YWCA Australia

YWCA Australia has fourteen affiliated local associations and a number of local groups around the country.

YWCA of Albury-Wodonga

YWCA of Albury-Wodonga is a small association situated in Wodonga and servicing the Albury-Wodonga area. Currently the association provides social activities to members and is developing future programmes.

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YWCA of Brisbane

The past year has been both important and exciting for the YWCA of Brisbane. YWCA of Brisbane is situated in the heart of Brisbane city. The association has recently been focused on the review and upgrade of their programs, internal procedures and the financial sustainability of the organisation.

Over the past year the Encore programme has extended to Ipswich and Redland Bay due to increasing demand. The Community Visitors Scheme now has a strong volunteer base and presence in Aged Care Facilities throughout Brisbane, assisting isolated residents. The YWCA of Brisbane also jointly managed the Women's Community Sector Engagement Project, which aimed to build the capacity of women and women's organisations and networks to work together and advocate more effectively to ensure that social, political and economic inequality and human rights abuses that women experience are on the policy agenda for action. Their Conversational English Classes continue to operate each week and are offered free of charge to ensure accessibility. The Y Thrift Shop continues to do well and is able to open thanks to a great team of volunteers. YWCA of Brisbane has also hosted a number of successful events with a highlight being the Inaugural Presidents Dinner with the Governor of Qld, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, in attendance.

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YWCA of Broken Hill

2004 - 2005 was a good year for the YWCA of Broken Hill. Their focus remained on the provision of services to the women and girls in their city. They also commenced much needed renovations to their facilities, which resulted in continued improvement in usage of their building. Their regular involvement in the community and its various events has maintained their good profile.

The vision of YWCA of Broken Hill is to extend the number of classes they offer and to develop and grow as an association.

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YWCA of Downs and SW QLD

Things you should know about the YWCA Downs & South West QLD

We are:

• Highly active in delivering training and support programs throughout South West Queensland, with a focus on personal development and employment outcomes.
• Directly assists hundreds of individuals every year - parents, carers, young people, long term unemployed and others with significant barriers to community participation.
• A Registered Training Organisation (RTO), offering professional, focused, meaningful training, often at no cost to the participant.
• Through its affiliation with YWCA, has access to a range of ready-made training modules and materials.
• Has a training/meeting room that seats 100-plus that is available for hire.
• Will be one of the largest providers of community housing in Toowoomba when remodelling of its Mary Street property is complete.
• The local provider of the ‘YWCA Encore’ program, a gentle exercise program to help women recovering from breast cancer.
• Founded and continues to support a local group of innovative young women, aptly named the ‘Ygirls’.
• A major supporter of the annual Eidecan Youth Festival.
• Has been operating in the Downs region since 1932, originally helping women though the post-war and then Depression years.
• Has offices in Chinchilla, Roma and Dalby as well as Toowoomba.

If you would like to know more about your local ‘Y’, just:
Pick up the phone: (07) 4632 2610, or Point and click: ywcaadmin@ywcadswqld.org.au | www.ywcadswqld.org.au

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YWCA of Hunter Region

YWCA Hunter Region (in Newcastle and surrounds) works with pre-school children through to mature aged women and each program has its special focus and concern for individuals independent of age. They have Elizabeth House Hostel which offers 46 bed mixed hostel accommodation; Y on Dawson, a low cost Accommodation for 6 female University Students; a Youth Centre; Pre-School program, Government funded Primary School Holiday Program, Encore Program, recreational programs and building hire. Planning is underway to redevelopment one of their properties to meet their Strategic Directions Plan for future development and new opportunities in the community.

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YWCA of Perth

It has been a busy 12 months for the YWCA of Perth with some new board members and a new and exciting strategic plan. One of their key goals is to implement a new program each year. The Encore program has been running successfully for a number of years and has increasing demand particularly in the regional areas of Western Australia. The new programme for 2005 is a clothes library. The clothes library runs as a service to the long term unemployed who are about to go to job interviews. Continuing in their long tradition, YWCA of Perth again held their food outlet at the Royal Perth Show although this may be their last year in the current building before major renovations occur.

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YWCA of Port Pirie

The YWCA of Port Pirie has maintained the tradition of their significant fund raising event - the Annual Christmas Tree Festival. It is now in its 46th year and involves the whole community. The association maintains four clubs who meet regularly and do voluntary work in the community.

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YWCA of Tasmania

YWCA of Tasmania is a newly formed small association which continues to build on its membership base in preparation for further activities in their community.

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YWCA of Townsville

During the year ended 30 June 2005 the Townsville YWCA has been continuing to operate against a background of fluctuating membership but running successful member events such as picnics, movie nights and a new Scrabble Club and Book Club to join their existing card club. The Wirrina Club, which started in 1964 and which is the only club the members of which must be members of the YWCA, is continuing to meet, with some foundation members still attending.

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