BMNH HISTORY
Between 2000 and 2002 a group of local residents and organisations formed the Braybrook and Maidstone Social Action Group to discuss the complex social issues facing the communities of Braybrook and Maidstone and to develop a plan to obtain funding which would allow them to take some action. Maribyrnong City Council agreed to be the lead agency in submitting an application to Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services to fund a project to support community capacity development.
“Reaching Out Linking In” began in November 2001 and through a leadership-training program in which a group of local residents came together with the desire to develop skills and an understanding of how best to contribute to their community. DHS. Neighbourhood Renewal and the Office of Housing in partnership with the Braybrook Maidstone and Sunshine Public Tenants Association and the Western Tool Library supported this innovative initiative. As a result The Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood Association (BMNA) was born and became incorporated in July 2002.
The BMNA has worked with DHS, Neighbourhood Renewal over the last six years in a range of ways, including hosting community conversations on critical issues. Neighbourhood Renewal has an umbrella governance model, which is called the Braybrook and Maidstone Community Partnership Group, (also referred to as the Steering Committee) whose purpose is to engage the agencies, residents and government in coordinating a collective response to issues which confront the local community. This committee, chaired by the Honourable Marsha Thomson, has a membership of residents and organizations such as Melbourne City Mission, Footscray Police, the Western Region Health Centre, Maribyrnong City Council and local schools. The BMCPG meets every three months to respond to community needs and to work on the Action Plan which collectively represent the programs and initiatives which are implemented in Braybrook and Maidstone.
To date over $42,000,000 has been spent on a diverse range of projects, programs and initiatives including Immediate Improvements to Public Tenant Housing. Along with Community Infrastructure Projects such as the Redevelopment of Braybrook Park to the employment of Health Professionals at the Braybrook Community Centre to Employment and Learning Programs and Enterprises with the Brotherhood of St Laurence employing and training local residents.
Our Partnership with Neighbourhood Renewal, Maribyrnong City Council and local not for profit agencies continues to actively support the BMNA. This gives us the opportunity to be a driving force in the process of improving the quality of life in Braybrook and Maidstone. In particular, the upgrading of the Neighbourhood House at 113 Melon St Braybrook is a long term project which will ensure that when Neighbourhood Renewal leaves in June 2010 there will be a place and committee which will actively support, employment, training and learning opportunities, along with the advocacy of resident needs, to ensure community representation and participation for all residents.