing group in the area so the timing was right. The first session was held in July 2003. By the end of the year we had approximately 4-7 members.

The aims of the group were two fold, to facilitate people’s creative writing development and bring people together to counter social isolation in an affordable and accessible setting. The name Scribes evolved from group member discussion and decision making process.

Scribes Writers is now a diverse group of enthusiastic writers sharing group management. Each person brings their own lifetime experiences to enhance the membership and activities of the whole. The group aims to provide a creative environment where people can realise their imaginative, artistic writing potential and reach a professional level of confidence and competence.

How we got where we are…

From the beginning we have developed and maintained group strengths through peer support; encouraging leadership skills; sharing decision making, information and resources in weekly structured writing group meetings in a friendly environment.

While most of the successes of Scribes Writers are the direct result of the effort and dedication to the group by every member we value and appreciate the assistance given so generously and willingly by the Committee of Management, the coordinator(s) and volunteers of the SBCC Inc.


What we have achieved…

1 2004 Scribes joined the Victorian Writers’ Centre (VWC). Membership gave the group access to the centre’s workshops, magazine and made us eligible to apply for regional funding for workshops. The first financial outlay for the annual subscription was shared 50:50 from individual members and the SBCC funds. In 2005 SBCC paid the whole subscription but all other years the membership fee has been funded solely by Scribes.



2. Workshops

Funded by Victorian Writers' Centre (VWC)

2004 ─ creative writing workshop ─ facilitated by Christine Davey

2006 ─ marketing and promotion workshop ─ facilitated by Mary Coward



Funded by City of Greater Geelong (CoGG)

2006 ─Arts Grant 2006 “Ideas and Managing Success” workshop ─ facilitated by Christine Davey

2006 ─Arts Grant 2006 “Editing One For D’ Road” workshop ─ facilitated by Christine Davey

2007 ─Geelong Seniors 2 “Life Stories” workshops ─ facilitated by Susan Kruss



Scribes funded - Speakers and workshops

2004 ─Leanne Fagg, writer ─ promotion and self publishing Like Falling off a Cliff

2005 ─Graham Deane ─ computer skills

2005 ─Vivienne Worthington, writer ─ promotion and self-publishing Anastasia – Woman of Eureka

2006 ─Colin James, digitalised publication One For D’ Road

2007 ─Liz Flaherty, Children’s writer

2007 ─Lorraine Phelan ─ family writing and gathering resources


3. Group meeting activities

Over the years members have led group sessions covering a variety of writing topics. Some include – poetry, structuring stories, idea generation, characterisation, figurative/descriptive writing, grammar, editing; markets, formatting, diction, dialogue, style, point of view, research - both for fiction and non-fiction writing, article writing, short stories, genre, critiquing, journalism, children’s writing, self-publishing, submission writing, sourcing funding, internet and computer skills, interviewing techniques, copyright and legal responsibilities.

In 2005 members work was collected into a mini-anthology The Assembly Line, this was later used as a prototype for the 2006 publication, One For D’ Road..



4. One For D’ Road…a 2 year project - 2005-6

CoGG Arts Grant – The purpose was to produce a quality book of 150 pages comprising both fiction and non-fiction, artwork and photography that highlighted and celebrated the social life and history of the Ford Motor Company and Geelong people.

The anthology included short stories, poems, biographies and profiles as well as photography and artwork to complement the written content. The process could broadly be summarised as preparation; permissions; text design, layout and cover design; bibliography; acknowledgements; printing; promotion and marketing and finally the launch and distribution.



Benefits for individual members

Strengths gained – networking and establishing contacts, financial management (especially GST), printing and publishing knowledge, improvement in narrative and other writing skills, confidence as writers and individuals, ability to take on larger writing assignments, skill development and increased opportunities for information dissemination through a power point production, pride in the writers by their contribution to Geelong’s literary heritage.

Through publishing more people know about the SBCC Inc and its services and encouraged a wider membership for the writing group.



5. Community participation

2004 Written submission to the CoGG Arts Forum and oral presentation at the launch of the Creativity arts program.

2004-7 Members attended workshops at VWC

2006 Words at the Gallery – Scribes members read own works

2007 Scribes participated in the Borough of Queenscliffe Arts Festival – Sea of Words

2007 Attendance at the one day Varuna and Regional Writers Festival at Buninyong



6. SBCC Inc AGM

Members have participated by giving readings and reports at the AGM from 2004. to March 2007.



7. Publishing

Scribes Writers has an ongoing opening for articles and stories with the Geelong News.

Members have participated in competitions, published in the Geelong Advertiser, New Idea, Geelong Seniors and Reader’s Digest and read their work on the ABC and local community radio. Some members have also read their work at community functions e.g. Shearer’s Arms.



8. Library - building resources.

With part of the surplus from the sales of the anthology Scribes Writers invested in a reference library - dictionary, thesaurus, marketing manual and other writing books. These books are available as a community resource. These add to Scribes’ existing collection of writing and literary magazines.



9 Logo

Our unique logo identifies the group and signifies our commitment to quality in our writing.



Where do we go in 2008

Refining the quality of our work – through editing, audio-video opportunities -film - more marketing and publishing…family history…fiction and non-fiction .
Writing and self-publishing the Geelong Events Anthology


In whatever involvement the group will continue to

build upon our strengths,
overcome weaknesses and
make stronger connections with each other and in the community.


Eileen Sims

January 2008

SBCC News for December

Jigsaw Library: Our newly developed jigsaw library has a growing selection of puzzles for all age groups to borrow. All our puzzles are available to borrow for a month and we graciously accept donations of preloved jigsaw puzzles for others to enjoy. Please drop by our Belmont offices to peruse our selection.

A New Service For Centre Users: We are proud to offer a new typing service for people requiring printed documents who are unable to access a computer or have limited skills. All jobs are subject to volunteer availability and rates are negotiable on an individual basis. Do you need your resume, letters, short stories, whatever your imagination can create we can put on paper. Please contact us for more information.

Join The New SBCC Stroller Group!

Come along and join our strollers group and share in great company for you and your little one while you take in the walking tracks around Belmont. Enjoy the scenic Barwon River in a fun, group atmosphere while exercising at the same time.



Afterwards have a relaxing cuppa with the group and plan next week's walk.

Where? At the South Barwon Community Centre offices, 33 Mt Pleasant Rd. Belmont

When? Mondays at 10.00 am

Cost? 50cents (for the cuppa)

Email the centre at sbcommunitycentre@gmail.com or call us on
52 438 388 for more information or turn up on the day.

Welcome to the weblog for the South Barwon Community Centre

Our offices at 33 Mt Pleasant Rd. Belmont.


About Us

South Barwon Community Centre Inc is an incorporated body run by a voluntary committee of management. It is staffed by one part-time co-ordinator and a great team of volunteers.

Funding for the Centre is provided by Department of Planning and Community Development(DPCD)as well as various grants from the City of Greater Geelong.

South Barwon Community Centre is part of the Neighbourhood House network and aims to develop a range of activities and programs that meet the community needs and reflects the principles of:
Life Long Learning
Community Ownership
Community Participation
Inclusion
Self Help
Advocacy
Networking
Social Action
Empowerment
Access and Equity


Volunteers

A very special thank-you to the volunteers of the South Barwon Community Centre. As with any community centre, volunteers are essential to enable us to provide a range of services in response the needs of the community.

If you would like to be involved in the continuing development of a vibrant community centre, develop a range of new skills and make new friends contact the co-ordinator about joining our team of volunteers.


Vision & Mission

The South Barwon Community Centre is a voluntary organisation.

Vision
South Barwon Community Centre will in a welcoming environment:
Promote community involvement
Respond to community needs
Create opportunities for inclusive participation

Mission
South Barwon Community Centre will contribute to the achievement of a strong, vibrant and caring community through the promotion of active citizenship.