Minister Launches

NEWPIN Evaluation and Art Wall

Back in 2004 Bethany launched the New Parent Infant Network (NEWPIN) Early Years Program an award winning centre based therapeutic and support program for parents of young children. 

NEWPIN Early Years aims to offer parents and children a unique opportunity to achieve positive changes in their lives and relationships based on the core values of: Respect, Support, Equality and Empathy.  The centre is open daily and is targeted to vulnerable parents who have recognisable parent/child difficulties.

As part of the program Bethany engaged the Centre for Community Child Welfare and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to evaluate the program. The evaluation was launched by the Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Community Services at Bethany in late May.

The Minister said at the launch ‘I am encouraged by the findings of the evaluation of NEWPIN’

‘The objectives that have been met are in line with those of the ‘every child, every chance’ reforms which have put Victoria ahead of the country in child and family services’ Ms Neville said.

The Minister also took the time to unveil the NEWPIN ART Wall funded by the Besen Family Foundation and the Foundation for Early Graduate Studies, which the Mums and children of the program developed in partnership with local Community Artist Arya Lenting.

At the launch, program participants Colleen Hibble and Donna Ash, told the audience about their experiences in the NEWPIN Program whilst Debbie Dadon from the Besen Family Foundation and  Rachel Robinson from the Centre for Community Child Health gave insights into their involvement of the Art Wall and evaluation.

Tute Groups

Bethany Shell Homework Clubs

Students from Corio and Corio South Primary Schools shared their favourite aspects of Tute Group - The Bethany Shell Homework Club during a launch to celebrate the programme’s new name and principal supporter, Shell Geelong Refinery.

Bethany Community Support CEO, Grant Boyd, said Tute Group is an early intervention program supporting disadvantaged children and refugee children in the northern suburbs to complete their homework.  Corio South Primary School has two clubs, one for Indigenous students and the other for students from the Karen community (from Burma), while Corio Primary School has one club for eligible grade five and six students.  

“Tute Group supports the children by providing assistance through weekly clubs to help them with their homework and assist them to transition successfully to secondary school,” said Grant.

“The clubs provide a structured and fun learning environment where sessions are tailored to the specific needs and educational requirements of each child,” he said.

“Bethany is delighted to have the support of Shell Geelong Refinery which will be funding the programme for the coming three years.”

Shell Geelong Refinery Communications Manager, Joan McGovern, said the company is supporting Tute Group as part of its social investment program, which focuses on three areas including education, health and the environment.

“Bethany was chosen as a social investment recipient as the homework club model addresses a core need within our local community,” said Joan.

“Receiving a solid education is key to the future success of children and we are confident Tute Group will help improve the educational outcomes of the students involved,” she said.

Grant to Help Bethany Community Support Grow

Photo: Dr Sarah Leach , Chair Bethany, Minister Neville with Grant Boyd CEO Bethany

Bethany Community Support will be able to deliver even better community services, thanks to a $200,000 Brumby Government grant to extend its North Geelong premises.

Community Services Minister and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville announced the funding at Bethany Community Support’s central office saying the Victorian Community Support Grant would go towards a $1.8 million extension of the building used by the not-for-profit agency.

“This funding will be added to significant community fundraising and philanthropic contributions so the support service can continue helping the community.”

Ms Neville said the Geelong community had relied on Bethany for more than a century, but an increased demand for services meant the organisation had outgrown its current premises.