Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre celebrated Neighbourhood Day on Wednesday 13 May starting with Leichhardt Council's 'Good Ideas' coffee cart offering free coffee, tea and hot chocolate to the community in Darling Street from 2-4pm.
While Jan Evans from Cafe Express kept the drinks flowing with skill and grace (especially through the end of school hour rush), Lisa Smajlov, RNC Community Development Worker supplied community information and volunteer opportunities to the 80 people that stopped by for a drink.
Later in the evening Lisa organised a Volunteer Celebration as Volunteer Week also falls in Neighbourhood week and it was a unique opportunity to acknolwedge and centre and the volunteers who are a valuable asset to the community..
Volunteers were invited from the diversity of programs offered at RNC including Neighbour Aid, Weekend Respite and Recreation Program, Leisure Options, Ever After Theatre Company and our community management committee.
The highlight of the evening was the interactive 'Living Library' hosted by Leichhardt Council Mayor Jamie Parker. RNC is very fortunate to have a large number of professionals committed to our centre and their roles as volunteers. Jamie spent some time facilitating conversations with a small panel which he then opened up to the whole audience allowing everyone to gain an insight into volunteering and how much this work is valued by the Centre and the community at large.
Jamie also asked about the vision of the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre - the major one (as per our strategic plan) being to ensure we have a secure premises / home / building that is conducive to the vital work we do (hence the scaffolding in the photo) and another, was to be recognised and valued for the work we do by the NSW State Government.
RNC would also like to have the resources to acknowledge our volunteers on a more regular basis and with the dignity they deserve. All volunteers received a certificate of appreciation to commemorate the night.
Tasty treats were prepared by Tom Foster volunteers. Everyone was thoroughly impressed and would like to acknolwlege the wonderful spread they created.
Carole Strong
General Manager | 
